Sleeves

by Chanse Lowell

  Kel smirked and stared.

  “What? World domination will require some protein and carbs,” she said, grinning. “I’m not kicking ass and saving your mom on an empty stomach.”

  He tickled his fingers up her thigh, chewed his food and nodded like she made tons of sense.

  “Speaking of which,” he swallowed and turned to her, “before we go any further, I’ve gotta get somethin’ out of me.”

  “Like what? The gallons of testosterone flooding your body?” She pursed her lips.

  He pretended to glare, then laughed. “No, hon, and you know you’d die before you changed that aspect about me.”

  She tipped her head and started sharing his pancakes again. Those eggs and bacon were taking a millennium to get here.

  “Breathe, girl, and stop choking down my food. These aren’t even very good.” He removed his hand from her thigh and patted her hair.

  She backed off. What was her problem? She never acted this rude at a restaurant. Was he rubbing off on her?

  Yet, he wasn’t stealing off her plate when she’d had food.

  “Breathing—tell me what we’ve gotta take care of,” she said, returning to his earlier statement.

  “Well, there’s this tracking device in me somewhere, and Max was arranging for me to go get a full-body scan to track its location and then we would’ve removed it ourselves. But we never got that far. In the meantime, while we waited for that to take place, I built a scrambling device that I’d swallowed and allowed to hook into my stomach lining.”

  “Ow! Sounds painful.”

  “It was fine.” He blinked and scratched her back. “But I threw up the scrambler days ago, which I’m sure is why they were able to find me. Now we’re on the run, but it won’t be long before they find us again, so we need to deal with this, otherwise, trying to break my mom free isn’t gonna work at all. They’ll know I’m there the moment my toe hits their soil.”

  “I can call Jana—see if she can hook us up,” she offered.

  “Ugh! Jana hates me.”

  She coughed then smirked. “She doesn’t hate anyone. She’s one of the nicest people I know.”

  “Called me all sorts of names.” He pointed with both thumbs at his chest. “Said I was a dick for not doing her. She wanted me real bad.”

  She smacked his arm. “Did not. She’d already hooked up with someone at your club.”

  “I know—I was messin’ around.” He pushed his plate of food over to her, right before the waitress returned and set her second order on the table.

  Casey handed him a slice of bacon. “You’ve earned it for being a smaller asshole than usual.”

  He feigned shock by covering his mouth with his fingertips all glued together. “What a thing to say, Miss . . . Wait—” he dropped his hand “—what’s your last name again?”

  “Long—and don’t you segue into talk about the length of your dick. I can’t stomach that kind of talk right this instant. I wanna keep my food down.”

  “You already know how big it is. Your pussy’s got it down to the millimeter.”

  She shushed him, drank the rest of her orange juice and swept through the eggs on her plate then polished off the rest of his pancakes.

  Why wasn’t he famished like she was? Had they fed him while they kept her barely nourished at all?

  She was given a disgusting patty there that was probably soy or something, but mostly looked like a brown lump of congealed goo. It was repulsive, and she barely got it down.

  That reminded her . . .

  “Hey, you asked me before where they held me and what they did to me.”

  He nodded, his eyes fastened on her.

  “I don’t remember a whole lot. I slept a bunch at first. They gave me some kind of sedative, and it knocked me out cold. But when I woke up, I was out of the chains and off the cot,” he gave her a look of guilt, but she kept going, “and I was wearing these leather cuffs on my wrists with D rings on them. They had chains running through those that attached to a wall. The room was really dark, and for some reason, my eyes never did fully adjust to the low-level lighting.”

  “That’s odd.”

  “Yeah.” She chewed on her bacon, recalling as many details as possible. “The walls were painted black, I think. There was a chair in the corner, a wooden one that was falling apart, and there was a pillow and a blanket on the floor. So that’s where I slept. It was cold in there, too.”

  “I’m sorry, Case.” He stroked down her back and over her shoulder then played with her hair.

  “The hardest part was being away from you. I almost didn’t even care what they shot me up with.”

