by Dirk Greyson
Forge felt the depth of his gaze down to his soul. He set down the spoon, his appetite flying away. “I’m afraid of being alone. My parents are dead, both of them. Dad died last year, as I said before. My mother had a lot of emotional issues when I was young and was often under a doctor’s care. I don’t think I ever got over not actually having my mother for a lot of the time I was growing up. She passed away eleven years ago.”
“Is that when you met Granger?”
“No. But losing my mom is when I think I decided that I wanted to stay with him. We’d been dating for a year or so, and it was at that point that he asked me to move in with him and to try to build a life together. I agreed, and we had a good life for a number of years.” Forge sighed. “Sometimes it’s hard to look at yourself and your motivations in a clear light. When you do, they seem too self-serving and shallow. I needed Granger back then….”
Gage nodded. “You didn’t want to be alone, and he loved you. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be loved.”
“But I chose him because he was easy, and what if I’m doing that again?” Forge didn’t want to sound stupid, but he also didn’t want to make the same mistakes he had in the past.
Gage laughed, out loud and hard, turning his face toward the ceiling. “I don’t think that any of the guys I’ve dated will describe me as easy or low maintenance. I keep a schedule that would drive most people crazy. So I’m not uncomplicated or convenient, and you aren’t making the same mistake all over. Don’t forget that you and I spent years apart, and I don’t want to do that again.” He grew serious, looking over at Forge. “But if you don’t feel the same way… you don’t need to make up an excuse. When this case is over, we can go our separate ways, or just be friends, if that’s what you’d like.”
“That isn’t what I want,” Forge said quickly and much more forcefully than he expected to. “I don’t want to be just friends, and I don’t want to go our separate ways. But I keep wondering if things aren’t moving too fast.”
“How long have things been over between you and Granger?”
“Months… many months,” Forge answered. “And I know I have the right to move on. But….” He groaned. “Everything is just so mixed up in my head. I thought things were settled with Granger, and then I find these notes and he seemed so contrite in them. I know that even if he hadn’t been killed, we wouldn’t have gotten back together. I guess I want this over so I can feel free again.”
“Then give yourself the time and the chance to do that. If that’s what you want. I waited seventeen years to find you again—I can wait a little longer for you to find your way.” Gage leaned closer, resting his head on Forge’s shoulder. “Don’t wonder if I’m going to disappear. It’s not going to happen.”
Forge breathed a huge sigh of relief and picked up his spoon to finish the soup. Gage did the same a few moments later, and Forge missed the closeness of having Gage pressing right next to him. He liked that Gage felt he could lean on him, just like Forge knew he could lean on Gage.
Once they were done, Forge took care of the dishes, placing them in the sink of the kitchenette, and then returned to the living area.
“Please stay here. If you need to, you can check the monitors out at the front desk. I’m going to run to the house to get the box. I’ll be back as soon as I can. I also want to check that the alarm system is working properly.”
“But what if something happens?”
“Just stay here, and I’ll message you if I need anything.” Gage walked to where Forge sat. “I need to know that you’re safe. So please stay here, and I’ll be back as soon as I can.” He leaned down to kiss him. “God, I love that I can do that whenever I want to.” He slid his hand around the back of Forge’s neck, his heat boring into Forge. Gage didn’t move closer; he simply looked deeply into Forge’s eyes as warmth and comfort spread through him. “I’ll see you soon.” Gage’s hand slipped away, and he hesitated before turning and leaving the room.
Forge pulled his phone out of his pocket, placed it on the table, and listened as the doors closed. He might have heard the garage overhead door go up and down, but he wasn’t sure. Forge did know it was dead quiet as he sat on the sofa, listening and waiting. He checked his watch. If Gage went right to the house and came right back, it would take less than an hour.
He thought of turning on the television, but was too restless to sit still for very long and ended up pacing the room, unsure why he was so nervous. Gage knew how to take care of himself, and he was only going to the house, which Harv had been keeping an eye on for him, so this shouldn’t be too big a deal. Still, his nerves wouldn’t settle down.
