FOUR: Protection

~JUNE~

“They were there for Gavin.”

His grey eyes sharpened, studying me carefully, almost like he was deciding how much to say. “They’ve known about your little debt for a while.” He said evenly. “If they wanted you, you’d have been dragged out months ago.”

My skin went cold.

“They’ve been watching.” The blonde muttered.

Scott nodded once, gaze never leaving mine. “They found out my brother was there.”

My heart began pounding again, but for an entirely different reason. “No-” I whispered. “They didn’t even know he’d show up. He just came over.”

Scott tilted his head slightly, raising a brow. “You really think that’s a coincidence?” he sighed. “They weren’t there for collecting, instead they were there to send a message.”

“To who?” My voice trembled.

His jaw tightened. “To me.”

The words made my belly churn with an unsettling feeling.

The dark-skinned man exhaled sharply. “Knightside’s been itching for leverage. They couldn’t touch you directly, Prez. So they hit what matters.”

Prez…

My eyes widened slightly and Scott didn’t deny the tittle.

“They used you.” He said quietly, almost thoughtfully. “And they used him.”

My legs felt weak.

“No…” I shook my head. “They were yelling at me. They said ‘next time you pay.’ They had a knife to my throat-”

“And they didn’t kill you.” Scott cut in bluntly.

I stilled.

He stepped closer, lowering his voice. “If this was about collecting your debt, you’d be in a trunk right now. Or worse.”

My pulse roared in my ears.

“They wanted him hurt.” Scott admitted.

Images flashed in my mind, the bat swinging. The sickening crack followed by Gavin’s screams.

“They went for his shoulder.” Scott continued. “Not his head. Not his throat. They wanted him alive and injured.”

Because a broken shoulder meant something. Career suicide for his Hockey plays, except he heals properly and is back in good shape. My stomach churned violently.

“They knew exactly what they were doing.” The blonde added grimly.

Tears streamed down my face again. “No… no, this is my fault. If he wasn’t at my place-”

Scott’s voice hardened. “This isn’t your fault.”

I blinked up at him.

It was the first time his tone had softened even slightly. “They’ve been looking for a way to get under my skin.” He said. “Gavin’s high-profile and untouchable in public. Was a perfect pressure point.”

I felt sick. “So they tracked him?...”

“They track everything.” Scott replied.

The hallway suddenly felt suffocating, reporters murmured somewhere in the distance. Nurses walked by pretending not to stare and I realized something horrifying.

They hadn’t broken into my apartment because I owed money, they broke in because Scott Powell was my best friend’s brother and the Knightside Riders wanted war.

Scott’s eyes lowered to me again, assessing. “Does he know?” he asked.

“No.” I shook my head immediately. “He doesn’t even know about the debt.”

Scott held my gaze for a long moment, then he nodded once like he has just made his decision. “Alright.”

He turned slightly toward the two men behind him. “Get the boys together.”

The blonde’s mouth twitched into an anticipating grin. “Tonight?”

Scott didn’t hesitate. “Tonight.”

My stomach dropped. “Wait- what are you doing?”

His eyes slid back to me. “Cleaning up a mistake.”

My pulse spiked, fear threading through my veins. “Scott, you can’t just-”

“They put a bat to my brother’s shoulder.” he said quietly. “They put a knife to your throat.”

His jaw tightened. “They wanted my attention.” A dark smile ghosted over his mouth. “They’ve got it.”

The dark-skinned man chuckled under his breath, already pulling out his phone.

“No.” I breathed, panic rising. “You said this wouldn’t reach Gavin. If something happens- if this becomes a war-”

“-It already is.” Scott interrupted.

The hallway suddenly felt too small for him, for what he was about to unleash. He stepped closer to me, lowering his voice so only I could hear. “You don’t owe them anymore.”

I blinked. “What?”

His gray eyes met mine with hard determination. “Your debt. It’s mine now.”

My heart skipped. “You don’t get to do that.”

“I just did.” His tone left no room for argument. “You’re not staying at that apartment.” He continued. “They know the layout. They’ll come back.”

My breath stuttered. “I can’t just disappear.”

“You can, and you will.”

For a second, I saw something in his eyes that wasn’t rage, it was possession. A raw territorial claim on me.

“You’re under my protection now.” He finished.

And somehow… that felt more dangerous than the Knightside Riders ever did.

A nurse stepped out, scanning the small group of us. “He’s awake.” She said gently. “But only immediate family for now.”

Immediate family.

