by T M Kelly
“Call me, Anna.” She pulled me in and gave me the biggest hug. I didn’t realize the affection was exactly what I needed. As her arms tightened around my body, I relaxed and the tears started to fall one after another. She pulled back slightly to look at my face and then pulled me in tighter when she noticed I was crying. “Oh, sweetheart.”
“I’m sorry.”
“You don’t have to apologize, honey. This man they’re looking for must be very special to you.”
I knew what she meant. She thought Stephen and I were together. This wasn’t my story to tell, so I nodded. “He is. Very much.”
“Zoe,” Tyler said and waved for me.
I ran over to where the woman was typing away on the computer. “What’s going on?”
“This is a technical analyst. She has Stephen’s phone located.”
His words caused more tears to fall. “How is his battery?”
“I don’t know. He hasn’t messaged in a while,” Ty said.
The woman quickly followed with, “But I have a location, so we have cell service at the moment.”
Detective Alan walked over to us. “My team is going now. We’ll let you know as soon as we locate him.”
“Can we go?” I said and already knew the answer.
“You’re safer here.” He touched my arm. “We’re going to find him.”
I wrapped my arms around Tyler’s chest. It felt like we both needed each other at the moment to keep us standing. “I’m scared, Ty.”
“I know.” He kissed the top of my head. “Somehow we were lucky.”
“Lucky?”
“Stephen loves those damn dressy cargo pants. I told the detective he probably had his phone in that hidden pocket.”
I lightly laughed. “I plan to buy him ten pairs now.”
“All different colors.” We were still laughing when Anna walked in front of us. Tyler stopped laughing. “Mom.”
“Can you come into the kitchen for a moment?” She smiled. “The both of you.”
She seemed kind with her soft-spoken voice. It was the way she asked us to go into the kitchen that felt off. Something wasn’t right. I wrapped my arms around Tyler’s one arm and followed beside him.
When we stepped into the kitchen, Julian and Lily were sitting on the barstools at the island. Brooks and Charlie were leaning against the counter by the stove. Ty’s parents were sitting at the kitchen table.
“Sit for a moment, honey,” Anna said and pointed to the chairs.
“Why?” Tyler freed himself from my arms and stepped back.
Todd, Tyler’s father, spoke up. “Just sit, son.”
Julian stood and walked toward us. “Why are we here, Ty? Why am I worried about this man?”
I backed up into the wall next to the doorway we had just entered. This wasn’t already happening. Were they having a “come to Jesus” meeting now? I glanced at Tyler who stood locked in place. Could they have maybe waited until Stephen was found? Why did they choose now to grill him?
I inhaled and let it out slowly. “Why are you worried about that now?” Everyone looked my way. “You can see we’re upset.”
“I think we just want to know why we had to get up in the middle of the night.” Anna paused and held up her hand. “I would do anything for you, son. This seems off. My mom radar is flashing red.”
“Is red bad?” I said and shook my head. “Not that it matters, just wondering.”
“Yeah, it is.”
“Ah, okay.” I stepped closer to Tyler but didn’t dare touch him. His body language felt… I don’t know…it was hard to tell if he was angry or scared. I looked up at Tyler and saw tears welling up. “Fuck.”
“What are we missing?” Julian said and took another step closer.
I was prepared for Tyler to turn and bolt out of the room. He didn’t, though. Instead he just continued to have his eyes facing the floor and his body still as a statue.
Julian was about to step closer, but Tyler lifted his hand demanding the distance.
“Ty, talk to us. We love you and want to be there for you.” Anna sighed. “I can’t, though, if I don’t know how to help or support you.”
Tyler surprised us all when he lifted his hands to cover his face. “I love him.” He just said the words. They flowed out so easily. “But not just him.”
I stumbled back. If he was going to say he loved me, too, I wasn’t sure how to process that piece of information. My eyes were locked onto him as he found the words. His mouth would open and then close so many times.
“He’s been in my life for almost a year.” Finally he lifted his head and looked at everyone in the room. “I’m bi-sexual, okay. Are you happy now?”
“Wait,” I heard Julian say.
“Hush, Julian,” Anna said and stepped closer to Tyler. “Is this a secret you have had for a long time, honey?”
He stepped away from his mom. “Please don’t, Mom. I know what everyone is thinking. It’s fine. Just say what you really feel. Since we’re all here getting our true feelings out.”
“I don’t think anything.” Anna shrugged. “Well, I feel sad we couldn’t talk about this sooner. You’re my son and I love you no matter what.”
Finally, a lonely tear fell down Tyler’s cheek. I wanted to run to him, hold him, and let him know how much I cared. Instead, I waited.
“I’m a fighter. Was a fighter.”
Brooks pushed off the counter. “Was? Are you retiring?”
“I fight men. Once this leaks out I’m finished.”
“Wrong,” Julian said. “This conversation does not leave the room.”
Tyler lifted his head. “What?”
“This is not anyone’s business. No one needs to know.” Julian wrapped his hand around Ty’s bicep. “And you have the gym.”
Tyler shook his head. “I’m tired of hiding my relationship.”