Forge jumped when his phone vibrated on the table. He yanked it to his ear, answering it with fumbling fingers.
“It’s Harvey.” He sounded breathless. “Someone set the house on fire. The fire department has been called, and Gage is on his way to pick you up. He said to be ready and he’ll bring you back.”
Forge went cold as his imagination took over, picturing flames shooting out of the windows. “Okay. I’ll be waiting.” He hung up and didn’t know what he should do first. He sort of stopped and started, wondering what was going to be left of his home when he got there. Then he hurried through the office, closing the doors behind him, and stepped outside. His head spun, and he desperately needed some fresh air.
The sun shone brightly, but all Forge could think about was the house and what was happening. He hoped the damage wasn’t too bad, but if someone had set a fire, then he had no illusions about what he was going to be walking into. It was going to be bad.
Forge closed the door and leaned against the building, watching the driveway for when Gage came back.
He knew his mistake as soon as a black car turned around the side of the building, then skidded to a stop. Forge turned back to the door, but strong arms encircled his waist, pulling him off his feet and into the back seat of the car. He was still kicking as the door slammed closed behind him, and they peeled out.
“You really thought you were going to be able to get the better of us?” a guy asked from the front seat.
Forge lifted his gaze as Stanley Lucci turned from the passenger seat to glare at him. Forge knew he was dead. He’d seen the boss’s son and could ID him. This was kidnapping, and they were never going to let him get out of this alive.
Chapter 8
“NO!” GAGE screamed from inside his car as he saw the black Mercedes pull out of the parking lot. He dialed Forge’s number even as he whipped around when they passed. He hoped he was jumping to the wrong conclusion, but when the call went to voicemail, he knew exactly what had happened. Somehow they had gotten to Forge.
Gage put in another call. “Detective Coleridge, please. It’s an emergency. I need him now. Someone is being kidnapped, and I need his help.” That seemed to bypass the chain of command, and Coleridge came on the line in seconds. “It’s Gage Livingston. Forge Reynolds has been taken. I’m following a black Mercedes down Brown Deer Road, heading toward the freeway.” He gave the license number. “It’s an Illinois plate.”
“I have it. I’m putting out an APB right now, and I’ll get squad cars. It’s best if you don’t follow.”
“They’ve already seen me and are trying to lose me, but that isn’t going to happen.” Gage took a turn at dangerous speed and floored it, not letting them out of his sight. “I’ll stay on the phone with you if you like.”
“I need to get to my car. I’m going to put you through to dispatch. They’ll stay with you. Explain to them what’s going on. Hang on.”
Gage got hold music through his car speakers as he made two more turns. These assholes were seriously reckless.
“This is dispatch,” a man said, and Gage told him what was happening.
“I’m on Green Bay Road right now, heading south. We’re going to pass Silver Spring at any second.” Gage made another turn. “We’re on Silver Spring now, heading toward the highway. God, I hope no one is in the way, because the
y’re traveling like a bat out of hell.”
“We have them at the freeway overpass. There are cars waiting for them there.”
Gage didn’t slow down when they turned onto a residential street before reaching the freeway. He relayed his position and was told that there were police cars up ahead. Gage certainly hoped so. He gripped the wheel as hard as he could and sped up, coming within a few feet of the back of the car. Sirens got closer, overlapping as they continued. Jesus, at this speed, if anyone was out and about, they were going to be in real trouble.
They came back onto Green Bay Road and took a turn, followed by yet another. “They’re on a dead-end street,” Gage relayed, and told them exactly where he was. Sirens converged and grew louder and louder.
The back passenger door opened, and Gage saw someone fall out and roll from the edge of the pavement onto the grass. He knew instantly it was Forge and screeched to a stop next to him, using the car to shield him from the other vehicle, which spun around with a loud squeal worthy of any action movie. Gage got down as the car sped past, expecting shots but hearing nothing except the roar of an engine as it zoomed by.
