On The Run

On the Run Jacey Davis Copyright © 2023 by Jacey Davis All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. Formatting by Tammy, Aspen Tree E.A.S. Editing by: Norma Gambini Cover Artist: Garret Leigh from Black Jazz Design I just want to say thank you to everyone who’s supported me through this. My amazing parents and sister, my husband and kids. Thank You, and I love you! And thank you to my PA Tammy, who doubled as a Beta reader, my editor Norma, Christina and Lisa, who have Alpha read most of my books, Jen and Debra my amazing Beta reader, and everyone else who has been there for me through this journey. Contents Foreword Playlists Prologue Part I 1. Aiden 2. Max 3. Aiden 4. Aiden 5. Max 6. Aiden 7. Max 8. Aiden 9. Max 10. Aiden 11. Max 12. Aiden 13. Max 14. Aiden 15. Aiden 16. Max 17. Aiden 18. Max 19. Aiden 20. Max Part II 21. Max 22. Max 23. Max 24. Aiden 25. Aiden 26. Max 27. Max 28. Max 29. Aiden Part III 30. Aiden 31. Max 32. Aiden 33. Aiden 34. Max 35. Max 36. Aiden Epilogue About the Author Also by Jacey Davis Foreword Dear Readers, Thank you for reading On the Run. This book is very special to me, and I hope Aiden and Max’s story resonates with you the way it did for me. This book is a bit darker and angstier than my other works, so please pay attention to the trigger warnings that I’ll list below. This is a work of fiction, so some liberties were taken to best fit within the story, so please keep that in mind and be kind! Ok, and now for the triggers: This is an age gap MM romance with adult themes and explicit scenes, including sexual scenes and is intended for audiences 18 and over. Content Warning for abusive parent, on page violence and torture, parent battling cancer with MC as primary caretaker, and kidnapping. The book also deals with the aftermath of traumatic events. If any of these may be triggering for you, please keep that in mind before reading. Love you all! Happy Reading! Jacey Playlists Spotify links: This is a combination of what I listened to while writing, and the music that fits and influences Aiden and Max. On The Run Playlist SPOILER ALERT: This second playlist is a major spoiler for On The Run. Only open this one after you read, or if you seriously don’t mind spoilers. Sage(Aiden's playlist for Max)- Spoiler Prologue Aiden 4 years old I lay in my racecar bed with my eyes shut tight, but I couldn’t sleep. The yelling stopped a little while ago, but it might start again. Papa gave me special headphones to wear when he and daddy fought so I didn’t hear it, but I didn’t wear them. If I had them on, I couldn’t hear if Papa got hurt or if Daddy tried to come into my room. I knew I’d be sleepy in the morning, but I was just too scared to close my eyes. I heard someone walking down the hallway. I pulled my Spider-Man blanket up to my neck and closed my eyes even tighter. I thought, one day, when I’m big, I’ll be like Spider-Man and help people like Papa. But right then, the best I could do was not make Daddy mad. Or madder. Daddy was always a little mad. My door opened and I held my breath. Maybe if I was really, really still, Daddy would think I was sleeping and leave me alone. Or maybe he’d forget I was here. Sometimes, when Daddy’s breath smelled extra bad, he forgot what he was doing before he did it. Sometimes that was bad, and sometimes that was good. Something soft touched my cheek and then I felt a kiss on the top of my head. I opened my eyes because it had to be Papa. Daddy never kissed my head. “Hi, sweetheart,” Papa whispered when I opened my eyes. He caressed the boo-boo on my cheek I got when Daddy got mad earlier today. It hurt a little, but Papa’s touches always made it feel better. “Is it already time to get up, Papa?” I didn’t think so. The yelling only stopped a little while ago, but sometimes it lasted a long time, so I wasn’t sure. “Yes, but it’s still nighttime. You and I are going to go on a little trip, ok, sweetheart?” I swallowed and looked at the door. “Just you and me? No Daddy?” Papa looked sad but he still smiled. He had a big red mark on his cheek and one eye didn’t open all of the way. Daddy must have gotten mad again. “No Daddy. Just the two of us. Is that ok?” I nodded. A lot. It was always less scary when it was just Papa and me. But Daddy would probably be mad. He didn’t like us going places without him. “Yes!” I told Papa excitedly. “But won’t Daddy be mad?” Papa looked sad again. “Don’t worry about Daddy, ok?” I nodded. Papa kissed my forehead and smooshed my hair. “Then we’re going to leave now, ok? Do you still have the backpack in your closet?” I told Papa yes, and he went to my closet and came out with my coat and Spider-Man backpack. Papa helped me out of bed and got my shoes and coat on. Then, he put on my backpack. He went to my door and picked up his own big bag. I just realized that Papa was dressed in real clothes and had a coat and shoes on. Did Papa sleep with his clothes on? I started to giggle. Papa looked at