Vince blinked. The red veillifted and he saw Keegan. In the wall.
“OhGod, ohshit, no!”Vince pulled Keeganout carefully, makingsure he took care inremovinghis hand.
“OhGod, what the fuck did I do?”He picked Keeganup carefullyand took himto the bedroom. Runningto the bathroom, he grabbed a washclothand wet it. Vince felt his pulse goinga mile a minute. What the fuck had he done?
He sat onthe edge ofthe bed and inspected Keegan’s wounds. The egg-sized lump onthe back ofhis head was worrying him. His hand looked no worse for wear; the bones hadn’t re-brokenas far as he could tell. The splints were stillinplace. Vince rana hand thoughhis hair. His instincts kicked in and he called the first personwho came to mind.
“Hello?”
“Reece!”Vince shouted.
“What?”Reece sat up, hearingthe panic inVince’s tone. “What’s wrong?”
“I hurt Keegan!”
“Vince, slow downand calmdown. Okay, what happened?”Reece was surprised at the tone ofVince’s voice. He’d heard all about Vince’s partnership withanFBI agent and he was guessingthat Keeganwas that agent.
“We got into a fight, he’s been watchingme, he knows what kind offood I eat and he made me garlic chickenand —”
“Vince, stayontrack. What happened?”
“I pushed himthroughthe wall, he’s got a bigbump onhis head and I think his fingers are okay, though, his head is what I’m worried about and he’s stillout ofit and—”
“He’s breathing, right? How longhas he beenunconscious?”
“A few minutes now - what do I do?” Vince kept the washclothonKeegan’s forehead. “I hurt him, Reece, ohGod.”
“Calmdown, okay?”Reece got up quietly, makinghis wayinto the livingroom. “He’s got a concussionfor sure; youwon’t know the extent ofthe damage untilhe wakes up. Keep aneye onhimwhenhe does, all right? Look for slurred speech, nausea or vomiting; ifit gets reallybad, take himto an ER right away.”
“I hurt him.”Vince trailed his fingers downKeegan’s cheek. “I didn’t meanit, Reece. I didn’t meanit.”
Reece heard footsteps behind himand turned to see Lorenzo wipingsleep fromhis eyes. He covered the phone. “Vince hurt the FBI agent, he made Vince garlic chicken.”
Lorenzo put his hand out. “Give me the phone.”Lorenzo took the phone fromhis husband. “Vince, the manknows who you are, therefore he knows how youare.”
“I shouldn’t have hurt himlike this! What the fuck is wrongme withme,
Lorenzo?”
“Nothingmyfriend, it is who youare. Ifthis manhas beenwatchingyou, thenhe knows this as well,”Lorenzo said.
“I have to go, thank Reece for me. Okay?”Vince sat back a little, as Keegan moaned, comingaround. “I have some explainingto do.”
“Good luck.”Lorenzo handed the phone to Reece. “He thanks you; I believe the FBI manis wakingup.”
“Nice, babe. Just great. ‘He knows who you are?’”Reece scowled at his husband.
“What? I said somethingwrong?”
Lorenzo followed Reece back to the
bedroom. “Now you
are mad at me? What did I do?”
“Oh, for fuckingcryingout loud, Lorenzo! Remember whenwe first met and youhit me across a roomoninstinct because I touched youwhenyouweren’t expectingit? What was the first thingyoudid? Apologized. And why? Because youwere fallingfor me!” Reece slapped Lorenzo inthe head. “So you tellVince it’s in his nature to hurt people? Since whendoes Vince care about who he hurts? He never feels bad! Assassins! Ugh!” Reece slammed the bathroomdoor.
“I did not think I said anythingwrong.” Lorenzo rana hand throughhis hair.
“Ugh!”Reece shouted fromthe bathroom.
“So youthink Vince has feelings for the FBI man?”
Reece opened the door. “Well, duh!”
~~ Vince ranto get some aspirinas Keeganstarted to come around. Keeganwas sittingup ina daze whenhe came back from the kitchenwitha glass ofwater. Vince put the glass downonthe nightstand and opened the bottle ofpills.
“OhGod, Keegan. I’mso sorry!” Vince put out his hand withthe pills init. Keeganshrank back and Vince felt a stab in his heart. Keeganwas afraid ofhimnow. “I’m so sorry, Keegan. Please look at me.”
Keeganscooted back onthe bed, out ofVince’s reach. He looked up, his eyes meetingVince’s and what he saw there took himbysurprise. Vince was ina panic. He was claspingand wringinghis hands together nervously. Keeganmoved downthe bed a little closer to Vince.
