Ch. 62: It's too late
Then
With a relieved sigh, Phoenix closed his laptop after the day's first online meeting, tiredly rubbing his temples. He glanced at the clock on the wall, only confirming what he already knew. It was barely half past four in the morning. Sometimes he hated dealing with Asian countries because of the time difference. It always messed with his sleep and set him off on the wrong foot for the rest of the day.
And on top of everything, he did not need to be on the wrong foot. Life was hard enough as it was. They all mourned the loss of a friend. Grief hung like a shroud of doom over the mansion, where all his and Jace's friends had stayed under heavy protection since Cracker's teams had taken them there. All of Gareth's men had banded together to form shifts, watching over their guests, even if half of them did not know why all the new people stayed there. Of course, they knew about Phoenix's stalker, and the brief, though somewhat vague, explanation they had gotten had implicated the stalker, and that had been enough.
Brothers.
To death and beyond.
The guys tried to make their guests feel as comfortable as possible, taking time to entertain them and leaving them to their thoughts when needed, and the friends tried to adjust, though fear and uncertainty rustled between them. The only one remotely excited was Natalya, because she had a new group to pamper, and she simply adored Niall.
Yet, the situation was volatile, and could not last.
Everyone had jobs and families they needed to return to. Staying at the mansion was a temporary thing. That was why they accepted it - for their safety. Phoenix knew as much, and that put extra pressure on him.
Packard had asked Master Henley to manage the club for the foreseeable future, and Chess tried to study online, though he mainly spent his time with Niall to keep the kid calm in the new situation. Quinn had canceled her patients and had proved a good friend to have around for people to talk with. Brannon organized things from the mansion but seemed unbothered by that, because he had excellent staff to take over while he was gone, and Eoin had called in sick. Those of the guys who had been targeted on the website had moved in as well and took it in stride.
It had been two days since that day. Well, technically, almost three, which only gave him four and a half days until he had to make a choice no human should. A choice between his friends, who had always treated him well and accepted him into their midst, then the man he loved, someone Phoenix would never wish to see hurt, and himself. As disrespectful as it could sound to his friends, though Phoenix knew they would understand and have felt the same if they were in his shoes, he could never choose to give up Jace to that psycho. Not only because Phoenix loved the man with every fiber of his being, but because there was no certainty that the stalker would not come after Phoenix when Jace was gone. That left him to choose between his friends and himself. Choosing the friends would buy him some time, as the stalker had said he would only go after one each week, but really, how could he do that to any of them? Even under protection at the mansion, Phoenix feared it was only a matter of time before they got restless and wanted back to their lives, walking straight back into danger. The stalker might get pissy, but he would probably wait until he could get to one of them. In the end, Phoenix would be the last man standing, and the stalker would get what he wanted.
That left Phoenix with only one choice. Not that it was much of a choice, it was a lack of options. He had four and a half days left with the people he loved, and then he would have to say goodbye. That was his only course of action, however much it pained him to admit.
He had received two reminders already. Text messages from his stalker at the exact time twenty-four hours of his seven-day thinking period had passed. Both on his private and work phone. Horse had tried to trace the number, but it was an unlisted, pre-paid card, which was sold all over Ireland and could be used anywhere. It had been the same number both times, and Horse had set up some sort of hacker voodoo to close in on the bastard, but they had to wait for more texts. By Cracker's demand, Phoenix had saved the number on both phones to not be surprised if the stalker suddenly called. They had all agreed that they could not blindly trust the seven-day window. The stalker could at any time break his own rules, and they had to stay prepared. Phoenix already knew he would get another text later that day. It was only a matter of time.
Phoenix checked his phone on the desk for messages from Jace. They had texted earlier before his meeting, but Phoenix doubted Jace was in the mood for chatting now. He sighed and stood up, stretching a bit to relieve the tension in his body. He walked from his home office and to the kitchen, turning on the espresso maker for a shot of liquid fire under his ass to help keep him awake for the next meeting, and then he had to go back to the mansion. To get some peace of mind, he had needed to go home to gather himself a little and focus enough to get the job done. He could not drop the ball on the work he did for Gareth. His office at the mansion was fine, but he could not breathe there, could not think.
His mind was in turmoil, though everything was clear about what he had to do. All he had to do was get through the next meeting, and then he would call his parents and tell them everything. They would understand, he hoped. The prospect of losing their only child would tear them apart, but knowing he did it for love would put their minds at ease. Love had always been an abstract concept to him, something Cloud and Indigo had tried in vain to teach Phoenix, and now that he finally got it, they would be proud of him for loving enough to protect Jace from harm.
