Chapter 18
Kole
They had met up with Becca twice more since their initial meeting three weeks prior. Kole could see the difference in Beck since that first one, and he was so proud of what he’d achieved. In that time, he’d also received a message from his friend, Donovan, to say he was involved with the case, too. Donovan had been the only person Beck had kept in touch with from his foster days, and that was only because he hadn’t taken no for an answer when he’d originally found Beck when they were older.
Unfortunately, Donovan had also had a run-in with Drake but had been rehomed quickly. From what Beck told him, Donovan had been Drake’s first victim, their time at the Prices only overlapping by a few months. Despite not knowing what had happened to each other, they had shelved the past and pathed a future as friends, even so much so that Donovan had introduced Beck to Prince Christian, who regularly received tattoos, too.
But there had still been a slight pall over them—Drake. He’d been remanded in custody without bail being allowed, but the police had been in touch to say they had wrangled a quick hearing. That was good news in some ways, but not in others.
Beck had taken the news in his stride, but the strain was showing as the time drew nearer. He’d been to see a counsellor several times to help with the process of being on the witness stand and reliving everything for everyone to hear, and they’d spent every night wrapped around each other.
Kole wouldn’t admit it, but he had been sure that Beck would pull away from him as the date arrived, but he hadn’t. If anything, he’d pulled Kole closer, which he hadn’t argued with. If he could’ve wrapped Beck in cotton wool and kept him from having to go through the process, he would’ve. He was certain Beck would have said the same thing about Kole’s previous situation, too.
They had the full support of the Life in Ink crew, as expected, and when the morning of the hearing dawned, Beck had received messages from all of them, confirming they would be there for him. That was another thing Kole had thought Beck would disagree with—having his friends listen to every sordid detail, but Beck surprised him once more. When they’d told him that, he’d thanked them and nothing more. Kole had wanted to discuss it, but he’d refused to make Beck explain himself, so he’d left it.
“Are you ready to go?” Kole asked, stopping beside Beck.
Beck faced him, and though the strain was there, there was also determination in those beautiful orbs. “Absolutely.”
The bike ride, despite being a frosty morning, was beautiful as the sun glowed in the cloudless sky. Kole held tightly to Beck’s waist until he parked. Before Kole even climbed off the bike, he could see the crowd of people waiting outside the nondescript building, but he couldn’t see who they were. His mind, however, wandered a little when he felt the hair rise on the back of his neck. He tried to ignore it.
Beck stopped beside him and exhaled. “Let’s go.” He slipped his hand into Kole’s and squeezed.
As they drew closer, Kole raised his eyebrows and sucked in a breath. There were loads of people. “What is this for?” he muttered.
Beck stopped walking, and Kole glanced at him. “Holy shit,” Beck breathed.
Joey came towards them before Kole could find out what that expletive was about. “Hey. I would ask how you are doing, but…” He pulled Beck into a hug and clapped his back. “We’re here for you all the way.”
“Thanks.” Beck looked around. “I wasn’t expecting so many people to be here.”
Joey nodded, his gaze going to the crowd. “Ryker heard along the grapevine about this and insisted on being here. Naturally, the rest of them came with him. After all, this is part of what they do and who they are.”
“Yeah. Never expected it to be me, though,” Beck said.
Kole squeezed his hand, even though he didn’t understand the dynamic with the legion of bikers he could see mixed in with the other people. Becca separated herself from the mass and headed towards them. Joey clapped Beck on the shoulder again and headed back to Ethan.
“Hey,” Becca said.
“Good morning,” Beck replied. “Are you okay?”
Becca tilted her head from side to side. “So-so. I’ll be better when this is over. As will the rest of them.”
“Rest of who?”
Becca pointed to a small group of people slightly separate from the rest. “Who he hurt.”
Kole counted. Sixteen. Sixteen people, not including Beck and Becca, were standing there waiting to give evidence against Drake and send him to prison. Sixteen . That asshole had a lot to answer for.
“I didn’t realise there were so many,” Beck said.
“I didn’t either. It’s only when I spoke to Detective Conrad yesterday that I thought to ask how many others might come. I couldn’t believe he’d found so many.”
Kole glanced at Beck to see how much of a toll the news had taken on him, but Beck’s eyes narrowed, focused as he was on the group, until he straightened.
“Let’s send this fucker down.” Beck grinned at Becca, resting his hand on her shoulder.
“Abso-fucking-lutely.”
“Beck!”
Beck turned at his name, a smile Kole hadn’t been sure he’d see tagt day spreading across his face. “Donovan.” They hugged, eyes wet when they released. “I’m so sorry.”