“Whydid youdo that to me? Because I made yougarlic chicken?” “I’mso sorry! I never meant to hurt you; the rage took over. It’s just - whenI saw that youmade myfavorite food exactly the way I like it … I knew thenthat you’ve been watchingme for a very long time. I don’t care anymore ifyou’ve beenwatchingme. I should never have hurt you.”
Keeganknew he should get as far awayfromVince Markovas he could, but the look onthe man’s face was too much. Vicious Vince Markovwas worried. He looked almost scared. Keeganfelt his head; a large bump was pulsing.
“Ow.”
“I brought yousome pills and water.” Vince grabbed the glass, almost droppingit. He realized his hands were shaking. What the fuck?
Keegangrabbed the glass before it fell. Vince was seriously freakingout. He took the pills and swallowed a biggulp of water. “You’re gettinga black eye,”Keegan motioned to Vince’s face.
“Really?”Vince stood up lookingin the mirror. “Huh…I am. That’s some left hook yougot.”
“I’mambidextrous.”Keeganlie back onthe bed, staringat the ceiling.
Vince came back to the bed. “Is your other hand okay? God, I’msorry—”
“You’ve said that.”Keegansat back up; the roomspunand he felt Vince’s arms come around him.
“Whoa, take it easy, okay?”
Keeganfocused onVince’s face.
“Youlook scared,”he whispered.
“Because I am. I didn’t meanto hurt you. Are youallright?”Vince palmed Keegan’s face.
“You… are scared?”Keegan frowned. “Youdon’t get scared, or cryor feel…”
“I amscared whenit comes to you.” Vince stopped. Did he just saythat? Yes, yes he did. Did he meanit? Lookinginto
Keegan’s eyes, he realized he did.
“Youlike me,”Keegansing-songed.
“Ohno.”Vince stood up and grabbed the bottle ofpills. Inhis rushto get aspirinhe had grabbed the Vicodin.
“Great, now I drugged him,”Vince sighed, exasperated. He looked over at Keeganonthe bed. “Are youallergic to anything?”
“Nope.”Keeganlooked at his hand and wiggled it. “Cooool.”
“Okay, how about I put youinthe shower? I don’t need youpassingout again.”
“It’s not myfirst head injury,”Keegan giggled, fallingover. “I was shot, stabbed, burned… and some other stuff.”
“What do youknow, Keegan? What does Nardozziwant fromyou?”
Keeganlooked up. “The kids ofhis enemies. I know where theyare.”
Vince’s mouthdropped open. “Oh, God. Nardozzi tortured you?”Vince stood up; he had to get Keeganthe fuck out ofhere and now. “Youshould have told me! I would never have brought youinto this! Jesus Christ!”Vince grabbed his phone.
“What are youdoing?”Keegan attempted to stand.
“CallingDamon. Youcan’t be with me. This was a bad idea!”
“Fuck you!”Keegansmacked the phone out ofVince’s hand. It hit the floor and slid to a stop bythe door. “I’mhere, it’s too late now.”
Vince grabbed Keeganbyhis shoulders. “Don’t youget it? He thinks you’re myfiancé! Plus he wants youfor what you know! He could killyouthis time ifhe doesn’t get what he wants. He will killyoubecause he thinks you’re mine!”
“AmI?”Keegancocked his head to the side, lookingat Vince’s panicked face.
“Are youwhat?”Vince blinked, lookingat Keegan.
“AmI yours?”
“Really? This is what youwant to talk about? Do yo
unot understand what I’m saying? IfNardozzigets his hands onyouit’s over for you, Keegan. I can’t let that happen. I won’t.”
“You made the choice to involve me.” Keeganpointed a finger at Vince.
“I didn’t know! Youshould have told me fromdayone that Nardozziwas the one who did this to you!”Vince grabbed
Keegan’s hand, shovingKeegan’s fingers in his face. “Youwant this again?”
Keeganyanked his armback. “You think that’s the worst ofit?”Keegantore his shirt off. “Take a good long look Markov!” Keeganturned around, showingVince his back. He heard the intake ofbreathbehind him. “Yes, Vince. I know what canhappen, believe me.”
“That’s it.”Vince went to grab his phone. “I amcallingDamon; he’llsend Marco and Antonio to come take youout ofhere safely.”
“No.”Keeganturned around.
“No? Ohthe hellyes, Keegan.”
“We had a deal! I do this withyou, youmeet withmyboss. Those were the terms ofour agreement!”
