Page 17

by Avril Ashton

“A new thing or…” Tek trailed off, leaving Is to fill in the blanks.

“New.” Is didn’t sound angry at the questions, but he wasn’t all open and forthcoming either. Typical Is.

“What does it mean?” Tek wasn’t letting it go, and Reggie wasn’t moving. He wanted to hear what Is had to say, too.

“Fuck, Tek. What do you think it means?”

“Hey, I just want to know if this has an expiration date on it, or if I should add you two to the party at my place.”

Is laughed. “You can forget that shit, I know what happens at those parties. Reggie and I will not be attending.”

What party? Reggie would have to find out more about Tek’s parties.

“Meaning there is a you and Reggie,” Tek said.

Is didn’t answer for the longest time. Reggie looked down at his Limited edition Jordan’s.

“Yeah, man. There is a Reggie and me.”

Breath left Reggie. He slid down the wood panel to the floor, sitting just outside the cockpit with his knees up to his chest and his hands just hanging there, useless. All the shit in his brain was firing at once, overwhelming him.

“You don’t have to hide from me, you know,” Tek was saying. “Just because I’m…different doesn’t mean you two have to stifle it in my presence.”

Reggie frowned. Different? How was Tek different?

“Nah, that’s not it. And you can table that different bullshit,” Is snapped. “Nothing’s wrong with you.”

Reggie got to his feet slowly, his visit to the pilot forgotten, and walked back to where the men were seated.

“I just don’t know if Reg is down for all that.” Is waved a hand. “Hell, not sure if I’m okay with it, either.”

Standing behind Is’ chair, Reggie braced with both hands and spoke. “I wouldn’t mind.”

Tek’s head jerked up. His brown eyes sparkled when they met Reggie’s, even though he didn’t speak. The dimple in his cheek said enough, though.

Is tipped his head back until he and Reggie locked eyes. His gaze was serious. “Reg.”

Reggie shook his head. “I wouldn’t mind it.”

Tek rose and backed away. “I’m gonna—” He motioned then hurriedly strode off.

Reggie walked around and sat in the seat Tek had vacated. “I heard what you said.” His entire body vibrated. He couldn’t sit still and found himself fidgeting, sliding to the edge of his seat. “About you and me, I heard.”

Is’ face took on that sexy, gruff expression Reggie loved, eyes hooding as if he was feeling the effects of the highest grade of weed. “I spoke the truth,” he rasped.

And Reggie nodded. “Come.”

Is heeded the call, getting on his knees between Reggie’s legs. Reggie cupped his jaw, swiping his thumb over Is’ lips before pushing it into his mouth.

Is bit him, never breaking eye contact.

Everything was so…hazy, so good. Reggie felt high himself, taking note of his actions, but unable or unwilling to do anything to stop it. He bent, licking Is’ mouth, and his own thumb in the process. “You already know,” he murmured.

Is nodded, tongue sliding over the pad of Reggie’s thumb before he replied, “I do.”

* * * *

Much as he would have liked to, and his balls could attest to that want, Is didn’t get to join the mile high club. Not that he wasn’t satisfied with the groping and Reggie going all commanding on his ass. He hadn’t realized it was that big a deal to admit to Tek that he and Reggie were a them.

There hadn’t been a point during Tek’s third degree that Is even considered denying anything, he just wasn’t sure how Reggie felt about it. Now he knew.

They touched down at Hartsfield-Jackson just as the sun was setting and grabbed their duffels before getting off. Tek’s man Joe was waiting for them in a black SUV with blacked out windows. He was a short, wiry little fucker with skin the color of molasses who wouldn’t stop talking. Tek sat upfront with him while Is and Reggie hopped in the back.

“Yo, so that’s your plane, Is?” Joe asked as they made their way to the nondescript motel Is secured for them.

He wasn’t going all out with this visit, quick get in and get out. Normally he’d stay at the “W” downtown, but today they would be staying at a motel near the meet.

“Nah.” The Glock tucked into his socks grazed his ankle and Is winced. “That’s my man Reggie’s shit.”

Reggie shook his head. “I don’t own the plane, bruh. I just invested in the company.”

Joe didn’t seem to care about that. “Shit, man. That’s nice, real nice.”