Naturally, he had no intention of just rolling over and giving in to the psychopath. Phoenix needed to pretend to choose, to get close to him, and ultimately, take the fucker out. How, that was yet to be determined, since Phoenix had no idea what he would walk into, but if he got the chance, he would kill that man and never feel guilty about it.
That was something Phoenix had never thought himself capable of. Yes, he had killed on missions, and every time it had been people who had chosen to work for some perverted fucker or do unspeakable acts toward innocent, nonconsenting others. Phoenix felt no remorse about having rid the world of filth like that, but he felt guilty for the pain he had inflicted on the families of those people by his actions. Parents, siblings, partners, and children had lost someone dear to them, and that knowledge always rode him like a nightmare.
But...
And there most certainly was a 'but'. He would feel nothing but relief when the stalker was no more. No guilt, no nothing. Phoenix would sleep soundly at night - hopefully with Jace by his side. That dream scenario was far into an unknown future, though. It served as a beacon of light in the darkness around Phoenix. That future was what he focused on, and whatever he had to go through before seemed easier to accept.
Cup in hand, enjoying the fragrant fumes of his quality coffee, Phoenix trudged back to his office and flung himself into his chair, feeling strangely resolved about what he had to do after his meeting, even if he still debated how he would break it to his parents. If it was morbid curiosity or plain stupidity, he could not say, because he had plenty of time before he needed to use his laptop. Still, he opened it.
The countdown timer, Horse had synchronized with the stalker's website, flashed in the corner of the screen, counting down at a steady pace to remind Phoenix that time was slipping through his fingers.
Just over four days for him to do everything he wanted with the people he cared about. Be around Gareth's guys, who had given him a home, a family, and made him feel welcome. Spend one more night with Jace. Touch and feel him, smell him, listen to his sounds, and love him with everything Phoenix had to give. And then there were his friends. That was the only bright side in all the chaos. The stalker had made sure he had them all gathered in one place.
Being Friday, Phoenix had cleared his schedule for the weekend to have time off to do everything. He figured when he had talked with his parents, he would ask the guys for a boy's night in the game room at the mansion later. Saturday, he wanted to spend with his friends and hoped Natalya would prepare a feast for them.
And Sunday...
Sunday was all Jace's.
Not sure what else to do to pass the time, Phoenix diverted his eyes from the countdown and opened a browser, searching for restaurants he and Jace liked. The chances of Cracker allowing them to have a night out at a restaurant were zero, and instead, Phoenix looked for places that could deliver food. Jace would eat almost anything, as long as there was plenty of it, and he had some dessert to look forward to. The man loved his sweets.
Phoenix chuckled when he, for the second time, went straight to the dessert page of the takeaway menu on a restaurant site. Whatever they had for their main was unimportant to him, if he could feed Jace something sinfully delicious after - preferably naked.
The shrill and quite frankly unexpected sound of his phone ringing pulled Phoenix from the pleasant daydreaming of his evening with Jace. He glanced at the clock on his laptop, and it was only a few minutes to five. No one would call him that early unless it was important. His heart immediately leaped into his throat, slowly choking him with worry about what disaster he had to deal with next. He could not handle more dead friends or psychopaths.
Reluctantly, Phoenix looked at his phone to see who it was, fearing to see the stalker's number, and the obstruction in his throat grew. Dizziness overwhelmed him as he stared paralyzed at his phone, dancing from the vibrations on the polished desk beside his laptop.
The ringing persisted, and with shaking hands, Phoenix picked up the device and swiped a few times until his trembling fingers worked on the stupid touch screen. He lifted the phone to his ear, swallowing a few times to breathe before he whispered, "Gareth?"
"Phoenix!"
"Gareth, it's really you?"
"Who else would call from my number?"
Phoenix huffed lightly. Gareth was right about that, but the call was unexpected. Though Phoenix felt he had almost forgotten Gareth's voice, there was a familiar warmth to it, and all his memories of time spent with his friend came back, blissfully soothing his frazzled nerves. It was wonderful just listening to, and Phoenix needed more.
"How are you?" Phoenix asked, however generic it was.
"I'm fine," Gareth answered a little too fast.
Choosing not to address Gareth's reflex response to not cut the call short, Phoenix moved on. "What can I do for you?"
