by Andrew Grey
“No. I have my wallet. You might want to go back inside and talk to one of the clerks. They can probably help you find the owner. Is there identification inside?”
Elliott opened it and nodded. “I didn’t want to invade someone’s privacy or anything. I’ll take it back inside and see if they can find the owner.”
Salvatore turned at a tap on his shoulder, and Spook tilted his head toward the back. They made a large circle around the other trucks back to the car and went around to the front of the truck stop, where Elliott got in back next to Salvatore.
“Did you find a wallet?” Salvatore said.
Elliott smiled. “I did. In my back pocket. I figured you needed some time, so I thought I could buy a few minutes. He was really helpful and nice enough. He could have been an ass and taken the wallet, saying it was his. But I had to take that chance. Did you get what you needed?”
Spook nodded as he made the turn onto the road. “I did.” He tossed a bottle of pills to Elliott. “Those are a highly controlled substance here in the US, with a huge street value. I managed to open three individual boxes, and two of them were that and the third was different.”
Elliott showed him the bottle, but Salvatore wasn’t familiar with them.
“That one is an antipsychotic drug, and the other is a superstrength painkiller. Who the hell knows what else is in that shipment? I took pictures of the trailer markings and things. Now we need to get back and figure out our next action.”
Elliott leaned forward. “Call the state police and DEA. Send them everything, including pictures of the drugs, the trailer numbers, and the invoices and paperwork that tie it to my stepfather,” he said firmly.
“Okay,” Spook said cautiously. “You realize that we could use this information to get him to back off big-time?”
Elliott nodded as Spook entered the freeway, driving more cautiously as they made their way back. “If I did that, then the only person I’d be helping was myself. My stepfather hurts people every single day. He doesn’t care about anyone other than himself. He’ll put a thousand people out on the street if he thinks he can make a dime doing it. He sent people to kill me, the asshole. He needs to be stopped.” He crossed his arms over his chest, and this time Salvatore put an arm around his shoulders.
“Fucking hell,” Salvatore swore under his breath even as his heart welled with pride. “I think the scared little bunny just disappeared.”
Elliott snapped his head around. “Huh…? I’m terrified.”
“Being scared doesn’t mean you aren’t brave. It’s doing the right things regardless of how scared you are. That makes you brave.” Salvatore smiled and leaned closer. “And damn sexy.” He lightly kissed Elliott behind the ear and felt a shiver run through him.
“Knock it off, guys,” Spook said. “At least until we get you home and behind a bedroom door.”
Elliott chuckled.
Salvatore sat back up but kept his arm around Elliott. “Are you sure about this?”
“Yes. In fact, I’m wondering if we should send this to the news media as well. My stepfather has a lot of interest and supporters because of the way he does business. But if the media is involved, some of that support is going to melt away pretty quickly.”
Spook hummed softly. “I think we should contact the police and let them do their jobs. We can always alert the media if they don’t do anything. The more action we take, the more focus that could blow back on you, especially if anyone gets wind of the source of the information.”
“You need to be as safe as possible,” Salvatore told Elliott. “I think contacting the authorities is a fine idea. We can do that as soon as we get back to Bull’s and let them take it from there.”
“I want this over with,” Elliott breathed. “And I’m tired. Let someone else deal with him now.” He sat back and closed his eyes, sighing softly.
Salvatore relaxed as well. He was a little worried for Elliott. He couldn’t help wondering, once all this was over and his stepfather was truly out of the picture, if Elliott would go back to Pittsburgh or stay here. The two of them hadn’t spoken about anything other than the here and now, and Salvatore had no idea how Elliott felt about anything long-term.
