by J. M. Dabney
“I hope so. Any news on Cameron?”
“The Jane Doe that turned up on Miami Beach wasn’t her. I guess that’s good news for us and bad news for someone else. Get a few minutes of sleep. I’ll take over watching the monitors. My boy will be calling in a few minutes.”
He just nodded and slipped off the chair to let Livingston take his place, and then he curled up in a nest of blankets. He wouldn’t sleep, but he’d try to close his eyes for a few. When this nightmare was over, he’d catch up on his sleep then.
His Boy Looked Exhausted
Gage tried to rub the sleep from his eyes with one hand and set his half-eaten breakfast on the floor with the other. He winced as the tape pulled at his arm hair. The bandage was new and the cut deeper than it was supposed to be—he’d felt shame the moment the razor sliced his skin. He tried to sleep, but nightmares had filled his head. The same one that he always had. His mother’s glassy eyes and a bathtub filled with blood, the Major’s voice telling him that they needed to know their place.
The stress of the operation and his inability to let Derrick go ate at him until he’d needed a release. Pain cleared his head, but unlike all the times before, he didn’t feel that rush of euphoria at the sting. Agony was safe. Happiness was dangerous and tainted the rage that existed just below the surface. He wanted to be different so that he knew he wasn’t capable of hurting Derrick.
What happened if he lost his temper and he lost his sense of reality? A long time had passed since he’d lost it. Yet, he felt it was only a matter of time.
Everyone around him seemed as if they were at the point of collapse. Nerves were frayed. Alex and Margo were curled up on the bed, cuddled together for comfort. They’d went their separate ways a few years ago when she’d met someone on a blind date. He’d always found their open relationship odd. Alex loved her, but he’d been away so much during their relationship that it was probably for the best. When Alex had explained everything, Margo had instantly agreed that Kray would have a place with them.
Hunter and Linus were in an opposite corner having a video call with Wren and Pride. Little and Livingston were off doing whatever they do, and Pure and Raul were manning the van. They’d all been going twenty-four hours a day since all this started with maybe what added up to naps. He didn’t know what possessed him, but when he caught Derrick’s gaze, he motioned his boy over. His boy stumbled a bit getting to his feet.
“Come on, since you won’t go to your room, sit here.”
Derrick plopped down between his legs, and his boy laid his head on his knee. He gently combed his fingers through Derrick’s hair, and as his boy sighed, he smiled. He shifted until Derrick’s head rested on his inner thigh and Derrick wrapped himself around his leg. Without analyzing it, he rested his head on the back of the uncomfortable chair and closed his eyes.
The more he told himself that he wasn’t going to lead Derrick on, the more he couldn’t resist. He couldn’t blame it on the Crews being close. They’d curled up together more times than he could count when they were off on jobs. It wasn’t something they thought twice about, but with Derrick, the pull was too strong. Every time he had a free moment his thoughts went back to their nights together. It was almost of if he were addicted to sleeping with his boy in his arms.
No matter that it would be safer for Derrick to stay far away from him, he was selfish for whatever time he could steal. When they were back to their real lives, their paths wouldn’t cross as much. He felt the impression of the key and chain around his neck, and he knew people were speculating about why he hadn’t asked for the collar back. The chain had always belonged to Derrick. He was the person he’d had in mind when he’d purchased it. Never had he dreamed Derrick would wear it or that he would catch his boy playing with the lock.
The night they’d placed the cameras, he scented his boy, and he’d been close enough to inhale it deep into his lungs. When he’d curled his fingers around the chain and pulled, he’d heard the smallest gasp that Derrick had bit back before he thought anyone heard. Little’s laughter proved that he hadn’t hidden what he’d done. His newest favorite fantasy was his boy bent over his desk. Controlling his boy with the chain as he pounded his lush ass.
