by Dani Gray
Michael moved a bit so that Andy could also see the monitors. They all watched as Jason helped another man out of the car, and they grabbed a couple of bags from the trunk.
Andy whimpered, “Steve.”
Well, now we know who that is, Michael thought.
Abe and Vince stood guard at the door until Jason and Steve were in the house, then they followed in. Michael heard the alarm being turned back on. They waited in the office for the other men to join them.
Henry was the first person to come in. Michael moved out of the way, and Henry sat down and gathered Andy in his arms. Andy leaned into Henry, looking as if he were trying to crawl into him. Henry just kept whispering to him that it was all okay.
Michael looked to Shane. “If this keeps up, you’re going to need a bigger house.”
Shane shook his head. “Nope, I’ll just expand this one. I own all the property around here.”
A thought occurred to Michael. “Shane, I don’t mean to be nosy, but are you okay financially? Is there any way I can help?”
Shane grabbed Michael’s hand. “Let’s talk about this later. For now we need to make sure Steve is okay, and whatever else we need to do.”
“Okay,” Michael said, willing to drop the subject for now. “But be prepared, my parents will want to help around here after they sell their house.”
Just then Abe came into the room. “Steve is going to stay in the room next to Andy, if that’s okay with you, Shane?”
Shane simply nodded in agreement.
“Okay,” Abe continued. “Now that everyone is back here safe, Travis and Sandy nearly have dinner ready, too. So let’s eat, then we can all sit down after dinner and make a plan. The expected time for the cousins to try and attack is during the night time, in the early hours of the morning. That would make the most sense, gives them the illusion they have the cover of darkness. I want us to have something in place, and then everyone can go get some sleep. We should all be ready for anytime after one in the morning.”
Everyone made their way into the dining room, where Travis and Sandy made a delicious-smelling lasagna with all the fixings. It was a great meal, but everyone was quiet.
When dinner was finished, Shane turned to Abe. “I’ve been thinking. I’m planning on expanding the house. Should I have a panic room constructed? I have a very bad feeling that even after you get the cousins, we aren’t done yet.”
Michael groaned.
Chapter Ten
Shane grinned when he heard Michael’s groan. He knew that Michael felt the same way, that there would be more trouble in their lives even after the cousins were arrested.
He also appreciated the fact that Michael wanted to help, but between what Shane earned with coding, and the money he’d inherited when his mom died, he also made some very wise investments with a reasonable portion of the funds. Smart enough to have a couple of hundred million in the bank, and while he didn’t plan on going spend crazy, he was going to make damn sure that his family was safe.
After the cousins were taken care of, Shane planned on asking Eric if he knew of a good contractor. Someone who could make the necessary expansions, but also put in any safety features that Eric thought would be good.
Shane also planned on asking the four security guys if they would like to stay here, working for him. Call it a premonition, but he knew that there was still more trouble on the horizon, and not knowing when or where from bothered him.
Michael gave Shane a bit of a nudge, knocking him from his thoughts.
“Why do you ask, Shane?” Abe questioned him. “What aren’t you telling me?”
“Nothing,” Shane said. “I was discussing with Michael earlier that I still have a bad feeling even after the cousins are arrested that there is still trouble on our horizon. Call it a gut feeling or whatever, but I don’t think we are done.
“Also,” Shane continued, “I was going to ask to speak to Eric and you guys to ask how you feel about moving in here and working for me. Give it some consideration, but I do need to speak to Eric about it. I also need to ask him if he knows of a good contractor, someone who can expand the house and put in whatever safety features you and Eric deem necessary.”
Shane turned to Steve. “I would like to make the same offer to you. You are more than welcome to move in here, as well. I know that Andy would love to have you closer. Don’t make your decision now. Wait until this stuff with your cousins is finished. Then you can chat with Andy and make your decision then. Okay?”
Poor Steve, Shane thought, he looked so shell-shocked.