“Fuck the agreement!”Vince roared. “I’llmeet withyour boss; I don’t give a flying fuck! But youare not stayinghere!”
Keeganpoked Vince inthe chest with his good finger. “Youcan’t tellme what to do. I amanagent withthe FBI and youare not my boss. As you’ve said, I’monmyownwiththis one.”
“What part ofyou could be tortured again, did younot understand?”Vince leaned downinto Keegan’s face.
“So, now youdoubt your abilities? You’re THEVince Markov, remember? Killer and assassinextraordinaire; youcando anything.”Keeganwalked over to the bed, floppingdown.
“This is not funny—”Vince’s phone rangover bythe door. He looked at Keegan, who was lookingat the phone as well. Vince dove for it, barelybeatingKeeganto it. “Hello?”Vince blurted.
“Pops? Youhavingsex? Yousound winded,”Nikolaichuckled.
“Nope, just tryingto keep a little asshole safe; he’s fightingme onit.”Vince narrowed his eyes at Keegan, who raised an eyebrow at him. “What’s up, Nikolai?”Vince looked directlyat Keegan, enunciatinghis son’s name.
“Um… okay… I finallygot through the files. Agent KeeganRipleywas kidnapped froma stakeout withhis partner, Trevor Spence. Nardozzitortured Ripleyuntilhe was almost dead. He killed Ripley’s partner, Dad, right infront ofhim. The statement Ripley gave? It’s like a horror novel.”The line was quiet and Nikolaichecked his phone’s signal. “Dad?”
“I heard you; Keeganis here withme now. I’mtryingto get himto go home. Nardozzithinks he’s myfiancé.”
“Holyshit, Dad, youneed to get him out ofthere!”
Vince held the phone awayfromhis ear. “Did youhear that, Keegan? Even Nikolaiknows this is a bad idea.”
“It’s mydecision.”Keeganstood up, swayinga little, thencaught his balance. He looked downat Vince onthe floor. “I’mgoing to bed.”
Vince waited untilKeeganhad left the room. “Nik, I have to go, I kinda threw Keeganinto a wallearlier and now I have to keep aneye onhim. Do me a favor and call Damon; let himknow the deal, okay?”
“Willdo, Dad. Watchthe FBI guy, and I meanlike close.”
“I will, love you.”
“Love you.”
Vince snapped his phone shut and stood up. He went downthe hallto Keegan’s roomand stopped inthe doorway. Keegan was onthe bed inthe fetalposition, holdinghis hand.
“Keegan…”
“I’mnot changingmymind, Vince. Youbrought me into this; youevencalled me a coward, remember?”
“I didn’t know then!”Vince went to the bed, sittingonthe edge. Keeganwas shiveringa little and Vince pulled the blanket over him. “Are youallright?”
“Myhead hurts, the painpills didn’t do shit for me.”Keeganstretched his legs out, wincingat the crack inhis back.
Vince took his shoes offand climbed into the bed. He positioned himselfbehind Keeganand gripped his shoulders.
“What are youdoing?”Keegan looked over his shoulder.
“Just close your eyes, okay? I won’t hurt you, I promise.”Vince moved his thumbs inslow circles, makinghis waydown Keegan’s back.
“OhGod, that feels good,”Keegan sighed.
Vince leaned over, kissingKeegan’s shoulder softly. “I’msorryI hurt you. I’m afraid to let yousleep; shouldn’t I be keeping youawake?”
Keegansmiled, leaninghis head back to look at Vince. “Don’t youknow the human body? I know youstudied anatomyto make yourselfa more efficient killer.”
“I’mnot a doctor,”Vince raised a brow. “I canget byonmyown, I know a few things, but whenit comes to this?”Vince looked at Keegan’s beautifulface. “I should have never…”Vince shook his head, massagingagain.
“So that’s youwhenthe rage hits.”
“That was mild.”Vince tried to smile.
“Wellholyshit, remind me never to piss youoff,”Keegangrinned.
“I amsorry, I’m… not used to this.”
“What?”Keeganasked.
“I never sayI’msorry, I never regret things I do… I don’t know what else to sayto make this right.”
“Just keep doingwhat you’re doing,” Keegansighed, lettinghis muscles relax.
After a few minutes, it became evident that Keeganhad fallenasleep. The slow breathingrelaxed Vince a bit. He moved slowly, gettingout ofthe bed. Makinghis way to the kitchen, he grabbed another glass of water and the right pills. As he turned, he saw the Safewaybagonthe floor. Vince picked it up and took it back to the bedroom. After puttingthe contents inthe drawer he got back into the bed, pullingKeeganinto himgently. There was a soft sigh, and thenKeegan relaxed inhis embrace.
