Treatise smiled. Love. Maybe it was written on instinct and didn’t really mean anything, but that didn’t matter. Walter had written it.
Folding the note, Treatise carried it with him when he headed into the bedroom and changed out of his ruined clothes. He slid it into the inside pocket of his newly donned coat, then headed down to the garage. Spotting Tobias, also now in human form and dressed in jeans, climbing behind the wheel of his SUV, he picked up his pace and jogged across the garage.
Treatise saw the front seat was empty, so took advantage. Opening the passenger door, he climbed into it. He buckled his seatbelt, noting Raymond in the middle seat, while Vane and Matthew were in the back seat.
Tobias brought the SUV to life, backed out of the garage, and got them moving.
“I’m sorry, Treatise.”
They’d been sitting in silence for over an hour, so Raymond’s softly spoken words almost didn’t register with Treatise, since he’d been so deep in his own thoughts.
Blinking once, twice, Treatise turned in his seat. He met Raymond’s gaze, noting how uncomfortable the gargoyle in human skin appeared. Unclenching his jaw, he thought about how to respond.
Finally, Treatise stated, “Don’t apologize to me. Apologize to Walter when you see him.” He turned back around in his seat.
“Harsh,” Tobias rumbled.
Treatise snorted, glancing the second’s way. “You should apologize to him, too,” he muttered, crossing his arms over his chest. Maybe it was that his head still pounded, but he couldn’t help adding, “I’m the one who kept saying there had to be another explanation. I’m the one who asked if there was a note or something... which there was.”
Tobias growled low in his throat. “I didn’t get a note. I’m going to tie Roland to my bed for a week.”
Grimacing, Treatise realized he just hit on one hell of a sore spot. He wondered why Roland hadn’t taken the time to do that. Suddenly, he had a thought.
“What about a text message or phone message?”
“Text message?”
Treatise rolled his eyes and held out his hand. “Give me your phone, please.”
Grunting, Tobias pulled out his phone and gave it to him.
Waking the sleeping device, Treatise saw four text messages. He tapped the icon and saw that all of them were from Roland. Not wanting to pry that much, he held it up.
“You have four unread messages from Roland.”
Tobias scowled and grabbed his phone. “I hate these damn touch phones,” he grumbled. “I never hit the right thing when trying to get at messages, so I don’t always bother checking them.” Glancing Treatise’s way, he added, “I have Roland check them for me, so he should have known better.”
“He probably did,” Matthew commented from the back seat. “He probably knew you wouldn’t read them right away, so that gave him time to head off with Walter and Marty.” Matthew snickered. “He’s got your number, man. Manipulative little kitty.”
Growling again, Tobias snapped, “In trouble kitty.” After another few moments of silence, he stated, “And I apologize for throwing you... and I’ll apologize to Walter as well.”
Treatise gaped. Then, just as quickly, he snapped his jaw shut. He couldn’t actually remember the last time he’d heard Tobias apologize. At least, not to someone other than Maelgwn. Jerking a nod, he kept his mouth shut.
A second later, Treatise nearly leaped out of his skin when his cell phone buzzed in his pocket. Digging it out, he saw the incoming number read Martin Beakman. He accepted the call.
“Marty?” Treatise asked.
“No, it’s Walter.”
Treatise heaved a sigh, relief filling him. His shoulders sagged. “Walter,” he almost breathed his mate’s name. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah. Yeah,” Walter assured. “Did you get my note? Ilial is in the hospital.”
“Yeah, sweet Indian,” Treatise purred. “It’s fine. I wish you had called, but I understand the need to help family.” He smiled, his tension leaving him. “And your friends should have known better than to just up and leave. A couple of them might be in trouble.”
Walter snorted. “I tried to stop them, but—”
“It’s what friends do for you,” Treatise countered. “They help. And if you had taken off alone, I would tan your hide. What I mean is that you all should have told your mates.”
