From a distance, Justin could see that the driver was a familiar man with red hair. Just like the mayor’s.
HALE KNEW how to be quiet. It had been a long time since he’d had to creep stealthily through a dark forest. Never mind this was more of an overgrown park. He still had the skills.
Being quiet had sometimes meant the difference between eating and starving on the compound where he’d grown up. He wasn’t the best shot, so in order for him to be successful, he’d had to get close to his prey.
The body control he’d learned as a fighter had only enhanced his abilities since then.
So he believed, anyway, yet he nearly smiled in the dark. Yeah, he was full of himself. In addition to his ninja-like qualities, he could sew, fix farm machinery, and castrate dogs. He was a man of many hidden talents.
Right now, though, he was just a man hidden.
The moon was only a sliver over the water, the people he was watching mere shadows. He carefully avoided stepping on any branches. The sound could either be carried away or muffled by the shifting breeze. This lakefront area was overgrown with sparse trees and long weeds cut with footpaths. Hale sat down with his back to the trunk of a tree. His black clothes and dirty face would hide him well in the newly fallen dusk. Though he wasn’t exactly hidden, anyone passing by who did notice him would take him for a druggie Groundling sleeping one off. It was far less suspicious and more effective to hide in plain sight, and now he was free to openly observe the scene on the shore.
Even from thirty yards away, it was easy for Hale to tell which man on the seawall was Justin. Those broad swimmer’s shoulders were made starker with the suit Justin was wearing. In the darkness, the triangle shape of his body was easy to recognize, and the smooth lines did not betray the sadness Justin must be feeling inside.
But Hale wasn’t here to be lusty. He wanted to make sure his boy was okay. He didn’t want to get off on the stalking thing. He couldn’t help it, though. Apparently he liked watching. He liked it a lot.
He curbed his thoughts by driving his skull back into the rough bark of the tree. Justin was going through hell. Without the suit would those broad shoulders be slumping? If only Hale could do something besides watch.
He hadn’t even come to Milwaukee with the intention to watch Justin, not exactly. He’d come to drive around and scout out buildings that might make for good training locations. They couldn’t keep using the woods. Hale was going to quit the job after Monday, or whenever Justin decided to come back to work. He wanted Justin to take whatever time he needed, yet seeing him at work tomorrow would be really nice, if unlikely. Hopefully the kid would make it through this without trying to run away again.
Hale couldn’t be blamed if he’d happened to ride by the church where the funeral was being held; plenty of other curiosity seekers had been about. Too many, in fact, so he’d circled around Justin’s building to catch a glimpse of him returning home. After that he’d decided to walk by the lake to take a break from riding and stretch his legs. That he could see the windows of the fourteenth-floor condo where Justin lived was pure coincidence. Come nightfall he’d been expecting to return home, but he had spotted the solemn gathering heading out from the building toward the lake.
That he was watching now was hardly intentional at all.
An MPD drone passed by directly overhead, and he could tell it made the group uncomfortable by their glances upward and their shifting feet, but no one made a move to hide. Hale could see Gin move in closer to Justin, her shapely figure easily discernable. Holding Justin’s hand was a child who looked to be the same size as Eddie. Surely that was Charlie, a fact that became more obvious as Justin pulled the kid in close. Hale’s heart broke a little. Even in silhouette he could see the outline of pain. And to see another man holding a kid—at any other time, it would be a huge turn-on. But not now.
Hale couldn’t hear anything being said. Somber tones would not carry far. He saw the tallest of their group sweep his arm out over the lake, and saw a swirling shadow fall to the water and expand as it was carried by the wind. Ashes.
After the ashes dissipated, the man also took whatever container had been holding the cremains and flung it out into the waves to be claimed by Lake Michigan.
A few brief minutes elapsed, and the party stepped away from the water’s edge to head back into the building. Their track would take them on a path only about fifteen yards away. It would be difficult but not impossible for Hale to be spotted. Truthfully part of him hoped Justin would turn and look his way. Even if Justin didn’t acknowledge him, he would know Hale cared enough to show up, creepy stalker that he was.
