Running From Empty (Men of the Vault Book 3)

by Aria Grace

  I grab my mobile phone and dial 911 as I run down the hall to the stairwell leading to the basement. Smoke is already coming out of the room when I see Asher disappear down the stairs with a fire extinguisher.

  “Asher, no.” He doesn’t hear me call out to him, so I’m forced to chase him down the smoky stairs, passing a small crowd of guests and employees frantically waiting in the hallway. The air is thick with smoke, so I pull my shirt over my mouth to filter enough oxygen through that I don’t pass out.

  Asher is easy to spot in the back corner with the fire extinguisher aimed at a wall of flames. Electricians were in today installing a new electrical panel in that corner, so something must’ve sparked and caught fire.

  Asher seems to have everything under control and I consider leaving him to it so I can open a window, but just before I can turn around, he drops to his knees and passes out.

  “Asher. Are you okay?” I rush to his side and check for a pulse. He’s alive and breathing, but not opening his eyes. A loud cracking sound gets my attention as I pull Asher’s limp body into my arms. Just as I’m about to stand up, I see a loose beam come free from the ceiling. Without any options, I curl my body around Asher’s, hoping to protect him from the impact.

  At first, everything seems fine. For a whole second. But then time starts up again and a searing pain shoots up my leg, making it difficult for me to assess what’s wrong.

  Asher coughs from below me and I realize all my weight is on him. I scoot to his side just as a group of people run down the stairwell. I open my mouth to call out to them but nothing comes out. As hard as I try, I can’t hear anything they’re saying. The sounds filtering into my mind are jumbled and quiet, like an echo in a tunnel coming from far away.

  And then there is absolute silence and complete darkness.

  When my vision returns, I briefly wonder if I’ve been abducted by aliens. I feel like I’m floating in the air as if I weigh nothing, and it takes me a minute to realize the people carrying me out of the basement are in fire gear.

  I reach out to get their attention. “Asher? Is he okay?”

  Johnny appears in my line of sight, and I’m grateful for the familiar face. “He’s fine, boss. You’re both taking a trip to Sunrise Medical, but he’s awake too.”

  I try to get off the stretcher, but Johnny’s heavy hand lands on my chest, holding me in place. “Whoa there. Just chill and accept the ride. Your leg is pretty banged up, and you were out for a few minutes. You need to be checked out by a doctor before you start walking around again.”

  “Is anyone else hurt?” As far as I recall, it was just me and Asher down in the basement, but other people came in right before I passed out.

  “Everyone’s fine. Most of the clients don’t even know what’s going on. The fire was only in the basement, and Asher put it out pretty quickly.”

  Then I remember why I was under that beam in the first place. “He passed out. What’s wrong with him?”

  Johnny looks ahead, but I can’t tell what he’s looking at. With a heavy sigh, he moves his hand to my shoulder. “They already took him out. But he was fine when I talked to him a minute ago. Might’ve just been lightheaded from the adrenaline wearing off.”

  Johnny attempts to get in the back of the ambulance with me, but I stop him. “You need to stay and watch this place. I’ll be fine by myself.”

  Johnny looks pissed, but he knows I’m right. With me and Asher gone, he’s the only person on site I trust to keep things going. “Fine.” He pulls out his phone. “I’ll stay until the last client leaves, then I’ll meet you there. But I’m calling Edge now and asking him to head over.”

  “Yeah, okay.” I bite the inside of my lip, unsure if I should let Ian know what’s going on. I don’t want to bother him, but if he happens to hear about a fire at the property and he can’t reach me, he might worry.

  “What is it, boss?”

  “Can you ask Edge to stop by my apartment and pick up Ian. He should be home right now.”

  Johnny raises an eyebrow, giving me a surprised smirk. “You got a house boy named Ian and you haven’t mentioned him? Damn, boss. No wonder you’ve been heading home early every night.”

  I wave off the comment. “He’s my son. Long story—" I cut off Johnny before he can begin grilling me. “I’ll explain at the hospital.”

