Chapter Twenty-One
The Grotto
Move Out Time
Thursday
Two A.M.
F inally, it was late enough in the night that they figured they would be safe. The trek to the quad wouldn’t be bad. All they had to do was get to it, and then get deeper into Native Land to find someone to drive them back to New Orleans .
In theory, it shouldn’t be too difficult.
If Gamble could get them back to Chartres, they’d be safe. That was his main goal, and the only thing he could focus on.
Once there, he could tuck Poe away in the safety of The Hunter’s other base, and Von Donore wouldn’t find him.
Then, after the sun came up, they’d get Rufus to the vet, and make sure he was okay too.
Now, packed up, and with Gamble carrying the dog, they were moving out into the evening air.
He got Poe through the opening with no freak out, but he wasn’t shocked.
The man was silent, and he understood since he was mourning his parents.
Gamble never had to do that, since he didn’t know where the fuck they were.
And it didn’t matter to him.
Carrying Rufus, he made sure to keep an eye on Poe. Only, suddenly, the hairs on the back of his neck stood up, and he just knew.
They weren’t alone.
“Take the dog,” he said, handing Poe their furry friend, so his hands were free to get to the guns he was carrying.
The second he did, he saw the red scope light in the middle of Poe’s forehead.
And Gamble did what he needed to do.
He stood in front of him, protecting him with his body from who he suspected were the mercenaries.
“If you fight, he dies,” the voice said. “If you attempted to escape, he dies. There’s one on the back of his head too.”
Oh, shit.
Poe didn’t move as he was behind Gamble. It appeared they were fucked.
“We don’t know what you want,” Gamble said. “You came at us. We’re just trying to stay alive.”
When he said it, he heard the rustling all around them, and he knew there was more than one person with a gun.
The men came out of the surrounding trees, and Gamble knew he couldn’t fight them. The second he went for them, they’d shoot Poe.
So, he raised his hands.
“We don’t have the key,” he said.
The men laughed.
“Oh, but you know about it,” the one man said, moving closer.
He explained since it was likely common knowledge that he’d handled the people in the barn, and the one by the orchard.
“Your mercenaries talk a lot of shit,” Gamble admitted. “Maybe they should learn that silence is golden.”
At his words, the man hit him in the abs with the butt of his rifle, and Gamble went to his knees.
Rufus went nuts in Poe’s arms, and they threatened to kill the dog.
“Shut him up, or he’s dead. You made a mistake coming back for the dog. You were in the fucking clear. We had no clue where you guys were. Who’s the dumb fuck now?” he asked.
No, he didn’t.
That dog was his, and Gamble didn’t leave anyone behind. That was the whole point of being a Marine.
LOYALTY.
As he was trying to catch his breath, Poe was grabbed, and Rufus fell to the ground with a thump and yelp.
“Where is the key, Doctor?” the one mercenary asked as he held onto the man.
Poe didn’t want Gamble to suffer because of him and his family. If he had it, he’d offer it up.
“I don’t know. I don’t know where it is. I didn’t speak to my brother before his death. He was deployed!”
Since they didn’t like that answer, they began beating on Gamble. They held him there, and they began beating on him unmercifully.
He took blow after blow, and this was what he feared, but in reverse.
They’d kill him in front of Poe.
“Tell us, Doctor, or the Marine here is a dead man. I think you know we’ll do it.”
Well, shit.
They had to have gotten his military file in the house, and Poe knew it was bad.
“I really don’t have it. I only have my brother’s things.”
They took Gamble to the ground, and six guys pummeled him.
Poe couldn’t do it.
He couldn’t watch him die.
“Please. Stop. I’ll get you all of the things I took that were Hemmingway’s. Please just stop hurting him. He’s not part of this,” he admitted.
Poe knew he had to save him. Gamble was better, but he wasn’t ‘have a bunch of men beat him’ better.
Who would be?
At his words, they oddly listened.
Gamble gasped for breath from the ground.
“Poe, don’t,” he whispered. “They’re going to kill us both anyway,” he said, knowing he failed.
Gamble didn’t save them.
Only, Poe knew what he needed to do. If he could draw most of them away from Gamble, he might have a fighting chance to overcome them and escape.
This was about buying time for Gamble.
“I’ll go with you,” he said. “I’ll take you back to my house and I’ll give you everything that I took from my parent’s estate. I’ll help you find it.”
The man laughed.
“Oh, well, that’s convenient.”
Here’s where he took a chance.
“I only ask you let him live. Take me instead, since he’s only a patient of mine. He was only at my home being rehabbed. That’s it.”
It was the ultimate sacrifice, and truthfully, Poe couldn’t lose another person.