While everyone sat around the table enjoying dessert and coffee, Abe started it off. “I want to first say thank you to Shane. I do plan on moving in here. This is Travis’s home, and where Travis is, so am I.”
Big surprise there.
“Same here,” Henry added. “This is Andy’s home. I am where he is.”
Andy blushed from Henry’s lap.
Steve smiled at Andy. That made Shane happy, knowing Andy had his brother’s support.
“Anyway,” Abe continued, “I do also plan on giving up my position with Eric. I had already been talking to him about it earlier today, so he is aware of my feelings.”
That announcement caused a bit of a rumble from Eddie, but the others only nodded their heads. Shane knew if he was working with Abe, he wouldn’t want to give that up either.
“For now though, we need to talk about security. I want to make sure that we have one person manning the security room tonight. I would like it in three-hour shifts. This way the others off-shift can get some rest, and the person manning the monitors will have a chance to get some rest, as well. We all need to be vigilant, as I’m positive they are going to try something tonight. The situation is getting too hot for them, especially after the police found Amy.”
Turning to Andy and Steve, Abe continued. “I also called Eric and the hospital. Eric has an armed guard posted outside of Amy’s door, protecting her. I was told that even though she is still listed in critical condition, she is improving. The doctor said that he was still being cautious, but believed that with time and therapy she will recover.”
Andy broke into sobs, while Steve sat there quietly crying. The relief that Shane could see in their eyes almost brought tears to his own. It was nice to finally get some good news.
“Okay, folks, I think we should all head off and get some quiet time and rest before tonight. It might seem like it’s early now, being six in the evening, but when you need to get up at midnight, we are a bit late to get to bed.”
As some snickered over that comment, everyone thanked Travis and Sandy for a delicious dinner. Out of the corner of his eye, Shane watched Abe go over to Aaron and softly speak with him.
As Shane and Michael were heading to Shane’s bedroom, he asked, “What do you think Abe is speaking to your dad about?”
Michael didn’t even think about that. “Probably about protecting us. Both of my parents were in the army. That’s how they met. Believe it or not, but my mom is a much better shot than dad. I’m guessing they are going to get babysitting duty here in the house with weapons. I know I can’t fire one, and with how shaky I get, I wouldn’t even want to try.”
Shane wasn’t sure how he felt about that. He didn’t want to feel as if he was some helpless disabled person.
Michael gave Shane a light smack to the back of his head. “Stop that. Whatever you are thinking you are wrong. Have you ever fired a gun before?”
“No.”
“So, would you give someone who has never fired a gun before one?”
“No.” Shane pouted.
“Then, it’s logical that my parents would have the guns then, or if any of the others have used one, they might be armed, too. I’m going to be happy to have someone who knows how to safely use a gun look after us. So be appreciative that we have family who cares enough to makes sure we are safe, instead of whining about it.”
Shane felt embarrassed when it was put to him like that.
Guess I was told.
“Yes, dear,” Shane said, giving Michael a smile to show he understood what Michael was saying to him. “I know you are right, but sometimes I feel like less of a man. It’s not what anyone here has said or done, but when I’m out in public, people treat me like I’m stupid. My legs don’t work, but my brain is just fine.”
“Hun,” Michael said as he opened Shane’s bedroom door. “That is human nature, I think. People see that you can’t walk like they can, so they think you need help. To most people, they consider it manners to hold a door or ask if you need them to do anything for you. They don’t think they are being rude or belittling you, but helpful.
“Now,” Michael continued, “as much as I want to jump your bones, I think we should crawl into bed and rest. I don’t know about you, but while the guys are out in the field, I’m going to be in the security office. This way I can help, in my own way.”
“You’re right.” Shane had a huge grin on his face. “Even though we can’t fire guns, there are other ways we can help to protect our home.”