“What about continuing to train female fighters at the gym?” Charlie said and leaned her hands on the counter.
He closed his eyes and dropped his head. “I need—” Without finishing his words, he turned and left the room.
I watched as Tyler walked up the stairs. A part of me wanted to follow him; the other part knew to let him be for a little while. His secret was out.
Right as I about to say something, Detective Alan walked into the kitchen. “Stephen’s cell phone must’ve died. We lost the signal.”
I stood up tall and wiped a tear away. “What happens now?” I said and placed my hand on the countertop for support. “Can you still locate him?”
“We have a radius of where his phone was throwing off a signal. We’re looking for all the cars that match the suspects in that area. We only have a make and model of the car right now. We couldn’t see the license plate in the security video from the bar. Our media liaison also put a message out on the news earlier hoping it would bring a few leads.
“I need to go tell Tyler.” I ran out of the room. When I reached the top step, I fell to my knees. Tyler was sitting on the floor with his back against the wall and his hands covering his face, sobbing. “Ty.” I crawled over and sat down beside him. “Talk to me.”
He was struggling to get the words out. “I’m done.”
“No, you’re not.”
“I am”—he paused—“because loving you both means more to me than my career.”
His words made my head spin. I didn’t know what to say. When I left my home several years ago, I never imagined finding peace again. I was resigned to the fact that fighting was my life and sleeping alone with my animals was my new norm. It was easier.
Fuck easy.
“Ty, what are you saying?”
He lifted his head. “I’m willing to sell my portion of the gym and move.”
“What will that do?”
“No one will know me. No one will judge. I can love who I want.”
“You can now.” Julian knelt down beside his brother. “You’re not selling shit.”
I could tell Tyl
er was struggling to hold in his tears. He sat up straighter. “Why?”
Julian leaned his back against the wall beside Tyler. “Why what? Why do I care? Why do I want you to keep your part of the business?” He shook his head. “You’re dumb if you don’t know the answers already.” Julian placed his hand on Tyler’s knee. “You’re my brother. We’re family. We support each other.”
“I—”
Julian stood up. “The detective needs you down stairs.” He took a step down and stopped. “We’re not going anywhere until he’s home.”
Tyler just sat there looking stunned.
“Your family is pretty fucking amazing.” I hopped up. “Stephen’s phone died, but they have some other possible leads. Let’s help bring Stephen home.” I reached out my hand, hoping he would accept the offer. He did.
When we both were standing, he cupped his hand around the back of my neck. “I dropped a bombshell on you. I’m sorry.”
“What bombshell?”
“I said the L word. You don’t have to yet. I get it.”
I placed my hands on his chest. “Just give me a little more time.” I leaned up on my tip-toes. “But I promise you won’t have to wait for too long.”
Saying I love you seemed too soon. Yet, here we were going through something no one should ever have to experience. My feelings for Tyler and Stephen were stronger than I ever expected. I thought about that night at the nightclub. The way Stephen and Tyler looked as I drove away. Then the vision of Stephen at his house and how he was determined to show his darker side.
It all felt so long ago now.
26
Zoe
“His phone died?” Tyler asked the detective as he reached the bottom step.
Alan was standing by the door, talking to someone. “Yes, we lost the signal as my agents were driving to the location.”
“What does that mean?” Tyler crossed his arms over his chest. I could see signs of tears still present on the corner of his eyes. “How will you find him now?”
I sat down on the bottom step and tried to focus on what they were saying. Everything felt wrong. We were here at Tyler’s place, talking about what to do while Stephen fought for his life somewhere.
“Is there room for me,” Charlie said and sat down beside me. “He’ll be okay, Zo.”
I shook my head. It was easy to make that claim, but no one knew if Stephen would come out of this alive. “We’ll see,” I whispered. I dropped my head in my hands unable to cry or even scream. This felt like an episode of Criminal Minds.
“Zoe.” The moment I heard Tyler’s voice, my body lifted. “Come here.” He was holding out his arms. It felt like my body glided over to him and melted in place.
“Sir.” The technical analyst stepped into the front room. “I may have something.” Her words brought the room back to life. “See here.” She pointed at the computer screen. We were all huddled around the woman. “We last had cell service here.” She had her finger on a part of the map that was outside the city limits. “This is the radius of where we need to look. Look at the location.”
I leaned in without thinking. “Could his house be by a golf course?” The large green patch she was pointing at was east of North Las Vegas where there was less development. The air force base was not far away either.
“Exactly,” she said. “Everything points this way.” The woman was moving her hand in an arc around the west side of the golf course. “There are a few homes in this area, but each one is on several acres of property.”
The detective leaned up and started barking orders. “I want four vehicles ready to leave in thirty-seconds.” He turned toward Ty and me. “When we put a message out to the public through the media, there were two anonymous calls that came from that area.” He grabbed his jacket and headed for the door. Right before he left, he looked at us. “We’ll contact you with any information.”
Any information could mean anything. What he probably meant was, we’ll let you know if he is dead or alive. I turned my body and buried my head in Tyler’s chest. “Is this fucking for real?”