  “Did they?”

  “Did they what?” Her brow wrinkled and her chest tightened.

  “Did they inject you with anything?”

  “Yeah, this black thick stuff. Looked like tar, and felt like glue going in. It hurt like hell as they pushed real hard to get it inside me.” She absentmindedly rubbed at the spot they’d administered it. It was on her right upper arm.

  “Hhhhuuuuuhnnn,” he exhaled slowly, his eyes expressionless.

  “What’s wrong?” Her blood turned cold when she realized he knew what they’d given her. “Oh, God. They’re probably going to be here any moment, aren’t they?” Her eyes darted around.

  “No, they’re probably cleaning up the dead bodies first, then creating a plan. But we don’t have a lot of time.”

  “Then what?” Her voice came out in a whiny childish way. He stared at the table, and then it hit her. “Oh . . . Fuck! They gave me whatever they gave your mother, right?”

  “Afraid so.” He ran his fingertip along the surface of the table.

  “Why would they do that?”

  “Dunno. They’re demented, and I’m sure they had plans for both of us together. Next generation of Kels I suppose.”

  She lowered her voice to keep this quiet so no one around would hear. “As much as I love the thought of having your baby, they already knew. They took blood work on me as soon as they had me and they must’ve done some kind of scan because they knew I didn’t have any ovaries. I told them as well, to make sure they really got it—I can’t have kids. I told them repeatedly, because that was my first thought as well; they wanted to breed us or some crazy shit like that.”

  He blinked then looked at her. “You told them you were infertile?”

  “Yeah—I wanted them to think I wasn’t worth the time or energy. I figured if they chucked me out, I could come back with reinforcements and get you out of there. I was prepared to call the FBI if I had to.”

  He kissed her and tucked her up into his chest. “I love you,” he whispered, “and I’m glad it didn’t come down to that. Rather than let you go, they probably would’ve just killed you, so I’m glad that didn’t happen.” He breathed hard like he might hyperventilate in a moment.

  She caressed his chest. “Hey, it’s okay. I’m here, aren’t I?”

  “Barely.” He kissed the top of her head. “Jesus—Case, you just told me the worst thing I could’ve ever imagined. You were lucky they didn’t listen.”

  “But they did listen. They actually asked me questions about what had happened.”

  “And you gave them details?” He put her at arm’s length and examined her face.

  “Yeah . . . I, well, I . . . They gave me an epidural at one point.” She rubbed the back of her neck that had been achy ever since. There were still occasional headaches brought on from it as well. “Still dealing with its lingering effects. They were poking around, kept touching my uterus from the outside. It was really weird since I couldn’t really feel anything with how numb they made me from the waist down.”

  “I can’t believe they let you keep breathing!” He wrapped her up in a stifling hug, but it was fine.

  Everything was fine.

  They were free, and it didn’t matter they pumped some nasty crap into her blood. She was alive, and he loved her.

  * * *

  “What
adaya mean you’re not sure?” Kel shouted into the phone.

  Casey tapped his arm, signaling for him to give the caller back to her.

  He all but slammed it into her chest. “Hey, Jana—sorry about that. He’s all kinds of lovable today,” Casey said.

  Jana laughed. “Yeah, he’s in dire need of a condom, some lube and an hour alone with you in a room that encompasses a big bed.”

  “He’s already had plenty of that,” Casey admitted, her eyes following him as he paced and fumed, then paced some more.

  “Wow—lucky woman.” Jana laughed.

  “Did you find the peanut for us?”

  “I’ve been trying, but it’s complicated. The only thing the social services data base is telling me is he’s in custody in LA, but it won’t say with whom. I do know the agency that has him, though.”

  “Good. Let’s start with that.” Casey got her pen and paper ready to write it down.

  “What the hell?” Jana blurted.

  “What’s wrong?” Casey’s eyes grew big.

  Kel jumped and rounded on her, his eyes a virulent storm as he leaned in and extended his hand to get the phone back.

  She swatted it and turned away from him.