“Vince…”Keegansighed, nestling into him.
Vince looked downinto Keegan’s face and anache formed inhis chest. He’d lost it and almost killed the man. Vince kissed Keegan’s forehead and lie back, staringat the ceiling.
“I’mright here,”he whispered.
~~ Damonlooked out the window ofthe jet. He knew Vince would be furious ifhe knew theywere flyingto Arizona. With Nardozzicame unexpected surprises and Damondid not want Vince caught offguard in a townhe was unfamiliar with. Nardozzi’s operatives were lookingeverysecond of everyday; now that theyknew Vince was involved withsomeone, theywouldn’t stop.
“I think he trulycares for him, Damon.”
Damonturned to see Antonio looking at him.
“Si?”
“I saw the wayhe looked at the agent. He cares,”Antonio nodded.
Damonsighed, runninghis hands over his face. “Ifanythingwere to happento him, then…”
“It would not be good,”Antonio said.
“It would be horrific, Antonio. As muchas Vince has tried to become human, there is always his feralside to contend with,” Damonsaid.
Marco came downthe aisle with drinks. Settingthemdown, he took the seat opposite Damon.
“Where are we going?”
“We are landinginSierra Vista; it is about thirtyminutes fromVince’s location.”
“I would ask how youknow that but…”Marco winked.
“Youallhave trackingdevices onyou somewhere.”Damonsmiled as Antonio looked at his watch. “No. Inyour body, Antonio.”
“I have always knownhow youfeel about us, Damon. We are like your own children, Vince more so I think. Youraised himfroma boyand into a man; youwatched himbecome what he is today.”
Damonsighed, sadly. “And now he mayhave found love, onlyto lose it ifwe can’t stop Nardozzi.”
“It willbe good to see Vince trulyin love.”Marco sat back, sippinghis drink.
Damonlooked out the window. “Yes, it will.”
~~ Vince was wokenup bya loud rumbling; a stormwas brewingoutside. The whole house shook as thunder rolled across the valley. Lightningilluminated the roomand Vince realized Keeganwas lookingat him.
“Are youallright?”Vince whispered, palmingKeegan’s face. Keeganmoved closer to him, his hand exploringVince’s face. He closed his eyes as Keegan’s fingers trailed over his cheeks, makingtheir wayacross his lips. “Keegan…”
/> “Kiss me, Vince.”Keeganthreaded his fingers into Vince’s hair.
“I’mnot sure…”Vince looked at the angelic face lookingback at him. How could he? After what he’d done? And moreover, what right did he have? He’d hurt himto the point that he’d almost killed him. He was a fuckingmonster, anunfeelingshellofa man. Keegandeserved somethingbetter thanthat, somethingbetter thanhim.
“I don’t think we should, Keegan.”
“Please?”Keeganpulled Vince down to him. “I want youto touchme.”Keegan closed his eyes as Vince’s warmmouth covered his, the ache inhis bodygone bythe touchofVince’s hands. Archinghis back, he pressed himselfcloser to Vince. Warmth flowed throughhis bodyas Vince’s hands slid down, cuppinghis ass. His sweats came down and thenVince’s naked bodywas onhim, touchinghim, leavingkisses across his face, his chest, his stomach. His whole bodyprickled withpleasure as Vince kissed and licked every part ofhim. He wanted Vince, inside him, fillinghim.
“I want you,”Keeganmoaned, grippingthe sheets intight fists.
“OhJesus,”Vince looked downat Keegan, naked, spread before him, askingfor him. His mind was screamingno, but when Keegangripped his prick, Vince lost it. He reached for the drawer, runninghis hand inside lookingfor the supplies. He found the lube and opened the cap.
“Hangona sec.”Vince tried to find the condoms, but was pulled back down. Keeganwas allover him, writhingagainst him and moaning. Damn, it was just too much.
“Wait... just…”
“Now… please…”Keeganspread his legs out, invitingVince in. He hadn’t had sexinover a year and goddamnhe wanted it now, needed it now and he needed it with Vince. Ifhe was takenagain, he wanted to remember this night. He fumbled, lookingfor Vince’s hot leakingprick and the lube. His fingers pried it fromVince and he slicked Vince’s cock fromshaft to tip before Vince could argue. Keeganpositioned himselfand pushed Vince inside him. The painwas immediate and he cried out.
“Keegan!”Vince tried to pullout, to no avail. Keeganhad a vice grip onhim. “I’m bare!”
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