  Johnny laughs like I’ve said something hilarious. “Yes, you definitely will.”

  16

  Ian

  Rosa put a lasagna in the fridge, so I’m just helping myself to seconds when there’s a knock on the door.

  Assuming it’s laundry or Tanner’s mail being delivered, I don’t hesitate to open the door. When I do, I’m surprised to see a big bodybuilder guy filling the doorway.

  “Hi, are you Ian?”

  I nod slowly. “Yes.”

  The man holds out his hand to me. “My name is Edge, and this is Liam.”

  He scoots to the side, and I realize there is another guy standing behind him. This guy is about my age and has light blond hair and a big grin on his face. “We’re Tanner’s friends.”

  “Yeah, I think he’s mentioned to you before.” I’m not sure if I should invite them in, so I just stand there staring.

  Edge clears his throat. “Uh, Tanner asked me to stop by and pick you up because there was a small accident at his at work earlier and he’s on his way to the hospital.”

  My knees buckle, and I almost hit the ground, but Edge’s reflexes are fast. He grabs me by my elbows and keeps me on my feet, holding me steady until I’m able to stand on my own. “The hospital? Is he okay?”

  “I think so. He was able to ask for you, so he’s talking. Do you want to ride over with us? We’re going there now.”

  In the back of my mind, I realize this could be some kind of trick. But Edge seems genuinely concerned about Tanner, so I decide to trust him. “Yeah sure. That’d be great.”

  After I slip on my shoes and grab my wallet, I follow Edge and Liam down to their car. Sitting alone in the backseat brings back memories of being shuttled to the hospital when my mom was sick. I hated those rides, always feeling scared and alone. This would not be the first time I’ve had to go to the hospital to say goodbye to parent.

  With Mom, I knew it was coming. But with Tanner, it shouldn’t happen. I just met him. My life is just starting to feel like I have a place to start fresh. I have a place where I belong.

  As much as I want to text Dad and give him an update, I know he’ll want to speak directly to me. And truthfully, I want to hear his voice too. So, I call him up. It’s after eleven in Colorado, so he’ll probably be asleep, but I know he’d want to know if Tanner is seriously hurt.

  The phone rings twice before Dad frantically answers. “Ian, what’s wrong? Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine, Dad.” My voice cracks and I know I’m not gonna be able to keep it together, which is even more embarrassing because I’m in the car with strangers. “But, uh, Tanner got hurt. I’m on my way to the hospital.”

  “What happened?” Dad whispers.

  “I don’t know yet.” A soft sob escapes my throat and I try hard to push down the emotion in my throat. “His friends came by to pick me up. He was talking to them, so he must be okay. Right, Dad? He’ll be okay, right?”

  “Rod is the toughest man I’ve ever met. I’m sure he’ll be fine.”

  “I hope so,” I whisper. “I’ll call you soon as I find out what happened. I just wanted you to know.”

  “Keep me posted, son.” He takes a deep breath. “I love you.”

  I forgot how slow hospitals can be. Edge, Liam, and I sit in the waiting room for three hours before the doctors give us any real information. We know Tanner is stable, but that’s the extent of our information. Johnny, a man who works for Tanner, arrived about an hour after us and told us about the fire and the other man who was injured.

  It’s early in the morning when a doctor finally calls my name. I’ve been napping, so I stand up and quickly
go to the doctor.

  “Is Tanner okay?”

  The doctor smiles, reassuring all of us in the room. “Mr. Tanner is doing well. He had a compound bone fracture of his femur that nicked an artery. But we got him all closed up and he’s in good shape.”

  Johnny enters the room and I update him on the news. “Tanner is okay. Broken leg, but he’ll be fine.”

  “Thank god. I just talked to Asher, and they’re going to keep him overnight too, but he feels good. They think he passed out from either the fumes or the excitement, but he banged his head pretty good on the cement, so they just want to keep an eye on him until morning.”

  I turn back to the doctor. “Can I see Tanner now?”