  He stomped his foot behind her, then lurked over her shoulder and tried to lean close enough to the phone to listen in.

  She was nice and inched closer to him. As long as he wasn’t snapping his jaws irrationally at Jana, then it was fine.

  “The screen just changed on me. He’s been removed from that agency, and he’s,” Jana breathed hard, “wait a minute . . . There’s a note here. Let me open it up.”

  Casey’s breath caught in her throat.

  “What is it?” Kel demanded to know.

  “He’s been placed in custody of the FBI. What the . . . I’ve never seen that before.” Jana huffed.

  “Does it say Vanessa Flores turned him over?” Kel asked, jaw tight.

  “No. It says he was remanded by the state, and that social services isn’t involved and can have no further contact with the boy. No mention of any Vanessa.”

  Casey went numb; her fingers were ice and her toes popsicles. How would they get little Robbie back now? If the state was involved . . . What had happened to Vanessa? She was supposed to make sure they knew who his father was and that he would be back for him soon.

  Kel put his hand in front of her face, gave her the motion once more for the phone to be placed in his outstretched palm.

  She handed it over, unsure of what else to do at this point.

  “Hi, Jana—it’s Kel again.” He put it on speaker phone.

  Jana inhaled, sounding shocked. Was she worried he’d be an incorrigible snot again? Jesus. Why had he acted like that? He knew they needed her help. Maybe Casey should have made these calls when he wasn’t around or when he was sleeping or something.

  “Hi, Kel.”

  “Hey, we need another favor . . .” He turned away from Casey for a moment and seemed to be staring at the wall. “I’ve got a problem. There’s a tracking device in me, and I’m not sure where it is, but I need to get it out. So, we need to get ahold of an MRI scanner to find it. Then I’ll need a scalpel so I can get the fucker out of me.” He took a long, dragging pull of air after blurting out all that information.

  “O-kay, I don’t know how I’m supposed to do all that. I’m a pediatrician in a clinic, and most of my clients are on Medicaid and receiving government assistance, or they come to me through social services,” Jana replied. “I don’t have big equipment like that. I have to send them to a major lab if they need a full-body scan.”

  “Is there some way you can get us into one where we wouldn’t be asked any questions? Maybe after hours, say?” Kel’s voice took on a frantic pitch and quicker tempo.

  Jana hesitated, only her breath on the line.

  “Please—we’re being hunted, and I’ve gotta keep Casey safe. If she’s with me, she’s in danger, and she refuses to leave me. I’ve tried, but she won’t.” Kel sighed.

  Casey smacked him on the back. His shoulders went up around his ears and his back rounded in a defensive posture, but he let her do it again. It was true. After they ran their morning errands, buying clothes and some food, he started in on her with this bullshit idea of his. She wouldn’t leave, and he told her repeatedly she should run and never look back—but there was no way she could turn her back on him now.

  “I have an ultrasound machine that I have access to, but it’s—”

  “Perfect! That should work. Those spot metal, don’t they?” Kel’s shoulders relaxed back into place.

  Casey’s chest loosened up as well. This could work. She knew it could.

  “Yeah, it does. I’ve used it in my office for kids with broken bones, to check and make sure if they’re given metal rods or plates that it’s stable and there are no cracks or flaws in it.” Jana sounded worried.

  “Okay, can we come by right now?” Kel asked.

  “But, I don’t—”

  “Please, Jana. We won’t stay long. In, do the ultrasound, then out again. This keeps the love of my life safe,” he pleaded, using his most convincing tone.

  “You really do love her?” Jana’s voice cracked.

  “More than any man can love any woman at all. I never made sense before or felt like I mattered to anyone, but she sees me, and I can see her, too. She’s all I want.” He turned around.

  Casey was breathing deep, her eyes heavy lidded and full of adoration.

  “I love you,” she mouthed.

  “I love you, too,” he mouthed in return, his eyes soft and glowing with genuine affection.

  Casey’s hand went over his heart and stayed there while he waited for Jana’s response. It raced under her touch.