The words sliced clean through me and I instinctively stepped back, guilt hollowing out my chest. Of course. I didn’t belong in that category. I never had. Before I could retreat fully, a warm, firm grip closed around my hand.

I startled.

Scott.

His fingers swallowed mine completely, rough skin, calloused palm, solid heat. The contact sent a sharp jolt up my arm and my breath hitched at the unexpected spark of it.

“Family.” He confirmed to the nurse.

The nurse hesitated only a second before nodding. “Alright. Just for a minute.”

Scott didn’t let go, guiding me forward with his grip steady and unyielding as we followed her down the short corridor. Behind us, the blonde and the dark-skinned man stayed put.

The door to Gavin’s room opened with a soft hiss.

We stepped inside.

Gavin was propped up in the hospital bed, his arm immobilized, shoulder wrapped thick in white bandages. He was staring out the window, jaw tight, the city lights reflecting faintly in his eyes.

The door clicked shut and he turned.

His gaze landed on Scott first and it hardened instantly. “What the fuck are you doing here?” Then his eyes shifted to me. “You brought him here?” he accused.

I shook my head quickly, pulling my hand free from Scott’s as if burned and rushing to Gavin’s side. “No. I didn’t. He just- he showed up.”

Scott stepped further into the room. “You look well.” He said dryly, grey eyes scanning the bandages.

Gavin shot him a venomous glare. “Get the fuck out. You show up in my life when things are spiraling down? How ironic.” He scoffed bitterly.

I reached for his good hand, wrapping mine around it gently, but he stiffened. The rejection made my throat tighten. I slowly loosened my grip, lips trembling as I fought back tears.

Scott crossed his arms, gaze dragging over Gavin, assessing the damage. “You’ll have to deal with me from now on.” Scott said bluntly. “I’m the only family you have left.”

Gavin let out a hollow laugh. “Family, huh?” He shook his head carefully against the pillow. “Family doesn’t abandon each other when things get rough.”

Scott’s jaw flexed.

“I don’t need a brother.” Gavin continued, eyes flicking to me. “I already have a sister and that’s enough.”

The word sister hit like a punch to the ribs. I forced a tight smile, nodding faintly, even though my chest felt like it was collapsing inward.

Scott noticed. His brows twitched slightly, something sharp and knowing flickering in his gaze.

My face burned and I looked away.

Gavin’s attention sharpened on me. “Why did those men break into your apartment?” His eyes narrowed. “Do you owe them money or something?”

I froze, heart racing and without thinking, I glanced at Scott. It was subtle, but Gavin saw it.

His expression darkened immediately. “Oh the fuck not…” His voice rose despite the pain. “Don’t tell me this is because of your freaking gang!” Anger rolled off him in waves.

I cringed inwardly at how obvious I must have looked.

Scott’s voice remained steady. “They attacked to get my attention.” He started. “And they have it. I’ll deal with them. You focus on healing properly.”

Gavin barked out a humorless laugh that turned into a sharp wince. “I’ve got a fractured clavicle all because of your gang’s nonsense!” His eyes glassed over. “You know what that means? I’m off this season.”

The words broke.

Tears slipped from his eyes and mine followed instantly. We cried quietly, him from loss, me from guilt.

Scott didn’t say a word, he just watched silently absorbing everything.

After a long moment, Gavin wiped at his face with his good hand and looked at me again. “You can’t go home.” He said softly.

My lips parted.

Scott answered first. “She’s coming with me.”

My head snapped toward him.

Gavin’s brows furrowed. “The fuck she is. She’ll stay at my place.”

Scott shook his head once. “It wasn’t a suggestion.”

Fear curled in my stomach. Going with Scott meant stepping into his world completely, but staying with Gavin meant comfort. Safety. Maybe something more, especially now that Vicky was out of the picture.

Scott’s eyes flicked to my face, reading the flicker of hesitation. “You can’t refuse it.” He said pointedly. “And you know why.”

The reminder hit like ice water.

The debt.

He’d taken it for himself and now, I was tethered to him.

Gavin squeezed my hand gently this time. “June?”

I swallowed hard, my heart breaking. “I-” My voice shook. “He’s right, I’ll go with him.”

Silence fell heavy in the room. Gavin stared at me, hurt flashing across his face.

Scott didn’t react outwardly, but something in his posture shifted, like he was smug with my reply.

And for the first time since this all started, I realized I hadn’t just stepped into Scott Powell’s protection. I had just stepped into his world.