All of it had happened so fast that Austin couldn’t keep track. With Michael on his knees in front of Hale, stalling for time, he’d kept Kevin from watching Austin as closely as he should have. Austin had no clue whether it was a deliberate choice or not, but he didn’t wait around to ask—he seized the opportunity the moment it was presented to him, propelling himself across the room and grabbing the gun by its nuzzle, thrusting it up and away from Hale at the same time as he slammed his fist into Kevin’s face. Kevin’s grip on the gun loosened all at once, and Austin didn’t waste time yanked it away from him. He flipped the weapon around so he had a better grip on it and slammed the butt of the gun against Kevin’s head.

Hale fell to the floor, likely fainted. Austin left Michael to care for him, focusing his energy on dealing with the piece of scum who’d threatened to defile Hale in the cruelest ways possible. Now that Hale was no longer in danger of being shot, Austin didn’t hold anything back. He grabbed Kevin by the shirt and pummeled him in the head with the gun until Kevin’s body went limp and there was blood staining the grip.

No one is going to hurt my Hale. No one.

Austin dropped Kevin in disgust, kicked him in the side, then shook his head. He turned to face Michael only to find that Michael had carried Hale out of the hallway and into the living room. With Kevin out cold, and with no chance of a rapid recovery, Austin left him to bleed in order to make sure that Hale was okay.

Michael had brought him to the couch. He was laid out flat across the cushions, his eyes closed, and his chest moving with every breath he took.

“I think he passed out,” Michael said. “He’s unharmed. I checked to see if Kevin had hurt him, but I don’t see any marks, and we would have heard if he’d been shot.”

“I need to take care of the shit-stain in the hallway,” Austin said gruffly. Throughout the entire encounter, he’d never felt as much fear as he did when looking down at Hale and realizing he was passed out. If Kevin had done anything to hurt him… “Can you make sure he stays warm and is cared for?”

“Yeah.” Michael hesitated, and Austin paused to let him say whatever it was that was catching in his throat. “I’m… is what you said true? The stuff with Hale?”

Austin tensed. He’d admitted to his physical connection to Hale in a high-pressure situation, but now that the pressure was off and Michael was asking him if it was real, he found himself paralyzed. “It… well… yeah. It’s true.”

“Shit,” Michael murmured. “Just… just make sure that you don’t hurt him, okay? He’s a good kid, and he deserves a lot more than he’s been given in life.”

“I will.”

Austin didn’t know what he had planned for the future, but he already knew one thing for certain—seeing Hale put in danger had awoken the warrior inside of him, and Austin didn’t want to ever lose that drive again. Hale made him feel like he was whole again—like nothing was wrong with him. When he’d been in danger, Austin had never been so afraid. Austin had feelings for him, he realized. They were genuine and heavy, and he wanted to see where they would lead if he let them.

Being straight-ish wasn’t bad after all.

He left Michael and Hale in the living room and went to stand over Kevin, keeping watch while he called the police. He didn’t remember the case number they’d given him, nor did he care. After the televised bust last night, there was no way they wouldn’t know what he was talking about, and he assumed that they’d drop everything to come apprehend their suspect, which was good—Austin didn’t want anything to do with him.

Still holding Kevin’s gun, he dialed the police.

“Hidden Creek Police Department,” the same woman he’d spoken to the day before said. “Your call is being recorded for security purposes. Are you presently safe?”

“Yes,” Austin replied. He glared down at Kevin, daring him to get up. Kevin didn’t—he’d be passed out for quite some time.

“How may we help you?”

“I’m calling about the escaped suspect from last night’s bust at the warehouse,” Austin said, his voice grittier than it usually was. “I’ve apprehended the suspect after he forced his way into the apartment I’m in and threatened us with a weapon. I need immediate assistance.”

“May I have the address, please?”

Austin listed off the details and answered the additional questions the dispatcher had for him. It wasn’t long before the call was over and the police were on their way. Austin stood over Kevin the entire time, watching and waiting for any signs that he was waking up. He wouldn’t let Hale be harmed again, no matter how long he had to stand there, waiting for help to arrive. He would keep what was his safe, and by now, Hale was definitely, irrevocably his. All he had to do now was prove it to him.