He tightened his arms around me. “I know. It feels like a prank. Like maybe someone will jump out and say, kidding.”
“You both okay?” I heard Anna say from behind me. “I made tea if you would like some?” Tyler didn’t move. Didn’t loosen his grip on my body. I could feel Anna’s hand on my back. “I meant what I said.” She was right beside my ear now. “I will love you always and forever no matter what.” She wrapped her body around the both of us. “Don’t you dare ever hold in a secret so dear to you again. I want to be here for you and support you.” She rested her head on mine. I could feel Tyler lean in. “You are my baby. I love you.”
I could feel Tyler’s breath on my skin as he tried to speak. “Mom,” he whispered. I knew this was hard for him. I didn’t dare move.
With each passing minute, the memories of when I shared my secret with my family came rushing back. I could see my mom and dad that day. They were sitting on the couch, watching one of those game shows on TV. I had just kissed Susie on the merry-go-round during recess. It was the first time my true feelings came to light. On the way home from school, I made the decision to share what I’d experienced. Then I stood in front of them and almost chickened out. I’m so thankful I didn’t.
“Hungry?” Brooks lifted up his fork. “Julian’s cooking.”
“Just as long as you didn’t help. Sure,” Tyler said and lightly laughed as we stepped into the kitchen.
I was holding Tyler’s hand. Right before we entered the room, he tightened his grip. Then Brooks lightened the mood. Leave it to Hollywood. He always knew how to ease the tension.
“Fuck you.” Brooks threw his napkin at Tyler. “I can cook. Ask Charlie.”
I watched as he turned at the exact moment she stuffed her mouth full of rice. In between chewing, she said, “Sorry, my mouth is full.” Then she took another bite.
“You suck,” he said and tickled her side.
“Brooks,” Anna said in a stern voice. “That’s not how you talk to your wife.”
I looked up at Tyler and smiled. This family amazed me more every day. Lily, Charlie, and now me—we were damn lucky. I knew my smile faded when I realized I forgot to list Stephen’s name.
“What is it?” Tyler whispered beside my ear.
“I wish Stephen was here to see this.”
He tugged me closer to his side. “Me, too.”
“Sorry to interrupt,” a man said from behind me. “Alan wanted me to come get you both.” We followed behind him as the man led us into the front room. He pointed at a phone sitting on the table. “Alan, they’re both here.”
“Tyler and Zoe, a car should be there to pick you both up,” he said in a voice that was hard to place.
I didn’t know if I should be worried or celebrate.
“Did you find him?” Tyler said and sat down in a chair.
“I don’t want to discuss anything over the phone. We’ll see you in ten minutes.” Alan didn’t say goodbye or anything. The phone just went dead.
I turned to the front door where two agents were standing. “Are you taking us?”
A woman was there with her hands resting in her pockets. She was wearing a Kevlar vest and her long blonde hair covered up the letter L on the front of the vest. “We are. It’s not far.”
Tyler grabbed my hand and tugged me toward the door. He stopped and looked back at his family huddled around the kitchen doorway. “You’re not leaving, right?”
“We may crash in your bed, but you’re stuck with us,” Julian teased.
Anna walked forward and placed her hands on the side of both of our faces. “Bring him home.” I placed my hand over hers. “Take care of my baby, Zoe.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
27
Stephen
“How did they find my house?” The asshole who had abducted me was pacing back and forth.
The man in the room with me, Andy, had stopped re
sponding to my voice a while ago. I didn’t want to believe he was dead, but I feared the worst.
“Did you do this?” The guy scraped his nails through my scalp and fisted his hands in my hair to lift me off the ground. “What did you do?” He shook my body, causing the phone to fall from my outside pocket. “What’s that?” He let go of me, causing my body to fall hard onto the concrete floor. “You son of a bitch. You did have a phone on you.” He threw the device against the brick wall. “This is your fault.” Without pausing, he turned toward me and drove a knife into my abdomen.
“No,” I cried out. “The battery…it was dead.”
“Just like you will be.” He laughed and turned to head back up the stairs.
I placed my hands over the sharp pain driving through my side as my body fell farther down to the ground. This couldn’t be the end, right? I tried to visualize Tyler and Zoe standing in front of me. The pain was stronger than anything I had ever experienced.
I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to pretend this was all just a dream. From off in the distance, I could hear a sound like glass breaking followed by several gunshots.
28
Zoe
“Stay here,” Alan directed. I watched as he ran toward a group of agents huddled together.
“Think they found him?”
“I don’t know,” Tyler said and squeezed my hand. “Why would they bring us here?”
“Identify Andy.” That caused me to want to vomit. I wished the words back the moment they slipped past my lips.
“He’s not dead.” Tyler wrapped his hand behind my neck. “Don’t even think like that.”
There were several gun shots coming from the house about ten yards away. “Tyler,” I said, unsure what to think or feel. We watched as the local police were scrambling toward the house. The agents that brought us here were already inside.
About five minutes later, Alan appeared in front of us, slightly out of breath. “He escaped,” he said and ran toward the SUV that just pulled up beside us. “Stay put,” he barked and jumped into the backseat.