Life After Love ~ Chapter 29/30 continued
Title: Life After Love Chapter 29 continued
Sequel to: Lost in Life
First part ~
http://cunningdeb.livejournal.com/60344.html
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“I don’t understand why you have to surprise your friend here. I mean, this is technically trespassing.”
“You have a key … you know the security code … how could it be trespassing.”
“Well, I only have it cause sometimes I come in early to receive shipments.” Sara looked around the deserted club. “I don’t like this Steven.”
I don’t really give a fuck, he told himself.
This was perfect. The bitch would never suspect something happening here.
Jerry went behind the bar and found an expensive bottle of scotch and poured himself a tumbler.
“Steven!” She rushed over, taking the bottle away. “You can’t do that.”
“Add it to my tab.”
“Your tab was closed months ago after you took off.”
“Then I’ll start a new one.” He grinned, feeling it reach his ears. “Yes, this will do nicely.”
He emptied his glass and headed down the hallway and into Peter’s office.
“You can’t go in there!” his pain in the ass cried out, grabbing his arm and trying to hold him back.
Jerry turned and his demeanor was calm. Cupping her cheek, he kissed her thoroughly.
“Sara, you’ve been so much help to me but I don’t need you anymore.”
She wiped a stray tear from her eye. “Well, I’m not leaving you here by yourself.”
“Who said anything about you leaving?”
A vicious backhand flew out and sent her flying into the wall. Crumpling to the floor, she moaned and touched her face. While she was still out of it, he reached into his pocket and withdrew his souvenir from the hospital. Sara’s eyes grew huge as saucers as he filled the syringe from the vial and grabbed her arm. She tried pulling away but he was too strong.
“You have no clue how helpful you’ve been for me. However, I can’t afford to leave any witnesses behind.” He jabbed the needle into her arm and emptied it, returning the needle to his pocket. She started mumbling gibberish as the drug kicked in. Scooping her up, he carried her back into the club and dumped her behind the bar.
She was nearly unconscious and managed to utter, “Thought … thought you … l-l-loved me Stev-Steven.”
“Love you?” he laughed cruelly. “The only thing I loved about you was that you were so easy to manipulate … and not such a bad fuck. You really missed your calling, working here instead of on the streets.” Her eyes closed. “And it’s Jerry by the way, not Steven.”
Leaving her body, he went back to Peter’s office, sent a text to Adam from the owner’s phone, and waited for his prey.
Twenty minutes later, he heard the car engine and hid himself in the coat room just off the front door. Jerry waited quietly as Adam came in and started calling out for Peter. He peered around the doorway and when the man disappeared down the hallway towards the office, Jerry slipped out and locked the door. The anticipation of finally ending it set his nerves on fire and he had to force himself to wait for the right moment.
Adam came back into the club. “Peter?! … Peter, its Adam. Where are you?”
Heading towards the bar, the boy came upon Sara’s body. He gasped and fell to his knees, checking for a pulse. Jerry came up quietly behind him, taking a bottle off the bar in his grip.
“Sara?! Oh my God … wake up … oh my God.”
The singer took out his phone, presumably to call 911, and Jerry brought the bottle down on the back of his head. Adam collapsed onto the girl and Jerry kicked the phone away before grabbing the man under the arms and dragging him out from behind the bar and dropping him on the carpet.
“Very chivalrous bitch but no one can help her now … just like no one can help you.”
A roll of duct tape appeared and he trussed the singer up, securing his ankles.
“J-Jerry … don’t … please,” Adam begged through the pain
“Shut up!”
“You … you can’t … it’s … it’s murder.”
“No kidding. Finally, you’ll be out of my life for good,” he growled.
“Please!” he said stronger. “Don’t do this! I swear, you can just leave, I won’t say anything!”
“I SAID SHUT UP!”
He backhanded the kid and knocked him out cold. Quickly, he taped the bitch’s hands behind his back and taped over his mouth.
The prone body was dragged out the back door and shoved into the back of a van, the door slamming shut. Jerry wiped the sweat from his forehead and headed back inside to finish what he started.
