by Shea Balik
But Syn knew that wasn’t even half the battle when it came to finding his happily ever after. “Now I just have to convince him to forgive me for walking away when he needed me most.” Syn prayed he’d be given the chance.
“So where is he living?” Jesse asked.
“Tampa, Florida.” Syn just wished he’d been there for PJ when he’d had to make the decision to move to Florida. Maybe if he had been, he could have convinced PJ to give them another shot and move to New York instead.
“Really?” Jesse asked. “That was in my backyard. I grew up in Orlando.”
Absently, Syn listened to the others talk, even answered another question or two, but his mind wasn’t on what was happening around him. It was on Joel, who he saw frantically looking for him from across the room.
Something inside Syn froze in terror as he just knew it was about PJ. He’d been feeling off all afternoon, but Syn had just attributed it to having to say his good-byes. Now he knew better. PJ needed him.
“Sir,” Joel said as he came rushing up. “There is a situation with…” Joel suddenly looked around and saw everyone staring at him. Leaning closer, he whispered, “Tampa.”
Terror, unlike anything he’d ever experienced before gripped him. “Is it PJ?”
When Joel seemed hesitant to answer in front of the others, Syn grabbed him by the shoulders. “They know who PJ is, Joel. Now spill.”
Joel nodded. “PJ was overseeing the renovations of the bar. Apparently, someone decided to try and rob a lady a block over. PJ witnessed it and tried to stop it when the mugger took out a gun and shot him.”
The blood drained from Syn’s body. All his dreams seemed to shatter right there at his feet. “Please tell me he’s alive,” Syn begged as if that would make a difference.
“He’s in surgery,” Joel said.
Syn didn’t know what happened after that. All he knew was he needed to get to PJ. Nothing else mattered. Just PJ.
Chapter Five
The entire flight all Syn could do was imagine the worst scenarios possible. It didn’t help that the hospital wouldn’t give Joel any information since they weren’t family. Syn feared he might literally go out of his mind with worry.
At the hospital, Syn had to use every bit of charm he had to convince the volunteer at the front desk to tell him where PJ was. But when he got to the critical care unit, they refused to let him see PJ. They wouldn’t even tell him if he would survive.
He was just about to pull out his hair in frustration when he heard his name whispered in surprise. Turning, Syn stared at a young man in his early twenties with sun bleached blond hair. From the private investigator’s report, Syn knew this was Daniel, PJ’s brother.
“Is it really you?” Daniel asked.
They had met several times when Syn was dating PJ, but Daniel had only been ten at the time. He didn’t look anything like the slightly chubby kid he’d known all those years ago. “Daniel.”
Syn didn’t know what else to say. Whenever he and PJ had visited PJ’s family, Daniel had followed them around like a puppy dog. He practically worshiped Syn, imitating his gestures and even getting up at the crack of dawn to join Syn on his ten-mile run. That first year, Daniel hadn’t been able to make the entire run, but with Syn’s encouragement by the second year he was not only able to finish the run but he was able to keep up with Syn.
Before he could come up with something to say, a scowl appeared on Daniel’s face, along with a healthy dose of hatred. “What are you doing here?” Daniel’s voice that used to worship Syn was hard and unyielding.
“I heard what happened to PJ.” It wasn’t an explanation, not really, but Syn just wasn’t sure what to say. Hell, he hadn’t even figured out what he’d planned to say to PJ, much less PJ’s little brother. “I had to come.”
“Well, you’re not wanted.” There was no forgiveness in Daniel’s voice. No doubt that he meant every word. “You need to leave and never come back.”
As much as Syn couldn’t blame Daniel for his anger, Syn wasn’t about to walk away. Not when PJ needed him. “I won’t do that.”
“It shouldn’t be hard. You’ve had plenty of practice,” Daniel sneered at him. “Now leave or I’ll call security and have you removed.”
There was a flash of need in Daniel’s eyes that called to the Dom within Syn. It was obvious to anyone who took the time to look that Daniel was in over his head. Having to deal with PJ in the hospital, so close to dying, would have been a lot for anyone to deal with. That Daniel was so young, only made it that much more difficult.