Would they kill Gamble?
He wasn’t sure, but if he took half the men here, that gave Gamble a chance to get free.
“Please. I swear. He’s just a patient,” he said, staring Gamble in the eyes. “He has NOTHING to do with this. He’s a soldier like most of you. I’ll take the responsibility of what Hemmingway did. I’ll help your boss find the key if you let him live.”
That seemed to resonate with them.
“No tricks?”
He shook his head.
“I swear. Just don’t hurt him. He’s innocent.”
And he loved him.
They pulled Gamble up by his hair, and put a blade by his throat.
“I’m leaving two of them here. If you lie, I radio them, and he bleeds. Am I clear, Doctor?”
Poe nodded.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Holloway,” he said. “I’m sorry for all of this, and that you didn’t do anything to deserve this.”
Gamble knew he was dead anyway.
“Poe, don’t.”
They punched him again, and he went down again, the air sucked from his body.
Poe had no choice.
Instead, he walked toward the man in charge and away from the man he loved.
“Don’t forget what I told you,” Poe stated. “Don’t forget, Gamble.”
Then, as quickly as the mercenaries appeared, they pulled Poe out of there, kicking Rufus who tried to save him. They loaded him up onto a quad, they were gone.
As soon as Poe was out of visual sight of Gamble, the mercenaries began having some fun beating on him.
“He said not to kill you, but we’ll make you bleed for the men you killed. You’ve done some damage, and now, so will we.”
Gamble clenched his whole body, praying it was quick as he tasted blood in his mouth.
The whole time he thought about Poe and how he was gone.
And Gamble failed to keep someone he loved safe.
Again.
* * * Hunters * * *
Same Time
Nearby
When they landed, using Elizabeth’s helicopter, they shut the bird down, and moved through the woods as quietly, but as quickly, as possible.
With night vision, they were able to see everything, and in the not-so-far distance, they heard laughter.
Well, that was out of place.
Moving closer, they found three men beating on Gamble, and the man not even defending himself. Instead, he was lying there.
Truth be told, he looked…defeated.
“Take them out,” Maura said, as Jinx, and Eve took aim.
“Three, two, One,” Jagger whispered, and that’s when they each fired.
There was a simultaneous ‘POP’ and the three men around Gamble dropped to the ground.
That’s when they headed toward him to see if he was okay.
As they approached, they saw he was a bloody mess. They’d split his lip, and had abused his body.
“Hey,” Maura said, touching Gamble’s arm as the dog on the ground barked at them.
Slowly, Gamble lifted his head.
“It took you long enough,” he whispered. “Maybe have Zayn keep his fucking phone on instead of being a dumbass.”
The big man shook his head.
“Dude, I’m sorry. I don’t like the government up in my business.”
Maura was concerned.
“Can you get up?”
Honestly, he wasn’t sure. He stopped fighting a few minutes ago knowing he’d rather die than find Poe’s body later.
Gamble pushed up from the ground, and he was nursing his one side.
He was pretty sure he cracked a few ribs.
Or he was just not able to take a punch like he used to be able to do.
“I think I’m okay,” he said. “They took Poe back to his house. His brother stole a key from BlackStone . They’re going to kill him when they can’t find it there. He had no idea any of this was happening. He’s innocent.”
Oh, they were aware.
“They killed so many people,” he whispered. “We’ve been hiding out since earlier today. We were just about to make a break for it.”
Jagger put the man’s arm over his shoulder, and Maura picked up the dog. He was barking like crazy, and trying to bite her.
Gamble looked over.
“Rufus, stop. They’re my family. They won’t hurt you,” he said.
Maura scratched him behind the ear as she cradled him in her arms.
“They hurt him,” he said. “They burned him and broke his leg because they were assholes,” he added. “They were going to burn him alive. I had to go back for him.”
They were all disgusted.
“Assholes,” Jinx said. “Doggos are for loving, not hurting,” she admitted.
On that, they all agreed.
Jagger was schlepping Gamble along.
“It’s good to see you, G. Now, we’re getting you out of here.”
He shook his head.
“No. We’re going for Poe. I’ll walk back if I have to,” he said, and they knew he did NOT have it in him. “He’s stalling so I can save him. I need to save him. I can’t find another person’s body.”
They understood what he was saying.
Jagger helped walk him back to where they’d put the helicopter.
“We’ll get him, Gamble. We’ll head to his house and get him.”
Gamble limped along.
“I owe him my life. I love him. We started something, and he’s the only reason I’m alive. I have to save him. He can’t be dead.”