Salvatore desperately wanted to settle down and build a life for himself. All those years in the service had pretty much left him without a home. He finally felt like he might have one here, and the icing on the cake would be to have a family of his own as well. His mother would be thrilled, and Salvatore’s pulse raced just a little more at the thought of Elliott staying and becoming part of his life. Damn it all, he couldn’t bring it up, not with everything that was happening. Elliott had been through so much, and as much as Salvatore wanted to ask Elliott what he wanted and what his plans were, he couldn’t do that now. So all he could do was wait and see, and that was one of the fucking hardest things to do. Salvatore loved plans and knowing what to expect. But this was out of his control. He knew his own heart, but at the moment, he couldn’t know Elliott’s. And unknowns usually sucked.
By the time they arrived back to Bull’s, Elliott was half asleep on his shoulder. It seemed that now that he’d made a decision about what he wanted, he felt lighter. Elliott was definitely more relaxed and appeared more comfortable with himself. His fidgeting had calmed.
“What did you find?” Bull asked when they went inside, Buster bounding over to greet them. Spook handed him the pill bottle. “I see. He could make a great deal of money with these, either by finding a legitimate distributor or on the black market, and these aren’t nearly as high-profile as the opiates.” Bull set down the bottles.
“Elliott wants to turn everything we have to the police,” Salvatore said, and Bull turned to him.
“The bastard needs to be put out of business, permanently. Let him come after me if he wants, but he isn’t going to be able to ruin innocent people’s lives any longer.” Elliott stood tall, and pride welled in Salvatore. Bull even smiled as Zach hurried in to hug Elliott, along with the others, who seemed to have continued their card game to pass the time.
“All right,” Bull said. “Let’s get everything together with images of all the documents. We can call the state police and FBI tip lines with the information using a burner phone that I have. It can’t be traced back to any of us or even to this area. I got it last year as we came through New York on our way back from Europe, and it’s clean and, so far, unused.” Bull laid out the documents one by one and gathered all of the pertinent information. Then he made some calls and started sending text messages while everyone sat on the edges of their seats, listening to his side of the conversation.
“Yes. We obtained samples of what is in the truck, and no, we will not tell you how we did that,” he said in the second call, just like the first. “I can send copies of faked shipping manifests, as well as the truck numbers and where it’s heading. I won’t give my name or anyone else involved in uncovering this, but I can provide a great deal of additional paperwork that will lead to Antonio Losquaro. Give me the address and it will be sent.” He jotted down what they said. “It’s up to you to take down this menace.”
Salvatore waited, holding Elliott’s hand as Bull grew quiet.
“Yes, you can call this number for questions, but we will do no more than that. We’d also appreciate a call regarding any resolution. … No. … We’re concerned for our safety and that things are made right. He’s hurting a great number of people.” Bull ended the call, and Elliott leaned against Salvatore.
“Do you think they’ll be able to get Antonio?”
Bull shrugged. “All we can do is hope, but it seems likely they’ll take some action. We just have to wait and see.”
“Then I think I’m going to take Elliott and Buster here home so we can try to get some rest.” Salvatore was worn out, and it was getting late. The day had been nonstop, and with all the driving from one end of the state to another in the last few days, he was completely exhausted.
Spook got Jeremy, and the fou
r of them said good night to the others.
“Change of plan. I’ll head over first. You give me ten minutes or so to check things out. Then bring Jeremy, and we’ll figure out what’s going on there.” Even Spook had lost some of his usual energy, but his eyes were as sharp as they ever were.
“Okay,” Salvatore agreed, and handed Spook a key. Not that he needed it, but it might be quicker if he had one.
Spook talked quietly with Jeremy, and they shared a sweet kiss before Spook left.
“It seems like we could finally be coming to an end,” Elliott said as he sank into a chair. “I didn’t think this was even possible and was worried that I’d be running forever.”
Salvatore didn’t want to burst his bubble. He knew this was just another step in this battle, and that whatever happened to Antonio Losquaro and his shady business, this was far from over… at least for now.
