by Carol Lynne
“Do you know who did this?” Pete asked.
Rio knew exactly who was responsible for Ryan’s condition, but he also knew Jack would never allow himself to be caught. If Rio had any hope of making Jack pay for his crime, he needed to go after him himself. “I have an idea, but I don’t want to say anything until I talk to Ryan.”
“Well Ryan isn’t doing much talking at the moment, so why don’t you tell me who you think did it.”
Pete was just doing his job, Rio knew that, but Jack wasn’t your average shooter. The man had made a career of slipping in and out of highly patrolled areas. “Is knowing who did it worth your life?” Rio asked.
“What’re you saying?”
“I know you’re good at your job, but the man responsible for this is a highly trained killer.” Rio’s gaze went to the garage where they were working on the man he loved. “Believe me, Ryan would agree with me. Leave this to us.”
Pete sighed. “I’ll leave it for now, but the second Ryan’s alert and willing to talk, call me. And don’t do anything stupid like go after the guy alone. If he’s as dangerous as you claim, it would be better if you at least had police backup.”
Rio didn’t take the time to argue with Pete. Although he had no plans of involving the deputies, he nodded his head. “I hear ya.”
“Rio!” Nate called.
Rio veered around Pete before joining Nate in the back corner of the garage. He was pleased to see Ryan’s eyes open. “Have you talked to him?”
Nate wrapped an arm around Rio. “I told him we were here, but he couldn’t answer with the mask and stuff on. They’re getting ready to transport him.”
When the team of emergency technicians began to wheel Ryan out of the garage, Rio grabbed Nate’s hand and followed them. “Hang on.”
The technicians stopped and lowered the stretcher. With the snow on the ground, they would have to carry Ryan to the waiting helicopter. Rio and Nate took hold of the right side of the stretcher. Gazing down at the man he loved, covered in blood, Rio’s anger almost got the better of him. “Stay strong,” he told Ryan. “We love you, and we need you to make it through this.”
Ryan nodded. Although he had on an oxygen mask, Ryan whispered, “I love you.”
With the help of the two technicians, they quickly loaded Ryan onto the helicopter. “Can you fit one more?”
“One in front with the pilot.”
Rio turned to Nate. “Ride with them. I’ll have Mario drive me into Sheridan.”
Nate grabbed the front of Rio’s shirt. “Come straight to the hospital. There will be time to deal with Jack.”
Rio pulled Nate in for a quick kiss. “Go.”
Nate hopped into the front passenger seat. As the helicopter lifted off the ground, Rio watched the two men he loved most fly away from him. He turned around and came face to face with CattleValley’s newest deputy.
“Pete told me what you said, and if you’re planning to go after this guy, I want to help,” Jessup informed Rio.
Rio didn’t know much about Al Jessup, but the man looked like he could take care of himself in a fight. However, it took more than brawn to best the man they would be after. “Let me talk to Ryan before we decide anything. Right now all I care about is getting to Sheridan.”
Jessup took off his coat despite the freezing temperature. “There’s one more thing.” He unbuttoned his shirt cuff before rolling up his sleeve. The Mark of the Damned, as mercenaries called it, was inked into his forearm.
Rio pushed up his own sleeve, showing Jessup an identical tattoo of the Angel of Death. It was enough to bond the two men on the spot. “Let me talk to Ryan.”
Jessup nodded and stepped back.
Rio ran towards Mario’s truck. Jumping in, he fastened his seatbelt. “Thanks for this.”
“Glad to help. I called Kit and told her to call Smitty to see if he could go in to work,” Mario said, turning the truck around.
“If Smitty’s scheduled to work at O’Brien’s just have Kit close up for the day,” Rio said absently. His mind was still on Jessup. Did Ryan know Jessup’s past?
“How is he?” Mario asked, interrupting Rio’s thoughts.
“Stable when they lifted off. He’ll need surgery to clean up the shoulder wound. I didn’t get a look at the neck wound.” Rio tapped his head against the window. There were too many things to think about, and he’d never been good at multitasking.
“How’s Nate?”
“Better. I think he just needed to see with his own eyes that Ryan was alive.”