The group numbered ten in all. Hale also recognized Ray. No one spoke. As they passed by, all eyes appeared to be on the ground. No one was looking his way. Hale focused on Justin. He looked handsome in the suit, even if it was a tad long in the sleeve and tight in the shoulders. His body posture indicated that he must feel very overwhelmed. Not beat down but stressed. Sad.
Hale wanted him to turn and look. If he could see into those eyes, perhaps he could share some of the pain. His compulsion to help, to ease the hurt, was so powerful it had him clenching his fists.
But there was nothing he could do.
Justin didn’t look up—but the child holding his hand did. Hale’s heart skipped a beat as Charlie stuttered in his stride. He found himself unable to look away as the child gazed at him. The boy smiled and raised his hand, waving quickly before continuing along.
Hale was frozen at first. But then a smile formed on his lips. He raised his own hand and waved back, even though Charlie was no longer looking.
Hale sat and pondered his next move. He could wait a little bit and call Justin. They were nervous about saying too much on the phone, or at least Justin was, so Hale didn’t expect a conversation to last long. It could be Justin was being paranoid, but the situation being what it was, Hale figured it was better to play it safe. Maybe just a quick text or call to say Justin was on his mind. Even if he didn’t answer, he’d get the idea. If he did answer and Hale happened to be in the neighborhood scouting locations, could be he’d want to get together—
Suddenly, in the deepening darkness, Hale saw a shadow drop from a tree about thirty yards opposite him. His first thought was the guy was an amateur—who wouldn’t look suspicious coming out of a tree?
His second thought was a panicked one: Justin wasn’t paranoid after all. The figure moved toward him on the path. Hale was about to get a much closer look at whoever had been watching Justin. He tried to lean farther back against the bark of the tree and froze.
At about fifteen yards, the figure appeared male. Hale had the urge to jump the guy and beat him into talking. But then what? Kill him? No thanks. Acting on impulse would be foolhardy, to use a Benz word. No physical violence, at least not tonight.
Instead he tried to study the man. He was Hale’s height, looking just shy of six feet. Black clothes, dark hair. At five yards, Hale stopped breathing and tried to discern any distinguishing features, but it was difficult in the darkness. He finally settled on the guy’s brow. He had a fairly pronounced forehead with bushy brows, a smallish nose. He was stocky and muscular but moved haphazardly like a thug, not carefully like an athlete. Hard to tell his age, but he looked to be in his prime. In the small amount of light available, Hale noticed the glint of a ring on the guy’s hand—a wedding ring.
As the man passed, Hale squinted to hide the whites of his eyeballs. Then the guy was past him. Hale breathed quietly and listened to hear the direction the man was going.
He could follow, but if he were caught, it could mean more trouble for Justin.
On the other hand, it might give them some idea of who was watching them. If they found out who, they could figure out why. Also, wasn’t it better to know your enemy?
Hale paused a beat and then, swiftly and silently, got up to follow.
Chapter 25
IT WASN’T like Hale to be late.
Justin pace
d the garage nervously. He’d resolved to ask Hale to give up the job. Scarecrow’s odd behavior and the strained meeting with the mayor had Justin jumping at shadows. Too much was happening. He wouldn’t cut Hale off, but they’d have to cool it for a while, even though it was the last thing Justin wanted. He hoped Hale would understand. He could always claim he needed time to grieve. Hale couldn’t deny him that. But where was he?
Finally, Justin heard the bike. He exhaled deeply. If he needed any more justification about what he had to say to Hale, his nervousness over ten minutes of tardiness sealed it. He couldn’t go on like this.
He watched Hale pull up. For a moment, Justin forgot his fright. The man was a stud on a bike, Black Jim on wheels. Justin decided he would have to start a fantasy that involved Hale not taking off his bike helmet. Or was that just an excuse to avoid kissing him? Not that he was going to avoid it anymore.
