#mob!tom

Shots suddenly rained down around them. Another man raced at Harry and Tom tackled him, rolling until he was using him as a shield. His body shuddered as bullets hit. Suddenly his whole weight was on Tom. Stray shots hit the light switch beside the door and the warehouse plunged into darkness. The top windows were all boarded up, and they were left with only the small sliver of light from under the door. Tom cursed under his breath. He'd barely got a look at the layout of the room.

As the body above him jerked from the blow of more bullets he worked out the trajectory of the attackers. One on the left, two on the right. He knew Harry wouldn't be far away. Just as he thought it a low whistle from the left wall sounded. The firing automatically moved to the new target and Tom pushed out from under his shield. He aimed left while circling right. The satisfying clatter of a dropped gun sounded, followed closely by a shriek as Harry managed to hit another one.

Sticking to the wall his eyes slowly started to adjust. He could see the outlines of the two men, one now on his knees. The second was skirting back, shots flailing around the room as he tried to find one of them. Noise covered by the rapid fire, Tom crept close enough to shoot him from behind.

Seven.

In the sudden silence he crouched low against the wall. His heart beat steadily despite the worry infiltrating his concentration. What if he didn't find you? What if he didn't get them all? With a sharp shake of his head he battled them back into the dark corner they'd crawled from. He was good at his job, he reminded himself, and right now his job was to find you. Scanning the room he found the other three has been spreading out, letting the others act as a distraction while they got into better positions. One covered the main door, the two others close by.

"Tom!" The urgency to Harry's voice had dread lacing into his adrenaline. He pinpointed him in the far corner. In the dim light he could see him shifting a body from a chair and laying them down on the ground. Tom was sprinting before he realised. The shots started up again, ricocheted around him as his heart stuttered in his chest. You were here. You were in reach. You weren't moving. He slid to a stop, dropping to his knees to cover your body protectively with his. Hands gripping your cheeks he barely breathed, a silent prayer chanting endlessly in his mind as he took in the sheen of sweat coating your skin.

Unable to hear your breathing he put his hand on your chest. A wet warm liquid spreading under his palm had him turn to ice. Shaking, he found his fingers coated with blood. His stomach dropped as he frantically tried to check your pulse. You were alive. You had to be. You were still warm. His fingers gripped your neck and after an agonising minute found the weak thrum of your heartbeat. He sagged for a second as he took a shuddered breath.

Harry had been returning gunfire and now paused to crouch behind the chair and reload. He signalled to a spot behind Tom and then saluted, determination radiating from him. A shout lodged in Tom’s throat as Harry suddenly turned and sprinted into the fray. This had been the plan he tried to remind himself as panic choked him. Harry could handle himself. Getting you out was the only thing that mattered.

Cradling you gently he checked over his shoulder to where Harry had indicated. Another door. Standing quickly he kicked it open, pausing only long enough to shove it closed behind him. The chaos of gunshots dampened into dull background noise as he moved through the small room and out another door at the back. He exited into what felt like a long hallway punctuated by green emergency lights. He followed them right, moving down the space as quickly as he dared in the dark. The exit came into view, the light above outlining the edge of the door, and relief flooded through him. Gathering you closer he picked up his pace.

A shot pierced the quiet hallway. Pain startled him as a bullet tore at his ear. He staggered, stumbling through the closest doorway. His grip tightened on you as he landed sharply on his shoulder with a hiss. Droplets of blood trickled down his jaw as rage filled him. Nothing was going to stop him getting you out of that door. Laying you in a safe spot he pulled out his gun.

Stepping into the hallway he fired a few rounds into the dark. A high pitched curse and a clatter followed. He kept his gun pointed towards the sound while he slipped out his phone and lit up the hallway with the torch.

Montana was kneeling on the ground, her injured right arm cradled against her chest, blood dripping onto her blouse. Her gun had fallen too far away for her to reach. She tried to shield her eyes as he stalked closer.

"We won't stop," she warned through gritted teeth, "you know we won't." Her words had his fury peaking. After everything he did for them, all the lines he'd had to cross, morals he'd had to skirt to protect them. A deadly calmness settled over him. They'd realise soon enough that you were the only thing that mattered to him now.

