Renegade Runaways :: Chapter Eighteen

The six of them sat around a camp fire again. It was dark. The mood was sour. Marlena carefully picked glass out of Kayla's arm. John stared at a map. Steve was building up the fire in an attempt to make it last through the night. Bo approached from the SUV. He stopped in front of Hope and handed her a makeshift ice pack.

"Here," Bo mumbled, "Put this on your lip."

Hope swatted it away and glared at him. His jaw locked as ice scattered all over the dead leaves beneath their feet.

"Stop treating me like I'm glass," Hope snapped. She felt four extra pairs of eyes land on her. Frustrated and unwilling to fight with Bo in front of an audience, she stormed off.

"Hope," Bo's voice growled, "What the hell are you doing?"

He chased after her into the night. The moon provided little guidance. Darkness enveloped them in their foreign environment.

"Hope," Bo demanded, "Stop. Dammit."

"No, you stop," Hope spun around, "Don't you dare punish me for having your back."

Bo huffed, "It's not safe out here. Let's go back to camp."

"It's never safe Bo," Hope argued, "I get it. We're not safe."

"Then why won't you do what I say?" Bo challenged. His frustration was evident in his voice.

"I've never done what you say," Hope shrugged, "I'm not going to start now."

"You can't just purposely put yourself in danger. John and I could have handled it," Bo argued.

"I had it under control before you and John ever showed up," Hope spat, "Where were you guys by the way?"

"In the garage," Bo replied guilty, "Trying to figure out how to get rid of these bastards."

"So I had to fend for myself," Hope shrugged, "And I was doing a pretty damn good job."

"Hope," Bo growled again. He knew she was right, but he couldn't let it go, "So, what? I'm supposed to just watch a man throw you into walls and just let it go? He could kill you."

"And he could of killed you!" Hope screamed. Her voice echoed in the trees. She swallowed once, and then whispered, "When are you going to admit that you're in just as much danger as I am? You could have been the one to find that picture of Caroline, and I guarantee you that bullet would have been 6 inches to the right."

"They're after you," Bo whispered back. He sounded defeated, "They can't get you, so they took my mom. Our daughter is next."

Hope couldn't make out his facial features, but she could imagine the pained look he wore. She was silent. She couldn't imagine her daughter being taken again. She didn't want to.

"Please," Bo begged, "I need you to get out when I tell you."

Hope felt tears stinging her eyes, "You can't possibly think I'm capable of that."

"FancyFace," Bo began but trailed off.

"Bo, you're my partner," Hope's voice broke, "I will never leave you behind."

"I can't think straight when you're in the room," Bo replied, "John and Steve are perfectly capable of having my back. This isn't work. This is survival."

Hope's blood boiled. She felt angry tears burning her eyes.

"Shane has a safe house in rural Mississippi. We're going there tomorrow. You, Marlena, and Kayla are going to hide there while John, Steve, and I go after Ma. The situation is non-negotiable and I will make sure you stay there.. No matter what." Bo spoke evenly. Factual. Commanding.

Hope reeled with protest. Her throat tightened with anger and hurt. He spoke to her like a superior officer. She seethed, unable to formulate coherent words. He was treating her like a child.

"I know you're upset with me," Bo replied, "But I'm only trying to protect you."

Hope's head spun. She had so many things to say, but in that moment she was irate that he was telling her what to do. She slowly brushed passed him, unable to breathe the same air space as him for a moment longer.

"Hope," Bo called knowingly. She didn't stop. She walked slowly. Purposefully. He reached for her wrist and spun her around. She instantly struggled, trying violently to rip her arm away from his. He pinned it behind her back and forcefully kissed her. The desperation she felt in his kiss rattled her.

"I love you," Bo reminded. Emotion laced his gruff voice. She pushed his chest away with her free arm. She needed space. She said nothing. Tears spilled onto her cheeks. Bo reluctantly let go of her wrist. His heart ached as she walked away in silence. He reminded himself it was for the good of the future. Protecting her was his number one priority. Locking her away and making her mad was the only option.