:::: ♥♥ ::::
“Go faster!”
“I can’t! There are too many fuckin’ cars on the road!” Peter pounded on the horn, yelling at the drivers as if they could hear him. “Try his phone again.”
“Still no answer. What if we’re too late?!”
“Don’t think like that! It can’t end like this … it just can’t!”
Ken tried Adam’s cell again … still nothing. How the hell could this happen? Weren’t the police supposed to catch that bastard before anything like this happened?!
“Hey, is that smoke ahead?” Peter asked, still pounding on the horn.
In the distance, a plume of dark smoke drifted up amongst the city buildings. When Peter finally lay off the horn, they heard sirens behind them and pulled over as best they could, letting an ambulance zip by. A block from Adagio, the streets was closed off by a police barricade. Getting out, the two men ran down the sidewalk, Ken crashing into Peter as his friend stopped short.
Adagio was an inferno before them.
“Oh Peter … I’m so sorry,” Ken gasped, reaching out for his friend.
“Forget the club, that’s Adam’s rental. He might be in there!”
Through the waves of water pouring down, they spotted an ambulance at the far end of the parking lot and someone being lifted onto a gurney. Ignoring the firefighters telling them to stay back, they sprinted over hoses and arrived at the ambulance as the door slammed shut.
“Please! Please, let us in there.”
“Do you know the victim?”
“Yes,” Ken choked out, this nightmare too much, “yes, we know him.”
“Him? The victim’s a woman.”
“A woman?”
“Please, may I see here? I’m Peter DiSantos, this is … this was my club. I may know who she is.”
The officer nodded and the EMT opened the door. Peter climbed in, Ken behind him.
“Sara? But, why was she here? The club was closed; it’s supposed to be her day off?” She was unconscious, her face bruised and her body covered in smoke soot. “How is she?”
“She’s suffered smoke inhalation and from a preliminary examination, we believe she’s been drugged.”
“Was there anyone else in the building?”
“No, she was the only one. We really need to get her to emergency.”
The vehicle drove away, sirens blaring. Ken and Peter stood still, watching the disaster unfold around them. Suddenly, a clue fell into place for Ken.
“Peter … Jerry’s journal … he said someone with the initial ‘S’ was his insider. Do you think it could have been Sara? It would explain why she was here.”
“It makes sense but why would she want to hurt him. She’d always liked Adam … or so I thought.” He ran his hand through his wet hair. “What the hell happened here? Where is he?”
“I think I can answer some of that.”
“Det. Warner.”
She took them aside, away from the professionals doing their work, and filled them in as best she could.
“After your quick deducing Dr. Milner, we were able to get two police cars here immediately. When they arrived, they spotted a black van screeching out of the parking lot and careening down the street. Smoke was starting to come out of the building so one car took up the pursuit, calling for backup, and the other contacted the dispatcher for the fire department. The officer that remained here went into the building and found the young woman behind the bar.”
“Where was the officer assigned to him? He should have been protecting him!”
“They got separated. Apparently an accident occurred literally between their cars and Adam thought he was safe coming to see you Mr. DiSantos.”
“But it was a trap.”
“His accomplice came too briefly and confirmed that Jerry tricked Adam into coming here.”
“Was Adam in that van?”
“That’s what we suspect. The van drove up to Griffith Park and stopped on Mount Lee. Apparently, Jerry took Adam out of the van and carried him down behind the Hollywood sign. They’re at a stand off.”
“We have to go there!” Peter exclaimed.
“I really should say ‘no’ but I have a feeling you two wouldn’t pay attention and go anyway. Get in my car; at least I can keep an eye on you.”
:::: ♥♥ ::::
“Where’s Adam? He should be back by now?”
Kris was about to be discharged and his love hadn’t come back yet. He tried calling his cell and there was no answer. He also called Peter and got no answer.
“I’m sure he’ll be here soon.”
Daniel was sitting with him. Their parents were back at the beach house, waiting for them. The brothers kind of ran out of things to say and were sitting in silence, the TV on but not really paying attention … until a special report cut in on ‘Deal or No Deal’.