While Shane went into the bathroom to brush his teeth for bed, Michael went to his room to get some clean clothes for tomorrow, as well as his toiletries. When Michael came back into the room, Shane watched as he moved over to the bed while Michael put his stuff in the bathroom.
“Michael?” Shane called out. “How do you feel about moving in and sharing the room with me on a more permanent basis?”
Michael stood in the doorway, leaning his shoulder against it. Shane saw the look on his face, knowing it meant that he was thinking about it.
“I don’t want to hurt you, but can we discuss it after the cousins are out of the picture? I do know that I feel comfortable here sharing this space with you, and I do believe that I can be here with you. On the other hand, I don’t want to rush it. I’m worried that I might freak out, and I’m so scared of moving in and then disappointing both of us with my mental issues.”
“Come here.” Shane held out his hand to Michael. “I know that you are an amazing man, and I am so proud of you. You have overcome so much in such a short while. I want you to know that there will never be a timeline on how we move forward. It will happen when we are both ready for it. I will never ask or force you to do anything until you are ready.”
Shane smiled at Michael as he patted the bed. “Now, let’s try and get some rest.”
After Michael helped Shane get into bed and prop his broken leg up, he crawled into bed. He leaned over and looked deep into Shane’s eyes. “I love you, and I am looking forward to spending the rest of my life with you, showing you how amazing I think you are.”
Michael touched his lips to Shane’s, causing him to moan. When Michael pushed his tongue into Shane’s mouth, he started to suck on it. Shane did want more, but knowing that tonight was going to be a busy night, he didn’t try to push for anything else. As the pressure in the kiss began to lessen, they both opened their eyes as it ended. Being able to see the love in Michael’s eyes as the kiss stopped was magical.
It seemed like they had just fallen asleep with Shane’s alarm started to ring. He felt old trying to wake up and get moving. Trying to wake Michael was interesting. Michael was not a morning person. At. All. He grumped around the room, went to the bathroom, and took care of business before coming back and getting dressed.
The knock on the bedroom door startled them both.
“Michael,” Aaron called through the door. “Shane, you guys up?”
“Yeah, Dad, we both are.”
“Do you need any help getting Shane ready? I know what kind of a grumpy gus you are in the mornings.”
Michael turned ten different shades of red. Shane started to laugh at the affronted look Michael sent in the direction of the door. When Michael turned to give him that same look, Shane almost peed himself he was laughing so hard.
“Oh god,” Shane gasped out. “Please get me to the bathroom before I wet the bed.”
The glower that comment gained him put Shane right back into hysterical laughter.
After finally getting into the bathroom and taking care of his business, Michael helped Shane get dressed in between kisses. Shane thought they should start every morning like that.
When they finally got to the dining room, they were both surprised to find a full breakfast laid out.
Shane called out, “Did you get any sleep, Travis? I refuse to allow you to not look after yourself. If you get tired, I’m sure any one of us would step in and help you.”
Travis turned red, and Shane wasn’t sure if it was from anger or embarrassment. “I’m fine, and you try to step one foot in my kitchen and I’ll thump you with my best cast-iron frying pan. The only person who can come in there is Abe.” His eyes widened as he looked across the room. “Oops, sorry, Sandy, she is allowed in there, too. That’s it!”
Shane’s mouth dropped open when Travis stomped off. He wasn’t sure he had ever seen Travis get angry.
It was Michael’s turn to laugh. “Guess you were told.”
As everyone sat down to eat another meal together, Abe was talking with his men. While they were quietly discussing what they were going to do, Shane called out, “Abe, Michael and I would like to man the security office while you guys are out there. This way you won’t be short a man.”
Abe thought about it for a moment before nodding. “That would work. We could have you guys all in the office, with the drapes drawn. This way it would be easier for Aaron and Sandy to defend, and if you need to get out, you just go out the patio doors. Helps that there is a bathroom attached, so you won’t need to leave.
“Everyone okay with this?” Abe asked the room in general.