Even as exhausted as he was, his cock responded to the thought. To save himself embarrassment, he thought about the mission at hand. In a few short hours, they’d start taking out the guards one by one before they stormed the house. They couldn’t leave Kray inside any longer. Every night they steeled themselves to wait for Arsenault to return to the basement. Luckily for them, he hadn’t returned after the night they planted the equipment. That didn’t mean they hadn’t had to endure the violence that happened in the fucker’s bedroom. Men and women, most of them barely looked legal, and they’d taken the money Arsenault handed over quick enough. The background checks they’d run on Arsenault’s bed partners showed they were of age and were known for taking on clients with rougher tastes. That didn’t make it any easier to take.
Pure was barely holding on to his sanity. The big man was quiet to begin with, but since they began the surveillance, Pure seemed to have lost some of his light. He tried to talk Linus into sending Pure back to Powers, but the big man claimed he was fine. It was a lie, and they all knew it.
He felt his lids getting heavier and sleep approached whether he wanted it to or not. As he felt himself drift to sleep a smile curved his mouth with the feel of Derrick’s arms circling his waist and the weight of his boy’s head on his lower stomach. Sleeping with Derrick was the best he’d ever had, and he’d enjoy it one more night no matter how uncomfortable the position.
It was fucking chaos, each guard they knocked unconscious and secured with zip ties amped up their impatience. So far it appeared as if they hadn’t alerted the others and they only had another five men to take out. Unfortunately, it appeared as if they’d have to make entry. Derrick and Pure’s voices alerted them to every movement and position of the enemy. None of them spoke, and masks concealed their faces. They covered Bail Enforcement with black tape that could be removed when needed. Peaches had arrived right before they left the hotel and was waiting for their word to inform the authorities.
That was as close to legal as the operation was getting. Some of the men they’d taken down had bounties which meant they had a semblance of an excuse to be there. They swept the rest of the yard then moved as a unit toward the back door. Linus held up his arm and counted down from three, then they busted inside, and Alex was at his six. They separated into teams, bellows and curses filled the house as the rest of Arsenault’s men were neutralized.
They fought long and hard against Alex taking part in the breach, but in the end, they decided it was his right. Privately, Linus had told him Alex was his responsibility. They made their way upstairs to clear the top floor. Derrick’s voice in his ear said Arsenault had headed downstairs minutes before they entered. They were told to converge at the basement door. He had volunteered to take point, and he held his breath as he turned the knob. As he pulled it open the hinges barely made a sound, but the cries from downstairs were loud enough.
It was at least two people crying, and Arsenault was taunting them.
“Who wants to play with Sir first?” The bastard’s voice was slurred.
“Me, leave her alone, I’ll do whatever you want.” A squeaky male voice stuttered out each word.
“Maybe I should break her in some more. You two can perform for me finally. Both my pets fucking for me.”
“No, no, I’ll do whatever you want, she’s sick, please.”
The stairs creaked under his boots as he slowly made it down. The boy he assumed was Kray was protecting at least one other person down there. He crouched low enough to check the situation. The boy had a girl hidden behind his thin frame. Kray wasn’t in any shape to defend anyone but was offering himself up to protect his cellmate. He was in motion as soon as the fucker started undoing his belt.
“I’d rethink that if I were you.” He press
ed the barrel of his semi-automatic rifle to the base of the fucker’s skull. “On your knees, now, cross your ankles.”
“You won’t make it out of this house alive.” The man’s arrogance clear.
Alex covered Arsenault as he secured his hands with a tie behind his back. “Every one of your men is currently incapacitated. All clear,” he yelled up the steps. “Find me blankets. We have two friendlies.”
As he straightened and moved into the cell, the scent of unwashed flesh and the mustiness of the basement made him snarl his nose. Kray was instantly wrapped around the girl, using his almost skeletal frame to lie completely on top of her. He didn’t attempt to touch them just knelt slowly beside them. Both of them were naked, and their bodies were covered in blood and dirt, and who the hell knew what else.