“You don’t need to be sorry. This has been a long time coming. I’m ready for it.” He tugged at the man beside him. “This is Wally, my boyfriend.”
“Sorry about meeting under these circumstances,” Wally said.
“We’ll arrange something lighter soon.”
“Definitely,” Beck agreed. “This is Kole, my boyfriend.”
Donovan beamed. “It’s so nice to meet you. I’m glad you caught this lug.”
“Hey!” Beck said.
“I can’t imagine not having him.”
“Time to go,” Becca said, interrupting gently.
They all shared determined gazes and squared their shoulders. They headed for the building, Beck never once removing his hand from Kole’s, and joined the mass of people. Breaking through after several greetings, they climbed the steps and entered, the warmth from inside not even touching the ice Kole held inside. The feeling of being watched had never abated, but he couldn’t concentrate on that right then. He had other things to focus on.
It didn’t take them long to be guided to the room used for the hearing. The audience, so to speak, entered the court room, while the witnesses—and the person supporting them—headed for another room. They wouldn’t be allowed in the main room until they had given evidence, and right then, they didn’t know who would be called on first. They had a police officer in the room with them, ensuring they weren’t talking about anything they shouldn’t be, but Kole internally laughed at that. If they had wanted to talk about it, they would’ve done it before then.
Surprisingly, it was barely half an hour before Beck was called in. Kole settled into a chair next to Ethan in the front row while Beck continued through to the witness chair. What followed was an hour of excruciatingly painful details about what Beck went through. He gave every detail they asked him and didn’t lose his cool when the defendants tried to paint him in a poor light.
Once Beck was done, he settled beside Kole and grabbed his hand, squeezing hard and shaking so much that Kole wasn’t sure how he was still sitting on the chair.
And on it went. Person after person, account after account, a list as long as some of the most prolific bad guys Kole had ever heard of. Not everyone who Drake had hurt had come to court that day, but it wasn’t necessary. The Prices had gone on the stand but told complete lies from Kole’s point of view.
“The court finds Drake Price guilty of eight counts of rape of a minor, twenty-three counts of rape, eighteen counts of coercion of a minor and eleven counts of aggravated assault. He is sentenced to fifty-two years to be served consecutively,” the judge announced. He turned to Drake. “You are a horrible man, and it’s my great pleasure to ensure you will not be released for the foreseeable future. Take him away.”
Kole watched Drake as the guards came up to him. His face was pale, but he hadn’t lost the smirk that had always been present whenever they had been in each other’s company. Unfortunately, he also turned to look at Beck, and that smirk turned into a grin. “See you in your dreams, Beck,” he called, winking before the guards dragged him off.
“Asshole,” Ethan muttered from beside him.
Kole focused on Beck. “Are you okay?”
Beck faced him and smiled, surprising him. “I’m great. Because, do you know what?” Kole didn’t need to reply. Beck cupped his jaw and brushed his thumb over his cheek. “He’s wrong. It’s not him I’ll see in my dreams. It’s you.” Beck kissed him chastely before pulling back.
Kole chuckled. “See? You’re a charmer. Always have been.”
He wasn’t delusional. He knew it wouldn’t be as easy as Beck said, that he would need help to get through what would continue to be a difficult time for him, but he also knew Beck wouldn’t give up.
As they exited the court, Ryker waited for them. “We’re happy to escort anyone who would like the extra support. Just let me know so I can divide us up.”
“Thanks, Ryker,” said Joey. “Let me ask.”
Joey disappeared, leaving them with the biker. Although Kole’s initial reaction had been stereotypical—a reaction he was going to try to stop happening—he could see the concern and affection the man had for the crew. How that came about, he wasn’t privy to at that moment, but he was certain they would tell him, eventually.
“I haven’t experienced what you went through, Beck, but if you need anything at all, any of you, please don’t hesitate to let me know. Okay?”
Beck held out his hand. “Thank you, Ryker. I will.”
The man disappeared into the crowd—an amazing feat for someone who towered above others—and Beck exhaled. Kole slid his arm around his waist.
“What do you want to do now?”
“Sleep for a week.” Beck smiled down at him, the exhaustion evident.
“Come on, then. I’m told I’m a good tucker-in-er.” Kole grinned, ignoring the goosebumps rising on the back of his neck again.
Beck chuckled. “I can believe it.”
“If you need anything at all…” Ethan said.
If Kole could’ve offered to drive them home, he would have, but he didn’t know how to ride a bike. Beck got them home safely, and when they entered his house, he stopped in the centre of the room. Kole stepped carefully around him until he faced him. The blank expression didn’t fool him. He slid his hand into Beck’s and tugged him towards the stairs without saying a word.