Hale removed his helmet and hefted a duffle out of his saddlebags. He looked at Justin fiercely. The look had an intensity behind it that was more than lust. It was his fighter’s gaze but turned possessive and protective. Justin’s pulse quickened.
Hale went to the truck first and deposited his bag inside.
“Uh… how’s it going?” Justin asked. Honestly he expected a little more comfort, considering the weekend he’d had.
After slamming the door to the truck, Hale walked right over to Justin. He got very close, pressed his body in. Now this was more like it—though still confusing. No matter. Justin liked the closeness, craved the gentle press of their bodies. Hale extended himself up, as if he were going to kiss him. Justin steadied himself. He wasn’t going to wimp out on this. He closed his eyes.
But then he felt the tickle of Hale’s lips on his ear. His breath was warm, his words like velvet. “Sorry I’m late. I got you this.” Justin opened his eyes in time to see Hale slip something out of his pocket and into Justin’s. A phone. “Keep it with you at all times. It’s the only way to be sure it won’t be tampered with.”
Justin expected Hale to pull away, but he didn’t. He put his arm around Justin and leaned in closer. Justin could feel the prick of scruff against his face as Hale’s jaw moved with his soft words. “We need to be safe, so I have to quit after today, but there’s no way I’m losing you. I got something from Benz and checked the truck. It’s clean. There were no bugs. We can talk safely there.”
Justin nodded. He wanted Hale to keep talking. He was developing a whole new appreciation for conversation, at least when it was whispered in his ear. Close. “We’ll stop in our woods, one last time. I hope you brought your workout clothes.”
Justin nodded again. Hale leaned in closer, embracing him fully, pressing his body in tight. His mouth remained by Justin’s ear, and Justin felt the soft tickle of tongue, or maybe his ear was just damp with Hale’s breath. It sent a shiver through him.
“It’s good to see you, Justin.”
Justin didn’t realize his eyes were closed again until he felt the cold absence of Hale’s body and opened them. The man was smiling at him from a few feet away, his blue eyes gleaming.
“Ready to go?” Hale asked loudly.
Justin licked his lips, nodded. He had to tell his heart to slow, his feet to move. Hale was going to have to drive this one.
JUSTIN WAS handling this better than Hale expected. No sign of a freak-out yet. “Which building did he go in?” Justin asked as they walked through the forest shadows toward their clearing.
“1505. About five rises down from yours. He didn’t come back out. There’s no view of your place from that building, so I’d assume he lives there or knows someone who does. At any rate, it’s a start. Chances are, if we try, we can find him again.”
“Are you sure you’ll recognize him?”
“Pretty sure,” said Hale.
On top of what Justin had told him about the mayor, it seemed as though they had a couple leads. Now if only they knew what to do about it.
“So what do we do now?” Justin asked, seeming to read Hale’s mind.
“Benz says we lie low for a little bit. Wait and see. I don’t like waiting very much, but—”
“No,” Justin said. “I mean, what do we do now?” Oh. Hale was flattered Justin was at least asking him this time. He had a whole seduction planned, and it had started back at the garage. It looked like Justin was going to be more willing than Hale had predicted. If that didn’t make his heart beat just a little faster.
“We go to ground. That’s why I got the phones.”
“So we don’t see each other for a while.”
It looked like Justin didn’t like that idea very much. Maybe Hale should have played hard to get, rather than running toward Justin any chance he got. Dry leaves crinkled underfoot. It hadn’t rained in months.
“How about every few days, for the time being?” Hale asked, grabbing Justin’s hand as they walked. He might be pushing his luck, but he couldn’t resist. Justin’s hand was hot in the chill air, but he seemed okay with the hand-holding. Possibly—he wasn’t exactly looking up, but Hale wasn’t letting go. “I’ll scout around for safer locations. If you have any suggestions, let me know. I have a couple ideas. I need a little time, but I’m on it.”
Justin looked up and studied him, before nodding. “I’m going to trust you,” he said. He gripped Hale’s hand a little more tightly. Hale’s heart soared. “Besides,” Justin said with a smile as they arrived in the clearing, “your idea here was a pretty good one. I’ll miss this place.”