Sirens followed, and Gage gave his position as he grabbed his phone off the passenger seat and opened the door, transferring the call to the handset. “They’re heading back toward Green Bay Road. I need an ambulance. They threw Forge out of the back seat.” He reached Forge as Forge rolled over, groaning. “Don’t move. I have help on the way.” Gage kept talking. “We’re in front of the stone ranch house with gray trim.”
“We have an ambulance heading to your location, and Detective Coleridge is on his way as well. Other cars are pursuing the Mercedes.”
“Okay. I’m going to put you on speaker and try to help Forge.” He set the phone on the grass, put on the speaker, and bent over Forge. “Where does it hurt?”
“I knew it was you behind us, even though they didn’t let me see out.”
“Did you break anything?” Blood covered Forge’s forehead. Gage raced to the car, opened the trunk, and pulled out his first aid kit. Sirens converged on his location as he got some gauze and found where Forge was bleeding.
“I don’t think anything is broken. I rolled as soon as I hit the ground and tried not to stop myself.” His military training had to have kicked in, thankfully. Most people would try to stop themselves and get hurt even worse.
Police cars and an ambulance pulled to a halt as people came out of the houses, looking around. Uniformed police officers kept them back while the EMTs and Coleridge approached.
Gage stood and stepped back, not wanting to leave Forge for a second, but needing to give the EMTs a chance to work.
“What the hell happened?” Detective Coleridge asked.
“They were cornered and needed to get away. I guess they figured if they dumped Forge, I’d stop and they could get out of the pickle they were in.” Gage watched as the emergency personal transferred Forge to a backboard.
“I’m not injured that badly,” Forge protested.
“Let them make sure of that,” Gage said as gently as he could, kneeling down to take Forge’s hand. He stroked it gently and turned to Coleridge. “He hasn’t told me who took him. I was more concerned with making sure he was okay.”
“Stanley Lucci. He was in the front seat. The other men were the ones from the party at your dad’s,” Forge said as they worked on him. “They were arguing about what they were doing. Stanley thought this was a great idea, but the guy in the back with me wasn’t so happy and was sure Stanley’s father was going to have a fit. He was scared, and he was the one who dumped me out of the car.”
“You’re going to be all right, and Coleridge is going to make sure they don’t get away.” Gage turned to Coleridge, who was on the phone, smiling.
“Excellent. I want to talk to the arresting officer as soon as he’s available. We have some serious charges to level, including kidnapping. Yes, we have a credible witness, and he isn’t getting off. He may be able to pay his way out in Illinois, but he isn’t doing that here.” Coleridge hung up. “The state police have him in custody. They stopped him on the freeway, and they tried to talk their way out of the jam they’re in.”
“Where are they?”
“Being transported to county lockup. The charges will be presented downtown, and since we’re leveling kidnapping, it’s likely the state prosecutor will take them on. That’s good, because they’re less likely than some of the local folks to be in daddy Lucci’s pocket.” Coleridge seemed pleased, and Gage turned back to Forge, who was looking better now that the bleeding had stopped and he was cleaned up.
“Are you in any pain?” an EMT asked.
“My hands are sore from the scrapes, as are my knees, but other than that, I’m fine. Do I need stitches in my head?”
“I don’t believe so. The bleeding has stopped, and we’ve been able to clean you up. You’re also moving your head, legs, and feet without any issues.”
“Yes, and my back and neck don’t hurt. I was in the Army. They taught us how to roll and land, so that’s what I did.” Forge moved his arms and legs and then sat up once they removed him from the board. “I’m really fine.” He shook hands with both the EMTs. “But I want to thank you for your help.”
“You were very lucky,” the lead EMT said.
“I know.” Forge looked at Gage, and warmth spread through Gage. He knelt and leaned forward to hug Forge as hard as he dared.
“Don’t you dare do that again. I don’t think my heart stopped pounding for a second. I stayed behind them like glue because there was no way anyone was going to take you away from me again.” Gage clamped his eyes closed as relief and love raced through him. Tears ran down his cheeks, and he was man enough to let them fall. Forge held his heart, and Gage had felt fear like he’d never experienced before, not even when he wasn’t able to move his arms and legs.