Syn didn’t hesitate to go right up to Daniel and gather him in his arms as he had when Daniel had lost his parents. “It’s okay. I’m right here,” Syn assured him.
At first Daniel sank into his embrace, but within seconds, Daniel stiffened and pulled away. “Yeah,” he said with a humorless laugh. “That’s what you promised after my parents died.” His brown eyes similar to PJ’s hardened. “But you weren’t there when we needed you the most, were you?”
Daniel took a step back, as if wanting to put as much distance between them as possible. “You weren’t there when PJ cried himself to sleep every night after working himself from dawn to dusk trying to keep the farm from failing.”
The words were like a knife going straight into his heart as he thought of what PJ must have gone through. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. It wasn’t enough. It would never be enough, but Syn refused to give up. He may not have been man enough to stay before, but he was now and he wasn’t about to let PJ down once more, especially when PJ’s brother so clearly needed him to lean on.
“I don’t care if you’re sorry or not,” Daniel told him harshly. “I just want you to leave us alone.”
Syn opened his mouth to tell Daniel that wasn’t going to happen when the nurse that had refused to help him earlier approached with a security guard. “I’m sorry, but I need to ask you to leave.”
He wanted to scream in frustration at being forced to walk away without seeing PJ, but he also didn’t want to risk ending up in jail and banned from the hospital. If he left now, Syn would have a chance to figure a way to see PJ later.
“Fine,” he told her. Then he looked at Daniel. “I will talk to you later.”
“You’re not wanted,” Daniel repeated before walking back into the critical care unit, most likely to see his brother again.
As much as it pained him to do, Syn left, but by the time he’d walked out the front doors of the hospital he had a spring in his step, for he had a plan.
* * * *
The wails of a child could be heard through the door as Syn reached for the doorbell of the small tan stucco home with forest green door. Just before he pressed the button he could hear Daniel’s panicked voice plead with the child to eat something.
The chime of the bell must have startled the child for her cries ceased for a brief moment. Unfortunately, when they started once more, they were even louder and more upset.
When the door opened there was a flood of relief on his features that softened some of the frustration and anxiety that was there in his eyes. But all of those were quickly replaced with irritation and anger. “What do you want?”
Thankfully, Syn had come prepared. He held up one arm to reveal a large box in the shape of a dollhouse he was holding by the handle at the top. The salesman assured him the toy was basically already assembled with just a few quick additions that would need to be put in place. “I’ve brought gifts.”
He hoped the bribe would be enough, but just in case, he held up the other arm, which held a bag from what used to be Daniel’s favorite restaurant, Wendy’s. “There’s a large Frosty in here for you.”
Daniel’s eyes lit up at the mention of what used to be one of his favorite treats. Syn and PJ used to take Daniel and his sister, Jennifer into town for the special treat every time they visited.
The clatter of what Syn assumed was a plastic plate bouncing on the tile floor propelled Daniel into action. “You c
an come in but only for a minute.” Then Daniel was racing down the small hall.
Syn followed more slowly, making sure to shut and lock the door. From the reports the private investigator had given Syn, the neighborhood was fairly safe, but Ybor was still part of Tampa and one could never be too careful in a large city.
Three steps was all it took to leave the hall and enter a large open and airy room that looked like a bomb containing various food items that had exploded. The kitchen was to the left. The appliances were along the wall of the front of the house with an island that allowed for four to comfortably sit. There was also a round dining table near the bay window that overlooked the backyard.
The kitchen had pots and pans everywhere, along with dishes piling up in the sink. Splashes of a red sauce ran from the stove to the counter with several spots on the floor. But it was the dining area that had taken the brunt of the mess.
Three colorful plastic plates were on the floor in various areas with the contents of the plates splattered on the walls, floor, and table. A small blonde haired little girl was screaming her lungs out as Daniel pleaded with her to stop crying.