“I saw you put him into the helicopter. Just thought I’d make sure he hadn’t taken a turn for the worse.”
“I appreciate that,” Rio mumbled, his mind still a million miles away. Did Jack think to get Rio back by killing off Nate and Ryan? It didn’t make sense. Jack had always prided himself on staying in control of a situation. Had his ex-partner really changed so much in the last ten years? It made Rio wonder if he’d ever really known Jack at all.
* * * *
By the time Ryan was out of surgery, the hospital waiting room was full of friends. Rio sat with his arm around Nate, who still looked too pale, but at least he was calm enough to sleep.
They had just finished speaking to the surgeon, who had told them Ryan would pull through with only minimal permanent damage. His shoulder had been fractured by the passing bullet, but the surgical team had been able to screw and plate it. According to the surgeon, Ryan would need at least three to four months to recover, and his range of movement might never be what it was.
Rio didn’t give a shit whether or not Ryan had full range of motion as long as his partner was alive. The neck wound would leave an inch-wide scar, but the surgeon thought it best to leave the graze open instead of trying to pull it together to stitch.
Sean O’Brien walked into the waiting room carrying a large box. “How is he?”
“In recovery,” Rio informed his friend.
Sean gestured to the package in his hand. “I brought some fried chicken and rolls. Thought maybe you all could use something to eat.”
Rio held up his hand. “Appreciate it, but food doesn’t even sound good to me right now.”
Sean gave Rio a narrow-eyed stare. “How many times have you thrown up today?”
Rio glanced down at a still-sleeping Nate. “Twice, but I’ve got nothing left to throw up.”
Sean set the box on a table before reaching inside. He pulled out a bottle of liquid antacid and two homemade rolls. “Here, and don’t argue.” He set the items in Rio’s lap before picking up the full cup of coffee someone had bought for Rio. “And no more coffee. Drink water if you’re thirsty.”
Rio looked down at his lap. “What’re you, my mom now?”
“Nope. I’m a friend. One who doesn’t mind telling you that you’re on the path to destruction if you don’t start taking better care of yourself.”
Despite the situation, Rio couldn’t help but smile at Sean. “I bet you’re a real nag at home.”
Sean chuckled. “I only nag people I care about.”
Rio reached out and brushed the back of Sean’s hand. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” Sean turned to the group of around ten people. “Plenty of chicken and rolls if anyone’s hungry. Just save enough for Rio and Nate once they feel up to something to eat.” Sean looked at Rio once again. “I need to head back to the pub, but call me if you need anything else.”
“I will. Thanks for bringing the food all the way here.”
“No problem.” Sean gave Rio one last encouraging smile before walking out of the waiting room.
The other friends in the room didn’t make a move for the aromatic box of chicken. “Go ahead,” he said. “No sense in letting it go to waste.”
Ezra was the first to give in to temptation. Wyn was right behind him, scolding his partner to take only one piece of the greasy chicken. Rio grinned. He knew one piece would only be a light snack for someone of Ezra’s size.
Wi
th Ryan out of danger, Rio’s thoughts turned to Jack. “Can I borrow that jacket?” he asked Trick.
“Sure.” The singer handed the balled-up winter coat to Rio.
Rio carefully pulled away from Nate and rested his partner’s head on the jacket. “I’m going outside to make a phone call.”
“I’ll tell Nate if he wakes up,” Trick said.
Despite the freezing temperatures and blowing snow, Rio walked out of the automatic doors and found a sheltered corner beside the entrance.
“Tall Pines Ski Lodge. David speaking.”
“Hi, David, it’s Rio. Can you tell me whether or not Jackson Trenton has checked out?”
“He’s in the Grizzly. Would you like me to put you through to the bar?” David asked.
“Sure, that’d be great.” Why would Jack continue to hang around?
“Grizzly Bar,” Richie answered.
“Hey, Rich, it’s Rio.”
“How’s Ryan?”
“He’s holding his own. Listen, is Jack Trenton there?”
Richie snorted. “Yeah, but I’d advise against trying to talk to him. Not only is he drunker than a skunk, but he’s meaner than a mongoose after a snake.”