He raised the gun and shot her at point blank. There was no hesitation. No whisper of doubt as he'd taken in the split second of panic on her face. He regretted nothing. He knew he'd do anything to protect you and now he had.

Shoving his phone away he retraced his steps and lifted you back into his arms. Pushing out through the exit the sunlight had him ducking his head as his eyes adjusted to the sudden brightness. His gaze caught on your face. The colour was leeching out of your skin, your lips turning blue. He scanned your body for any other wounds and the vibrant stain coating the bottom half of your shirt was suddenly all he could see. It looked almost fake. There was too much of it. Panic started to rise in his chest.

Harry yelled from the drivers seat of the SUV pulling him out of his spiral. As the rear door popped open Tom hurried over and climbed in with you. Slamming the door shut he grabbed the first aid kit as the car tailspun away from the warehouse and shot back onto the road.

Ripping your shirt open his stomach lurched as he took in the knife wound. Fumbling for some gauze pads he tried to stem the bleeding. Within seconds the fabric was soaked.

"Harry," he pleaded and the car shifted gear, the outside streaming past the windows. Stripping off his shirt he folded it roughly and used it to apply pressure.

His eyes met his brothers in the rear view mirror. The uncertainty radiating from them had Tom gripping you closer still. You would be OK. He knew harry would stop at nothing to get you to the hospital. You would be OK. With a shaky hand he brushed back the loose hair caught on your face. His thumb caressed your cheek softly in a gentle rhythm.

“I’ve got you. You’re safe. I’m here.” His voice broke as he repeated those lines over and over, hoping for some indication you could hear him. Praying to every deity he could think of that you’d wake up. Droplets landed on you, washing away some of the blood he’d smeared onto your face. Tears he realised as more dropped steadily from his jaw. He needed you to wake up. He would do anything and everything to have you open your eyes right now. He couldn’t, wouldn't, lose you. Not like this. Not with everything still unsaid between you. He needed a chance to tell you how much he didn’t blame you for running. How much he would make every one of them pay for hurting you. And most importantly how much he loved you. Fuck, he loved you with everything he had. You not waking up wasn’t an option. He didn’t think he’d survive if you didn’t.

Your skin was starting to cool down. He draped himself over you as close as he dared, praying his body heat would help. He could see your chest struggle to take in air. His free hand fisted in your hair, his forehead pressing against yours tightly as he a sob wracked him. You just needed to hold on a little longer.

"Please, don't leave me. Please."

The car stopped. So did your breathing.

Everything suddenly moved too fast for him to keep up. The back door to the SUV was yanked open. Hands pulled him away from you. You were moved onto a stretcher. An oxygen mask was put on. Someone took over holding your wound. They were rushing you away into the hospital. He tried to follow but he wasn't quick enough. The doors closed.

You were gone.

---

Taglist:

@loxbbg

@rosie-posie08

@woahmrstark

@a-mj-a

@pikastark

@jessicalee97

When he got back to the bar he gripped his Harry’s shoulder. A silent signal before saying, “we should head out. I’m sure there’s a motel around here somewhere we can rest up.”

Harry looked expectantly at the barman who nodded and gave rough directions to one further down the road. Slipping a few bills over Harry stood but Tom had already taken off back to the car.

“I can’t tell if you have good news or bad news,” Harry admitted as he joined him in the front seat.

“Her name was on the rota. She’s supposed to be here tonight. She has to be close.” He pulled the car out and headed towards the motel, a prayer on his lips that he was about to find you.

Harry’s phone dinged. From the corner of his eye he saw him swipe at the message and then freeze.

“Tom, pull over.” Eyes darting to his brother the tone of his voice had his chest constricting. He turned into the motel parking lot and stopped across several spaces in his haste. His hands choked the steering wheel as he waited for Harry to speak.