“Looks like a bad fire,” Daniel commented, hunting for the remote to turn the volume up.
Kris wasn’t looking at first. When the volume went up, he couldn’t block out the newscaster and the mention of Adagio. Gravely, he looked at the screen and saw his home away from home for over a year up in flames. On shaking legs he got up and moved closer.
“Adam,” he barely uttered.
“Kris, here sit down,” he vaguely heard his brother say.
“Adam … Adam’s there … no … no … NO!”
“Kris, calm down … Kris!”
“ADAM! NOOOOOOOO!!!”
“Kris, we don’t know he’s still there!”
Thunder rumbled in his ears and his knees hit the hard floor, sending a jolt up his arm. Hands helped him up and frenzied voices whirled around him. All he heard was himself screaming for his Adam until a slight prick on his arm drifted him into dark silence….
Some time later, he woke up. The blinds were drawn, the TV was off and his parents were sitting with him. The moment he opened his eyes, his Daddy got off the phone and turned his attention towards his son.
“What’s going on? Where’s Adam?’ The young man tried to remember what happened before the darkness set in. “He was in the fire wasn’t he?” he gasped, fearful it could be true.
“No Kris, he wasn’t … but he is in danger,” his father told him softly.
“What do you mean?” He struggled to sit up using his good arm. “Where is he?!”
“Son, sit back,” his Mama urged.
“No! Will someone give me a straight answer? Where’s my Adam?!”
“Jerry Unger has him.” Kris’ arm gave out and he fell back. “He tricked Adam into coming to Adagio.”
“The fire?”
“Unger set fire to the club before he drove off with Adam tied up in the back of his van.”
“This can’t be happening. Why is this ….” He swung his legs over the side of the bed and tried to get up, fighting the nausea rolling in his stomach. “Where is he? Do they know where he is? I have to go to him!”
“Kristopher, enough! You have to get back in that bed and take care of yourself so when Adam comes back, you two can get on with your lives.”
“But Mama, he needs me.” He swallowed a sob. “I need him … do you know where he is?”
His Daddy hesitated. “Yes son, we do but I don’t think ….”
“Tell me!”
“They’re in Griffith Park, at the Hollywood sign. There’s a stand off right now.”
“Is Adam … is he …,” he couldn’t bring himself to say ‘dead’, ‘… is he hurt?”
“They don’t know son, the police haven’t been able to get close. He does seem to be unconscious though.”
“I … need to get there … help me get there.”
“I know you’re a grown man Kristopher but I’m putting my foot down,” his father ordered. “You aren’t going to be able to help him if you pass out yourself. Peter, Ken, Daniel and Neil are there. I was just on the phone with your brother when you woke up. They’re watching out for him. They’ll let us know what’s happening?”
Kris closed his eyes. If it weren’t a real life drama, he’d laugh at the cheesiness of a police showdown under the infamous Hollywood sign. So like something out of a 1940s film noir ~ Adam would have loved the intensity … if he weren’t a part of it.
:::: ♥♥ ::::
The four men stayed behind Det. Warner’s car, away from the danger. The signal tower loomed over them and a hot wind whipped up little tornados of dust. From where they were on the mountain, they could make out the tops of the letters but they couldn’t see the drama unfolding over the ridge. A police line dotted the terrain, all guns pointed down. Up from the incline, they could hear Jerry screaming out pure craziness, blaming Adam for everything from the loss of his cushy job at the Cavanaugh Club to the downfall of the American economy.
Det. Warner stayed behind with them but was kept up to date by the officers’ close by. After one particularly long conversation, she set down the radio and looked at them gravely.
“The head of Special Ops has given the order to fire if he tries anything.”
“But they can’t! My brother’s down there! What if he gets hit?!”
“Unger has a small arsenal of weapons with him and he’s threatening not only Adam but the officers. If he fires, they will fire back.”
Neil tried to make a run for it and Daniel caught him, dragging him back and holding him tight.
“I can’t loose him! He’s all the family I have left!”