“Kray, we’re here to get you out. You’ve been missing for two years. We’re going to get you and your friend blankets, then we’re going to lead you out. You’re free.”
“Free?”
The hope in those hazel eyes filled with tears killed him because he still possessed hope but suspicious enough not to believe him.
“Kray, where are you and your friend hurt?”
“Everywhere.”
“What’s your friend’s name?”
“Cameron, she hasn’t been here long.”
All hell broke loose as Alex was on the ground ripping his mask off. “Baby, Cameron?” Because Kray wouldn’t release Cameron, they were both caught up in Alex’s arms. Cameron was suddenly crying and screaming Dad. Kray looked confused and terrified to be trapped.
“Blankets. Is the fucker coming with us? We scoped out a place for his body.”
“You’re all dead. Lay one fucking finger on me…” Arsenault didn’t have a chance to finish as he turned to find Linus who laid the fucker out with one punch.
They’d all agreed that Arsenault wouldn’t make it through the night and they’d only inform the authorities after the fucker was dead and buried. It was one death that they wouldn’t mind having on them. He’d be just another rich bastard that had escaped to a non-extradition country to avoid prosecution.
“I informed the rest of the team that we had Kray and Cameron.”
“Put him in the trunk.” He stayed crouched down as Alex and Cameron kept crying while he occasionally checked her over. He slipped Kray out of the embrace and gently wrapped him in a blanket. Every bone was displayed under bruised skin, and he didn’t know how the kid was still alive.
Arsenault was carried from the basement, and he’d be placed in the trunk of his own car. Him and Linus would be the only ones to do away with the bastard. They’d already discussed it. Livingston had already dug a shallow grave.
“Am I really free?”
“Yes. You’ll be taken to a hospital to be treated.”
“Where will I go, I got nowhere.”
“We’ll worry about that later. First let’s get you patched up, then a hot bath and meal.”
It took two of them to get Alex and Cameron to their feet—they clung so tightly to each other making it up the narrow staircase was awkward. His relief at finding Cameron was only eclipsed by the horror of what she’d suffered in that basement. There were some things that even time couldn’t heal. Kray and Cameron had a long road ahead of them. Pure and Raul would stay with the guards they’d taken out until the cops arrived.
He stood back to watch the headlights of the van disappear. “You ready for this?” he asked Linus.
“He won’t stop unless someone takes him out. My conscience is clear.”
It was all he needed to hear, and they got in the car. They drove in the opposite direction an hour away to the spot where Arsenault would die. He felt no guilt or shame over what he was about to do. Vengeance was justified when they knew the system was rigged toward the rich and powerful. The fucker had too many friends in high places. The story would be Arsenault escaped in the operation to take down several fugitives, and it was the story they were sticking to.
Derrick Hadn’t Been Prepared
They were all packed into the emergency waiting room as they assessed Kray and Cameron. Security had already threatened to kick Alex out if he didn’t keep his temper under control. Peaches was herding the cops and giving them the paperwork on every fugitive they’d snagged that night. Everyone that entered the house had told the same story that Arsenault had run with a few of his security people. A rental vehicle was parked about a five-mile hike from where they’d bury Arsenault.
The longer that Gage and Linus were away from the group, the more anxious he became. He paced to keep his mind off what was going on, but it didn’t help. He wanted his man back so that he could look at him and make sure he was okay. The two men had taken the task of doing away with the sadistic bastard to save the conscience of everyone else. He didn’t think anyone else would shed a tear about putting a bullet between the fucker’s eyes. He’d almost volunteered to do it himself.
When they’d brought Kray out of the house, he’d looked even skinnier than he had when he’d seen him at Forester’s. The doctor taking care of Kray had come out and asked who was there for him. They’d all stepped forward, and the doctor had taken a step back. The Trenton team did make a scary picture in their all black gear. At least they’d thought to leave their weapons in the van.