"You can open your bloody front door, for starters."
Shocked, Phoenix stood from his chair, clutching the phone in his hand as a surge of excitement ran through him. "You're here?"
Gareth chuckled, and it was a sound Phoenix had missed hearing.
"Unless you've moved within the last year, and I sure hope your doorman would have told me before he let me up, especially after the near cavity search of an identity check I went through to be allowed near the elevator."
Dropping his phone, which clanked against the hard surface, not that Phoenix cared, he ran from his office to the hall and ripped the door open in time to see Gareth tuck away his phone. His heart pounded in his chest. If it was from the running or the excitement, Phoenix could not tell. The sight that met him was like coming home. Warmth blossomed inside his chest, and a calm settled in him.
Gareth was back.
The pressure of the last twelve months left Phoenix as he exhaled and took in the vision his friend was. With Gareth back at the helm, Phoenix would have less work and more support. Would have Gareth's brilliant mind to spare with about the stalker, and that alone drove away some of Phoenix's worries.
Gareth had obviously lost some weight, showing in his cheeks being slightly sunken, making his eyes look hollowed in his face, and his frame somehow looked smaller than usual. But he was clean-shaven, as always, had newly cut hair, and his eyes had that strong, determined glint, though they seemed haunted in a way. Something lingered deep in those blue eyes, but the man still exuded power.
Like a mountain lion; strong, stealthy, and alert, but never in doubt about its place in the food chain. That was Gareth, ever alert about his surroundings, expecting the unexpected at all times, but also relying on everyone to know they should watch out because he was a savage opponent.
If it was Gareth or Phoenix who initiated it, none of them registered. They simply opened their arms and engaged in a fierce hug, which both seemed to need.
"I missed you, my friend," Phoenix mumbled, feeling overwhelmed by emotions. Maybe it was the culmination of how high-strung he had been lately, and Gareth was there as his salvation. He did not care that Gareth felt smaller and frail in his arms. What he focused on was that Gareth felt real.
"I fucking missed you too." Gareth spoke clearly, but his voice had a slight tremble to it from the emotion in him.
Never before had a hug meant so much to him. Gareth sunk into Phoenix's arms and held onto him as an anchor to reality. His entire life, he had been an independent man and stood powerful as a leader. His men followed him because he was strong. Their friendships and loyalty fueled him to be the kind of leader he wanted to be. They were his moral compass, and though he made the decisions, he always knew what he could demand of his people, because they held him accountable every step of the way. But without the people around him, he was nothing, and Phoenix meant more to him than he had known before. Of all his men, Jace was his oldest friend, a true brother he appreciated just as he was. Jace was the light and humor to counter Gareth's dark moments. Whereas Phoenix was his intellectual sparring partner. Someone he could discuss complex business theories with for hours without ever getting bored, because Phoenix challenged him and did not roll over if they disagreed on something.
Both men's qualities he had missed the last year. Jace to brighten his days, and Phoenix to keep his mind sharp. But mostly, he had missed the emotional security it was to have friends like that.
They stood and hugged for a while, until they slowly untangled and stayed close, leaning their foreheads against the other's. It was a simple gesture, but to them, it meant the world. They reconnected at that moment.
"Brothers."
"To death and beyond."
When they pulled apart, Phoenix looked at Gareth, still a bit shocked. "Come in, come in. Do you want some coffee?"
"If it's all the same to you, I'd prefer a whiskey." Gareth unbuttoned his suit jacket and loosened his tie. He glanced at Phoenix and enjoyed that nothing had changed; suit pants and shirt, even at this hour, and though he looked tired, he was a sight for sore eyes.
"Isn't it a bit early for whiskey?"
Gareth shrugged. "I haven't slept yet. If it's anything, it's a bit late for a drink, but I'm willing to risk it. Besides, it's Happy Hour somewhere."
"I like the way you think." Phoenix sent Gareth a sly smile and gestured for him to follow into the living room. "I can only have one. I'm on the clock."
"No problem." Gareth threw his jacket over the back of the couch and plopped down, leaning back into the soft cushions while lighting a cigarette. Those were much more comfortable than any plane seat. He had never been able to sleep on a plane. The seats were uncomfortable, the air dry, and he felt exposed there. Even on his private jet among staff he trusted, he could not relax enough to sleep. "I'll take one for the team and drink your quota."