It went to show exactly how exhausted Beck was that he didn’t argue with anything Kole did. He undressed him to his boxers and encouraged him to lie down, pulling the covers over him before crouching beside him.
“I’ll be here if you need anything.”
Beck nodded slowly, his eyelids already closing. His eyes snapped open again. “I didn’t say bye to Donovan.”
Kole shushed him gently. “He’ll understand. You can call him later.”
Kole remained there until Beck’s even breathing showed he was asleep, and then he headed for the kitchen, needing a drink. A hot one, not an alcoholic one. As the kettle boiled, he scrubbed his hands over his face and hair, with the feeling of needing to stretch from being confined for a long period. Maybe it had something to do with how long it had taken for them to get to that point. He couldn’t imagine what people went through if they’d had to wait months or even years before they got a result. He’d be eternally grateful to the police officers for expediting the court case. He didn’t want to envisage how emotionally unstable they would’ve been if they had to wait much longer.
The kettle clicked off, the steam filling the space above the counter and warming him slightly. He poured the water into his cup and doctored it the way he liked it before wrapping his hands around it and aiming for the living room. He ignored the need to sit in the armchair in Beck’s room and watch him sleep because even he wasn’t that creepy. Well, not always.
Settling into the sofa, he flicked on the TV and scrolled for far too long, settling on Gilmore Girls . He had seen them before, but they were still good, and he wasn’t sure he could concentrate on anything heavier.
His phone beeped.
ETHAN: Hey, how is Beck doing?
KOLE: He’s out cold. Understandable, really.
ETHAN: Definitely. He’s so fucking brave, recanting everything that happened to him. I don’t know if I would’ve been able to do that.
KOLE: Me neither.
ETHAN: Everyone at the shop is overwhelmed with everything they heard, especially Joey. He’s been sitting in front of the TV since we’ve been home. Just staring at it.
KOLE: It’s a lot for people to hear, especially when they’re so close-knit. I can imagine it must be horrendous to actually know the minute details about what happened.
ETHAN: How are you doing?
KOLE: I’ve been better. I don’t want to imagine what he’s been through, but it’s hard not to.
ETHAN: Yeah, and with you being together now, it’s that much harder for you. Anyway, let me know if there’s anything we can do. I can imagine you want to hide away for a few days, so I’ll try to keep everyone away.
KOLE: I’ll check with Beck, but yeah, probably.
ETHAN: You rest up, too.
KOLE: I’ll do my best.
He saw another message, this time from Christi.
CHRISTI: I hope you’re all okay. I know I’m a long way away, but if you need anything, please let me know.
KOLE: Thank you. We will.
Kole placed his phone face down on the arm of the sofa and wrapped his hand back around his drink, the warmth seeping into him once more. He tucked his legs under him and leaned back, staring at the TV but not really seeing it.
Beck stirred, and Kole checked his watch as he stood, placing the mug on the coffee table. It had been three hours. No wonder his body screamed at him when he moved.
Heading for the bedroom, he found Beck on his back, staring at the ceiling.
“Hey,” Kole whispered.
Beck sniffed and rolled his head towards him. “Hey.” He gave a small smile. “Sorry for—”
“If the next words out of your mouth are anything but not sleeping long enough , then I don’t want to hear them,” he said, settling onto the bed beside him.
Beck huffed and rolled his eyes, returning his gaze to the ceiling. Kole let the silence stretch, waiting for whatever Beck needed to say or do. It took five full minutes—and he knew that because he’d counted—for Beck to say anything.
“I feel lighter but also heavier. It’s weird.”
“You’ve let your past come out, which makes it easier on you, but you’ve taken in what everyone else has been through as well. It’s bound to be a strange balance for you.”
Beck swallowed, his Adam’s apple bouncing several times. “If I had just spoken out more forcefully, he would never have hurt them.”
That was what Kole had been expecting. As Becca had said and the police had confirmed, Beck had been the second child Drake had done anything to. Kole, however, wasn’t so sure. From what Beck had told him and what he’d heard in the courtroom, there was no way Drake hadn’t done it before. How many was anyone’s guess. Which, while horrifying, alleviated some of Beck’s burden. Not that he’d tell him that.
“They wouldn’t have listened, Beck. You know that. You tried, and they didn’t listen. That’s on them, not you. You are not to blame for others being hurt. That lies with the social workers and Drake. No one else.” He fisted the duvet, knowing what he was about to say would receive a rebuttal. “I think you need to keep seeing the therapist. To help you sort through everything in your mind.”
Beck said nothing for a moment, but then he looked at him. “I agree.”
