A relieved smile curved my lips as I helped him to his feet, huffing as I struggled against his weight. Pressed against his side, I felt small and fragile compared to his height and thick muscles, grateful that he seemed too exhausted to take advantage of the situation. “It’s your fault for trying to run away. Listen to me next time,” I grumbled, pulling him toward where my own motorbike waited. Glancing up, I winced at the sight of the ring of metal which encircled his neck. “We’ll have to take care of that collar first. Did you even have a plan for how you’d get that off when you ran?” 

He was taciturn for a moment, his muscular form weighing on me as he grunted, slowly moving forward. “I have connections. I may have been incarcerated for five years, but some bonds can survive even that.” He winced, gripping his side as we made it to the bike, bracing himself against that instead. 

I watched him through slightly narrowed eyes, biting my lip against any mocking statements. Watching his hands to make sure he didn’t try to bolt again, my gaze caught on the scars which crossed his thick forearms. New burns surrounded them, following the paths of the wires I had seen glow under his skin through security cameras; I felt my stomach twist as I wondered how painful the biotech must be when it heated enough to sear his flesh. 

Swallowing, I tried to shake the thought away as I swung my leg over the seat and settled onto the motorbike before looking up at Luko. “You’re not the only one with contacts; there’s a mechanic in Synchro who can help us. Get on, I’m sure we don’t have long before the guards are on our tail.” 

Luko settled on the bike behind me, his arms wrapping around my waist, as I powered the electric motor. Speeding through the streets, signs and storefronts a neon blur, I could feel Luko flinch at every dip in the road. His grunts were quiet under the roar of the engine, but I was keenly aware of his pain as his hands curled to fists against my stomach. Racing through the expanse of Synchro’s territory in the city, it was a relief to see the massive main complex come into view.

Slowing down to get through security, I coldly brushed off their questions before following the paved road to the underground garage. We passed the pillars of concrete and sleek vehicles, all bathed in bright fluorescent light. Down the ramp, the motor echoed against the walls and low concrete ceiling; we slowed and I parked near a thick metal door that would grant us access to the compound. 

As I parked and we dismounted, Luko groaned, looking around at the fine cars and bikes, his gold gaze shifting up the ramp to the entrance of the garage as the automated gate slowly sealed shut. “So,” he murmured, his voice deep and rumbling, “this is Synchro’s headquarters.” I could see him swallow past the metal collar, eyes locking onto me as he asked, “What next? Am I your prisoner now? Property of the faction?” He smirked harshly, eyebrow twitching upward as he sneered, “Or am I to be a pet like you, baby boy?” 

I sucked in a breath, unable to help the flash of irritation despite knowing he was trying to get a rise out of me. “I don’t decide that- the leader of my faction does. And I’ll take you to see him as soon as we have that collar removed.” Striding to the door, I pressed my palm to the scanner, a faint buzz in the back of my mind as a familiar code ran; a flash of green light granted me access as the locks came open with a heavy click. Pausing with my hand against the door, I gave Luko a slow, considering look. “Though I don’t think you’re pretty enough to be a pet… I’m sure Ash will find a good use for you.” 

I heard him smirk as leaned down over me, whispering in a huff, “You don’t find me pretty? Well, that’s a real shame.” He grinned through his exhaustion, a look of playful arrogance in his eyes as he winked. 

Scoffing, I shoved the door open and entered the long hallway which led into the compound; putting distance between us as I shook my head. “You’re covered in sweat and grime, and you stink of the street you rolled in. I doubt anybody would find that attractive. Take a shower, and maybe I’ll reconsider,” I suggested as I led him a short distance down the barren hall, to the door of our mechanic’s workshop, opening it to a haze of smoke. 

I could hear the grumble in his throat like a soft growl, muttering under his breath, “Whose fault is that?” 

“You shouldn’t have made me chase you down,” I said with a shrug, my gaze searching the various tools and machinery to find the mechanic bent over a heap of mangled metal, a face shield drawn down as the torch in his hand spat sparks over his workstation. “Jett!” I called out his name over the din, seeing him flinch slightly before he set down his tools.

Pushing the mask back over short brown hair, Jett’s gaze met mine, his dark eyes lighting up as he grinned at me. Though most mechanics handled electric motors, Ash’s hobby of collecting gas operated cars had Jett’s workstation far from pristine. Wiping his hands against his shirt left smudges of grease, adding to the layer of grime which covered most of his workshop; it smudged his face, streaks of oil harsh black against the dusky skin of his arms as he folded them over his chest. “Didn’t expect to see you so soon, Destry,” he said, a light cheer in his voice as he looked at me. “What did you crash this time?”

I stiffened, my gaze flashing to Luko for a moment in silent warning; though it wasn’t faction property this time, I didn’t want the lecture which was sure to come. “Nothing, the bike is parked right where I found it,” I answered, his eyebrow lifting in silent disbelief. 

Luko seemed to take all too much pleasure in saying, “That’s because he crashed my bike. And me along with it.” He narrowed his eyes at me as he snapped, “Thanks again for the road rash.” 

Jett’s eyes widened slightly before he gave a heavy sigh of disapproval. “It’s not my fault,” I protested, my hands held up defensively, “Ash sent me to get him, and the bastard tried to run away. I didn’t have any other choice.”

“Right,” Jett said, the word full of skepticism, before he looked over my head. “And who are you?” His tone was far less friendly, cold and distrustful as he eyed Luko. 

Luko smirked, crossing his scarred arms across his broad chest as he said, “I’m the convicted felon Destry just broke out of Purgatory.” His gold eyes flashed as he looked down at me, adding slyly, “By your master’s order, of course.” My jaw clenched, meeting Jett’s gaze and giving a slight nod to confirm Luko’s words. He stepped forward, outstretching his hand to Jett as he said with an air of confidence, “Luko Wescoff,” he pointed at his collar, “I’m told you can help me get rid of this.”