by Rayna Vause
She cocked her head at him. “Dooley again?”
“What gave it away?”
“You look ready to strangle someone. That man just brings it out in people. What does he want?”
“He’s concerned about the media fallout. The fucking media. The man I’ve fallen in love with could possibly die, and Dooley’s worried about how all this fucking looks.”
“Wait. Love?”
“What?”
“You just said you love Chris.”
“I—”
Angelica smiled. “I’m glad. Chris is a great guy. But I’ll tell you right now, you’re going to have to make some tough decisions. What matters more to you? The opinions of people like that asshole Dooley, or Chris?”
Jack started to answer, but she cut him off. “Don’t tell me. Tell him.”
Jack leaned in and kissed her cheek. His phone vibrated again. He dug the phone out of his pocket and again the same phone number appeared on the screen.
Angelica snatched the phone out of his hand and denied the call. “Screw him. Your personal life is none of his business. Honestly, I wish you’d boot his ass off the board. You’re the damn president, CEO, and majority shareholder of Whitman International. Flex a little, brother of mine. Let him know in no uncertain terms that if and when you want his opinion, you’ll ask for it. In the meantime, he needs to go sit down somewhere and shut up.”
Jack laughed, enjoying some brief levity in a day that would go down in history as being one of the worst of his life.
He checked the time. “I have to go meet Connor.”
Jack leaned down and hugged Angie. She almost strangled him with the strength of her embrace.
“Be careful, keep you and Chris safe—okay, Connor too.” She smiled, but he saw the worry in the shine of her eyes. “Go get your man.”
Jack returned her smile, then leaned down to kiss her cheek. “I love you, Angie.”
“Love you too.”
He pressed their foreheads together for a long moment and headed for the door.
Chapter Eleven
THE Whitman family estate sprawled over a thousand acres of land, part of which sat along a waterway that led out to the ocean. Jack kept the property well maintained, but most of the time, it sat empty except for the staff. Too many memories, both good and bad, and the house itself too big for only him.
He hadn’t been to the estate in months. Now he approached one of the more remote sections of the property as darkness settled around them. A SWAT team and additional police officers were at the ready to negotiate with or possibly kill his half brother. There’s no place like home. He snorted.
“You doing all right?” Connor shot him a quick glance from the driver’s seat of a behemoth black SUV.
“As well as can be expected under the circumstances.”
“We tried tracking the phone. Nothing. I’m betting he ditched the phone so he couldn’t be tracked prior to the meeting.”
“He’s always been too smart for his own good. Crazy, but never stupid.”
“We’ll get through this, Jack. We’ll get Chris out safely and hopefully get Kyle out alive as well. That last part I can’t guarantee. If you can’t talk him into surrendering, or we even think for a minute he’s too far gone and you or Chris are in imminent danger, we may have to… neutralize him.”
Anger burned its way up the back of Jack’s neck as he thought over the past few weeks.
“Chris is my priority. You and your guys do what you need to do. Kyle never should have gotten this close to any of us, and now I’m done. With him, with my father, with Dooley. All of them.”
“Dooley?”
“I’ll tell you later.”
They drove to the end of the road that led up to the boathouse and private dock.
“Remember, we’ve got additional units surrounding the dock and snipers are in place. Don’t take any chances. You’ll have an earpiece so the team and I can communicate with you. I’ll stay out of sight, but I’ll only be a second away if you get into trouble.”
Jack glanced over at his friend, who checked his gun with flat, focused eyes.
“Connor, thanks for being here.”
“You’re my friend and this is my job. Come on, let’s get this over with.”
They approached the boathouse, scanning for any signs of life. Nothing. The boathouse stayed dark, but a large, rather beat-up fishing boat bobbed in the water at the end of the dock. Connor stayed hidden and Jack stepped into the light.
“Kyle?” Jack called, his voice echoing in the darkness.
“I told you to come alone, Jack.” Kyle’s voice sounded from within the boat.
Jack suppressed a curse. He decided to be honest. “It’s just Connor. You know he’d never let me come here alone.”