"You're a man of the people." Grinning to himself, Phoenix grabbed two glasses and a bottle of whiskey from the bar table and joined Gareth on the couch. He poured them a drink each, Gareth's more generous than his own, and handed a glass to Gareth. He lit a smoke and leaned back himself.
Gareth sipped the expensive whiskey between puffs on his cigarette. It felt smooth going over his tongue, igniting his tastebuds with notes of oak, smoke, and just a hint of spice, giving it a pleasant burn down his throat. He sighed. Even the sharp smell mixed with the smoke gave him pleasure. "It's been a while since I've had one of these."
"This is quality," Phoenix commented. "Not like that cheap sewage you normally drink."
To that, Gareth grinned and took another sip, knowing Phoenix thought he had talked about a quality brand whiskey and not whiskey in general.
Situated beside each other, looking out the windows at the panoramic view of Dublin where the sun slowly made an entrance, they sat in silence for a while, drinking and smoking. Both had things to say, both had questions, but they enjoyed the moment while it lasted.
"Are you back?" Phoenix finally asked after Gareth's second drink. He needed Gareth's input, and to pick his brain for ideas on what to do about the stalker and the ultimatum the countdown timer was. He was certain that Gareth would not let him give in to the stalker, and maybe Gareth could find a solution.
"I am."
Phoenix blew out a relieved breath and checked the clock he had on a shelf. He had plenty of time before the meeting to brief Gareth on the most important highlights.
"That's good. I have so much I need to talk with you about."
"Later." Gareth waved his hand in dismissal and concentrated on his whiskey. "I need to land and see people. I'll call a meeting on Monday, and we can discuss everything then. Let me just enjoy being back for a few days."
Torn between understanding Gareth's need to just be back and see the people who had missed him, and his desperation to pour his worries out and find some solution they had not thought about before, Phoenix sat quietly for a moment. Of course, it annoyed him he had to wait until Monday. That would not give them much time, but he found one positive about having to wait.
"Will you need me during the weekend?"
"Only to have a few drinks if you're free. I honestly just want to relax and enjoy being home. I'll schedule our meeting first thing after the weekend, then set up department briefings the following days, and arrange a small party next weekend."
"Sounds good. Would you mind if I flew home to see my parents for a day or two? I haven't seen them all the time you've been away."
"You haven't?" Shocked, Gareth turned to look at Phoenix. "You should have, Phoenix. Nobody expected you to work for a full year without a break. Least of all me."
"A lot has happened. There just wasn't time."
Gareth nodded to himself and emptied his glass, pouring himself a fresh drink. "Yes, I saw Vasili a few days ago. He wanted to update me on everything, but I just wanted to focus on getting ready to come back."
From that, Phoenix deducted Gareth knew nothing about anything that had happened the last year. Whatever Gareth had gone through, it had to have been serious for him to not want outside information. The man was in for a surprise when he got home to the mansion and saw his new house guests. Phoenix was not sure if he should tell Gareth, because if he did, he would have to go into detail about many things, and Gareth clearly did not want to know anything yet. Then again, if he did not, Gareth would have questions when he stepped inside the mansion, and he might not be too happy with not having been told.
"Are you going to stay at the mansion?"
Gareth laughed. "No, I'm going to my apartment to sleep in my own bed. I want to keep a low profile until Monday and maybe see if Cracker and Jace have time for a drink. I would have liked for you to join, but I understand."
Ok, one minor crisis explanation avoided.
"So, I can go home this weekend?"
"Yes, yes. Take the jet or put the tickets on a company card." Gareth paused with a furrowed brow. "Couldn't Vlad have covered for you a few days? He's good, isn't he?"
"Oh, yes. Vlad is excellent and has been a lifesaver more than once. We work well together, and Rotha has really stepped up to relieve our workload. You should give them both a raise."
"All three of you, it seems. But enjoy the weekend with your parents. Take a week if you want. I can reschedule Monday for another day."
Phoenix shook his head. The meeting had to be on Monday, and no matter what they planned at the meeting, he still owed his parents to fill them in and prepare them. Just in case. "No, the weekend is fine. I'll plan a proper vacation later and maybe take them on a cruise or something. My mum wants to see the Greek Islands."
"Sure. When you've decided on when, book the tickets, and send me the invoice. Let's call it a bonus."
Though Phoenix feared it would be a while before he could do that, he still appreciated the gesture. "Thanks, G-man."