  “Okay—give me ten minutes. But if the security guy finds us there, we’ll have to bolt. I could get my license suspended for this,” Jana warned.

  “You’re the best, Jana. And even though you hate me, I think you’re fabulous.” He ended the call.

  Casey snorted. “What on earth was that at the end?”

  “The truth. Figured there was no sense in lying to the person that’s gonna save our asses.” He grinned.

  She tapped her fingers above his heart. “Mmhmm . . . Come on, Mr. Honesty. Let’s go find out where this thing is inside you. Hopefully it won’t take too long since you’re a big guy, and I’m sure it’s a small machine.”

  “Wait—hold up. How big?” His eyebrows popped up.

  “Big enough to choke my cervix and scare it off. How’s that for talk of dick stories?”

  “That sounded morbid actually.” His face dropped as he mocked her.

  “I know you’re hoping for something all sexy and dirty, but I don’t have it in me right now.” She let go of his chest and yanked on his sleeve. “To the doctor. Maybe she’ll give you a sucker afterward if you behave.”

  “Whatever. I don’t care what she gives me. It’s what you can give me that I want.”

  “Yes, I’ll fuck you all night long. Let’s go.” She yanked again, and this time he hopped and went after her, grinning like a maniac.

  The drive over was a constant test of wills, being with a handsy man, acting like he was going to die if he didn’t coat her in semen soon.

  She had to laugh and bat his hands away constantly.

  When they got to the office, Jana was waiting inside the doors.

  The minute they were at her side, she was talking a mile-a-minute.

  “We have to be fast about this. I found out how to turn off the security in my office, but there’s only a fifteen minute window. Then it reboots on its own, and then we’re caught. So, get moving! Walk faster!” Jana was walking quickly, her feet silent as she raced down the hall.

  “Yes, ma’am,” Kel said.

  Casey kept pace with them.

  The problem was going to be how to do this once they got in there. They had to put conductive gel between him and the ultrasound wand, which meant he needed to be naked
.

  Shit—Jana was going to be almost touching him, and seeing him bare.

  Oh God. They should just kill Casey now. This was going to be horrendous. She already had wanted to bust out Vanessa’s teeth for simply hugging the man.

  What was this going to be like? An excuse to give Jana a hole on the top of her head to store her office pens?

  Maybe she should wait out here.

  She stopped walking. “You know, I’m slowing you guys down. Go on without me. I’ll keep watch out here.”

  “No!” Kel’s jaw clenched tight. He gripped her arm. “You’re coming with me. You’re gonna cut it out of me.”

  “I what? N-no, uh uh, I can’t do that. I get squeamish just popping a pimple. A tiny bit of blood, and I cover my eyes.”

  He laughed. “Yet you called the cops, watched over and saved a man OD’ing who was probably covered in vomit and piss and—”

  “Point taken. Stop with this gross talk.” Casey rolled her eyes and went back to following them.

  Jana pointed at the examining table, and Kel removed his shoes, shirt and jeans right away then took a seat, wearing only his boxer briefs.

  Jana’s eyes went wide for a second, then she went straight into doctor mode.

  She grabbed the conductive gel and told him, “This is going to be cold.”

  “I like cold,” he replied.

  “Any idea at all of where it might be? A guess so we’re not way off and wasting time?” Jana’s eyes raked over his chest and kind of stuck there.

  “I swallowed a descrambling device that lodged in my stomach’s lining, and that stopped the signal, so somewhere down near the gut probably.” He lifted his left shoulder, then released it.

  Jana wore a puzzled expression. “You had something attached to your stomach, and you didn’t hemorrhage and die?” She flipped the ultrasound machine on.

  “I heal really fast, so it wasn’t ever a problem.” He pointed at his feet, lifted them and showed her the soles. “Ask Casey about my feet—she’ll tell you.”

  “Don’t ask,” Casey said, rolling her eyes and plopping down into a nearby seat. “I don’t have the energy to answer, and we don’t have time.”

  Jana went silent, and Kel sprawled out on the table.