“I know who the hell he is, and I also told you no cops.” Kyle emerged onto the deck of the boat, dragging Chris in front of him as a human shield.
Jack’s chest tightened. The pounding of his rushing blood deafened him as fear and rage raced through him. If Kyle hurt Chris in any way, the last five years of his life would seem like a joy compared to what Jack would do to him.
“Just let him go and we’ll talk,” Jack said, years of boardroom training and etiquette allowing him to sound normal.
Kyle snorted. “I let him go and your friend with the gun shoots me. I think we’ll just leave things as they stand for now.”
Kyle hadn’t changed much since they’d last seen each other. His hair hung longer and his clothes were decent but not designer. The old Kyle wouldn’t have been caught dead in anything that came off the rack. Dad may have gotten him out of jail, but he didn’t seem to be footing the bill anymore.
“Chris, you okay?”
“As well as can be expected.” Chris clearly tried to keep his tone even and unaffected, but Jack picked up the undercurrent of fear.
Chris didn’t look hurt. Jack didn’t see any blood or bruises. That alone allowed the barest hint of the tension knotting his entire body to ease.
“It’s going to be fine,” he promised Chris.
Kyle gave a short, mocking laugh. “You don’t change, do you? Still Mister Cool-and-Confident, assuming everything is going to go your way. Reality check, Jack. I’m the one in control here. I’m the one calling the shots, not you.”
Kyle moved the gun to hold it at Chris’s head. Jack’s heart hammered in his chest, but he attempted to keep a cool demeanor.
“How about putting the gun down? I’m not armed. You don’t need it.”
Kyle laughed. “That’s where you’re wrong. I do need this. I’ve been waiting for this chance a long time. The chance to knock Jackson Whitman off his pedestal and to make him experience the pain we mere mortals feel.”
He pressed the gun to Chris’s cheek, and Jack rushed forward. When Kyle jerked the gun toward him, Jack froze in place.
“I’ve got the money,” he said as calmly as he could. “Isn’t that want you want?”
“I want the last five years of my life back!” Kyle shouted, causing Chris to flinch. “I want you to suffer. I want you to lose everything, just like I did.”
“For what, pressing charges and sending you to prison for embezzling from me?” Jack cut in.
“I wasn’t stealing. I’m a Whitman too. It was my money and my company just as much as it was yours. You had no right to send me to that place. Even worse, Dad let me rot there for all that time. With a snap of a finger he could have gotten me out—and he left me!”
“Wait a minute.” Jack shook his head. “You’re pissed because Dad didn’t bail you out of your own mess, and now that you’re free, you don’t like living like the average person?” Jack all but growled at him. “You entitled little shit.” As they argued, Jack moved closer, step by step, banking on Kyle to be too caught up in his rant to notice. Connor’s voice sounded through his earpiece warning him to stay calm and keep his distance.
“Me, entitled?” He barked out a laugh. “You’re th
e one who can have anything he wants at the snap of a finger.”
“You’re damn right I can. Yeah, I’ve been lucky, but I also worked hard for what I have. Unlike you, who wanted everything handed to you on a silver fucking platter.” Jack balled his hands into fists and stalked forward.
“Jack, antagonism isn’t the best idea here.” Connor’s soft words carried to him from just behind his shoulder.
“Antagonism? Con. He’s un-freaking-believable. He’s threatening my lover. He almost killed my sister, all because he didn’t want to accept responsibility or consequences for his own actions.” Jack took another step toward Kyle and Chris. “Fuck you, you greedy bastard. You led a life most people would envy. You’re the one who screwed everything up. It’s on you. But same as always, you can’t accept any blame or responsibility. Instead you’re trying to hurt the people I care about to get revenge. You’re not even worth the energy it would take to pity you. You’re pathetic.”
Kyle whipped the gun away from Chris and pointed it at Jack, but stayed well hidden behind Chris. The gun trembled in Kyle’s grip “Shut up! You don’t understand a damn thing. Pity me. You pity me. Hah! Well, Dad chose me. Fuck you, Jack.”