"Don't mention it." Gareth finished his drink, and placed the empty glass on the coffee table, but did not refill it. He stared at the bottle with longing and dug his fingers into his thighs to not reach for the tempting whiskey. It had been too long since he had enjoyed a drink, and he felt the effect of the few he had just had already. He would get properly drunk later and build up his usual tolerance in time, but not until he was back at his apartment, where he could crash if it became too much. "Thank you, Phoenix."
"No problem. I just did my work as I was supposed to. I'm glad I can go home to check in with the folks, though."
"I didn't mean that." Gareth cleared his throat and turned to face Phoenix fully. He smiled shyly and averted his eyes a few times before he continued, "I mean, for not asking me any questions. I know you must be curious, and if I were you and my boss had disappeared, I'd have been furious and would demand answers. I'll tell you, I'm just not ready yet..."
"Hey!" Phoenix held up his hand to stop Gareth from talking, waiting for him to shut up and listen. He did not mean to be rude; it was simply unnecessary for Gareth to apologize. "I don't need to know anything. Sure, I'm curious because I'm your friend and I care. But because you're my friend, you have the benefit of the doubt, and I trust you. If you one day wish to tell me, I'm all ears. Until then, don't feel like you owe me anything."
Nodding, because he was too overwhelmed to say anything, Gareth once again cleared his throat and then glanced at his watch. "I'd better get going. Your meeting is not too far away."
"I told you I was on the clock, not that I had a meeting. How did you know?"
Gareth smiled and stood up, dusting off his pants, though the chances of him getting dirty in Phoenix's apartment were zero to none. He grabbed his jacket and put it on. "I checked the joined meeting calendar. How else do you think I knew you'd be up at this hour? I came here straight from the airport."
"Straight here?" Phoenix stood too and moved to escort Gareth to the door. "Does anyone know you're back?"
Walking after Phoenix to the hall, Gareth sighed. "No one knows. Except for the team down in the lobby and the guys at the elevator up here. I told them to keep it quiet, but I doubt they will. Once people wake up, it'll spread like wildfire."
Phoenix could only agree with that. Gareth may have told the guys not to tell, and usually, they would have obeyed orders, but Gareth being back, they could not sit on for long, and he did not blame them for wanting to share that news. They had all waited for the day, missed Gareth as a leader and a friend, and they would rejoice in his return.
"Does Jace know you're back? Have you talked with him?" Phoenix suspected Gareth had not, Jace would have mentioned it when they texted earlier, but as best friends, Gareth could have told Jace to keep quiet, and Jace would have.
Gareth let out a loud laugh and showed Phoenix his watch. "Do you know what time it is? I could be dressed up as a cannoli, smell like a candy store, and blow up in his face like a nuclear bomb, and that man would not wake up."
The vivid image of Gareth dressed as a cannoli made Phoenix's lips curl upward. That was funny, and he would enjoy that thought for a while. Gareth was right, though, Jace was hard to wake up once he was asleep, and he was a pain in the mornings, which was probably why he liked to work out before work to clear his mind and wake his body.
"I know what you mean, but I think he's awake. He's in the hospital..."
"Hospital?" Gareth yelled, doing a polar shift from his before calm and laid-back attitude, sobering instantly. Hands clenched, face flushed, and the veins in his forehead and neck popped all over the place. He looked like a bull ready to charge when he restrained himself from grabbing Phoenix. "What happened? Is he ok?"
"Jace is fine. Well, as fine as he can be under the circumstances," Phoenix explained to Gareth first up, to hopefully get the man to calm down. "It's Tana. She had an accident."
"Tana?" Gareth visibly relaxed and instantly felt bad for being relieved it was not Jace who was hurt. He did not wish for Tana to be in the hospital at all, but if the alternative was Jace being there, Gareth thanked the universe for that small blessing.
Swallowing hard, followed by a few deep breaths, Gareth trembled for a moment from the guilt in him. He had been gone for a long time, and not once had he asked for an update. He had wanted to care, wanted to be there as he normally was, but circumstances had held him captive in a state of paralyzed indifference to everything. The few times Vasili had tried to give him information or ask for advice, Gareth had shot down the attempts, and Vasili had respectfully backed off, assuring him they could handle anything.
In the end, all Gareth knew was his businesses still ran, his faction still stood, and he had something to come home to.
"When did it happen? How bad is it?"
A shadow crept over Phoenix's face at the questions. How could he explain something to Gareth that he had problems understanding himself?