Chapter 9
ELLIOTT WAS worn out and grateful that no one seemed to have returned to Salvatore’s house. He hurried inside and thanked both Spook and Jeremy for making sure he was safe, then used the bathroom, closing the door. Elliott cleaned up and then went right to Salvatore’s bedroom and sat on the edge of the bed. He didn’t mean to be antisocial, but he had had just about all of the people time he could stand. His head ached and he was so tired.
It felt good to have decided to stop running and make a stand. It would have been so easy to just try to protect himself, but then his stepfather would be free to hurt hundreds more people in his quest for more and more money and power. He was aware that if this didn’t work, his stepfather was going to come at him with everything he had and that Elliott was not going to survive that kind of onslaught. Up until now, Antonio had had others doing his dirty work, most likely as he went on with business. But if he managed to get out of this somehow, there wouldn’t be a place for him to hide, no matter what. Elliott began to shake and clamped his eyes closed, taking a deep breath to keep his head from spinning. He had done the right thing—he knew that. But that didn’t mean his good deed wouldn’t go unpunished.
“Elliott,” Salvatore said gently as he came in the room.
“Is everyone settled?”
“Yes. The house is quiet, and Spook is in the living room. Buster is sleeping on that blanket you put out for him on the sofa, and Jeremy is in the guest room. I was going to sit up for a while, but you should go to bed if you can.” Salvatore came around and sat on the edge of the bed.
“I don’t know if I can. There could be someone trying to get in the house to hurt all of us. And what if…?” Elliott gripped the edge of the bedding.
“That’s what Spook and I are here for,” Salvatore said, but Elliott shook his head.
“I don’t want you to think that you have to be my protector all the time.” He lowered his gaze. It was time that he learned to take care of himself. Maybe that had been the problem all along. His stepfather was an ass of epic proportions, but maybe Elliott wouldn’t have been so scared and stayed as long as he had if he’d been willing to step away and stand on his own. It was too easy to stay and tell himself that he was there for his mom. Antonio’s money was always there, and it was so simple to just take what he offered and not ask questions. “I have to be my own man. I can blame all the shit in my life on my stepfather and his assholeness, but the real blame is on me. I had choices, and for a long time, I didn’t take them.”
Salvatore took his hand. “Then be your own man. I like that. You made a huge decision, and like I said, it was sexy. And if I can actually say the word, kind of heroic. You made the decision for the greater good.” Salvatore squeezed his hand.
“Just stay here with me,” Elliott whispered, and Salvatore nodded.
“I’ll be right back. I promise.” He stood and left the room, closing the door quietly.
Elliott slipped off his clothes and climbed under the covers, trying to calm himself. He had done the right thing, and now he needed to know if those actions were going to be rewarded or not.
Salvatore returned a few minutes after he left, used the bathroom, and then joined him in bed. Elliott knew this wasn’t a good time, but he needed Salvatore and he desperately wanted to forget and to feel alive. Elliott rolled over and slid closer to Salvatore, his heart pounding as he kissed him with everything he had.
“Are you sure?” Salvatore asked.
Elliott nodded, not wanting to talk. He was afraid that if he did, he wasn’t going to be able to hold himself together, and he had to do that right now. Elliott’s emotions were so close to the surface. So he held Salvatore, pushing him onto his back and losing himself in his strength and solidity.
“I’ll give you whatever you want.” Salvatore’s arms wound around his back, holding Elliott tightly.
“I just need you,” he managed to say, and Salvatore stroked his back, sliding his hands down to his butt, cradling him and kissing him.
“What I think you desire is to feel safe,” Salvatore said.
“I do when I’m with you,” Elliott told him from the heart. He might not have known Salvatore for very long, but the big man made him feel safe, and not just because of his size. It was his heart, which Elliott swore he could feel beating under him.
A soft knock pulled Elliott out of his head, and he stilled, rolled off Salvatore, and slipped under the covers.
“There’s someone out front,” Spook said.