Reggie grunted. Is smothered a smile. Technically Reggie was the major investor in the charter company, at least from what Is gathered.

“You fellas need anything while you’re here? How long are you here for anyway?” Joe asked. “You need some girls?” He threw Tek a sideways glance. “Men?”

Reggie chuckled.

Tek shook his head. “We’re good, Joe. No time for pleasure this trip.” But his tone said there’d be pleasures to be had at some point.

Is shook his head with a small smile. He’d never begrudge Tek his pleasures, much like Is, Tek had very little of it growing up. Is didn’t know if he’d have gone the route Tek took, suffering in silence and acting out in private, even now, but he figured he’d never know unless he was in the situation himself.

“Just let me know,” Joe said to Tek. “I’ve got a great hookup. Finest bitches, man.” He whistled. “Fine as hell.”

“We’re good,” Is said. Reggie dropped his head on Is’ right shoulder as they rounded a particularly wicked curve.

He could never get over how dark the Georgia streets were when compared to the brightness that was New York. Unless you were in the heart of downtown, your eyesight better be perfect and you’d better have a good memory of the roads, otherwise you were shit out of luck.

“I’m starved, though,” Reggie spoke up. “Could do with a burger and some—”

A crack sounded moments before the car lurched. Tires screeched. Their SUV, but other vehicles too.

“What the fuck?” Is grabbed the back of the driver’s seat and leaned forward. He barely made out the bullet hole in Joe’s forehead before the windshield just crashed in.

Tek ducked.

“Is!” Reggie yanked him down by his t-shirt, and Is fell backward. They dropped to the floor as the SUV shook. Broken glass from the windows rained down on them as they were shot up.

Seemed like they were surrounded, being shot at from all sides.

“Reg.” Fuck, glass was in his mouth. Is spat as he tried to reach down, fumbling for the gun at his ankle. “Reggie. Tek. Speak,” he called out, but he could hear nothing, not even his own voice over the barrage of never-ending gunshots. The SUV rocked side to side and he crawled atop Reggie, covering him.

“Reg.” His heart was in his throat and he had lots of fucking rage and questions, but right now, he needed Reggie to speak.

“Shit.” Tek grunted upfront. “I’m hit.”

Fuck. Fuck. Is couldn’t move, but he didn’t have to. As quickly as the bullets came they went. The silence was unlike any he’d witnessed, but that didn’t last long either. Footsteps outside crunched the glass underfoot and low voices rumbled.

“Tek,” he spoke in a stage whisper. “How bad?”

“Not bad.” Tek coughed. “I’ll live.”

Is had to take his friend’s word for it. He pressed two trembling fingers to the warmth of Reggie’ neck, trying not to freak out at all the sticky liquid he felt. Blood. He didn’t have to look to see. Reggie’s pulse beat for him, and Is blew out a shuddering breath.

“Reggie’s out. You strapped?”

“Dude.”

“Aight.” Dumb question. “Get ready, they’re coming.” Not a moment too soon. Someone yanked open the front passenger side first and brap, that had to be Tek’s shot.

Someone grunted, another voice shouted and Is levered hims
elf upright, firing blindly out the shattered window above his head.

“Get those motherfuckers,” someone shouted.

Had to be at least four of them. At least. They were out-manned and out-gunned, but Is wasn’t going out without a fight. He squeezed the trigger again and again, until someone yanked open the driver’s side back door.

Fire lanced through his side and he crumbled atop Reggie. Mother fuck. He’d never get used to a bullet tearing its way through his skin. He grabbed his left side, cursing again when his fingers swam in all the blood. His hands grew numb and the gun fell atop the seat, an unconscious Is following closely behind.

Chapter Eighteen

Is swam to consciousness with a groan. A ticking sound registered first, followed very closely by the fiery pain in his side.

“Ungh.” He tried to shift onto his right side, but that just made his entire body ache and tense up more. Goddamn. That hurt and his eyes, the lids were heavy, refusing to budge. He flexed his fingers, grasping what felt like a blanket in his fist.

“Is.” Someone touched his forehead. “Oh shit. Wake up.” Quinn? Was that Quinn?