For a long moment, Walter didn’t respond. Finally, he admitted, “It’s been a long, long time since I’ve had to answer to anyone. I’ll work on it.”
“I’m not angry, Walter,” Treatise told him, trying to ease his concern. “Much, anyway. I just worry about you. And our relationship is new. We’re both still getting used to it.”
“Are you on your way?”
“I am,” Treatise reassured.
“See you soon.”
Chapter Eleven
Walter stood beside the hospital bed. He could do nothing but stare as he took in the state of his sister. While she was four years younger than Walter, she looked a good ten years older than Walter’s own thirty years. Her hair was dull, her face sallow, and her brown eyes almost lifeless as she stared up at him.
Clearing his throat, Walter struggled with what to say to his sick and dying sister, whom he hadn’t seen in almost thirteen years. He couldn’t come up with much.
Finally, Walter murmured, “I came as soon as I heard.” He thrust a hand through his hair, running it over his head and down to his neck. Massaging his tendons for a second, he paused and moved his hand to his shoulder, thinking of his lover, he wished he was there with him. “How come you didn’t contact me sooner?”
Ilial’s eyes narrowed, taking on a hard edge that Walter had never seen before. “Gonna lord this over me?” she rasped. “Is that what you’re here for? To tell me how I shouldn’t have left home? Shouldn’t have tried for something better than a scuffed, hardwood floor, no air conditioning, and hand-me-down clothes?”
Sighing, Walter slowly shook his head. He thought of his own current situation. A giant bed with a handsome, attentive lover, a beautiful home he didn’t have to work for, friendly people who asked little of him, friends who’d drive across the state with him at the drop of a hat, and best of all... love.
I love Treatise.
Walter didn’t know when it had happened. But it had. He’d fallen in love with the gargoyle. His life was damn good. He probably had all the things his sister wanted.
Instead, they’d come to him.
I had to get shot and find out about paranormals to get them, but who gives a shit about that.
“No,” Walter murmured. “I don’t begrudge you wanting a better life than what mom and dad had. You just shouldn’t have tried to get it at the expense of your family.”
“Fuck you!”
Sucking in a deep breath, Walter tried not to cringe at the scent of bleach and antiseptic. Never would have noticed that before developing these better senses... He let the air out slowly as he shoved his hands in his pockets.
Grimacing, he whispered, “I’m not here to fight with you, Ilial. I want to take you home. Take you to a place to heal or... die. That’s up to the creator.” He met her gaze. “Either way, I will give Kimana a home. Care for her. Love her. Anything she needs.”
Ilian tried to bark a laugh, but the attempt came out a garbled cough. “Home?” she rasped. “Home to Idaho? Just let me die here.”
Walter shook his head slowly. “No, actually. I’m in Durango, Colorado now. Me and my partner.” He’d never told anyone he was gay, but he wouldn’t hide the situation. He had a partner. One he loved. “On an estate. A big one. Every comfort. Just like you ever wanted. Kimana will never want for anything.”
Mentally, Walter prayed to the mother that Treatise would be okay with it. They’d never talked about kids. Sure, his gargoyle had mentioned that the men could carry eggs, in passing, but after that... Yeah, Walter hadn’t known how to bring that kind of o
ddness up, even if his buddy Matthew was pregnant.
“You’re living at an estate?”
Of course, she’d pick up on the money aspect.
“I do,” Walter confirmed. “With my partner, Treatise. You are welcome there.” He sure hoped he wasn’t lying to his sister.
“Wait. Your partner? What—”
“We knew if we kept an eye on your sister that you’d turn up eventually.”
Upon hearing the strange male’s voice, Walter spun. He watched warily as both Marty and Roland were shoved into the room. They’d both been waiting in the hall to give him privacy. The pair were followed by two men with guns.
Glancing between Marty—who glared angrily at the strangers—to Roland—who glanced around nervously, not only at the men but also at the room around him. His eyes were wide and wildly dilated.