“Yeah, well you’re welcome to him. Someone who could abandon his kids is not someone I need in my life.” Jack eased another step closer.
“Back off, Jack. Right now.” Kyle staggered, dragging Chris with him. Chris clutched at Kyle’s arm, his face going red as they struggled.
“Kyle, let him go. Come on, man. You don’t want to hurt him.” Connor stepped closer to Jack.
Chris coughed and then sucked in a breath. “Jack. My dream. Don’t forget my dream.”
“Dream? Did you dream of living happily ever after with him?” Kyle sneered. “You know, Jack hates all this psychic stuff. He won’t make allowances for you and your gift. Better we end this now before he can kick you to the curb later.”
“You know nothing about Jack.” Again Chris struggled against the force of Kyle’s grip.
Kyle snorted his disgust. “You kept screwing up my plans. I should make you pay for that.”
“No! You don’t want to do that,” Jack called out, wanting Kyle’s attention back on him.
“Believe me, I very much do want to do it. I’ve got nothing to lose, unlike you.” He jerked Chris’s head back by the hair.
Chris’s brilliant blue eyes gazed at Jack, filled with pain and fear as Kyle pressed the muzzle of the gun to his temple.
“You’ve strung this out long enough, Kyle. Just tell me what you want so we can end this. Is it the money? I’ll bring it to you, and you can hop on your boat and sail away.”
“You’re right, Jack, let’s end this. I want my money. Where the hell is it?”
“I’ll get it. Relax.” He held up both hands in a calming gesture as he backed away to grab the case he’d left by the boathouse.
When Jack turned, Kyle switched his aim to target him.
“Jack, watch out!” Chris shouted.
Jack whirled, heart in his throat.
Chris went limp in Kyle’s arms, pulling him off balance so he had to release Chris, letting him drop to the deck. Then he wheeled his other hand up to steady his aim. Chris scrambled to his feet and swung his bound hands toward Kyle’s crotch. Kyle deflected before Chris could make contact, and swung the gun back toward him.
“You dumb fuck.”
A cry lodged in Jack’s throat. His muscles ceased to function and he froze. He’d never get to Kyle in time to stop him from killing Chris. The report of a gun echoed through the night, and Jack’s heart stopped completely.
Kyle staggered and gaped at Connor; then his fading gaze slid accusingly to Jack.
Jack choked in shock and relief as Kyle toppled over the side of the boat, disappearing into the murky sea water.
When his shock lifted, Jack surged down the dock and onto the boat, rushing to Chris’s side. He dropped down to gather him close, stroking the soft silk of his hair. Chris clutched Jack to him, burying his face in the curve of Jack’s neck, breath shuddering out of him. As they clung to each other, Connor rushed past, gun drawn, to search the water.
“Kyle? Kyle! I don’t see him, Jack.”
Chris pulled back just enough to look at Connor. “He’s tangled in some netting that’s hooked on the dock. Someone is going to have to go in after him.” His wide, stunned gaze met Jack’s. “It’s my dream, like I said. But I never once thought that it wasn’t me in the water.” He shook his head.
“Thank god it wasn’t.” Jack kissed Chris slow and deep. He reveled in the heat of his mouth, the softness of his skin, the strength of his embrace. Every touch, every caress reassured him that they were alive and together.
“I’m going in, Jack. Let the boys know when they get here, which shouldn’t be long.”
The splash of Connor diving into the water started a cascade of sound. Sirens blared and engines roared as police and ambulances raced toward them. Then the pounding of feet as responders raced down the dock toward them.
“Detective McCord jumped in after Kyle.” Jack helped Chris to his feet they climbed off the boat and rushed to where Connor had piled his shoes and holster on the dock.
Large ripples spread from where the two men had gone in, but neither was in sight.
“Come on, Connor.” Jack searched the water, looking for any sign of his friend surfacing.