He said it so passionately that they couldn’t argue. It looked like they wouldn’t leave Poe behind. That man saved Gamble, and pieced him back together again.
They all owed him.
And the fact that his brother had been brave, and a hero. The Marines left no man behind.
“We’ll save him. Just get your ass on the bird and into some body armor.”
Only, now, they had to figure out how to do that.
* * * Hunters * * *
Poe Seville’s
Home
Shortly After Abduction
The quads got them there fast, and the whole time, the doctor didn’t put up a fight. He was keeping his word, so they were too.
Oh, the man back there would be dead shortly, after they used his body to take out some aggression, but they wouldn’t cut his throat.
They’d had their asses torn into thanks to the Marine, and he meant nothing to them.
Money was king in their world, and promises were meant to be broken.
As they pulled up to the house, Poe was able to see a helicopter not far away.
He only hoped they didn’t take him someplace.
Then, he knew he was dead. There was no way Gamble would find him in time.
Pulling him off the quad, they dragged him toward his own house, and up the stairs. Inside the door, they shoved him toward the man standing there.
Poe hit the ground, and slid.
“Gentlemen, do you have no manners?” Von asked. “You need to be nicer. This is Doctor Seville’s home, after all.”
No one spoke.
Why?
Von was an odd bird, and he liked to do things in odd ways. If it were up to them, they’d just beat the information out of the pussy doctor.
Instead of arguing, the mercenaries headed back outside.
That’s when Von helped him up.
They’d tried roughness, and killing, and now, he was going to try being civil.
It might work with the son of a Duke.
“I’m sorry, Doctor. Good help is definitely difficult to find.”
Poe got upright, and looked around. They hadn’t destroyed his home.
So there was that.
“They have the brain capacity of concrete,” he stated, as Poe fixed his clothing that had gotten skewed. “We need to talk.”
Poe knew he was dead.
It was only a matter of time.
“Come into my office, Doctor,” Von said as he led him into his own living room.
Oh, immediately, Poe wanted to be snarky, but he held his tongue like he’d been taught as a child.
Why?
Ultimately, Gamble’s life depended on it. He only hoped the man he loved could fight the three men off.
When he sat down, Poe was handed a cup of tea, and Von poured himself some.
“Rough day?” he asked the man.
Poe nodded.
“They won’t hurt Gamble, will they?” he asked, having only one concern.
Von actually laughed.
“I saw your Marine’s file, Doctor. He can hold his own. The men I hired…incompetent. If anything, I’m fully expecting the three men who were left with him to be dead already. Hey, I know. Maybe you can get your Marine friend to help me. Maybe if I let you live, he’ll come work for me. I need someone who isn’t a dolt,” he admitted, the British slightly evident in his voice.
If helping this asshole would save Gamble, he’d do it.
Screw it.
“If they don’t kill him, I can ask,” he said, sipping his tea.
Von did the same thing, and he was well aware the man across from him had refined skills. He could see the upbringing in him, and his place in society. This was definitely the son of nobility.
Von hadn’t been born into wealth, but now, he tried to behave like he was.
“You hate me,” he stated.
Poe was honest.
“I don’t know you to have an opinion. Did you have my brother and parents killed?”
He nodded.
“Sadly. They wouldn’t cooperate.”
Poe stared dead into his eyes.
“Then, yes, I hate you.”
Von laughed.
“I like you, Doctor. I wish this was under better circumstances. You and I could have been friends. We are, both expats in America.”
Oh, he didn’t like him, and he’d rather be fucked by a porcupine than be this man’s friend.
“Are you going to kill me?” he asked. “After all of this, when you realize I have no goddamn clue what my brother was into? When you realize I don’t have what it is that you’re so desperately seeking?”
That would be a shame.
Von didn’t like killing nobility. It put him on the media’s and the military’s radar.
“Your life is in your hands. I won’t kill you, or your Marine if you help me and give me what I want. Your brother stole something from me. I want all of his things.”
Poe put his cup down.
“I have them upstairs in my spare room. If you’d like, we can go gather them.”
That worked for him.
Von stood.
“Let’s handle this then, and Doctor, I’m not playing games. If you help me, I’ll let you live. If anything, I say what I mean, and mean what I say.”
Poe didn’t want to live.
Not if Gamble died in his place.
He’d never survive that.
As they went upstairs, Poe grabbed a box in his spare bedroom. It was the same one that he used to bring his brother’s things home.
As he packed everything up that he’d brought from England, Von stood in the doorway.
“Did your brother call you or say anything to you?” he asked.
Poe was going to make this as difficult as possible for the man.
He paused.
“He did, actually.”
Von waited.