If Syn wasn’t wrong, which was unlikely by the sheen in Daniel’s eyes, Daniel was about to cry right along with her. When the little girl spotted Syn, she stopped her theatrics and stared at him. A hiccup was the only sound she made as her big chocolate brown eyes, that reminded him so much of PJ, widened the closer he got to her.
He made sure to lift the dollhouse box enough to get her attention and that wide-eyed look turned hopeful.
Syn held back the smile of triumph he felt surging through him. Maybe bribery wasn’t the best way to deal with a child, but if it meant winning the heart of this little girl, which would hopefully win the trust of Daniel so Syn could see PJ, it would be worth every penny.
“Hello, Emma,” Syn said.
Her eyes only got wider while Daniel’s scowl grew. “How do you know her name?” He paused for a moment and his frown deepened. “For that matter, how did you know where we lived?”
Syn wasn’t about to lie when he needed to gain Daniel’s trust. “Private investigator. I’m sorry about Jennifer.” PJ and Daniel’s sister had died of a heroin overdose a year after giving birth to Emma.
Then Syn shrugged and added, “Plus PJ is my employee, so I have his address regardless.”
Daniel folded his arms over his chest, his frown deepening. “So PJ was right. He thought he heard your voice when he was talking to Joel, but he had hoped it was only his imagination.”
Syn tried not to let the fact that PJ hadn’t wanted it to be him bother him, but it did. It had been foolish to think that PJ would want to see him as much as Syn had, but none of that mattered. Whether PJ wanted him or not, Syn was going to find a way to win him back.
A small hand reached out and touched the box he was holding tantalizingly close. Emma clearly was done waiting for Syn to announce if the dollhouse was for her. “Is that for me?” she asked. Big brown eyes blinked hopefully up at Syn. All traces of the tantrum she’d been having gone from her voice. The only sign that she’d been crying were the tear stains on her cheeks and her red nose.
“I guess that would depend,” Syn told her as he looked down at her. He held up the other bag with the food in it. “If you agree to eat your dinner, I think I can be persuaded to give this to you.” Then he squatted down so they were at eye level. “Agreed?”
She glanced at the box once more and then nodded. “Okay.”
Syn handed the bag of Wendy’s to Daniel. “Do you mind doing the honors? I wasn’t sure what Emma liked so I got both the chicken nuggets and cheeseburger.”
“Chili.” Daniel smiled when he pulled out the container. “You remembered.”
“Like I could forget.” Other than the Frosty, chili was Daniel’s favorite. “Why don’t you two eat, while I get started on cleaning?”
Daniel blushed. “Sorry the place is a mess.”
Syn waved him off. “It’s fine. I’ll have it cleaned up shortly.”
He wasn’t even close to being done fifteen minutes later when Emma proudly announced she was done. Syn looked over, impressed to find her chicken nuggets and apple slices gone. “Good job, Emma.”
“Can I have my dollhouse now?” she asked, practically bouncing on her chair.
The sheer excitement on her face had Syn smiling. “Of course you can. While I open the box, I’d like for you to throw away your wrappers please.”
She didn’t even hesitate to follow his instructions.
“Make sure to wash your hands,” he said as he opened the box and pulled the dollhouse out. He had to admit to being relieved that the salesman had been correct. There were just a couple of pieces he had to snap on to the exterior and the dollhouse was ready to go. It was plastic, which would make it more durable for a five-year-old.
He’d purchased the set that came with two figures to play with, but there were packs that would allow Emma to have an entire family. Syn undoubtedly would end up purchasing those also in the near future.
Daniel shook his head. “You know bribery will only encourage her to throw more temper tantrums to get what she wants?”
“Yeah, I know.” Syn grinned as he watched Emma play without any of the hysteria from before. “But it just might be worth it.”
Daniel chuckled. “I know I’m supposed to hate that you’re here, but I have to admit, you’re a lifesaver.”
It pained Syn that he’d caused so much grief when he’d left to pursue his career. “All I can say is I’m sorry.” There were no excuses. No way to make it go away. He just prayed PJ would find a way to forgive him. “I never should have left,” he admitted.