"It was a traffic accident a few days ago. It's too late, Gareth."
"What do you mean, too late? Can't the doctors do something?"
A rush of emotions surged through Phoenix when he recalled that dreadful call from the men Cracker had sent out to find Tana. She had been in a cab on her way back from work. If her phone had been out of battery, or she had not heard it was anyone's guess. It had been damaged in the accident. They had very little to go on, but Horse and Cellmate had found some traffic cam footage, and those clips of film were all they had to go on. Two large vehicles had boxed in the cab and forced it forward into a collision course with a truck. The cab driver had been killed instantly, and Tana had survived to the hospital, where they had declared her brain dead. So far, Horse and Cellmate had not been able to track down the cars or identify the drivers.
Phoenix did not doubt it was the stalker's doing, and that gave him chills. It showed how organized he was, and that he had accomplices. They were up against a team and not just one deranged individual, and that made the situation more dangerous.
"She's braindead, G. Jace is there because he won't leave her alone until her family gets here."
Gareth paled. "I need to get there. Send me the info, please. And have Vlad prepare reports on everything for Monday."
"I will." Phoenix did not need to stop Gareth or explain anything else. Jace would tell him what he needed to know. He was just glad Gareth could support Jace through this. Phoenix had tried, Quinn too. And as relieved they were about Sydney being safe, they all grieved for the light in Tana that had been extinguished so early.
"It was good seeing you, my friend. We'll talk more when you come back from England."
Gareth's hastened steps down the hallway were the last Phoenix heard before he closed the door and went to his office to send Gareth a text with the ward and room information of where Tana was. He did not know how Gareth had gotten to his place, if he had rented a car or taken a cab. All he knew was that Rami was with Jace, so Gareth had probably not called to be picked up, or Phoenix would have known, because Rami would have refused to leave Jace's side. Order or not. Gareth or not.
Sometimes, Phoenix envied the simplicity of Rami's life. Wake up, chauffeur around, or trail after Jace or Gareth an entire day, and then go back to sleep. It was stupid to think of what Rami did as simple. Phoenix knew that. Rami had to know their schedule and time for transport between appointments, including extra security if needed. The man stood on his feet for hours on end, and though it could look like he blanked out and just waited, Phoenix knew Rami spent an obscene amount of energy just standing and looking bored. His mind was in hyperactive protection mode every second. His eyes scanned rooms, noticed people, and evaluated every situation for threats. At any moment, he could be needed to draw a weapon, throw himself between a bullet and his boss, or adapt to a new scenario outside of what he had planned for. He had to assess every mood of his boss and sometimes step in to demand food and drink time or calm tempers to defuse a meltdown. Rami was vigilant all day, and always ready to lay down his life.
There was nothing simple about Rami's life, it just looked that way, and Phoenix truly appreciated everything the man did.
Having prepared for his meeting, finding documents and login information, Phoenix had just enough time to email Vlad about the reports for Monday and email Rotha to compile lists of everything Phoenix felt he needed to present to Gareth. A year's worth of decisions on Gareth's behalf, Phoenix had to account for, though he doubted they would have much time for that once he informed about the stalker development. But he would rather be on top of things and have his ducks in a row.
The ten minutes he had left, he spent finding tickets home. He did not care about specific airlines, or that it was Friday, and the prices were higher. He picked the first one with free business class seats for himself and his bodyguards, leaving at noon, which gave him plenty of time with his parents before his return trip on Sunday morning, as the flight was only an hour and twenty minutes. If he had found no available business or first-class tickets, he would have flown coach, despite the pain that would have been for his legs.
Meeting done without a hitch, some paperwork to finalize and tie up loose ends of the week, and a quick breakfast later, Phoenix went into his bedroom to pack a carry-on with the necessities. He only needed clothes and the basics for a few days in England. There was no need to pack a full suitcase as he did for business trips where he did not know how long he would be away.
Phoenix had just stepped out of the shower when his phone dinged. His lips pulled into a soft smile when he saw Jace's name on the display, and he instantly read the message.
'How did the meeting go?'
It was simple, and with consideration for his work, but Phoenix knew Jace. He could not care less about the meeting. The text was Jace speak for 'are you free?'.
'It went fine. I just had breakfast. I'm off the clock.'
Phoenix smiled to himself and walked back to his bedroom and sat on the bed, waiting for it. And seconds later, Jace called. "Hi, Baby boy."