Salvatore got out of the bed, pulling on his shoes quickly. “Get dressed and stay in here. If things get out of hand, go out that window right there. It opens to the side and there’s no screen. Go to the neighbors and bang on their door like the hounds of hell are after you.” Salvatore kissed him hard and fast. “Please do what you need to in order to stay safe.”
“But what about you?” Elliott asked, wanting to go through that window and somehow drag Salvatore to safety behind him.
“I’ll be fine. Just stay safe. I can do anything if I know you’re okay.” Salvatore left the room before Elliott could find his voice again. Because damn… just damn… that said so much.
Elliott got dressed and sat on the floor on the far side of the bed, listening for any sound from outside. A siren sounded in the distance, and yet he heard nothing from outside the door. He was tempted to open the door to see if he could hear anything, but as time passed, all he got was quiet.
Who in the hell would have thought the sound of silence could be so unnerving? He fidgeted and tried to hear anything. Spook had said that there was someone outside, but that didn’t mean they were here for….
“What the hell?” Salvatore said loudly as Buster barked. “You could have fucking called instead of stalking the hell outside my house.” He sounded angry, and Elliott went to the door and cracked it open to find Salvatore being crushed by a guy in fatigues.
He bounded out of the room, raced forward, jumped onto the man’s back, and put his arms around the guy’s neck. “You leave my boyfriend alone!” he shouted, tightening his grip. Within seconds, Elliott flew through the air and ended up on the sofa, bouncing twice before he tried to get up.
“It’s okay,” Salvatore said, and the words finally got through to him.
“It’s okay that this asshole broke into the house? Maybe it’s okay if he kills me?” Elliott could only see red.
“Sal, where did you find the spitfire?” the man asked in a deeply resonant voice. “I hope I didn’t hurt you, but I couldn’t let you choke me.”
Salvatore helped him up. “This bonehead is Tartus. Yes, that’s his real last name. You can call him Bobby.”
Elliott took Salvatore’s hand, glaring at the much bigger man, shaking his head. “You know this guy?” he said as he put his hands on his hips, then soothed Buster. “What the hell were you doing sneaking around the house at this time of night? What the hell is wrong with you? You just about scared the shit out of me, and I have had enough of being scared. You’re lucky I didn’t hurt you.”
Tartus snorted.
“What if I’d
had a bat or something? I could have beaten your brains out. Not as though that would be bad, but think of the mess.” Elliott was furious.
“Okay, little dude.” Tartus put his hands up.
“I’m not little.” Elliott was getting beyond pissed with this guy. “What’s wrong with him?” he asked Salvatore.
“I’ve been asking myself that same question for years,” Salvatore answered lightly. “So why are you here, and did you stop by yesterday?” He narrowed his gaze.
“Yeah. No one was here, so I let myself in and waited for you. But then no one came, and I work nights, so I thought I would stop by tonight on my way. I wasn’t sure you were home, but then I saw someone moving around in the dark, so… maybe you were being robbed and….”
“You don’t have a phone? You could have called. You scared us all half to death.”
Spook patted Salvatore on the shoulder. “If it’s okay, I’m going to go join Jeremy, and you guys can sort this out. I don’t think you need me any longer.” Spook left the room, and Elliott still glared at Tartus.
“So, Bobby, about this phone thing….”
“I lost my old one and didn’t have the number, but I remembered your address from the letters you sent, so I came by.”
“What kind of person breaks into a friend’s house?” Elliott asked.
“I had a key,” Tartus said, and Elliott rolled his eyes. This was quickly becoming farce, and he had had more than enough of it.
“Next time, use the damned internet to look up the number. That’s what it’s there for,” Salvatore said, motioning to a chair. “It’s late, and we’ve had some very trying days lately. We all need to get some sleep because we have lots ahead of us, including working late tomorrow night.”
“Okay. I didn’t mean to cause trouble.”
“How about we get together next week and we can have dinner and catch up.” Salvatore opened the drawer in the coffee table and wrote down his number. “I have your number, and this is mine. Put it in your phone, and I’ll call you in a few days.”