“Yes,” Travis snarked from the kitchen doorway. “But you better make damn sure nothing happens to my kitchen, or you are on the couch for the next year, buster.”
Shane was happy to see that his friend’s true personality was coming back. He missed the lively man.
Abe went over to Travis and grabbed him. Everyone in the room could feel the scorching heat from the kiss that Abe laid on him. Once it ended, the dazed look on Travis’s face kept his mouth shut for a few minutes.
“Now, can we get ready for this?” Abe asked the room.
After all heads nodded, Travis and Sandy went to get some snacks and drinks to stock the office with. Henry took Andy to get some blankets and his medications. Steve went over to speak to Abe. Once he found out that Steve used to be in the Navy, he was also given a gun to protect those in the house.
It was two in the morning when Abe and his men went out into the forest surrounding the house. Michael was given a headset that connected with Abe, so he could keep him up to date with what the monitors and sensors were telling them.
It wasn’t until three o’clock in the morning that the alarms started to go off. Shane was glad they were set to silent, as the last time they rang out during a test, his ears had hurt for a while.
Shane listened as Michael quietly let Abe know which alarms were ringing. When the cousins finally were in range of the cameras, Shane cursed. There were only two of them. Where was the third?
Michael relayed the information there were only two men in the forest heading toward the house. Both were carrying rifles and wearing backpacks.
While Michael was speaking to Abe, Shane kept a close eye on the other monitors looking for the third cousin. Just when he was thinking he hadn’t joined the party, the perimeter alarm for the front side of the property went off. Shane grabbed Michael’s arm to point out where the man was.
Shane could hear Abe was pissed. He thought all the men would come through the forest, so he didn’t leave anyone out front. He didn’t think the cousins were smart enough to split up. Since Jason was the fastest runner, Abe gave him orders to rush back to the house.
Protect at all costs.
Steve interrupted Michael, “Tell Abe that I’m going to one of the bedrooms upstairs. I’ll try to get a shot off to slow him down until Jason can
get here.”
As Steve left the room, Michael passed the information to Abe.
Aaron came over to Shane. “Let Michael know that Sandy is going to set up in the living room. I’m going to move out into the hall here. This way, if someone makes it into the house, we can stop them from getting in here.”
Shane looked at them. “Please be careful. It would destroy Michael and me if anything happened to you guys.”
Aaron gave a gentle squeeze to Shane’s shoulder, then joined Sandy who was waiting for him at the door. As they quietly slipped out, he let Michael know what was going on so he could tell Abe.
Jason was nearly back at the house when the sound of a shot could be heard. They watched on the monitor as the ground in front of the cousin coming up the drive puffed up. The cousin dropped to the ground and rolled over onto the grass.
“Idiot,” Shane heard Michael snicker. “Stupid was walking up the driveway, not even being stealthy.”
Michael also let Abe know that Steve fired a warning shot. As soon as Michael finished saying that, Jason ran out from the forest. He came up near the house and slowly moved around it, staying out of the reach of the motion sensors that would have turned on the yard lights. When he was finally in position, he waited to ambush the cousin. This one, Shane started to call Stupid. Dumb and Dumber were still in the forest.
Once Stupid was in reach of Jason, he quietly came up behind him. Stupid just froze when Jason said something to him, slowly putting his hands behind his head and kneeling on the ground. Jason then kicked him in the back to knock him face first on the grass, then jumped on him to zip tie his hands behind his back.
Once Stupid was trussed up, Michael let Abe know.
While this was going on, Shane looked to the other monitor and saw that Abe, Vince, Henry, and Eddie had moved behind Dumb and Dumber. When they were getting close, it looked like Eddie stepped on something as the two cousins turned around and started to fire into the trees. Dumb took off at a run toward the house while Dumber kept shooting. Abe finally got a shot off and hit Dumber in the knee. Abe ordered Henry to get Dumber while the other three ran off after Dumb.
