Renegade Runaways :: Chapter Nine

The next evening, Hope found herself alone. She sat quietly, watching the sun set in the west. She thought about Ciara and wondered how she was doing. She missed tucking her in at night. Her heart ached to kiss her forehead and caress her long, silky, hair. A small twinge of guilt tugged at her for leaving Ciara without both of her parents. She had been struggling enough with just one, and now she had neither. She prayed it was temporary, and both she and Bo would be home soon. She couldn't wait to scoop Ciara up and shower her with the love she deserved. She pictured her daughter's face at the sight of her father. She couldn't wait to see it beam with the pure joy only a father could provide to his little girl.

"Hey…"

Hope jumped at the sound of Aiden's voice, "Hey."

"You look…. lonely." Aiden spoke softly, "Mind if I join you?"

Hope shrugged, "Just thinking about Ciara."

"I can relate." Aiden smiled, "I miss Chase. A lot."

"I'm really sorry about all of this." Hope sighed, "You didn't ask for any of it."

"Not much we can do about it now." Aiden replied, "I just wish… it wasn't all so confusing."

Hope's eyes wandered over to meet his.

"You and Bo?" Aiden questioned.

Hope almost chuckled, "It's always confusing when it comes to me and Bo."

"What does that mean for me?" Aiden whispered, "I haven't even lost you yet and I miss you already."

Hope reached for his hand, "I haven't had time to sort through much of anything… and Bo is dealing with plenty on his own. I'm not really sure what it means for Bo and I, but if I can tell you anything about our past it is that I always choose Bo and he always chooses me."

"I know you loved me…" Aiden spoke with regret, "But I've watched you miss him for years… even when you were with me."

"I'm sorry." Hope whispered, "It was never personal. I'm so sorry. You have been nothing but amazing to me.. and to Ciara."

"But I'm not Bo." Aiden shook his head, "And I never will be."

Hope didn't know what else to say. He was right. With Bo in the picture, she wanted nothing and no one else. They sat in silence for a couple of moments. The sky was painted a brilliant mixture of colors as the sun set reached its peak.

"So, I guess it's not really confusing at all huh?" Aiden broke the silence, "You love him. You want to be with him, not me."

Hope was about to attempt to explain herself when a commotion could be heard behind them. She turned and looked in the direction of the noise. Loud voices and yelling drifted from the trees. She jumped to her feet.

"No," Aiden jumped up with her, grabbing her wrist.

"That sounds like it's coming from camp." Hope argued as she tugged away from his hold on her, "Something is wrong."

"Stay here," Aiden demanded.

"Bo could be in trouble," Hope argued.

"I said, stay!" Aiden's eyes darkened as his grip tightened.

Her eyebrows furrowed, taken aback by his sudden change in behavior, "Let go."

A woman's scream followed by a gunshot made the hair on the back of Hope's neck stand up. Silence followed.

"Hope!"

She knew that voice anywhere, "Bo!"

Aiden clamped his hand over her mouth, pulling her close to him.

"What the hell are you doing?" Hope tried to scream, but her words were muffled into his palm. She used her heel to stomp on the top of his foot, and drove her elbow into Aiden's abdomen. When he doubled over in pain, she screamed, "Bo! Help!"

Just as she'd managed to escape, Aiden grabbed her again. This time, he held a knife to her throat.

"Why couldn't you just do what I say Hope?" Aiden growled into her ear, "This entire time… you've been nothing but a pain in my ass."

Confusion washed over her, "What are you talking about?"

"You can't make anything easy for me." Aiden continued, "You're stubborn and obnoxious, and I'm tired of it. I will get my fucking money… whether you cooperate or not."

Hope's heart was pounding in her chest. She tried to focus. She was a cop. She could get away.

"Hope!" Bo flew out of the bushes, a grimace of pain on his face. His features turned to rage when he noticed Aiden holding Hope with a knife to her throat.

"Turn around and go back to camp," Aiden ordered, "I will kill her."

"Let her go," Bo argued, "If you kill her, you're a dead man."

"Aiden, please," Hope begged, "What are you doing?"

"I'm getting what I came for!" Aiden yelled, "Your money… I want all of your money. Now."

Bo and Hope locked eyes. For a fraction of a second, Hope was scared, but as she stared into the eyes of the person she trusted most in the world, she felt safe. Her breathing evened out despite the cool stainless steel being pressed against her throat.

"I'm going to give you one more chance, scumbag…" Bo warned, "Let her go, or you're getting a bullet. I have a lot of built up anger, and I'm just looking for someone to take it out on."

"You'll have to kill her, to get to me." Aiden argued, pulling the knife up closer and sinking behind her, "You've ruined everything. You weren't supposed to come back!"

Hope closed her eyes, trying not to struggle. His words taunted her. She couldn't believe what he was saying, but now was not the time to let them sink in.

"FancyFace, how many daughters do we have?" Bo asked, coaxing Hope's eyes open.

"One…" Hope replied softly, focusing on Bo's steady voice.

"She's beautiful isn't she?" Bo asked raising his gun, "I can't wait to see her."

Hope nodded, "I can't wait for you to see her either."

"SHUT UP." Aiden yelled, "You're never going to see her again if you don't give me the money."

Hope gulped. Bo had a plan.

"Hope, look at me…" Bo demanded, "How about our boys?"

Hope's eyes stung, "Two."

Bo nodded, and Hope finally nodded in understanding. She relaxed into Aiden's chest, throwing him slightly off balance and creating space between herself and the knife he held in his hand.

"What are you talking about?" Aiden laughed, "Two boys?"

"How many beautiful children have you given me Hope?" Bo asked with a smile.

Hope inhaled slowly before yelling, "THREE."

She used all of her weight to send her body to the ground, stomping on the same foot she'd crushed earlier. Aiden dropped the knife, surprised from the change in her relaxed, compliant, posture. When his knee buckled, Hope grabbed his wrist, flipping him over her head from a squatted position. She heard the gunshot ring out as she rolled the opposite direction. It all happened so fast, her vision was still a blur as she laid face down on the ground. Her pulse was racing, and her breath caught in her lungs.

"FancyFace," Bo was on his knees at her side in seconds, "Are you okay?"

She nodded, speechless. Her face relaxed into his hands as he cupped her cheeks with both hands.

"Thank God," Bo sighed with relief and pulled her into a crushing embrace, not caring about the pain it sent through his ribcage. She went willingly, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck. They held each other in silence, letting the adrenaline run its course. They still made a good team and for that, they were both thankful. She peered over his shoulder at the body behind him.

Aiden was dead.