Page 25 of His to Break

Hunter barely had time to turn his head in surprise before Caleb darted past their entangled bodies. Caleb clutched Eli tightly to his chest, the boy's innocent eyes wide with curiosity at the unfolding chaos.

Hunter lunged towards this prey with a snarl, his intentions clear. In that split-second, Ryker didn't hesitate. With a powerful, protective blow, he slammed into Hunter, sending him crashing to the floor. The sound echoed through the small space, a testament to the force behind the strike.

The Thorne men weren't lightweights, and Ryker's opponent was no exception. In the brawl, Hunter got his hands around Ryker's throat, trying to squeeze. But with enough breath to keep fighting, Ryker swung his leg over Hunter's, locking him in place. Hunter wasn't going anywhere until there wasn't a single breath left in Ryker.

Caleb now had a clear path to escape.

In just a few steps he'd be outside, and free to flee…

But instead, Caleb froze. Those big eyes stayed locked on the fight.

Ryker swore internally. He always forgot how easily-spooked civilians were. The slightest thing made them freeze up like rabbits in headlights. "Run!" Ryker barked between grunts, his voice strained yet commanding. "Get Eli out of here!"

But Caleb was no rabbit.

He hadn't frozen because he wasscared.

Hunter was still focused on his opponent. He squeezed Ryker's throat, his face contorted in rage. Ryker could tell where his priorities were: as long as Hunter took out Ryker, it didn't matter if Caleb ran -- Hunter could then track Caleb down without anyone there to stop him…

Ryker's vision was going blotchy around the edges, but that was unimportant. All he had to do was keep Hunter here until Caleb could run.

"Get the fuck off him!"

Hunter's head turned, not expecting the challenge -- but it was too late. Caleb's foot hit him hard in his side, a nasty little shot right in the kidney. Hunter lurched to the side, his grip unraveling from around Ryker's throat.

That was all Ryker needed. He landed one sharp blow, sending Hunter reeling.

"Stay down," Ryker hissed, panting heavily as he stood over Hunter's unconscious body, his face twisted into a snarl of anger that mirrored his opponent's.

"Fighting is bad," Eli mumbled.

"Sorry," Caleb said between panting breaths. "I'll make it up to you, okay?"

"I want… a truck."

Ryker lurched towards the door, steadying his breathing. "I'll get you two trucks, big guy. Whatever color you want."

"Let's go," Caleb whispered urgently. He took Ryker's arm, trying to steady him. His breath was warm against Ryker's cheek as they pressed close together in haste. They made their way out of the bathroom, and fled the airport as surreptitiously as possible.

Together, they made their way through the bustling airport, the cacophony of voices and footsteps fading into the background as they focused on their escape.

"You should have run when I told you to," Ryker said under his breath.

"And left you like that?"

"Exactly. I can take care of myself."

Caleb held Eli closer, his eyes full of some emotion that Ryker couldn't read. "Sure… but after a while, taking care of yourself just kind of sucks."

"True." Ryker smirked. "That was a pretty good kick, you know."

A smug grin flashed across Caleb's face, lighting it up despite the stress he wore. "You don't like a life like mine without learning where to hit a man where it hurts."

They moved stealthily through the crowded airport parking lot, their steps purposeful but discreet. Caleb's features, once etched with tension, now bore the subtle traces of relief as he glanced back, ensuring they remained undetected. Eli, held protectively in Caleb's arms, had a mix of wide-eyed apprehension and trust in his gaze, his small fingers clutching Caleb's shirt.

Though stressed and aware of the ever-present peril that had dogged their every step, a sense of relief washed over them as they reached Ryker's waiting car, the promise of escape hanging just within reach.

But as they pulled away from the airport, Ryker noticed Caleb's eyes drooping, his once-vibrant energy waning. Slowly, he slumped to the side, his cheek pillowing against Ryker's shoulder. A spike of alarm shot through Ryker. "Are you hurt?"

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