“They’re doing everything they can to keep him safe Neil,” Ken assured him, trying to keep it together when he’d rather be on the ground crying with the young man.
The doctor gazed around. It had been hours since this all went down and the sun was sinking in the distance. There were no lights up here and if darkness fell before this was settled ….
Further down the ridge, he spotted a new silhouette coming into view. He couldn’t see who it was but whoever it was, they were covered head to toe and holding a gun. Straight arms lifted, the gun aimed at the sign, and fired. The shots echoed and a man’s voice screamed, echoing until it stopped.
All hell broke loose. The officers on the ridge broke into two teams, one descending down the mountain side and the other circling the unknown shooter, ordering the gun to be dropped. The shooter obeyed and was thrown to the ground and handcuffed. Daniel and Neil took off over the ridge and the older men followed, stopping at the top. Far below they saw a large dark body splayed on the rocks and much to their relief, they spotted Adam tucked behind a ‘L’, being taken care of by the younger men until the rescue team who had been standing by came down with their equipment.
Ken and Peter moved onto the shooter being hauled to their feet, handcuffed. They had on baggy clothes and a hoodie was hanging low over the face. Det. Warner stepped up and drew the hood back, long brown hair tumbling forward.
“Margaret!”
The woman glared down the mountainside. “Is Jerry dead?”
Ken didn’t know what to say so Peter took over.
“He appears to be.”
“Is Adam safe?”
“Yes … yes he is.”
“Good.”
This was something Ken would never have imagined in his wildest dreams.
“Why did you do it?”
The police were dragging her away as he asked and she turned her head towards him, answering simply, “Adam’s been hurt enough.”
The rescue team came up with Adam strapped onto a stretcher, Neil and Daniel leading the way. Their young friend was covered in dirt, his face bruised and skin red where the tape had been but he was alive. His blue eyes fluttered open briefly, looked around and drifted closed once more.
It was finally over.
:::: ♥♥ ::::
Adam had been taken to the hospital and after a thorough examination, the doctor said he could go home although he’d probably have a headache for a few days and will still be achy. The moment he’d arrived in emergency, Kris was at his side, in his own wheelchair. Once Adam had his release papers, the couple was taken home by their family and friends.
The boys insisted their family and friends visit while they went to bed. There was no energy for hanky panky so they laid side by side, fingers entwined. Kris slept through the night but Adam had to be woken every couple of hours to make sure his concussion wasn’t more serious.
One such awakening, he found his brother at his side.
“Hey you, whatcha doin’ here?”
“Not ready to let you out of my sight yet. I was shittin’ bricks, I was so scared.”
“I’m okay Neil.”
“You almost weren’t bro. I don’t know how I would have gone on without you. I’m sorry for all the grief and nagging and teasing and anything else I did to annoy you growing up.”
“I knew you loved me. You wouldn’t spend that much time bothering me if you didn’t care.”
“That’s makes no sense.”
“It does to me.” His eyes started getting heavy. “You’ll be here in the morning? When my mind doesn’t feel like mush?”
“I’ll be here. I still have a lot of annoying to do.”
“Can’t wait. Love you Neil.”
“Love you too Ad.”
:::: ♥♥ ::::
The beach house was quiet. Kim and Neil had cleaned up the kitchen and went onto the lawn to enjoy a coffee and let the boys have some private time.
It couldn’t be spontaneous, and they had to restrain themselves a bit, but the lovers connected in their bed, Kris on his good side, leg propped up and Adam taking him slowly from behind. When Adam first entered him, Kris clenched down on him, making him groan and keeping him still.
“I just want to feel you in me. I’m empty without you.”
Adam wrapped an arm carefully over him, avoiding the still tender stitches across his stomach. His man had always taken care of him but Kris couldn’t recall Adam ever being so gentle. Kisses dusted his neck and shoulder as his cock was stroked and caressed and he was filled with endless heat.
They were like halves of whole, apart but one. Kris belonged to Adam just as much as Adam belonged to him and in a few weeks, it would be official.