“Montana has her.” The tremor of worry in his words was nothing compared to the full body shake that started in Tom. It couldn’t be. They wouldn’t send them for something this small, for someone this unimportant. What was he missing? Head resting on the wheel he tried to breathe but his chest kept constricting tighter. The people he’s spent years protecting had turned on him. They’d gone behind his back and taken you to be- he stopped himself. He didn’t wanted to think about what he knew Montana would do to you. Black spots floated over his vision until Harry’s phone sounded again.

“I have an address. Its 20 minutes away.” His decision was made in seconds. A burning determination charged him. As soon as he got his hands on you he’d never let go again. He’d keep you safe even if it meant burning everything in his life to the ground. Burning them to the ground.

But those were his choices, he wouldn’t drag anyone else into this. He turned to Harry about to voice that and got a stern glare.

“Don’t you dare get sappy on me. If you go, I’m coming too.” As if to back up his statement he popped the glovebox and took out the gun hidden there. “I won’t let you lose her.”

With a shared look the weight shifted off his chest and he threw the car into gear.

Y/N POV

Your head swam as bright light pierced at your eyelids. You listened for the sound of your alarm but couldn’t hear anything. Five more minutes you told yourself. Your body ached to stretch out and it wasn’t until you shifted you realised you were sitting. Had you fallen asleep at work? The worry behind that thought helped you shift closer to awake but just as you thought you’d be able to open your eyes a wave of darkness pulled you back to sleep.

It was the sound of footsteps that finally helped you surface. Opening your eyes your mind sluggishly tried to put together the information they were seeing. A dirty concrete floor. A single bulb above you casting a small circle of light. Everything beyond that was swathed in darkness but you could sense eyes on you. You tried to shift your arms but found they were stuck. A sliver of panic raced up your spine as you tugged harder and felt the bite of plastic straps tightening around your wrists. The sudden adrenaline rush that followed triggered flashes of memories. Being grabbed in the motel room. The sharp sting of a needle in your arm. The rough carpet beneath your palms. They'd got you.

The icy press of metal against your back registered too slowly. You felt like you were underwater. Everything wavered at the edges as you struggled to suck in enough air.

“Don’t worry. This won’t take long.” The tension lacing the air snapped with those words and reality flooded in. Your body froze up, muscles tensing painfully as it finally registered how much danger you were in. The barrel dug in slightly as he reached out to grip your shoulder. You were too shocked to even flinch as his rough fingers dug into your collar bone, holding you in place.

A lighter flickered in the shadows then the steady pace of footsteps echoed closer and closer until a shape took form outside the boundary of the light. Smoke fanned from them on a heavy exhale.

“Tell me what you saw.”

You barely heard her words over the rapid beating in your ears.

“I don’t-” You cut off as the grip on you tightened in warning.

“When?” you re-routed quickly.

“The office.” There was no clarification needed for that. The scene was still burned into your memory even if the feeling surrounding it had dimmed, been resolved with your acceptance of Tom.

“He was with someone. He had a gun to their head.” Your voice sounded off, mechanical as you relayed the information.

“Do you know who it was?”

You shook your head. “There was too much...too much blood.”

“Hmm.” She stepped forward, her hazy form snapping to full definition as the light hit. With a crisp navy pant suit and perfect hollywood curls she wasn’t what you’d been expecting and a glimmer of hope fluttered in your chest. Maybe you could reason with her? Maybe you could- Your thoughts cut short as you saw the way she stared at you. Like you were a butterfly caught in a jar. A butterfly she would pull the wings from without hesitation. You tried to swallow but your throat had dried up.

She took a long inhale of her cigarette, the embers flaring before drifting to the ground.

“Let’s see if we can help you remember any more details.”

The restraint on your shoulder tightened. Before you could blink the cigarette was pushed against the base of your neck. Your shock numbed you for a blissful second before the sting had you sucking in a pained breath and jolting back against the gun barrel. Tied to the chair you had nowhere to go.

You forced yourself to hold still, fingernails digging into your palms, teeth biting the inside of your cheek to hold back your whimpers as she created a constellation of burns along your shoulder.

Eventually the cigarette snubbed out and she raised an eyebrow expectantly.

“I don’t know who it was,” you managed to croak out. All the available moisture in your body seemed to have evaporated or joined the rivulets of sweat dripping down your back.