“Who the hell are you?” Walter asked coldly, all the while wishing for a cell phone.
Walter had never had much of a use for a phone, since he’d never had many friends. He’d sure wanted a cell more than once in the last day or two, though... ever since he needed to head north, leaving Treatise behind. Now, he also wondered why he’d needed to leave so quickly.
Three hours. Really? I couldn’t have waited to leave for three hours... for Treatise to be done?
That meant Treatise couldn’t be too far behind them, right? On the phone, he’d said he was on his way.
Walter could hope anyway. “Who are you?” he asked again, backing slowly, moving deeper into the hospital room. “What do you want?”
The shorter of the pair, a guy with dark hair and eyes, grinned at him. “Not much. Just a little of your help,” he stated, pointing a gun at him. “You and your friends are going to lead me and my associates into that estate you’ve been living in. They are holding a few friends of ours, and we want them back.”
As the man spoke, a second pair of men slipped into the room. Walter couldn’t see weapons on them, but he didn’t doubt the pair’s lethality. Their hard expressions and cold eyes screamed don’t fuck with us.
Walter eased closer to the bed. Maybe if he could get to the call button on the bed, he could get a nurse in there. Surely a nurse would scream and call for security, right?
“What are you mixed up in?” Ilial hissed. “How can you keep my daughter safe if you’re mixed up in something dangerous?”
“Don’t you worry your pretty little head, missy,” the dark-haired man said. “We’ll take good care of your girl. We’ll raise her right. Make sure she knows who the good guys really are.”
“Oh, I know who the good guys are,” Walter claimed. “And there’s no way we’re helping you.”
Just as Walter reached the bed, one of the men must have realized what he intended. The tall, blond male lunged forward, grabbed his arm, and yanked him sideways. “I don’t think so,” he snapped, holding him in a tight grip. The man focused on the dark-haired stranger. “Let’s get out of here. Edward is waiting.”
“Right,” the blond agreed. “Come along, then.” As he spoke, he motioned for the two newcomers. One of the men grabbed Marty’s arm while the other grabbed Roland. The blond stepped forward and patted Ilial’s blanket-covered calf. “Don’t worry, dear. If your brother cooperates, he’ll be back to see you soon.”
Ilial frowned. “I don’t want any of you back here,” she whispered hoarsely. “G-Get out of my room.”
“You heard the lady,” the blond responded, grinning. “Let’s do as she says.”
Walter wanted to refuse, but the big blond holding his arm had a bruising grip on him. Still, he tried to yank away. It didn’t work, and he was pulled from the room. As he exited the threshold, he looked back at his sister. Ilial had her arms crossed mutinously over her chest and she glared at him.
Realizing that rushing to his sister’s side had been a mistake, Walter mentally kicked himself. He’d been foolish to expect his estranged sister to appreciate his overture. There had been a reason they hadn’t talked in so long.
Hell, Walter hadn’t been in the room five minutes and they’d begun to argue. He hadn’t even learned what she was dying from. He mentally vowed to take good care of his niece though.
Once I get out of this, anyway.
Their captors led them down a frustratingly deserted hallway. Where were the doctors in the place? As Walter and his friends were led down the stairs, he wondered how the men had planned it.
“As we cross the lobby, don’t try anything,” the dark-haired man warned. “We wouldn’t want to get someone shot, now would we?”
The blond snorted. “Although, since we’re in a hospital, they’d have an easy time of getting patched up.”
“Shut it,” the apparent leader snapped back.
While the men released their arms, they instead placed a hand on their lower backs. The dark-haired man led the way out of the stairwell, down a hallway, and through the lobby. Most people didn’t even give them a second look.
Walking out of the hospital, Walter glanced around the parking lot. He bit back a growl when the blond pushed him. Glaring over at him, he curled his lip.
“So you’re mixed up with Bud’s buddies, huh?” Walter questioned. “Is this about money or prejudice?”
“It’s about the purity of our kind,” the blond snarled.