What the— Why did he sound so panicked? Is tried to speak, but much like his eyelids, his tongue wasn’t cooperating.

He wanted to know why Quinn was there, wherever there was, and what happened to Reggie. Fuck. His chest actually ached.

“Is.” Tek. That was Tek.

Is rolled his eyeballs, tightening his fists in frustration.

“Open your eyes, Israel.” Quinn ordered it as if Is hadn’t been trying to do that very thing for the past fucking minute. Something smacked near his ear, as if someone had clapped. He frowned.

“Is, man. You gotta wake up. Reggie needs you.” Tek sounded as if he was speaking right at Is’ ear.

Reggie needed him. What was wrong with Reggie? “T-Te…” Fucking tongue. His mouth felt as if he’d been stuffed with cotton. “Tek.”

“Right here.” Someone—likely Tek—grabbed his hand, squeezed it. “Open your eyes. Now, damn it. Your boy needs you, Is.”

That was all Is needed to hear. He groaned and lifted his lashes. His vision was for shit, all he could make out was shapes, but he closed his eyes then reopened them and there was Tek, peering down at him with naked concern in his eyes.

He’d never seen Tek worried before, not even on the Island.

“Israel.” Quinn appeared next to Tek, expression equally concerned, only Quinn’s eyes were demanding answers.

“Quinn, what—”

“Here.” Quinn shoved a glass of water at him, and helped him up enough for him to sip it. That felt good, but Is only took a couple sips before he was demanding, “Where’s Reggie?”

Both of them fell silent. Quinn, who never could hold a poker face looked down. Is lurched upright.

“Where’s Reggie?”

“Shit.” Tek grasped his shoulder. “Take it easy, you’re gonna bust the stitches in your side.”

“Fuck that.” Is shrugged him away. His body ached, yeah. But that shit was nothing. Nothing. “Where is he, Tek?” His friend turned and that was when Is made out the bloody bandage wrapped around Tek’s middle. He could ask about it, but obviously Tek was fine. Neither man was telling him anything, and the more they stalled the more he wanted to launch himself at their throats. “Tek!” The name exploded.

Quinn flinched. Is didn’t have it in him to apologize.

“He’s at Emory.” Tek named one of Atlanta’s top hospitals. “In surgery.”

Is dropped back down onto the pillows, his own wounds forgotten. Reggie had taken a bullet for him. And now— “How bad is it?”

“He took a bullet in the back, lost a shitload of blood.” Tek was apologetic. “He stayed unconscious the entire time I was with him.”

Is stared up at the ceiling. “How long has it been?” How long had he been here, out of it while Reggie fought for his life?

“About five hours.”

“I need to see him.” He tried to get back up, but his body wasn’t having it.

“Israel, try to rest.” Quinn came over to him and started poking and prodding. “You also got hit with a bullet.” He spared Tek a glance then went back to checking Is’ bandage. “I look forward to hearing the explanation for that.”

Is met Tek’s gaze. “Why is Quinn here?” And furthermore, where was here?

“He’s an EMT.” Tek shrugged. “I couldn’t take the chance of you being in a public hospital where Vega could get at you.”

“Reggie’s in a public hospital,” Is snarled. “Or did you forget that part?” Tek didn’t back down from his anger, and really, Is wasn’t even angry at his friend. He was angry at himself. At fucking Vega who now topped his shit list. “So Vega ambushed us.” His mouth twisted. “How did he know we would be arriving that time, I wonder?”

“Inside knowledge,” Tek said.

No shit. “We’ve got a rat.” Who he’d search out and eliminate in his own time. Right now he needed to see Reggie and deal with Vega.

“Anyone care to explain to me just what in the hell is going here?” Quinn dropped a towel onto the bed and looked from Is to Tek. “What in the hell did you get me mixed up in?”

“Quinn.” Is sighed and looked around the room. “Where are we anyway?”

“Motel,” Tek murmured.

“Quinn.” Is held out a hand to Quinn. “I’m sorry you’re here and I’ll explain everything in due time, I promise, but right now, I need to find out what the hell is going on with Reggie.”

Quinn pursed his lips. “This Reggie, who is he?”

“My friend,” Is said quickly then corrected himself. “No, we, uh…” What were they anyway? “We’re together.”