"Phoenix," Jace's voice sounded breathless when he replied. The excitement, for once, overpowered the exhaustion and sadness that had been ever-present in Jace since the incident. "Gareth just left."
"Already?"
"He's not good with hospitals, and I think the lack of whiskey in the vending machines got to him." Jace laughed lightly. "It was good seeing him again."
Smiling to himself, Phoenix understood how torn Jace was. He was elated to have Gareth back, but deep down, he felt betrayed by how Gareth had left, and those two emotions battled in Jace.
"Give it time, Baby. He'll make it up to you."
"I've missed him." Jace clearly avoided what Phoenix had said, and continued, "He doesn't know anything. He came rushing in, saying you sent him over, and he was sorry about the accident. I didn't correct him." Jace fell silent for a moment. "Didn't you tell him about the stalker when you told him about Tana?"
"I'm sorry, Jace. I tried to tell him, but he brushed me off, saying he just wanted a few days before he dove into things."
"He said you're going home to see your parents." Jace swallowed hard, as if the words would not come out. "Were you going to tell me?"
The uncertainty and vulnerability in how Jace said it both ripped at Phoenix and made him sort of giddy. If Jace reacted like that, it had to mean something. Right? Phoenix hoped it, and when they had dealt with the stalker, he would bite the bullet and have 'the talk' with Jace. Anything the man was willing to give, Phoenix would take. If Jace wanted to try a relationship without going public, then it would be worth it. Maybe, if he was lucky, Jace could be persuaded into more than that.
Phoenix hoped.
That was all he had.
Hope.
"Of course I was," Phoenix said in a soft tone to ease Jace the best he could through the phone. "I was going to call you from the airport. I just figured I'd give you and Gareth some time."
"Oh!"
"I already put it into our joined calendar. When I make promises, I keep them, Baby."
Jace sighed. "I know. Sorry, I questioned you like that."
"You have nothing to be sorry about. I've got to run, but I'll see you when I get back, ok?"
"I'll be here. Say hi to your parents."
"I will." Phoenix cut the call before he got sucked into the need to just talk with Jace. He had to get moving, and knowing Gareth was back to entertain and support Jace made him at ease.
While finishing up, drying his hair and getting dressed, Phoenix thought about taking a cab to the airport. The lack of a car would be the perfect excuse to ask Jace to come pick him up on Sunday, but he realized it had to remain a sweet fantasy because, with the security around him and Jace, they would have no privacy at all, and Cracker would probably not allow Jace to go anywhere. He loved the idea, though.
The thought of pulling over to kiss in secret, and maybe do a little more, just to hear those beautiful sounds Jace made. Yeah, that Phoenix would have liked.
They would have time for that later. Phoenix would gladly forego some car smooches if it kept Jace safe. As long as Jace was kept out of harm's way, the chance of relationship smooches could become an option, and those were far better than car smooches.
Before he left the apartment, Phoenix took a last round of the place, making sure he had turned off appliances and other tech. He briefly went over his mails and saw both Vlad and Rotha had confirmed his requests to have reports ready for Monday. They would not have much free time that weekend for sure, but when Gareth had approved the reports and everything from the accountants, Phoenix would push for them to get some time off. They deserved it after the effort they had put in during the Year of hell.
Artyom, Timur, and Danil, from his security team, waited for him outside the apartment as planned and walked him down to the parking garage where Artyom took the driver's seat, Danil got into the passenger seat, and Timur joined Phoenix in the back seat. They were all dressed casually so as to not draw attention. Jeans, t-shirts, and light summer jackets to look like ordinary guys. If they had dressed stereotypically in suits with sunglasses, looking all macho Russian, they would draw a crowd anywhere, and that would defeat their purpose.
"Airport, da?" Artyom asked, driving up the ramp to street level. "Or do we need to stop somewhere first?"
"No, the airport is fine." Phoenix pulled out his phone and checked the time. They were ahead of schedule, and if traffic was on their side, and check-in went smoothly, then maybe he had time for a cup of expensive airport coffee before he had to board.
Danil and Timur said nothing, and it did not bother Phoenix. They were on the job, and though they looked relaxed and disinterested, Danil fiddling with the radio and Timur staring blankly out of the window, Phoenix knew they discretely, but vigilantly, kept a keen eye on everything around them. They were trained to notice patterns in other people's driving and memorize the make and model of cars to see if they showed up repeatedly, even if they tried to make their driving seem random.