  “He’ll be out of it for a few hours, but since you’re family, you’re welcome to wait in the room with him until he wakes up.”

  17

  Tanner

  Waking up in a hospital really puts things into perspective.

  So much has changed in such a short period of time that it’s easy for me to ignore the present and just focus on the past or the future. But when I open my eyes and see Ian sitting beside me, I realize how lucky I am right now.

  I have a son.

  He might not be a bouncing baby boy, but he’s kind, loving, and perfect. And despite everything, he wants me to be his dad. There aren’t very many people in this world who have truly wanted me…but Ian does. And as I reach for his hand to get his attention, I realize I will do everything I can to be the kind of father he deserves.

  “You’re awake.” He sighs heavily then gives me a grin. “That took forever.”

  “Sorry to keep you waiting.” I shrug then wince at the movement. “They said my leg was broken. Is it fixed up?” I glance down but my legs are covered by a sheet.

  “Yeah, they had to do surgery. There was a compound fracture, and it opened an artery. But they’ve got you all stitched up now.”

  I take a look around the room and notice it’s still dark outside. “What time is it? How long have I been here?”

  Ian looks at his watch. “It’s almost five. The doctor said you might be here up to a week, and then he’ll send you home as long as you have someone to take care of you.”

  I groan. “I guess Rosa is gonna need a bonus after this.”

  Ian shakes his head. “No way. I told them I’d take care of you.” His eyes lower to my hand that is holding his. “I’ve done it before. I can do it again.”

  “This isn’t anything like what happened with your mother. I’m going to be just fine.” I squeeze his hand, and he looks up at me. “You might need to bring me the remote from time to time, but I’ll be good as new very soon.”

  Ian just nods and swallows hard.

  I want to ask about Landon, but that feels pathetic. Landon and I haven’t spoken in person since he left. We’ve texted a few times to talk about Ian, but that’s it. I’m sure he’ll get an update soon enough.

  I rub my eyes, trying to take some of the weight off them. They feel like they weigh a hundred pounds.

  “The doctor said you might be groggy for a while. You should get some rest. I’m not going to leave, but I’ll run out to the lobby to tell your friends that you’re feeling better.”

  “Who’s here?”

  “Johnny has been with Asher most of the night, and Edge and Liam are still here. They’ll probably want to see you when you wake up.”

  “Send them in now, so they can say hi and then get home. I’m sure they’re exhausted.”

  Ian stands up and shifts his weight from foot to foot for second before leaning over and giving me a tight hug. “I’m glad you’re okay.”

  I hug him back, grateful that we have each other. “You’re not gonna get rid of me that easily, kid. Now that you found me, you’re stuck with me for the long-haul.”

  He releases me then quickly steps out of the room.

  A few minutes later, Edge and Liam pop into the room to check on me. Edge makes a comment about my boy toy, but I don’t have the energy to correct him.

  Not yet.

  I’ll deal with them in the morning.

  The room is bright when I force my eyes open again. My throat is dry and scratchy, but my eyes immediately focus on the most beautiful face I’ve seen in a long time.

  “Hey there,” Landon says softly. “How’re you feeling?”

  “Like a wooden beam fell on me,” I croak out.

  “Yeah, you look like it too.” He smirks then pulls my hand up to his lips to give me a kiss. “We’ve been worried.”

  “How are you here? What time is it?”

  He shrugs and glances at his watch. “I just got in a little while ago. It’s almost ten.”

  “You came all the way out here to check on me?”

  Landon tilts his head as if I shouldn’t have to ask such a stupid question. “Of course I did. I’ve been waiting for an excuse to come see you, although I hadn’t planned on a hospital visit being it.”

  I close my eyes and take in his words. “Then why did you leave? You know I wanted you to stay. We both did.”

  “You didn’t ask me to,” he says quietly. “I didn’t want to assume you wanted more than just one night.”