Quinn’s jaw dropped. “What? Since when—”

“I don’t have time to discuss my very recent homosexual leanings, Quinn. I need to know what’s going on, if—” He swallowed. “If he’s okay.”

Quinn nodded. “Okay. I can make some calls.”

That would have to do for now. “Please.”

Quinn turned away, pulling his phone from his jacket pocket.

“I had to call him,” Tek said. “I didn’t trust anyone else to deal with you.”

Is nodded. “I get it. Thanks, Tek.”

“I also called your cousin.”

Is frowned “What? Why?” The last thing he wanted was to have Xavier caught up in this with him.

“He’s your only family, figured he’d want to know. I found his number in your phone.” Tek shrugged. “He’s on his way.” He lifted a brow. “Told me to tell you he’s coming with the Russian.”

Fuck. “I need to get in contact with Reggie’s folks.” Double fuck. Reggie’s moms already hated Is, now he’d have to tell her he got her son shot up. “I want Vega’s head on a fucking platter. That son of a bitch has to pay.”

“He’s still in surgery.” Quinn turned back to them. “Everything looks good and they’re almost done.”

Is released a long and heavy breath. “Thank fuck.” He pressed a trembling hand to his face. “Thank fuck.”

“The bullet shattered inside him,” Quinn said slowly. “But they managed to get it before it traveled and nicked anything. They’re about to close him up.”

“I need him,” he whispered. “I need to be there, but first I need to call his parents.” He shifted and pain shot up his spine. “Ah, fuck.” He doubled over and Quinn grabbed his arm.

“I’ve got painkillers—”

“No painkillers.” Is shook his head. “I need to be aware.”

“I’ll go get you some more bandages from the store down the street.” Quinn moved away. “Plus something for you to eat.” He glanced down at Is and wrinkled his nose. “And clothes.”

“I’ll come with you.” Tek took a step forward, but Quinn held up a hand.

“No, thanks.” He walked out the room, closing the door firmly behind him.

Is watched Tek. “You pissed him off, huh?”


“He hates me.” Tek didn’t take his eyes off the door.

Is snorted. “I would too if you’d dragged my ass into this mess.” There was something else happening with those two, but he didn’t have the time to figure it out right then. “I want Reggie watched, round the clock. Who do we have down here we can trust?”

“Honestly?” Tek sank on the edge of the bed near Is’ feet. “I have no fucking idea who we can trust, Is. Who knew we would be flying in today? Definitely not Vega’s people.” He met Is’ gaze. “Which means we’ve got an enemy in-house. How the fuck do we know who it is?”

“We’ll figure it out.” There was no other option. “I want Reggie protected. He’s our priority right now. I’ll deal with Vega and our snitch soon enough.”

“You know your boy would fuck you up if he heard you say that, right?” Tek chuckled. “He’d want me to make sure you were protected, that you were priority.”

“He did.” Is brought his gaze up to the ceiling. “He made sure I was priority inside the fucking SUV, Tek. Took a Goddamn bullet for me.” It angered him, scared him.

“Shit.”

A knock on the motel room door drowned out Is’ snort. Tek jumped to his feet, pulling a .45 from his waist. Is fumbled for his own piece that had been placed on the white plastic table near his head.

“That’s not Quinn, he has a key.” Tek tiptoed to the door then looked back at Is questioningly.

Is cocked his gun and nodded then braced himself.

“Yeah?” Tek called out.

“I’m looking for Israel Storm,” the male voice answered.

“Who’s looking?” Tek asked.

“Dane Hutchins. A friend of Reggie’s.”

Tek glanced back at Is who frowned. That name wasn’t familiar.

“I know what happened earlier, Mr. Storm. I’m also aware of Reggie’s condition and who you think is behind it.” The speaker paused. “You would be wrong in that assumption.”

“Open,” Is instructed Tek. His friend’s incredulous expression relayed just what he thought about Is’ decision, but he opened the door anyway with one hand on the knob and the other holding the gun he pointed at the man standing there.

He was tall and massively-built, with dark blond hair that curled around his shoulders. He wore a suit, a dark suit, and when he spotted Is his gaze sharpened.