She sighed. “I thought you’d say that.” A switch blade clicked open in her hand and your heart stopped.

With a flick of her wrist the blade disappeared. You're gaze dropped in confusion to find the knife stuck between your ribs. As soon as your brain registered the injury pain blazed like wildfire through your chest. Your breath caught in your throat. Then she pulled the knife out. Searing agony filled every nerve ending as more damage was done. There was a rasping sound. It was you trying to breathe.

Warmth spread out over your side and soaked into your clothes. The metallic tang was all you could smell. You knew, without even needing to look, that there was too much. That there was nothing you could do.

She crouched until she was eye level with you. “Now is the time to tell me anything you’re holding back. If you do know something I’m sure we can come to an arrangement.” You looked at the dull disinterest in her eyes. Even if you had known something there was nothing about the way she spoke to you that gave you any hope of making it out of there. With startling contrast you realised that this was what a true killer looked like. How you had ever thought Tom could be cold and heartless like this was unforgivable. Bile rose in your throat as you thought again about how much you must have hurt him. Grimacing through the pain you knew there was only one thing you wanted to waste your breath saying to the monster before you.

“I hope he finds you.” For a fraction of a second you swore she froze, then her eyes narrowed.

Scrunching your eyes shut to block her out you pictured Tom. You'd memorised his face that night. His warm brown eyes that flared with hope when you told him you needed time. The conviction to his words when he told you nothing would change how he felt about you. That he’d be there when you needed him. Your heart clenched in despair. How had you been so stupid? How had you ever thought that running away would make things easier? You wished you'd kissed him. Brushed his curls away from his face and told him you loved him like you had a million times before. Now you’d never see him again. Never get the chance to apologise. He'd never know how much you regretted leaving him. Tears spilled over onto your cheeks.

"Ugh," the sound of disgust brought you back to the present. "I don't have time for this. Deal with her." You tried to cling to the vision of Tom behind your eyes. A shuffle of movement behind you had you freezing. Then pain exploded at your temple. Everything went dark.

---

Part 7

Taglist:

@loxbbg

@rosie-posie08

@woahmrstark

@a-mj-a

@pikastark

@jessicalee97

You felt like you had been running for months not weeks and it was starting to take a toll. Your body ached from all the long shifts doing whatever job you could convince someone to let you do. Your mind was exhausted from the paranoia that had crept in steadily even as you got further away from Miami. Little things that would normally be insignificant sent your mind racing. People standing at the corner of streets. Men in suits watching a little too closely when you handed them their drinks. Cars pulling into the parking lot of your motel in the middle of the night. You’d watched too many movies for your mind to overlook anything. The fear that you were right, and not simply on the verge of a breakdown, pushed you to drop everything and move on constantly.

Then there were the times when you thought you saw him. A flash of curls, the glint of his watch, a faint hint of his aftershave. The rush of worry and anxiety that had plagued you since you landed had eventually ebbed. Constant time alone staring at the flaking ceilings in numerous motel rooms had given you plenty of time to think over everything. To take a step back and process exactly what had happened. Now when you thought you caught sight of him there was anticipation, and something you hadn’t expecting to ever feel again in relation to Tom. Hope.

You wanted to see him. More than anything. You had no doubt that he’d hold his promise to give you time and space, but how could you go back now? He’d shown you how much he cared, offered you everything you could need to process the truth, and this was how you repaid him? Taking off without a word. Essentially hitch-hiking across the other side of the continent because you hadn’t trusted him. After almost a month hiding from him you couldn’t see any way he’d take you back.

Tears prickled your eyes and you swiped them away wearily as you reached the motel parking lot. Crossing to your room you unlocked the door and went to throw your bag on the bed when a shadow twitched. Fingers already poised on the light switch you hesitated. You held your breath, ears straining to catch the sound of movement, of anything out of place. All you could hear was the solid pound of your heart as your blood rushed, pushed by a spike of adrenaline. When nothing else moved you braved turning on the light. Your eyes narrowed as they adjusted to the yellow glow of the wall lamps revealing an empty room. With a shaky exhale you dropped your bag and closed the door. A self-deprecating laugh started to bubble up as you closed the curtains only to catch in your throat as a deep voice sounded from the bathroom door.