“Prejudice, then,” Walter responded. “Purity of our kind,” he muttered under his breath. “What a load of shit. You don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.”
“That’s enough out of you, asshole,” the man responded, shoving him hard.
Walter stumbled forward a couple of steps. Putting his arms out, he caught his balance against the side of a car. The next instant, Walter heard the distinctive sound of flesh hitting flesh.
Turning, Walter gaped, his eyes widening at what he saw.
Treatise stood over the fallen blond man who’d just pushed him. Vane had ahold of the wrist of a man who had gone for his gun. There was the sickening crunch of bone breaking, followed by the man’s scream. Tobias had another human by the throat while Raymond and Marty worked together to take out the fourth man. It only took a couple of seconds.
Walter took the three steps necessary to cross to Treatise. His gargoyle in human skin spread his arms and welcomed him into his embrace. Tilting his head back, he happily accepted his lover’s kiss, opening to his invading tongue. He sucked the appendage lightly and clung to his lover.
When breathing became necessary, Walter jerked his head back. He gasped a breath, then stated breathily, “I’ve never been so happy to see someone in my life.”
Treatise growled softly. His thick arms holding him firmly. “You are not to pull a stunt like this again,” he rumbled. “Do you hear me? If you need to go somewhere, I go with you. That’s how mates work.”
Walter jerked a nod. “Absolutely,” he agreed. “Never doing something like this again.”
“We watched you come out of the hospital with these guys,” Tobias commented from where he stood with his arms wrapped around Roland. “I’m assuming you saw your sister, but do you need to go back in there?”
Shaking his head, Walter grimaced. “She doesn’t want to see me,” he admitted. “She’d rather die alone and angry.”
“That’s her choice,” Treatise responded. “And her loss.” He threaded his fingers through Walter’s hair, combing the strands back from his face. “You are an amazing person, and I love you.”
Walter’s eyes widened. “You love me?”
Treatise actually looked a little sheepish. “Well, that wasn’t how I planned to blurt it out, but yeah. I love you, Walter. You’re my mate, my everything.”
“I love you, too.”
His words earned him another breath-stealing kiss from Treatise.
“That’s sweet, but we really should do something with these assholes,” Vane commented, breaking into their moment. “You wanna tell us what their plan was? Who are they?”
/> “Hunters,” Roland whispered. “They were to take us to some guy named Edward.”
“They planned to use us to get them into the estate,” Walter explained. “They want to rescue Bud and the others.”
“I’ll get the SUV. We have rope in there,” Tobias stated. “Come on, love.” He urged Roland to go with him when he started away from the group.
Raymond shook his head. “We can’t just keep kidnapping people,” he mumbled. “I mean. We’ll run out of room eventually.”
Vane growled low in his throat as he leaned down and rifled through the men’s pockets. Eventually, he came back with a set of keys. “I think we should kill them and leave their bodies in the woods for the animals to eat.”
“Vicious, babe,” Matthew teased. “And what are you doing?”
“I’m finding their vehicle,” Vane responded. “Then I’m going to see if it has GPS. If it does—” He held up the key fob and clicked it. The lights of a nearby SUV blinked. Vane headed that way, his arm around Matthew to keep him with him. “I’m going to see where it’s been.” His smile appeared feral as he looked over his shoulder at everyone. “It’s time to take the fight to them.”
“I like the way he thinks,” Treatise snarled.
Walter actually had to agree. “Sounds like a plan, but I need to go find my niece.” Then, he frowned. “Uh, I wonder what I need to do to gain custody of her.”
Raymond cleared his throat, getting his attention. “I’m sorry I thought badly of you. I totally missed Marty’s note and then I couldn’t get him on the phone, and I, uh—” He paused, gnawing his lip and looking extremely uncomfortable.
“We were probably going through that dead zone that lasted forever,” Marty explained, running his palm over Raymond bald, black scalp in a soothing manner. “I’m sorry about that.”
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