Flashlight beams danced on the water as cops and EMTs yelled clipped information and instructions to each other. Everyone stood tense and waited as long moments ticked past. When they were on the verge of sending in a rescue swimmer, Connor’s head broke the surface of the water. He dragged an unconscious Kyle up with him.
Jack closed his eyes, rested his forehead on Chris’s shoulder, and blew out a long breath.
“Let’s get out of the way so the police can do their job.” They walked back to the collection of vehicles, Jack clenching Chris’s hand.
They stopped next to Connor’s SUV. Jack turned, caging Chris in against the door.
“I’ve been so damn scared since the moment I realized Kyle had you.”
“Me too. Afraid for myself and for you. I never saw faces in my dream, so when it started to unfold….” He cupped Jack’s face and stared into his eyes. “I couldn’t…. I didn’t. Shit, Jack.” His voice broke.
Jack claimed his mouth in a slow, deep kiss intended to reassure as it obliterated their ability to think.
“I’ve got you, Chris, and you’ve got me. We can both, finally, relax.”
“I was so sure tonight would end as my dreams have. Me, lost in the water.”
“I told you I wouldn’t let a dream beat us.” Jack smiled at Chris, throwing as much reassuring arrogance in it as he could muster. “We’re both safe and together.” He pressed a kiss to Chris’s temple, “What do you say we take a few days together and catch our breath?”
“Sounds like a hell of an idea.” Chris wrapped his arms around Jack’s neck, pulling him in again. They waited by the car, arms wrapped around each other, as they watched Connor orchestrating the operations of the swarm of law enforcement officers and Kyle being treated by an EMT before getting hauled away.
CHRIS stuck his head into his mother’s hospital room and found her frowning at a container of apple juice and a small cup of pills.
“Morning, Ma.”
“Christo, come in.” She gestured to the juice and pills and frowned. “I ask for coffee and eggs, and they bring me this.”
Chris stifled a laugh. “I’m sure they’re coming around with trays in a bit.” He leaned in to kiss her cheek. “How are you feeling?”
“Bah. I’d be better back in my hotel room. Room service. Someone to wait on me hand and foot, and peace and quiet. With all the poking and the prodding and the noise and waking you up every few minutes, it’s a wonder anyone ever gets better.”
“In a few days you can go home and be comfortable in your own bed. Won’t that be nice?”
&nbs
p; “Meh.” She shrugged.
Chris rolled his eyes.
She cupped his cheek, then gave him a thorough visual inspection. “How are you doing, baby boy? I don’t see any fresh injuries on you.”
“I’m all right, Mama. A bit sore, but I’ll live.”
“Well, hopefully there will be no more excitement for you for a while. Then only the good kind.”
He laughed. “That’d be nice.”
“You went through a lot last night.”
Chris looked at her with cocked eyebrow.
“I know what I know! You, more than anyone, should be used to this by now. It’s scary having your life threatened. I worried for you all this time, but I knew in the end you’d be okay.”
“I’m glad somebody had confidence we’d all survive.” He paused a beat and glanced at his mother. “Wait, you knew or you knew?”
She nodded toward the other side of the bed. “Come sit with me.”
He rounded the bed, giving her a narrow-eyed look the whole time. “Ma, what aren’t you telling me?” Chris climbed up next to her and took her offered hand.
She squeezed with a strength she hadn’t demonstrated in a while. A warm burst of happiness and pride bubbled up through him.
“You’re getting stronger.”
“That sadistic therapist. She’s a godsend.” She smiled and shrugged.
“Now talk, Mama. What do you know?”
“You remember the dream I had? The one I sent you to warn Angelica about?”
“Yes, of course. It’s what started off all of the recent craziness.”
“Exactly. Well, I saw a bit more in my dream than I let on. I dreamed about you finally finding happiness.”
Chris blinked at her. “Are you seriously trying to tell me that you sent me off to face a gun-toting madman because you had a dream of tuxedos, gold rings, and an arbor?”
“No. I’m telling you I knew you’d face trials but would come out on the other end healthy and happy. Without those trials, you wouldn’t have found your happy.”