“Hello, Y/N.”

Tom’s POV

He ran his fingers through his hair to hide their shaking. Either the lack of sleep or double espresso he’d had was catching up to him but he’d be damned if he let his brother see that. Harry drove the SUV seemingly at ease. Only, Tom knew that his fingers drumming the steering wheel off beat to the radio meant he was at the end of his reserves too. They needed to stop. They needed to rest. The thought had his insides squirming. What if they stopped and they missed you? What if you hopped on another bus? What if- he cut off the thoughts and focused back onto the map.

Intel had been persuaded to share what they’d really found out about your whereabouts. Tom didn’t know how Harry had managed it but he wasn’t going to look that gift horse in the mouth. Not when it had given him a detailed list of potential bus station sightings and other CCTV points since you’d landed in Miami. That was what they were following. The plan was to get to the end of the trail and try to get ahead of you. Work out where you’d head next, what town you’d be able to travel to either by bus or by hitch-hiking.

The thought that you would get in a car with a stranger, one who could do an endless list of things to you, had his fists clenching tight enough to break the pen he was holding. No. No matter how desperate you got you would keep yourself safe. You may be on the run but you were smart. He had to push back the reminder of why you were on the run before it started to claw at him again. He didn’t think he’d ever forgive himself for this. For making you feel like you had to run from him. Like you had no choice. Like you didn’t feel safe. The last one bit at him the hardest.

In a way you’d been right. Discovering Intel had already been set on you before you’d left was a massive red flag to him. He knew the head players had everyone checked, but you’d been together a year. A background check would have been done within the first few weeks, not now. Something else was happening. Something he’d missed while he’d been, as his brother had eloquently put it, “blowing off jobs to sit in a dark car all night”. His hands made to clench again and he deliberately dropped the pen, shoulders rolling as he tried to shake off another wave of frustration.

“Will you tell me what happened?” Harry’s voice crackled as he spoke for the first time in hours. They’d barely really spoken since his office. Over, Tom glanced at his watch, twelve hours ago. He blinked. It felt longer. Closer to a lifetime.

Tom stalled by neatly folding his notes and the map back into the glove box.

“You don’t have to tell me any parts you don’t want to. I’m just trying to work out why our men would want her.”

“I know. I’m not trying to freeze you out. It’s..”

“Tough to think about.” Harry stated when he couldn’t find the right words. He risked a look over and saw a flash of something on his brothers face that was quickly smothered.

“Yeah.” Tom rubbed a hand over his face before focusing on the road ahead, trying to steel himself before diving into the memories he’d been avoiding.

“She came to visit me at the office,” Tom started, voice strained as he chose his words carefully. “She brought lunch. Lucy was under orders not to let anyone into my room. She managed to get past her and,” he hesitated. Not because his brother would judge him but because the look on your face haunted him.

“And you weren’t alone.” Harry finished for him.

“I was interrogating someone.”

“In your office?” His brother frowned.

“It was a one-off. There wasn’t time to move to a secure location.”

“But still-”

Tom pushed on past his brother’s concern. “When she saw she ran. It took days before she let me speak to her. I told her about us, about who we work for.”

“How much did you tell her?”

“I gave her the condensed version,” Tom assured him. “Nothing that would put her in danger.”

There was a long pause as Harry mulled over what he’d been told. “So she ran because she found out what you do.” His brother didn’t have to voice his apology, the sympathy radiating off him was enough.

“She didn’t say it but I knew what she’d seen in at the office terrified her. She was scared of me.”

“Hell, if I’d walked in on what I imagine she did I’d be scared shitless too. I’ve seen some nasty things in the field but you got your job for a reason, you’re good at it.”

“I know,” Tom grudgingly admitted, rubbing a hand over his forehead as the first twinges of a headache hit. “I didn’t have any choice. The order came from Delaware.”

Harry barked a laugh of disbelief as he recognised the code name.