Rio traced the mortar between the bricks with his finger. “How long ago did he come in?”
“Since we opened at nine this morning.”
“That’s not possible.”
“Sorry, but unless he slipped out while I was on lunch, he’s been here the whole time.”
Rio’s mind was reeling. It wasn’t possible for Jack to be in two places at once. “Do me a favour and keep an eye on him until I can get there.”
“You coming now?”
“No. I’ll wait until Ryan wakes from his surgery, but I’ll be in before you close.”
“Well, he’s looking like he’s about to pass out, so there shouldn’t be any trouble.”
“Thanks.” Rio turned off his phone before shoving it back into his pocket. He hadn’t called Richie on it, but the Grizzly Bar manager had been known to take long lunches with his partner, Chad. It was possible Jack had slipped out and back in before Richie and Chad were finished fucking in their suite of rooms in the lodge.
He was still standing in the cold when Nate found him.
“Ryan’s awake. They’re moving him to a room.” Nate crossed his arms over his chest. “It’s cold out here. Come on back inside.”
“Yeah.” Rio walked to the sliding doors and kicked some of the snow from his athletic shoes. There would be time to deal with Jack. With Ryan finally awake, Rio hoped he could get his partner alone long enough to find out exactly what had happened.
“Can we go on up?” He asked Nate.
“The nurse said to give them ten minutes to get him settled.” Nate brushed the snow from Rio’s hair. “Why don’t you have a coat on?”
“Because I ran out of The Gym without grabbing it,” he explained.
Nate wrapped his arms around Rio. “I can’t have you getting sick on me.”
Rio returned the gesture and kissed the top of Nate’s head. “Don’t worry. I’ll be fine.” He stood with Nate in his arms for the next ten minutes. Rio wasn’t sure if he was holding Nate up or if it was the other way around, but he found he wasn’t able to let go. The thought of either of his men getting hurt because of him gutted Rio to the core.
“Let’s go see him,” Nate said, his face still pressed against Rio’s shoulder.
“Yeah.”
* * * *
Still groggy, Ryan smiled up at his men. It was the third time he’d awoken to such a beautiful sight. The sun shining through the window let him know he’d survived the night. Hopefully he’d be able to talk without drooling this time. “Hey.” A sharp stab of pain shot up his right side. He gritted his teeth against the pain, hoping his men wouldn’t notice. The last thing he wanted was to have to hit the button for a dose of morphine. There were too many things to deal with.
Nate was the first to reach out to him. A soft hand landed on Ryan’s forehead, quickly followed by a kiss. “I don’t like to see you in pain. It scares me.”
“Yeah. Scares me, too,” Ryan agreed. His thumb hovered over the morphine button for a second. He took a calming breath and released his grip.
“Push it,” Nate urged.
Ryan shook his head. His gaze went over Nate’s shoulder to Rio. There was something in Rio’s stance that didn’t seem right. “You okay?”
“I’m not the one who was shot,” Rio replied. “Now push that damn button if you’re hurting.”
Rio was a smart man. “I’m fine. Just give me a minute. There are things I need to say,” Ryan said through the pain.
Ryan hadn’t a doubt his partner had figured out who’d pulled the trigger. It was the number one topic he wanted to discuss. “Did they catch him?”
“No, but I know where he is,” Rio answered. His gaze skirted to Nate. “We can talk about it later.”
Groggy or not, Ryan knew Nate wouldn’t stand for secrets. “We should talk about it now.”
Rio stepped closer to the bed. “According to Richie, Jack’s been at the Grizzly Bar all day getting wasted. Richie called a few minutes ago. He and Ezra carried Jack up to his room and put him to bed.”
Ryan pointed towards the cup of water. “Drink?”
Nate picked up the plastic glass and held the straw to Ryan’s lips. “Just a sip or two.”
Ryan pulled in enough moisture to wet his mouth. “Send Jessup to the lodge to keep an eye on him.”
Rio shook his head. “You know Jack. He won’t hesitate to use whatever force is necessary if confronted.”