And no one would EVER tear them asunder again.
Sequel to: Lost in Life
First part ~
http://cunningdeb.livejournal.com/60344.html
:::: ♥♥ ::::
“I don’t understand why you have to surprise your friend here. I mean, this is technically trespassing.”
“You have a key … you know the security code … how could it be trespassing.”
“Well, I only have it cause sometimes I come in early to receive shipments.” Sara looked around the deserted club. “I don’t like this Steven.”
I don’t really give a fuck, he told himself.
This was perfect. The bitch would never suspect something happening here.
Jerry went behind the bar and found an expensive bottle of scotch and poured himself a tumbler.
“Steven!” She rushed over, taking the bottle away. “You can’t do that.”
“Add it to my tab.”
“Your tab was closed months ago after you took off.”
“Then I’ll start a new one.” He grinned, feeling it reach his ears. “Yes, this will do nicely.”
He emptied his glass and headed down the hallway and into Peter’s office.
“You can’t go in there!” his pain in the ass cried out, grabbing his arm and trying to hold him back.
Jerry turned and his demeanor was calm. Cupping her cheek, he kissed her thoroughly.
“Sara, you’ve been so much help to me but I don’t need you anymore.”
She wiped a stray tear from her eye. “Well, I’m not leaving you here by yourself.”
“Who said anything about you leaving?”
A vicious backhand flew out and sent her flying into the wall. Crumpling to the floor, she moaned and touched her face. While she was still out of it, he reached into his pocket and withdrew his souvenir from the hospital. Sara’s eyes grew huge as saucers as he filled the syringe from the vial and grabbed her arm. She tried pulling away but he was too strong.
“You have no clue how helpful you’ve been for me. However, I can’t afford to leave any witnesses behind.” He jabbed the needle into her arm and emptied it, returning the needle to his pocket. She started mumbling gibberish as the drug kicked in. Scooping her up, he carried her back into the club and dumped her behind the bar.
She was nearly unconscious and managed to utter, “Thought … thought you … l-l-loved me Stev-Steven.”
“Love you?” he laughed cruelly. “The only thing I loved about you was that you were so easy to manipulate … and not such a bad fuck. You really missed your calling, working here instead of on the streets.” Her eyes closed. “And it’s Jerry by the way, not Steven.”
Leaving her body, he went back to Peter’s office, sent a text to Adam from the owner’s phone, and waited for his prey.
Twenty minutes later, he heard the car engine and hid himself in the coat room just off the front door. Jerry waited quietly as Adam came in and started calling out for Peter. He peered around the doorway and when the man disappeared down the hallway towards the office, Jerry slipped out and locked the door. The anticipation of finally ending it set his nerves on fire and he had to force himself to wait for the right moment.
Adam came back into the club. “Peter?! … Peter, its Adam. Where are you?”
Heading towards the bar, the boy came upon Sara’s body. He gasped and fell to his knees, checking for a pulse. Jerry came up quietly behind him, taking a bottle off the bar in his grip.
“Sara?! Oh my God … wake up … oh my God.”
The singer took out his phone, presumably to call 911, and Jerry brought the bottle down on the back of his head. Adam collapsed onto the girl and Jerry kicked the phone away before grabbing the man under the arms and dragging him out from behind the bar and dropping him on the carpet.
“Very chivalrous bitch but no one can help her now … just like no one can help you.”
A roll of duct tape appeared and he trussed the singer up, securing his ankles.
“J-Jerry … don’t … please,” Adam begged through the pain
“Shut up!”
“You … you can’t … it’s … it’s murder.”
“No kidding. Finally, you’ll be out of my life for good,” he growled.
“Please!” he said stronger. “Don’t do this! I swear, you can just leave, I won’t say anything!”
“I SAID SHUT UP!”
He backhanded the kid and knocked him out cold. Quickly, he taped the bitch’s hands behind his back and taped over his mouth.
The prone body was dragged out the back door and shoved into the back of a van, the door slamming shut. Jerry wiped the sweat from his forehead and headed back inside to finish what he started.