“And you’re wondering why Intel was put on her. Jesus, Tom. If Delaware wanted it handled urgently enough to throw security protocol out the window I can only imagine what the poor bugger did.” Harry slowed the car to pull over at the side of the road so he could turn to face Tom without distraction.

“Tom. If he knows she was there, she’s in bigger danger than just running from knowing who we are. She knows something that’s connected to him.”

Dread wrapped itself around Tom’s torso like an embrace and squeezed until he started seeing stars. His brothers hand gripped his shoulder, grounding him.

“We’re going to find her before they do. I promise.” He didn’t let go until Tom managed to get control over his breathing. “Now, give me the map and get in the back. We take shifts from here. I’ll wake you when we hit the last known sighting.”

——–

Part six

Taglist:

@loxbbg

@rosie-posie08

@woahmrstark

@a-mj-a

@pikastark

@jessicalee97

Tom's POV

The early morning sun bathed the room in golden light. It spilled over her. Caressed the bare skin of her back as she slept peacefully. Shrouded her in a warm glow that made his breath catch. He wasn’t sure if he’d ever get used to this. Waking up next to her always felt like a sneak peek of heaven. One he didn’t deserve given he was definitely not on that guest list anymore. Not after everything he’d done. When he looked at her though, none of that mattered. He’d redo his sins a hundred times over knowing their path would lead to her.

He brushed his fingertips down her spine unable to hold back from touching her any longer. She stirred slightly with a soft contented sigh. He pressed his lips to her shoulder. Her neck. Her jaw. Each kiss as gentle as possible. He didn’t want to wake her but he couldn’t help himself. A small smile tugged the corner of her mouth.

‘Is this your subtle way of saying you’re ready for another round?’ The husky sleep laced tone of her voice was like honey to his ears. Sweet and hard to resist. Speaking of hard...

‘It wasn’t, but since you insist,’ he moved to gently cover her back with his body, his evident interest in her idea pressed firmly against her. ‘I’m more than happy to oblige.’

A laugh that had his heart stuttering.

‘Is that a no?’ He asked softly, leaning in to graze her neck with his teeth. She wriggled back against him with a gasp.

‘You’re insatiable’ she muttered, faux exasperated. Rolling over she finally opened her eyes to gaze up at him. God, he could get lost in those eyes. The depth of them consumed him. The way they lit up around him with sparks of joy, admiration, lust. He wished he could be exactly how she saw him. Unstained and pure. He never wanted her to stop looking at him like she was at that very minute. He already knew he needed to tell her everything, preferably before he got in any deeper than he already was. He just had to find the right time. Her lips brushed against his, her hands trailing down his chest. Later, he resolved as he kissed her back languishing in the contentment that came with her touch. He’d tell her later.

His brothers voice broke him from his reverie and he reluctantly returned his attention to the men filling the conference room.

“There’s nothing new to report. The Miller incident was handled. I have men still tracking Newman.” His voice sounded flat even to his own ears. His brother cleared his throat uncomfortably before jumping in with information of his own.

Eyes drifting back to the reports in front of him, Tom stared at them unseeing. The confrontation in your apartment had left him hollow. He’d been so sure you would see the situation the way he did, as a necessary part of his job and nothing more. Instead your reaction haunted him in the dark endless hours of the night.

That goddamned lunch date. Guilt wormed through him at what you’d walked in on. If he had paid attention to his phone more closely, or held off interrogating that creep for even ten more minutes you'd still be together. You were never supposed to see that side of him. What he did for a living was exactly that, it wasn’t personal. His hands may not be the cleanest, he’d done things that made other men flinch at the mere thought, but he’d never brought that darkness anywhere near you. You were his safe haven. The tether that kept him grounded even on his worst days.

Staying away from you caused a deep ache in his chest but you’d asked for space and no matter how long it took he’d wait. That didn't mean he wouldn’t keep checking up on you. He’d spent most of his nights parked up outside your apartment staring at the darkened windows praying for a glimpse of you to keep him sane. He wasn’t surprised you hadn’t contacted him, though it hurt more than he could put into words. He meant everything he’d said to you. He would be by your side through everything and anything that happened. There was nothing that could make him love you any less than he did.

