Casey was tired of visiting the police station. Crossing the NSPD emblem on the floor, he approached the receptionist's desk. Despite the warmth that furnished the building, Casey shivered. He folded his arms across his chest. After explaining to the young woman that they needed to speak with Detective Bailey, they took their seats on some leather chairs to wait.

Nothing felt real anymore. It was like he'd been thrown into some kind of thriller movie with ruthless killers pursuing him. Casey needed to tell his family. When he reached for his phone in his coat pocket, it almost slipped out of his trembling hand.

"Casey?" Concern shone in August's eyes as he removed his jacket, draping it over Casey's shoulders. "You okay?"

"Not really," Casey muttered.

"Is there anything I can do?" August asked.

Casey shook his head. "I'm just shaken up. I never expected they'd come after me. Like, I know you warned me."

"Nah, I get it. I'm sorry. Wish I could've stopped it from happening. Maybe I shouldn't have had you meet me there." August gently rubbed his injured, bandaged arm, sighing.

"I think they would've come after me regardless," Casey told him. "If not tonight, eventually."

Casey's phone pinged in his lap, lighting up with a new text from his dad. Dread sunk in his stomach. He needed to tell him what happened. Inhaling a sharp breath of air, Casey unlocked his phone and called his father. Each ring synced with his heartbeat until he answered.

"Hey, where are you? Is everything alright?"

Casey licked his chapped lips, pressing the phone tightly against his ear. "Dad, I don't want you to freak out."

"What's wrong? Did something happen? Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm alright but someone shot at me. Shattered my windows," Casey told him. "I'm at the police station now. August is with me. If not for him, I probably would have a bullet in my head."

"Shot at you? Shit, I'm coming down there now," Dad said.

"No, you don't need to do that. Stay at the house with Wyatt and Lani." Casey insisted. "I'll be home soon, okay? How's Wyatt?"

His father paused for a moment. "Good, he's just waiting for you. Already had his bath and brushed his teeth. Him and Lani had fun with the playdough, then he spent some time playing games on her tablet."

"I'm glad he had fun. Tell him I'll be home as soon as I can. I dunno how long this will take," Casey replied, gazing up when he spotted Detective Bailey coming around the corner. "I gotta go, Dad. I promise, I'm okay. I'll be back soon."

"Okay, you be safe getting back. I love you. If you need me, I'll come down there."

"Thanks, I love you too." Casey ended the call, stuffing his phone back in his pocket.

"Casey? Is something wrong?" Detective Bailey asked.

"Yeah, some guys shot at us. I was driving home and they came out of nowhere," Casey replied. "My windows are shattered from the bullets. Just look outside and you'll see."

Concern creased his rigid features. "Are you alright? None of the bullets hit either of you? No grazes or cuts from shards of glass?"

Casey shook his head. "No, we're okay."

"Casey just wanted to make a report," August said. "I went with him cuz I noticed some sketchy guys watching him. Turns out they targeted him."

"I'm surprised to see you here, August. Haven't heard from you in a while. How's your grandma doing?" Detective Bailey asked.

August shrugged. "She's alright, I guess."

Casey shifted his gaze between the two, not expecting such an amicable conversation. It didn't take long for them to set up in an interview room and give their recounts of what happened. Detective Bailey promised to keep an officer posted outside his home, just in case someone attempted to follow him or attack his family.

After thanking the detective for his time, Casey made his way back out to his car with August. They documented photographic evidence of the damage, and Casey assured Detective Bailey that he could make it home on his own, even with the windows broken.

"I don't wanna go home yet," Casey said. "Don't really wanna drive around either, after what happened."

August nodded. "I know a place we can go."

🧁

Nocturnal life stirred awake, despite the cold, while they sipped their steamy mugs of coffee. Casey hadn't been ready to return home just yet. Not when he suspected those guys might follow him. After giving his statement at the police station, he let August drive them to his grandmother's house on the next block.

The moment he stepped inside, a warm aroma of cinnamon embraced him. August's grandmother was a sweet, petite old lady with snow white hair. She welcomed them inside and got them cups of coffee.

Shivers raked Casey's body as he tried to calm his frantic heart. Gunshots still echoed in his head. Every small noise had him skittish, like he'd jump right out of his skin. Even the padding steps of their family dog pacing the living room had him on edge. The dog sniffed at his left foot then hurried over to August, who dangled some dog treats in front of him.

"You okay, honey?" August's grandma came up behind him, draping a blanket over his shoulders. "August tells me those gang members were after ya."

Casey nodded. "I-I think so."

"Them no good sons a bitches been after my boy here too. Won't leave him be," she said.

"Grammie, now's not the time for that." August rested a hand on her shoulder. "Casey's still in shock. Hell, I am too. I can't believe they'd go this far. They're ignoring Veronica."

Casey rested his mug down on a coaster. "What do you mean?"

"The guys that shot at us were Black Vipers," August replied.

"Seriously? Emmett was telling the truth then."

"Emmett?" August raised a brow. "You've been talking with their rival?"

"No, he's a guy that works at the Wallflower. He warned me about your gang putting a hit out on my family. I guess he wasn't lying," Casey explained.

"Well, that slimy bastard's no better. Honestly, neither gang is trustworthy," August said.