“Me too,” said Hale, melancholy tainting his feelings for a second. He chased the feeling away with the delight of holding Justin’s hand. God, how was holding someone’s hand so intimate? This simplest gesture felt so right. He was holding another man’s hand, their fingers wrapped together, interlocking like pieces in a puzzle.
Justin got a mischievous look in his eye. It wasn’t a look Hale had seen on him before, but he liked how it turned Justin’s brown eyes from puppy dog to devil. Hot. “You know,” Justin began, “since it’s our last time here, I was thinking… maybe we could sweeten the deal a little bit.”
“Oh?” Hale’s voice was a little high, and he was forced to swallow. “I mean… what did you have in mind?”
“A bet.”
“A bet?” What was up with his voice? It was like he was going through puberty again.
Justin smiled widely and took Hale’s other hand, stepping closer. So close Hale had to look up at him slightly. He could feel Justin’s breath, his lips inches away.
“I have a feeling you’ve wanted something from me,” Justin said, his tone teasing, his lips so close. “If you win, you can have it.”
“Uh….” Why wasn’t Hale’s mind working properly?
“Unless, of course, you don’t want to….”
Justin shrugged and made as if to turn away, but Hale kept hold of his hands and pulled him closer, his crotch touching Justin’s thigh so Justin could feel how much he wanted to.
“And if I lose?” Hale growled. There was no chance of that, of course, but he wanted to know what Justin wanted.
“When I win, I get to do what I want to you.”
“What?”
Justin laughed. “That’s the bet. The loser has to do what the winner wants… since it’s our last day here and all.” Justin smirked. “Besides, I think we both want the same thing. I just took a little longer to come around.”
Justin pressed himself into Hale, his erection thick against Hale’s hip.
Justin’s mouth hovered centimeters from Hale’s lips, barely grazing them as he asked softly, “Is it a deal?”
You bet your ass it is. “You’re on.”
Hale was practically salivating. The loser has to do what the winner wants? The boy better be careful what he bets, because Hale had a pretty good idea what Justin was thinking, and Hale’s mind was a whole lot dirtier than that.
Chapter 26
Third Fray, Exhibition. Arena: State Line Rest Stop.
�
�I DON’T see either of us tapping out, so how are we gonna do this?” Justin asked. “You want to hit full-on?”
“Full power, sure, but you have a Fray coming up. No hits to the head, face, neck, spine… or groin.” Hale’s emphasis of the final two words gave Justin a pang of guilt. But just a little one. “Loser is the one put in a submission hold to a verbal count of three.”
“You know that means we’re going to end up rolling around on the ground, right?”
“You got a problem with that?” Hale challenged with a grin.
“Yeah, I do.” He eyed Hale and then lifted his hoodie and T-shirt over his head, casting them off to the side. “I don’t want to get my clothes dirty, but I’m fine now.” His nipples hardened. Christ, it was cold out. But he had way too much pride to cover up again, and from the look he was getting from Hale, he figured the distraction would work to his advantage. It was how he was used to fighting in a Shadow Arena anyway.
Justin sauntered up to Hale, flexing his wrapped hands. “You wanna fight or just stare at me all day?” Justin wasn’t very verbal in most of his matches, but he was finding the taunting and trash talk might come a little easier against Hale. He smiled.
Hale looked at him like he was going to make Justin pay and enjoy doing it.
Justin held up his fists for Hale to bump so they could get started. It looked like Hale was about to do just that, but he paused, an inch away from bumping in. “Oh… Justin? Just so we’re clear….” Hale leaned forward a little, as though he were engaging in a conspiratorial whisper, but his next words were sharp and not a whisper at all.
“When I win, I’m not asking for a kiss—I’m taking your ass.”
The moment of panic that immediately followed made Justin lose a second. He didn’t feel the knock on his fists, although distantly he registered it happening. Hale immediately followed it with a knee to Justin’s gut. A little bit behind, Justin was able to block, but not fully.
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