As the meeting wrapped up he fled the room before he could get pulled into any conversations. The peace of his office was all he wanted until it was late enough to leave and head to your apartment. The anticipation of almost seeing you was all that got him through the afternoons anymore.

He was so wrapped up in his thoughts that he was half way to his desk before he realised he wasn’t alone. He reflexively went for his gun.

“It’s me!” his brothers voice cracked in surprise as he rose from the leather armchair, hands up to ward him off. Tom froze, the weight of the gun in his hand burned as he realised what he’d been about to do.

“Stop sneaking about like that, Harry!” he snapped. He quickly holstered his gun and fisted his hands to hide their slight tremble.

“Me? Get your head out of your arse. You’re the one blowing off jobs, blowing off your family to sit in a dark car all night.”

Tom froze. His brother raised an eyebrow at him. “You didn’t honestly think no-one had noticed?”

Tom moved to sit at his desk. The seconds he had his back turned he tried to school his features. Had he really not noticed someone tailing him? Unsettled he shuffled his files, deliberately avoiding eye contact.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he eventually answered when he was sure he had a hold of his emotions.

“Bullshit.” Harry stalked over to the desk and glared down at him with folded arms. “You need to stop. I don’t know what happened between the two of you but she’s not coming back.”

Ice slipped into his veins freezing him in place as he slowly processed his brothers words.

“What did you just say?” Tom’s voice was barely above a whisper but the warning tone had Harry tensing.

“I know you don’t want to hear it, but she’s gone. Its time to get your shit together. You’ve been moping about for too long. People are starting to notice.”

Tom’s heart kicked hard against his ribs. His brother couldn’t be saying what he thought he was. There was no way.

“What do you mean she’s gone?” He was barely able to keep the slow rise of panic at bay as his mind raced. He hadn’t told anyone what happened. Even if Harry assumed you’d broke up he'd be giving Tom the ‘get over it by getting under someone’ speech, not saying what he was saying.

When Harry took too long to answer, Tom kicked his chair back and stalked over to him.

Harry straightened, surprise widening his eyes but he held his ground.

“What do you mean?” he half growled. His fingers itched to grab his brother by the shirt front and shake the answers out of him.

“How long has it been since you saw her?”

“Three weeks,” Tom reluctantly shared. Three weeks, 2 days and 8 hours. In other words, too damn long.

Harry hesitated again and Tom almost swung for him. “Tell me what the fuck is going on!”

“I honestly thought you knew, Tom,” Harry ruffled a hand through his hair uncomfortably. “She’s been MIA since then. She hopped on a red eye and Intel says there’s been no activity on her cards since she landed.”

Harry kept talking but the words were drowned out by the blood roaring in Tom’s ears. The edges of his vision wavered for a long second as he struggled to pull in a breath. You were gone. You’d left him.

His brothers hands were suddenly on his shoulders, fingers gently digging in to get his attention. When that failed he pushed Tom down into the nearest chair and a glass of whiskey appeared. He downed it without hesitation. It stung his throat and pooled in his empty stomach with a burn that did nothing to thaw the ice trapping his heart.

Fingers tangling in his curls he stared into his empty glass. Where had you gone? When would you be back? How could you leave without telling him? A million more questions raced through his mind as he tried to reconcile everything. How had he not noticed when he’d sat outside your apartment for so long each night?

With a jolt he realised that if Intel had told Harry about you leaving then you were on their radar already. A new wave of worries and anxiety took over as he silently questioned how long they’d been keeping tabs on you.

After what felt like an eternity he glanced up to find his brother sat opposite him, elbows resting against his knees as he nursed his own glass. The sympathy radiating off him set Tom on edge.

All promises to give you time no longer applied. He had to find you before his boss realised why you’d ran.

“Where is she?”

“She landed in Miami,” Harry’s jaw worked for a second before he surprisingly added, “I’ll book your flight.”

-----

Part five

Taglist:

@loxbbg

@rosie-posie08

@woahmrstark