Say Something (Lams, Mute!Alex)

Chapter 4

John’s POV

It had been a few days since Burr had joined our group, and honestly, he was fitting in more than I thought he would. We actually got along with him pretty well. Sure, we were wary at first, but he did hang out with Jefferson.

We were currently sitting around our table at the coffee shop, drinking our normal drinks. Alex, as always, was at his computer. Every once in awhile, though, I’d notice his beautiful chocolate eyes glancing up at mine before flicking back to the screen. Laf and Herc were just talking to each other while holding hands. They were such a cute couple. I was currently talking to Aaron.

“Jefferson won’t stop texting me, asking where I’ve been,” he complained.

“Block his number. Or text him back telling him to leave you alone.”

“I’d rather block it. If I texted that to him, he’d literally track me down and kill me. One does not simply leave Jefferson’s group without a punishment of some kind.” Fear was evident in his eyes. “The last time someone left, well… have you ever heard of Michael Thompson?”

“Yeah. I’ve heard the name from time to time. Pretty sure I have a couple of classes with him. But…”

“He hasn’t been in class lately, has he?” I shook my head, and he continued. “Michael Thompson was in Jefferson’s group for a while, and he decided to break away. He’s been missing for about a week now. I think he’s either hiding or…”

“Yeah, I get it. So you don’t tell Jefferson to screw off. How do you plan on getting away from him?”

Burr didn’t reply to that. Instead, he kept his gaze on the door, eyes wide in terror. Curious, I turned around, and there he was. “Well speak of the Devil,” I muttered as Thomas Jefferson sauntered over to us. I could hear the silence in the room. Alex wasn’t even typing. Instead, he was shooting a deadly glare at Jefferson.

“Burr? What do you think you’re doing hanging out with them?” Thomas sneered.

“What does it matter to you?” I asked, drawing his attention away from Aaron. “You don’t really care about him.”

“Oh, but he’s one of mine, you see? And my people aren’t allowed to hang out with yours unless I specifically say so. So, Burr,” he turned his gaze away from me and towards our new friend. “I repeat. Why are you hanging out with them?”

Aaron took a shaky breath before murmuring, “I have a life outside of you.” It was so quiet, the only reason I know what he said is because I read his lips.

“What did you say?” Thomas asked, the threat clear in his tone.

“N-nothing,” Burr said, turning away.”

“Oh no.” Thomas grabbed Aaron’s shirt and yanked him out of his seat. “You said something. And I want to know what it was. And you’re going to tell me.”

Hercules stood up and marched over to Jefferson, a look much like the one Alex wore screwing up his face. “Here’s what’s going to happen. You are going to leave him alone and get the fuck out of our lives. Then, maybe, I won’t kill you.” Well. Herc never cussed unless he was either really happy or seriously pissed. Yeah, you had better back off, Jefferson, I thought.

But of course, Thomas had that smug look on his face. “Like I said. He’s mine. He made the choice to hang out with me, and he stays in my group.” He glanced at Aaron, who was squirming in the Virginian’s grip. The look on his face made it look like he believed Jefferson would kill him or something.

I turned my head as I heard another person standing up. Alex moved to Herc’s side. Laf and I were quick to follow. Four to one. The odds were in our favor. “You can’t win this Jefferson,” I said. “You’re outmanned.”