Kole opened his mouth to argue his point but paused when his words registered. “You do?”
“I might not like sharing a lot of things, Kole, but I understand when I’ve made a mistake. I should’ve spoken up, and with a professional, long, long ago. In fact, I have already asked the therapist if she had any spaces. I have an appointment next week.”
Kole smiled and reached out for the first time, brushing his fingers across Beck’s cheek. “Look at you, being all grown up.”
Beck grinned, the shadows, though not gone, banked for the moment. He lifted and grabbed Kole around the waist, and before Kole could even blink, he was on his back with Beck above him.
“You’ll pay for that,” Beck growled, poking at Kole’s sides and underarms. Tickling was one thing Kole hated. Well, not hated, but it made him laugh so much he sometimes peed a little.
“Stop!” He laughed, closing his eyes and squirming to get away, but Beck wouldn’t let him. “Oh, my god! Stop, stop!” He got his arms down to his sides, making things trickier for Beck, but not impossible. “Ha ha! Fuck, stop!”
“Nope. You deserve this for talking back to me.”
Beck was relentless, but Kole tried to sidetrack him by lifting his hips towards him, and it immediately stilled him. Their gazes clashed and locked, both panting hard. Kole lifted his hands to Beck’s face.
“I love you so damn much,” he murmured.
Lowering to his elbows, caging Kole in, he said, “Right back atcha.”
Their kiss was slow and explorative, with neither of them pushing to go further. Just a reconnecting. He let his body and mind sink into it, needing the connection more than he realised. When they pulled back, Beck’s lips were swollen and bright red, his cheeks flushed and his eyes bright. If Kole could keep him looking like that for the rest of their life, he’d die a lucky man.
“What?” Beck said.
“You’re gorgeous.”
Beck’s smile lit up the room. “You’re not so bad yourself.”
Kole laughed. “Thanks. I think.”
Dropping a kiss on Kole’s mouth again, Beck pulled back. “Are you hungry?”
“Actually, yeah. Didn’t realise how much until you mentioned it.”
Beck pushed off the bed, adjusting himself as he stood there. “Come on, then. I’ll cook something.”
“You don’t have to. We can order in.”
“Nah. I’m in the mood to cook.” Beck shrugged. “Not sure what I have, though, so might need to do a shop run.”
“Why don’t you get sorted, and I’ll check the kitchen?”
“Deal.”
Beck disappeared into the bathroom, and Kole lay there for another minute before getting up. He wasn’t na?ve enough to know that Beck was okay, but he would be. Especially if he’d already thought about and organised additional therapy sessions. Kole would’ve never believed he would do that without one hell of a push. Just went to show how much someone could surprise another when they didn’t know each other fully yet.
He checked the cupboards and fridge, seeing they had enough ingredients to create a stir-fry but not much else. While he was there, he grabbed two glasses of water and drained one, handing the second to Beck when he entered the room.
“Thanks. So what are the options?”
“Stir-fry, but not much else available.”
Beck grimaced. “Not really in the mood for stir-fry. I’ll nip to the shop to grab something more palatable.”
“I’ll come with you.”
They dressed for the weather, and when they got outside, he linked his arm through Beck’s as they set off down the street.
“Oh, I forgot my phone!” Kole said.
“The shop is only a few streets away. We won’t be long.”
As long as they didn’t go mad and buy the shop out, they should be able to carry it back. They didn’t rush, and Kole enjoyed the conversation and choosing the food Beck would make—and maybe let Kole help with. They couldn’t hold hands on the way back because both had two bags each, but at least it wasn’t the entire shop.
“You could do so much better.”
Koel glanced at Beck. “What?”
Beck looked at him, frowning. “What?”
“What did you say?”
“I didn’t say anything.”
Goosebumps rose on his arms, and he inhaled deeply before looking over his shoulder, almost dropping the bags when he saw a man standing extremely close to them. How he hadn’t felt him before then, he’d never know, especially as he usually felt it when he was being watched. He stared at him, taking a few small steps backwards, away from him.
“Andrew…”
“Kole?” Beck said.
Kole snapped his gaze to Beck and immediately back to Andrew. “Beck, this is Andrew. From Whitby.”
He saw the grimace on Andrew’s face when he looked at Beck, the top-to-toe glare of someone who didn’t like what they saw. Andrew turned back to him.
“You could do so much better. You don’t want him.”
“Andrew, you need to leave. You shouldn’t be here,” Kole said.
“Yes, I should. I’m saving you! He’s tainted.”
Beck’s breath caught, and Kole wanted to reassure him, but he couldn’t. He had to stop this before Andrew blew up further.
****