“Jessup can handle it. I hired him for a reason.” Another pain shot through his shoulder and up his neck. “But I just want Jack watched for now.”
“So you’re aware of Jessup’s past?” Rio asked. Rio’s gaze went from Ryan to the morphine pump.
“He doesn’t want anyone to know what he was. That’s the only reason I didn’t tell you. But since you seem to know, I’d guess he told you.”
“No, but he showed me his tattoo,” Rio explained.
“What the hell are the two of you talking about?” Nate asked.
Ryan met Rio’s gaze. Outing a fellow mercenary wasn’t done, but Nate’s knowledge of Jessup’s past might save his life if Jack decided to finish the job he’d started. “All high-level mercenaries are tattooed. The government requires it. We’re all instructed to ignore a dead man with the Angel of Death tattooed on his forearm.”
“Why?” Nate asked.
“Because only those with ties to no one are allowed top-level security clearance. The tattoo means the man is technically a ghost with no past and no future.”
“Like Jack?” Nate asked.
“Jack was the first. Just one of the reasons he was given the nickname,” Rio answered. “The tattoo is called The Mark of the Damned because once you get it, you’re already considered dead in the eyes of the United States government.”
Nate traced the Angel of Death on Ryan’s forearm. “Why didn’t I know this?”
“Because for me and Rio, it no longer has meaning, but some aren’t as lucky,” Ryan explained.
“Like Jessup?” Nate asked.
“He’s trying to find his way back to the land of the living. He contacted me about six months ago when he escaped from a Chilean prison.” Ryan had hated keeping the secret from Rio and Nate, but evidently the word was already out that two of their own had managed to find a new life in CattleValley. Ryan understood how important it was to gain Jessup’s trust. It was the only reason he hadn’t divulged the identity of one of CattleValley’s newest residents.
“You know, someday, when things get back to normal, we need to sit down and talk about you and Rio’s past, because you just keep springing shit on me,” Nate said with conviction.
Rio wrapped his arms around Nate from behind and kissed his neck. “If it’s that important to you, we will. It’s just part of our past we don’t like to
dwell on.”
Ryan yawned, still feeling the effects of the anaesthesia. The action drew a cry of pain.
“Dammit,” Nate spat, and walked around the bed. He lifted the morphine fob and pushed the button. “You have this thing for a reason. Use it!”
There was something about Nate in momma bear mode that warmed Ryan’s heart. “Why don’t you take Nate home?” he asked Rio.
“I’m not going anywhere. I’m going to sit here and push this fucking button every time I see you wince.” Nate glanced over his shoulder at Rio. “Why don’t you go do what I know you want to do?”
Rio shuffled from foot to foot.
“It’s okay. I understand. You know if our positions were reversed I’d want to nail that sonofabitch to the wall, too. Go see what you can find out, but make sure you take Jessup with you.”
Rio stepped around Nate to reach Ryan’s bedside. He bent down and brushed a soft, tender kiss across his lips. “I’m sorry this happened.”
If Ryan could’ve moved, he would’ve grabbed Rio by the shoulders and shaken him. “This is in no way your fault. You hear me?”
“Yeah,” Rio mumbled.
“Now kiss me again, only give me a real kiss this time,” Ryan ordered, his eyelids beginning to droop.
Rio’s tongue swept the interior of Ryan’s mouth several times before he pulled back. “I love you.”
“I love you, too. Please be careful.” Ryan lifted his head enough to whisper in Rio’s ear. “The guns are in the strongbox in the attic.”
Rio nodded. “I’ll be back later tonight. Try to get Nate to eat something.”
“I will.” Ryan watched as Rio gave Nate an equally deep kiss before walking out of the room. He prayed Jack still loved Rio enough not to hurt him.
It was almost eleven in the morning when Rio reached the lodge. He walked down a maze of corridors until he spotted Jessup. “Morning.” He handed the deputy a cup of fresh coffee.
“Thanks.”
Although Jessup had been on watch all night, he looked surprisingly alert. “Any movement from inside?” Rio asked.
“Not a thing. I talked with the guy at the front desk and the windows don’t open enough for him to crawl out, so I reckon he’s still in there.”