“Before he died, I spoke to him. He said that he was good, and that he wanted me to get his footlocker back to England. He told me that it had all of his personal effects in it.”
That had the man’s attention.
“When did he say that?”
Poe paused to waste time and pretend he was thinking about it.
“I think it was about a week before he passed away. When he died, I didn’t think anything of it. I just believed he had been on a dangerous mission.”
Von leaned in.
“His footlocker?”
Poe knew that the conversation never happened, but he was going to make this man suffer for what he did to his family.
And to his Gamble.
“Yeah.”
Von got excited.
“And did you get it?” he asked.
Poe shook his head.
“I was the last one to know he was dead. They told my father, and I believe he arranged for the locker to be handled. I didn’t know Hemmingway had died until about a week after his death when my father showed up here.”
Fuck.
Von didn’t look happy.
Oh, and that was perfect.
“So the only person who could answer that would be my father. I will say that when I went back to the UK, I never saw one on the estate.”
They both knew what Von was thinking. They’d killed the man, and now, the footlocker was MIA.
Von stared him in the eyes.
“Are you lying to me?” he asked.
Poe looked insulted.
“Why would I lie? Why would I waste my time? I know my fate. You’re going to just kill me anyway.”
Von measured the man in front of him. The stuffy doctor didn’t appear to be lying to him.
It looked like Von had to send his men back there to look for a goddamn footlocker. Now, he was hella pissed that they’d killed the Duke of Gordon.
“Anything else of your brother’s things here?” he asked.
Poe looked around.
“Not that I know. His things were emptied into this box and shipped home. The only thing that could be left would be the footlocker,” he said, showing him the postal markings on the actual box.
Von could see that they were addressed from Afghanistan and the base he’d been on.
“This sat at my parent’s house until I showed up there. I just brought it home with me so I could have a piece of Hemmingway.”
Von was suspicious.
“Why are you helping?” he asked.
He thought about the three men holding Gamble at knife point.
“I’m a man of my word,” he admitted. “Your men said the Marine I was with, and who had nothing to do with this, wouldn’t be killed if I helped. I’m trusting you to be a man of yours.”
Von said nothing.
He was feeling magnanimous to this man. He was, after all, a fellow countryman.
“This is what I have,” he admitted, putting a sword on top of the box, and even putting some of his own things in there to help himself. If he killed him, maybe the police would find his things and link his death to this piece of shit.
Didn’t DNA matter?
Didn’t Elizabeth Blackhawk solve murders?
When they heard running up the stairs, Von pulled a gun and pointed it at Poe.
He gasped and dropped the box when the gun was inches from his face.
One of his men peeked his head into the room.
“Sir, there’s a helicopter coming in. You gotta go,” he stated.
Poe held his breath.
Von stared at him and made up his mind. He was curious about this man, but more so the Marine who kept taking out his people.
Von wanted him.
And what Von wanted, Von got.
“Bring him” he said, grabbing all of the things that Poe had put together.
Outside, they saw the helicopter land in the pasture, and the armed Marines get out. He tossed the box to the one soldier, and they climbed into the helicopter.
He pulled Poe in front of him, and put a gun to his head as the bird began lifting from the ground into the night sky.
The Hunters hauled ass, and as they saw Poe being held at gunpoint, Gamble put out his arms to stop them from firing at the helicopter.
“Don’t. They’ll shove him out,” he said, horrified as he watched the man he loved slipping away.
Poe was staring into his eyes.
I love you, he mouthed. Forever .
Gamble wanted to be sick.
When Von leaned Poe out of the helicopter by only holding him by the back of his flannel jacket, it proved Gamble was right.
He had a shield.
Because this was the doctor, and he had saved Gamble, The Hunters did nothing.
Why?
It was clear that Poe mattered to Gamble. Had it been anyone else, they would have shot it down. They couldn’t risk the asshole getting away.
Hopefully, this didn’t bite them in the ass later.
As the bird left the area, the house was abandoned once again, and Gamble was sickened.
“He’s going to kill him anyway,” Zayn said. “We should have made it merciful.”
At his words, Jinx elbowed him, seeing Gamble suffering. That was more than a patient-doctor relationship. Now, they had to get the man back for their brother and friend.
When Gamble heard Zayn, he turned.
“And how would you feel if that was Stella?” he asked. “What would you do if she was the one taken? Or Maura? Or Rogue? Or Dakota?” he asked.
They all had the answer to that.
They’d get them back.
Family fought to the very end.
Now, they had to get to the city, and fast.
They hoped Elizabeth was at the right location because shit was about to go down.
And Doctor Poe Seville, the next Duke of Gordon, was counting on them.
His life depended on it.