“No, I’m asking who his parents are, I can only speak to a guardian.”
“I’m his advocate and attorney.” Peaches stepped forward with a piece of paper. “Mr. Alex Quintin is in the process of petitioning for temporary custody until he can apply to adopt.”
He didn’t know how the hell she pulled the shit that she did. Peaches had a shadier history than all the Crews combined. He didn’t ask too many questions because he didn’t want to know. The doctor led Peaches and Alex to a quiet corner. Margo had been allowed back to stay with Cameron. Alex had reluctantly agreed to wait to learn more about Kray.
“Kray is suffering from severe malnutrition and dehydration. He’s had significant sexual trauma. The x-rays show that he’s had several broken bones that weren’t healed properly. He wouldn’t have lasted another month in the condition he was. We’re doing an HIV test and also checking for other STDs. We need to do a rape kit but…”
He didn’t know why he stepped forward, but he didn’t want the kid alone, and maybe a familiar face would help.
“I’m a deputy, I’ve assisted with sexual assault exams before.” He stepped forward a little further. “If Kray would be okay with it, we can ask him.” He was closer to Kray’s age and wasn’t built on a massive scale, and he wasn’t really a stranger.
“We need him to stay calm. We’ll be as quick as possible, but we need the evidence if his attacker is ever found.”
“Couldn’t hurt to ask.”
Peaches caught his hand as he passed and he inhaled slowly through his nose and out through his mouth to calm his nerves. The curtain that concealed Kray parted only far enough for them to enter.
“Hello, Kray.”
The kid was curled into a fetal position on the narrow gurney, and he didn’t get close enough to touch. He wanted to take Kray in his arms and hold him close because he had a feeling no one had held him before. He sure hadn’t received a sliver of kindness in nearly two years.
“I know you.”
“Yeah, we didn’t get the chance to introduce ourselves. I’m Deputy Derrick Thorpe.”
“You were with the older guy with kind eyes. He was very nice to you.”
“Yeah, he was. The doctor said that you’re anxious about them checking you and I’ve assisted with a few exams. And I’m not big and scary like the rest of them. I can just hold your hand and talk to you.”
“Will they stop if I say so?”
“If they don’t, I have some very scary men with guns, one of them is my dad.” He relaxed his tensed shoulder when that earned him the tiniest smile. “So, what do you say?”
“Okay.”
He approached the bed and sli
d one of the chairs closer to take a seat. He held out his hand and two thin, trembling hands took his. “They’ll put your legs up, and there will be a sheet, you won’t see a thing they do.”
“Am I really free?”
“Yes, and I have it on a very good authority that you have a very nice place to go.”
“I don’t want to go back to the home. They didn’t like me there.”
“We’ll talk about that all later.”
Tears filled Kray’s beautiful eyes, and when the kid tensed, he held tighter to his hand. “Talk to me.”
“Is Cameron okay? I tried to protect her. I promise I did.”
“Hey, calm down, she’s in another room, and she’s being taken care of by her mom.”
“She told me about her mom and dad, they sounded amazing.”
He talked and listened, he soothed and made the doctor stop whenever it got to be too much. Minutes felt like hours, and when the exam ended and exhaustion made Kray pass out, he stayed there holding the kid’s hand. He stroked the limp, ginger curls back from the beautiful little face. He looked so much younger in his sleep. He lifted his head when he heard the curtain move and found Margo standing there.
“Is it okay to come in?” she asked.
“Yeah, I think he’s out for the count. How’s Cameron?”
“They sedated her. She had a panic attack and couldn’t catch her breath. Alex is sitting with her. We rented two of the biggest suites we could find for everyone. It’ll be a while before they can travel. Some of you will have to bunk up together, but I don’t think some of you will protest.”
“What are the cops saying?”
“That Trenton Security is either very good or very, very crazy. They’ve set up checkpoints from here to the airport and are distributing his information as a person of interest.”