They had just crossed from the M50 into the M1 toward the airport when a couple of traffic officers waved them over to pull into a line of cars to be inspected.
"Great, now I have to explain my name again," Artyom grumbled.
"Do you think it's easier to be named Phoenix?" Phoenix chuckled and checked his phone. There was plenty of time, and by the looks of it, it was a routine check. Farther up front, a large truck held parked in the emergency lane, the cargo doors were open, and two officers went over what looked like cargo manifests with the driver. Between the truck and their car held three vehicles, and the first one drove back into traffic as Artyom pulled up behind the two others.
The front of the two cars was already being inspected. The passengers came back from behind the truck, got in, and drove off. An officer held up a hand, showing five minutes to Artyom, and he gave a thumbs up in return. The car in front of them drove closer to the truck and Artyom followed, parking behind it. Those passengers too exited the car, showing driver's licenses and whatnot, then they walked behind the truck, looking like they had been asked to walk a straight line, and soon came back.
When they had been sent off, the officer waved Artyom forward into the spot the other car had just left. He came over and smiled at Artyom through the already open window.
"Routine check, lads. Licenses, vehicle registration card, and IDs, please."
"The registration card is in the glove compartment," Phoenix informed Artyom as it was Phoenix's car they drove in.
Danil found it and handed it to Artyom along with his own ID. Phoenix and Timur handed over their IDs through the open window to the officer, who appeared on the other side of the car.
"Russian," the officer mumbled. Then he looked at Phoenix. Down at his ID and back at Phoenix with a grin. "Someone's parents must have had a laugh naming you."
"Don't I know it," Phoenix replied and pulled up his lips in the closest resemblance to a smile he could muster. At least the officer had made a joke and not asked dumb questions.
"Seems to be in order," the officer at Artyom's window stated, looking at his colleague over the roof of the car, and got a nod in confirmation. He stepped back from the door, gesturing for Artyom to get out. "Quick alcohol test, and you can be on your way. All, please step outside."
Rolling his eyes inwardly, Phoenix tucked away his phone and got out with the others. The officers lined them up next to the car and made them close their eyes and touch the tips of their noses, then they were asked to walk a straight line with their eyes closed.
Phoenix just did as he was asked and walked, hearing the guys at his sides do the same.
"All good, lads. You can come back."
Phoenix sighed with relief and turned around, opening his eyes in time to hear several clicks and see two probes from a Taser coming at him. The probes hit him straight on the left side of his chest with a weird thud. That was all he recalled before electricity ran through him. Like thousands of bees crawling under his skin, stinging him over and over, the current flashed through him. Every sting felt as if it sent venom into him, incapacitating his muscles, until his body became limp and sunk to the ground in slow motion.
Out of the corners of his eyes, he saw Artyom, Timur, and Danil sink to the ground along with himself, convulsing with jittery jerks, realizing the large truck hid them from view of the other cars on the road.
He wanted to move, wanted to scream like a fucking damsel in distress, but he could do nothing. The Taser had effectively paralyzed him and taken away any chance of defense.
Somewhere in the middle of his panicked turmoil of being defenseless, Phoenix felt the currents finally stop. Little did it help. They had zapped him enough to keep him out of commission for a while.
"That was almost too easy," he heard one of the officers say.
Soon after, the officer who had checked his ID and made the joke came into his field of vision, studying him with a curious look. The man cocked his head. "So, this is the one? He doesn't look scary. He fell like a tree."
The before smiling face turned into a mocking grimace when he jabbed a needle into Phoenix's arm, discharging an unknown liquid, and making Phoenix feel drowsy.
Phoenix tried to fight it, fought to stay awake, but whatever the man had injected him with, it worked fast, and his eyes slowly closed.
The last he registered before the darkness took him was the officer's voice again.
"The boss wants to see you. Welcome to hell."
Hi dear Wattlings.
Thank you for reading.
Oh oh, now Phoenix is in some deep trouble. Who do you think 'the boss' is?
And Gareth is back, maybe that'll help them? It'll at least help Jace with the loss of Tana.
If you like it, then pop a vote and please leave comments. The comments are important for me to know how the story is progressing and the characters are developing. And I'd love to know what you think and interact with y'all.
Give me a follow too for updates on other work and put this book in your library. I'd appreciate that.
Love, Alix
Published: March 2nd, 2023. ©Alix Davenport, Copenhagen
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