:::: ♥♥ ::::
“Go faster!”
“I can’t! There are too many fuckin’ cars on the road!” Peter pounded on the horn, yelling at the drivers as if they could hear him. “Try his phone again.”
“Still no answer. What if we’re too late?!”
“Don’t think like that! It can’t end like this … it just can’t!”
Ken tried Adam’s cell again … still nothing. How the hell could this happen? Weren’t the police supposed to catch that bastard before anything like this happened?!
“Hey, is that smoke ahead?” Peter asked, still pounding on the horn.
In the distance, a plume of dark smoke drifted up amongst the city buildings. When Peter finally lay off the horn, they heard sirens behind them and pulled over as best they could, letting an ambulance zip by. A block from Adagio, the streets was closed off by a police barricade. Getting out, the two men ran down the sidewalk, Ken crashing into Peter as his friend stopped short.
Adagio was an inferno before them.
“Oh Peter … I’m so sorry,” Ken gasped, reaching out for his friend.
“Forget the club, that’s Adam’s rental. He might be in there!”
Through the waves of water pouring down, they spotted an ambulance at the far end of the parking lot and someone being lifted onto a gurney. Ignoring the firefighters telling them to stay back, they sprinted over hoses and arrived at the ambulance as the door slammed shut.
“Please! Please, let us in there.”
“Do you know the victim?”
“Yes,” Ken choked out, this nightmare too much, “yes, we know him.”
“Him? The victim’s a woman.”
“A woman?”
“Please, may I see here? I’m Peter DiSantos, this is … this was my club. I may know who she is.”
The officer nodded and the EMT opened the door. Peter climbed in, Ken behind him.
“Sara? But, why was she here? The club was closed; it’s supposed to be her day off?” She was unconscious, her face bruised and her body covered in smoke soot. “How is she?”
“She’s suffered smoke inhalation and from a preliminary examination, we believe she’s been drugged.”
“Was there anyone else in the building?”
“No, she was the only one. We really need to get her to emergency.”
The vehicle drove away, sirens blaring. Ken and Peter stood still, watching the disaster unfold around them. Suddenly, a clue fell into place for Ken.
“Peter … Jerry’s journal … he said someone with the initial ‘S’ was his insider. Do you think it could have been Sara? It would explain why she was here.”
“It makes sense but why would she want to hurt him. She’d always liked Adam … or so I thought.” He ran his hand through his wet hair. “What the hell happened here? Where is he?”
“I think I can answer some of that.”
“Det. Warner.”
She took them aside, away from the professionals doing their work, and filled them in as best she could.
“After your quick deducing Dr. Milner, we were able to get two police cars here immediately. When they arrived, they spotted a black van screeching out of the parking lot and careening down the street. Smoke was starting to come out of the building so one car took up the pursuit, calling for backup, and the other contacted the dispatcher for the fire department. The officer that remained here went into the building and found the young woman behind the bar.”
“Where was the officer assigned to him? He should have been protecting him!”
“They got separated. Apparently an accident occurred literally between their cars and Adam thought he was safe coming to see you Mr. DiSantos.”
“But it was a trap.”
“His accomplice came too briefly and confirmed that Jerry tricked Adam into coming here.”
“Was Adam in that van?”
“That’s what we suspect. The van drove up to Griffith Park and stopped on Mount Lee. Apparently, Jerry took Adam out of the van and carried him down behind the Hollywood sign. They’re at a stand off.”
“We have to go there!” Peter exclaimed.
“I really should say ‘no’ but I have a feeling you two wouldn’t pay attention and go anyway. Get in my car; at least I can keep an eye on you.”
:::: ♥♥ ::::
“Where’s Adam? He should be back by now?”
Kris was about to be discharged and his love hadn’t come back yet. He tried calling his cell and there was no answer. He also called Peter and got no answer.
“I’m sure he’ll be here soon.”
Daniel was sitting with him. Their parents were back at the beach house, waiting for them. The brothers kind of ran out of things to say and were sitting in silence, the TV on but not really paying attention … until a special report cut in on ‘Deal or No Deal’.