  I open my eyes and look him straight in the eye. “Fuck you, Landon. You know I’ve always wanted more than one night. I told you over and over how much I wanted you for every night. Forever.” I take a deep breath and try to control my anger and frustration. “Back when we were kids I said it and again in my bed. I’ve never stopped loving you, and I never will. How many times do I have to beg you to stay and listen to your rejection before you’ll finally get that through your thick skull.”

  A single tear streams down Landon’s cheek. “Just one more time, Rod. I get it now. I don’t know how this will work, but I know I can’t walk away from you again. We can try the long-distance thing for a while until I figure out what to do about my job, but not being with you isn’t an option.”

  My heart is racing as I allow hope to build there. Does he truly mean what he’s saying? “Don’t say it if you don’t mean it. I can’t keep watching you walk away.”

  “You don’t have to.” New tears fall as Landon leans even closer. “I was a coward to deny my feelings for you when we were kids, and I won’t do it again. When I thought I might lose you for good, I didn’t want to keep going. I knew I’d have to for Ian, but the idea of living in a world that you weren’t in is unbearable.”

  I can’t wrap my mind around what he’s saying. But the truth in his eyes is real. And that’s when I know what he’s saying is real. He wants me too.

  Landon swallows hard then gives me a sweet smile. “So, ask me one more time.”

  I wrap both my hands around his and pull it to my chest. “Will you be my boyfriend?”

  Landon barks out a laugh then leans forward to give me a kiss on the lips. “Well, that wasn’t exactly the question I was expecting, but yes, I will be your boyfriend.”

  Ian opens the door at that moment and steps inside. “Am I interrupting?”

  I reach for Landon’s neck and pull him against me for another kiss. “No, I’m just kissing my boyfriend.”

  Ian’s eyes grow wide as he looks between me and Landon. “Really? You guys are really doing it this time?”

  I look to Landon and wait for him to answer.

  “Really.” He looks at his son with love. “If you can be strong enough to follow your dreams and start a new life, I can too. This is better than I dreamed possible, so yeah, we’re doing it.”

  18

  Ian

  Ecstatic doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel at seeing Dad and Tanner together. When I walk in on them kissing in the hospital, a mixture of relief and joy builds inside me. I feel like a kid who finds that Santa has left the exact present he asked for under the Christmas tree.

  The best part is that I don’t have to walk around on eggshells anymore, trying to make sure neither of them get hurt. I never meant to hurt Dad, and if I’m hone
st with myself, I know that he has always had my best interests at heart. When I said the things I did before I left to find Tanner, my heart didn’t believe the hateful words that I was saying.

  Luckily, Dad didn’t give up on me. And now it looks like he hasn’t given up on Tanner.

  After losing Mom, I didn’t know what I was going to do. And while I already love Tanner, and I’m certainly happy to have found him, I couldn’t have lived life without my dad.

  Now that the two of them are officially together, I’m happy to have my family together. It’s like having parents getting together instead of getting divorced. Even if I wanted to, I don’t think I could wipe the smile from my face.

  “Earth to Ian.”

  I shake my head, trying to focus on my name. “Hmm?”

  “Ian!”

  “What?” I pull away from the fantasy family life I’m envisioning to answer Tanner. “Sorry. Yeah?”

  “You’re going to have to ask again.” Tanner squeezes Dad’s hand.

  “Do you want to go back to the apartment? I’m going to stay with Rod tonight.” Dad places his free hand on Tanner’s chest.

  “I can,” I say, quirking an eyebrow. “But you know he needs rest, right?”

  Dad’s cheeks flush, and Tanner cracks a smile. “I’m still your father, young man.”

  “Yes. But I’m not a kid anymore. I know what adults do.”

  Tanner’s eyes flit between me and Dad. “Just as long as you’re not out doing things…” Tanner grabs his hand before Dad can finish.

  “I’m not.” I’m no saint, but I guess I take after my mom in one way. I hate to admit it but I’m kinda hoping to find my own prince who will ride in and rescue from the burden of virginity. Maybe I’ll find that one day. “Okay, I’m gonna go. Do you guys need anything before I head out?”