"You're still one of them," Casey murmured.

August shrugged. "Wish I wasn't. Didn't have much of a choice. Anyway, you can stay here as long as you want. If the couch isn't comfortable enough, you can sleep in my old bedroom."

"Oh, I appreciate you bringing me here, but I've gotta get back home to Wyatt. My family will be worried sick about me," Casey told him.

"Alright, but we're gonna lay low here just a bit longer. You need to relax. Right now, you're still reeling from the impact," August replied. "And I wanna make sure those guys don't follow you back to your house."

"You don't think they'd try to shoot up our home, do you?" Casey bit on his lower lip, tasting a tang of blood.

"That's what I'm concerned about. Y'all have a gun, right?" August asked. "In case something were to happen?"

"Yeah, we do. They're locked up in my dad's room," Casey replied. "Detective Bailey said they're gonna keep an officer posted outside our house. Do you not think that's enough?"

"Well, it might be for tonight, but the police won't guard y'all forever. When they stop, those vipers might take another opportunity to shoot ya again. I dunno what's going on or why they've gone rogue," August explained. "We're supposed to protect you and your family."

"I went to see Veronica yesterday," Casey told him. "It didn't end very well. Maybe she's turned against me? Maybe she wants me and my family dead."

August shook his head. "I don't think so. If that was the case, I feel like she would've told me to kill you already."

she whacked her son's arm. "Don't talk like that, boy. Casey already looks scared enough."

"Sorry." August pouted, then took a seat beside Casey, gently rubbing his arm. "I know you're not on the best terms with Veronica, but I don't think she'd ever do something like this. Not when it would put Wyatt in danger."

Casey sighed. "Honestly, I don't know who to trust. Someone already killed my mom and now they're coming after my whole family. Maybe we should just move away. It took my dad forever to get the bakery going, but surely he could set up someplace else."

"You shouldn't have to do that," August told him.

"It might be safer for Wyatt and all of us."

"They'll follow you," she said, pausing to sip her coffee. "I tried getting August outta here once. They found us. You don't want those guys following you outta town either. They won't mess around."

"Why'd you try leaving?" Casey pried.

August looked down at the floor, sighing. "I wanted out. The fights were too much on me. They broke my ribs, busted my lip, and blackened my eye. I was just a stupid teenager who joined for protection. I should've known better."

"We packed up one night and drove into Colorado, but it wasn't long before I realized someone followed us," she explained. "We got the cops involved, but there wasn't much they could do. No evidence. No ID on the guys following us."

"Later that night after we took off, I got a call from Veronica," August said. "She told me they wanted to kill me. You can't really leave a gang without facing consequences. Once you're in, you're in for life. But she promised to help me. The only condition was having to come back and stay with them."

"That's why you're loyal to Veronica."

August nodded. "I owe her for that. Had she not stepped in, I'd probably be dead."

"Those good for nothing cops did nothing!" She shook her head. "I still think we should've driven up to Canada and changed our names. Bet they'd never have found us."

August chuckled. "Nah, I could put ya in more danger. Shit sucks, but it is what it is. Least I can do is help you, Casey. Not just for Veronica either. Those assholes need to leave you and your family alone. If we can get rid of them, then I might have a chance of getting out for good."

"Ah, there's something in it for you. No wonder you wanna help me," Casey told him.

"Well, yeah." August awkwardly scratched the back of his neck, forcing a half grin. "But it ain't just for that. I don't want them to hurt you or any more of your family. You don't deserve that shit."

Casey's shivers subsided. While he had been dubious of August, learning more about why he stayed with the gang made him understand why he did it. Almost getting shot in a frightening car chase had been a rude awakening for Casey. The police could only do so much to keep them safe. August was right. Eventually, they'd stop putting patrol cars to watch their home and without any foolproof evidence, they wouldn't be able to arrest anyone.

"What now?" Casey asked softly. "What am I supposed to do?"

"Just be there for your family." August rested a consoling hand on his shoulder, offering a sympathetic smile. "I'll do what I can to keep them away, okay? I'm also gonna try to find out who went rogue. I'm thinking it's a small group who's against Veronica."

"Yeah, but why?" Casey frowned. "She's locked up. What good is it to come after my family? Veronica and my mom weren't even fond of each other. Honestly, I doubt she cares that she's dead."

"I'm sorry. I wish I knew." August sighed. "But I'll let you know when I find something, okay?"

"Alright, thanks." Casey rose from the couch. "And thank you, for letting me into your home. I gotta get home now though. I'm sure Wyatt wants me to read him a bedtime story like I promised."

"Of course. I'll come with you. Don't worry about me finding my way home. I'll call a buddy of mine," August replied.

August offered to drive, but Casey politely declined and climbed back into the front seat of his damaged car. Broken shards covered the floorboards, so he was careful where he stepped. Cold wind nipped at his face when he hit the road. He disregarded the chilling sting and drove onward, occasionally glancing into his rearview mirror for any suspicious vehicles behind them.

All Casey could think about was getting home to his family. That incessant ringing in his ears never faded. Each whirring gunshot had been so close to his head. Any of them could've killed him. Realizing how close he'd come to dying only made him want the bastards to pay even more.