“Looks like a bad fire,” Daniel commented, hunting for the remote to turn the volume up.
Kris wasn’t looking at first. When the volume went up, he couldn’t block out the newscaster and the mention of Adagio. Gravely, he looked at the screen and saw his home away from home for over a year up in flames. On shaking legs he got up and moved closer.
“Adam,” he barely uttered.
“Kris, here sit down,” he vaguely heard his brother say.
“Adam … Adam’s there … no … no … NO!”
“Kris, calm down … Kris!”
“ADAM! NOOOOOOOO!!!”
“Kris, we don’t know he’s still there!”
Thunder rumbled in his ears and his knees hit the hard floor, sending a jolt up his arm. Hands helped him up and frenzied voices whirled around him. All he heard was himself screaming for his Adam until a slight prick on his arm drifted him into dark silence….
Some time later, he woke up. The blinds were drawn, the TV was off and his parents were sitting with him. The moment he opened his eyes, his Daddy got off the phone and turned his attention towards his son.
“What’s going on? Where’s Adam?’ The young man tried to remember what happened before the darkness set in. “He was in the fire wasn’t he?” he gasped, fearful it could be true.
“No Kris, he wasn’t … but he is in danger,” his father told him softly.
“What do you mean?” He struggled to sit up using his good arm. “Where is he?!”
“Son, sit back,” his Mama urged.
“No! Will someone give me a straight answer? Where’s my Adam?!”
“Jerry Unger has him.” Kris’ arm gave out and he fell back. “He tricked Adam into coming to Adagio.”
“The fire?”
“Unger set fire to the club before he drove off with Adam tied up in the back of his van.”
“This can’t be happening. Why is this ….” He swung his legs over the side of the bed and tried to get up, fighting the nausea rolling in his stomach. “Where is he? Do they know where he is? I have to go to him!”
“Kristopher, enough! You have to get back in that bed and take care of yourself so when Adam comes back, you two can get on with your lives.”
“But Mama, he needs me.” He swallowed a sob. “I need him … do you know where he is?”
His Daddy hesitated. “Yes son, we do but I don’t think ….”
“Tell me!”
“They’re in Griffith Park, at the Hollywood sign. There’s a stand off right now.”
“Is Adam … is he …,” he couldn’t bring himself to say ‘dead’, ‘… is he hurt?”
“They don’t know son, the police haven’t been able to get close. He does seem to be unconscious though.”
“I … need to get there … help me get there.”
“I know you’re a grown man Kristopher but I’m putting my foot down,” his father ordered. “You aren’t going to be able to help him if you pass out yourself. Peter, Ken, Daniel and Neil are there. I was just on the phone with your brother when you woke up. They’re watching out for him. They’ll let us know what’s happening?”
Kris closed his eyes. If it weren’t a real life drama, he’d laugh at the cheesiness of a police showdown under the infamous Hollywood sign. So like something out of a 1940s film noir ~ Adam would have loved the intensity … if he weren’t a part of it.
:::: ♥♥ ::::
The four men stayed behind Det. Warner’s car, away from the danger. The signal tower loomed over them and a hot wind whipped up little tornados of dust. From where they were on the mountain, they could make out the tops of the letters but they couldn’t see the drama unfolding over the ridge. A police line dotted the terrain, all guns pointed down. Up from the incline, they could hear Jerry screaming out pure craziness, blaming Adam for everything from the loss of his cushy job at the Cavanaugh Club to the downfall of the American economy.
Det. Warner stayed behind with them but was kept up to date by the officers’ close by. After one particularly long conversation, she set down the radio and looked at them gravely.
“The head of Special Ops has given the order to fire if he tries anything.”
“But they can’t! My brother’s down there! What if he gets hit?!”
“Unger has a small arsenal of weapons with him and he’s threatening not only Adam but the officers. If he fires, they will fire back.”
Neil tried to make a run for it and Daniel caught him, dragging him back and holding him tight.
“I can’t loose him! He’s all the family I have left!”