“I didn’t mean to,” Forge said, holding him in return.
“How did they get you?”
“Harvey called and said the house was on fire,” Forge said, and Gage shook his head. “He said that you were on your way over to get me.”
“Harv would never have called you, and he certainly never would have said his name was Harvey. He hasn’t gone by that in years.” Gage breathed deeply, relieved at how narrowly they’d avoided disaster. “And the house is fine, or at least it was when I left it and Harv. I hurried back with what I went after and happened to see them pulling away, and I knew something was wrong.”
Forge held him tighter. “I knew I’d been set up as soon as they turned the corner.”
“At least you’re okay.” Gage released Forge and helped him stand.
Forge gasped and breathed deeply.
“Are you dizzy?” one EMT asked.
“No. I’m fine. Just relieved that I’m in one piece. I really thought I was gone. I’d seen the men who took me before, and I didn’t think they were going to let me go alive.” He turned to Coleridge. “They know I’ve seen them.”
Coleridge nodded and stepped closer. “When they pulled the car over, one of the men, the one in the back seat… he wasn’t doing so well. They think he was pistol-whipped, most likely by Stanley, and it’s likely that was for getting rid of you.”
Forge nodded. “He didn’t want to be part of it, and I think he panicked and pushed me out, hoping they could all get away, especially if Gage stayed behind to help me. It’s the only thing that makes sense.” He shook violently once from head to toe. “Can I go home now? Or do you need pictures of what happened to me for evidence?”
Detective Coleridge had one of the officers take photographs, and he got a statement from each of them before backing away.
“Detective,” Gage said. “Stop by the house tomorrow, and we’ll be able to answer any additional questions you have.” He had every intention of taking Forge back to his office so he could rest. He guided Forge to his car and helped him get inside.
“They knew where I was,” Forge said.
“They faked a call from Harv to get me to come outside.”
“I know. It seems they were watching us a lot more closely than I realized. But you’re safe now, thank God.” Gage felt like an idiot. He should have taken Forge with him. At least then he could have kept him close. “I should have been—”
“Stop that,” Forge told him sharply. “I should have called you to verify where you were instead of getting upset and racing outside. They couldn’t have gotten in, so they had to lure me out, and they did it very easily.” He turned to watch out the side window. “In fact, I fell for it like a sucker. I should have stayed put. If there was something wrong, you would have called me, not had someone else do it. That I should have known. You didn’t put me in danger—I did that myself.”
“Hey. Stop it.” Gage pulled to the side of the road. “You’re safe, and beating ourselves or each other up for what could have happened isn’t going to get us anywhere.” Personally, Gage felt like a complete fool. He should have known how closely they were being observed. “I wonder how they found out about Harv?”
“All they had to do was listen to us talking at the house somehow. Harv did scare the shit out of those guys who were hanging around. I bet they figured out he was there and used that information when they needed to.” Forge continued watching out the windows, then lowered his mirror. “I don’t see anyone behind us.”
Gage stifled a groan. He sure as hell hoped this was over, at least for the moment. Stanley’s family had worse problems now than them. Stanley wasn’t going to tell anyone anything, Gage was sure of that, and though his lawyers might not be able to get him off, he wasn’t going to sell out the family business. Gage shook his head, trying to think of what their next move should be.
“I want to go back to my house. I need to sleep in my own bed. Besides, they know about your office, and while it’s safer there, it isn’t doing us any real good.” Forge drummed his fingers on the armrest. “I’m just so tired of running and being scared. It really sucks.”
“I know it does.” Gage continued on the same course and headed for the office anyway. “We’ll spend the night at the office because it’s safer and has more surveillance, and go to the house in the morning to meet Coleridge,” he said, hoping he was making the right decision. “The puzzle box with the drive in it is under your seat. I think I remembered the right one.”