The need for some kind of hope overrode his common sense. “Do you think PJ will forgive me?”
“Forgive you?” Daniel asked. “He’s already done that. Willing to risk his heart again?” Daniel spoke softly. “That I’m not so sure of.”
Syn prayed Daniel was wrong. “Will you help me?”
Daniel’s gaze went to where Emma played for a minute before nodding. “Yeah, I’ll help.”
It wasn’t the same as getting PJ to agree to give him a chance, but Syn still felt triumphant.
Chapter Six
“No.”
Syn heard Daniel’s panic-filled voice the moment he’d entered the critical care unit the following morning. He was a little surprised to find Daniel there. After talking last night, Syn had assured Daniel he’d stay by PJ’s side while Daniel was in school and help with Emma at night.
It was just after seven in the morning and Daniel had an eight a.m. class that he’d never make in morning traffic. The hushed, but insistent tones talking back to Daniel had to be the reason why he was there.
“Daniel, is everything all right?” Syn asked as he walked to where Daniel and two men in scrubs and white coats, along with a nurse in scrubs, were talking. It was a dumb question for the pure terror on Daniel’s face said it all. Something was clearly wrong.
“Excuse us, sir, but this is a private conversation,” one of the men said.
Syn couldn’t care less. It was obvious Daniel needed help. “I’m here to help Daniel with all decisions regarding PJ.”
“Who?” the other man said.
Daniel’s face turned red as he was about to explode. “That’s my brother’s name.”
The man frowned and looked at his chart. “I thought his name was Patrick.”
Daniel looked ready to either laugh, cry or jump off the nearest bridge so Syn stepped in. “His name is Patrick James, or PJ for short. My name is Syn Evans.” The authority in his voice worked for both men not only shook his hand but they turned toward Syn, practically forgetting Daniel was even there.
“Now, if you gentlemen don’t mind, would you mind telling me what is going on here?” It may have formed as a question but Syn didn’t leave any room in his tone to mistake it for the order it was. He wasn’t about to let anyone decide PJ’s future without him.
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br /> One of the men glanced at Daniel, who didn’t object. Either he figured Daniel was okay with Syn becoming involved, or Daniel was in shock and wouldn’t be able to deal with the information. “Yes, well, I’m Dr. Pabon and this is Dr. Zari. As I was explaining to Daniel, Dr. Zari, who is PJ’s orthopedic surgeon, fears if he doesn’t do surgery on PJ by tomorrow we will be forced to amputate PJ’s leg.”
Syn’s heart dropped to the floor. “What are the risks?”
Dr. Zari huffed. “Didn’t you just hear him? If I don’t do this, Patrick will lose his leg.”
Syn met Dr. Zari’s gaze head on, not flinching in the least at the aggravation on the man’s face. Syn had dealt with men who thought they were more powerful than God in the past. What each of them failed to realize was they weren’t that special. Sure, they could do something most people couldn’t, but they put their pants on one leg at a time, just like the janitor who cleaned up after them. As far as Syn was concerned, no one had the right to feel they were superior.
“Yes, but what complications will there be if you do the surgery?” Syn said acidly, making sure that Dr. Zari felt the full weight of his disdain.
Apparently, Dr. Zari didn’t grasp the human spectrum of emotion. “What difference does it make? Either we amputate or we operate on his leg. No matter what you chose a surgery will be involved.”
Clearly Dr. Pabon had other insights for he interrupted. “That isn’t strictly true. Repairing PJ’s leg will entail a complicated surgery that will last hours. The longer PJ is under anesthesia the risks grow.”
“Yes,” Dr. Zari said snidely. “But those risks aren’t so great that this decision should be made without the patient’s consent.”
That was the first time Syn heard Dr. Zari take PJ’s wishes in account. If only he didn’t think it was based on Dr. Zari’s determination to prove he could do the surgery, and not on PJ’s wellbeing, Syn might have agreed to let Dr. Zari try.