“They’re doing everything they can to keep him safe Neil,” Ken assured him, trying to keep it together when he’d rather be on the ground crying with the young man.
The doctor gazed around. It had been hours since this all went down and the sun was sinking in the distance. There were no lights up here and if darkness fell before this was settled ….
Further down the ridge, he spotted a new silhouette coming into view. He couldn’t see who it was but whoever it was, they were covered head to toe and holding a gun. Straight arms lifted, the gun aimed at the sign, and fired. The shots echoed and a man’s voice screamed, echoing until it stopped.
All hell broke loose. The officers on the ridge broke into two teams, one descending down the mountain side and the other circling the unknown shooter, ordering the gun to be dropped. The shooter obeyed and was thrown to the ground and handcuffed. Daniel and Neil took off over the ridge and the older men followed, stopping at the top. Far below they saw a large dark body splayed on the rocks and much to their relief, they spotted Adam tucked behind a ‘L’, being taken care of by the younger men until the rescue team who had been standing by came down with their equipment.
Ken and Peter moved onto the shooter being hauled to their feet, handcuffed. They had on baggy clothes and a hoodie was hanging low over the face. Det. Warner stepped up and drew the hood back, long brown hair tumbling forward.
“Margaret!”
The woman glared down the mountainside. “Is Jerry dead?”
Ken didn’t know what to say so Peter took over.
“He appears to be.”
“Is Adam safe?”
“Yes … yes he is.”
“Good.”
This was something Ken would never have imagined in his wildest dreams.
“Why did you do it?”
The police were dragging her away as he asked and she turned her head towards him, answering simply, “Adam’s been hurt enough.”
The rescue team came up with Adam strapped onto a stretcher, Neil and Daniel leading the way. Their young friend was covered in dirt, his face bruised and skin red where the tape had been but he was alive. His blue eyes fluttered open briefly, looked around and drifted closed once more.
It was finally over.
:::: ♥♥ ::::
Adam had been taken to the hospital and after a thorough examination, the doctor said he could go home although he’d probably have a headache for a few days and will still be achy. The moment he’d arrived in emergency, Kris was at his side, in his own wheelchair. Once Adam had his release papers, the couple was taken home by their family and friends.
The boys insisted their family and friends visit while they went to bed. There was no energy for hanky panky so they laid side by side, fingers entwined. Kris slept through the night but Adam had to be woken every couple of hours to make sure his concussion wasn’t more serious.
One such awakening, he found his brother at his side.
“Hey you, whatcha doin’ here?”
“Not ready to let you out of my sight yet. I was shittin’ bricks, I was so scared.”
“I’m okay Neil.”
“You almost weren’t bro. I don’t know how I would have gone on without you. I’m sorry for all the grief and nagging and teasing and anything else I did to annoy you growing up.”
“I knew you loved me. You wouldn’t spend that much time bothering me if you didn’t care.”
“That’s makes no sense.”
“It does to me.” His eyes started getting heavy. “You’ll be here in the morning? When my mind doesn’t feel like mush?”
“I’ll be here. I still have a lot of annoying to do.”
“Can’t wait. Love you Neil.”
“Love you too Ad.”
:::: ♥♥ ::::
The beach house was quiet. Kim and Neil had cleaned up the kitchen and went onto the lawn to enjoy a coffee and let the boys have some private time.
It couldn’t be spontaneous, and they had to restrain themselves a bit, but the lovers connected in their bed, Kris on his good side, leg propped up and Adam taking him slowly from behind. When Adam first entered him, Kris clenched down on him, making him groan and keeping him still.
“I just want to feel you in me. I’m empty without you.”
Adam wrapped an arm carefully over him, avoiding the still tender stitches across his stomach. His man had always taken care of him but Kris couldn’t recall Adam ever being so gentle. Kisses dusted his neck and shoulder as his cock was stroked and caressed and he was filled with endless heat.
They were like halves of whole, apart but one. Kris belonged to Adam just as much as Adam belonged to him and in a few weeks, it would be official.
And no one would EVER tear them asunder again.