Elliot
ELLIOT
By the time he woke, the sun was already above the horizon and streaming through the curtains. couldn’t remember the last time he’d slept so late. Yet Clay was still asleep beside him, having remained in the same place since they’d dozed off the night before.
Clay was on his side, curled nicely under ’s arm. Sentimentality rose in as he watched Clay’s chest rise and fall. The man looked like he belonged under ’s arm, pushed against his body. And if the utter peacefulness with which Clay slept was any indication, maybe wasn’t completely crazy for thinking it.
The night’s events drifted back to him as he lay there, ignoring the growing pressure of his bladder. He didn’t want to wake Clay, to disturb what might be the first real rest he’d had in ages. wanted to remember the uncertainty in Clay’s eyes from the night before and how beautifully it had changed into giving himself over to the moment. hadn’t chosen to sleep with Clay because it might allow him to show the other man something better or good. He truly had wanted to be with the man.
Yet maybe, just maybe, had the chance to show Clay something human, something wonderfully warm and happy. was almost sure Clay had never known human-to-human intimacy, well, not in years. Sex wasn’t always intimate, but had felt the draw, the spark, the storm between them as he’d slid into Clay and felt his body light up with pleasure and need.
“Quit thinking so loudly,” Clay murmured suddenly.
chuckled, drawing his arm tighter around Clay. “Didn’t realize you were awake.”
“Been awake long enough to know you were watching me,” Clay said.
“I love how you can manage to take something that’s supposed to be romantic and cute and make it sound creepy,” grumbled.
Clay frowned. “Cute? You were watching me to be cute?”
chuckled, kissing the side of Clay’s neck. “No, I was watching you because you’re cute when you’re asleep.”
“Oh.”
And there was the uncertainty and the wariness again. supposed Clay just wasn’t used to someone who knew him and liked him at the same time. Sure, he might have a body count larger than ’s, but he sure as hell didn’t know what to do when all the masks and veils were down. It was endearing, watching the big bad assassin unsure what to say or do next.
“How are you feeling?” asked.
Clay rolled over, looking up at with his striking eyes. “I want to say good.”
“Want to say?”
“Well, I am good, great even. But I also don’t know how I feel other than that. I don’t do confusion very well.”
“Confused because it was good?”
Clay smiled uncertainly. “It was good, very good. And I should be good. But I’ve never had anything so...intense before.”
chuckled. “I’ve only had it a couple of times before. You never quite get used to it. I don’t think you’re supposed to.”
Clay stared up at him curiously. “What about last night? Was it like that for you too?”
thought it was obvious, but then again, he had to remember that Clay was in uncharted territory. Instead of answering with words, kissed Clay again. And there was the stiffening of surprise from Clay, followed by the slow relaxation as he gave in to the sensation. Warmth pooled in ’s gut as Clay’s lips parted, letting ’s mouth take his, their tongues dancing gently against one another.
“Last night, and now as well, it seems,” murmured against his lips.
“I guess this is one of those things normal people get to have in their lives, huh?” Clay asked.
“Sometimes, and sometimes they don’t. But I know that when you find it, you should try to hang onto it.”
“Is that what you’re doing?”
“I want to.”
Clay blinked at that. “What, with me?”
smiled gently. “If you’re willing to find a better life for yourself, to make a better one, I wouldn’t mind being a part of that.”
“Even with?—”
sighed. “Look, I meant everything I said last night, and I mean what I’m saying now. I believe you have a way out, and we can find a way to deal with Anthony without having to bloody your hands even more.”
“So, not killing him would be my symbolic step in a new direction. But killing him…” Clay said, trailing off.
“Would be continuing on the same path you aren’t even sure you want to be on anymore,” finished for him.
“Hm, yeah, I guess you have a point there.”
couldn’t make that choice for him, though. The best he could do was give Clay the best advice and hope he came out the other side okay.
“Aren’t you supposed to be guarding the very man you’re defending right now?” Clay asked.
scowled. “I’m not defending him. I’m trying to help you. And no, today is a late shift for me. So I still have a while before I face him again.”
Clay snorted, sliding gently away from to leave the bed. “I imagine things are rather...awkward for you right now.”
watched as Clay stretched, not bothering to hide his interest. “Yeah, I was sure I was busted after his partner saw me in his office.”
Clay glanced at him, raising a brow. “His partner saw you downloading files?”
“No, he just saw me sitting at the desk. I had an excuse I made up, but he didn’t seem to buy it. I was sure he’d say something to Anthony, but nothing was said after I met up with him. I don’t look forward to faking my whole job again, knowing what he’s doing.”
“Hm, I don’t like that.”
“Yeah, neither do I. That’s what I just said.”
Clay shook his head. “No, his partner walking in on you is what’s bugging me.”
“I guess the guy didn’t think it was important, and I was just being paranoid,” shrugged.
Clay snorted. “When you’re dealing with people like Anthony, it’s better to be paranoid than foolish.”
“So, what would you like me to do?” asked.
Clay looked thoughtful. “It’s more...what you would want me to do.”
frowned. “I’d rather you didn’t do too much at the moment.”
Clay snorted. “I didn’t mean going after Anthony. I just mean, if we’re going to work together on this, we should probably combine our resources. I return to my motel, collect my things, and bring everything back here. That way, everything, including us, is in one place, and we can have one another’s backs.”
sat up. “You want to stay here with me?”
Clay blinked. “It would make the most sense and probably keep us the safest.”
“That’s it?” asked.
A little color rose to Clay’s cheeks. “If you’re trying to get me to say that I want to stay here specifically with you because of you, then...fine, it’s working. Yes, I want to spend more time with you.”
grinned, reaching out and taking hold of the man. Clay’s eyes widened as yanked him toward his chest, kissing him eagerly. This time, there was no tensing as Clay melted into the kiss. His fingers stroked through ’s close-cropped hair, running down the lines of ’s back hungrily.
“Let’s say you and I spend a little more time together, and then we can both go get your stuff,” offered, hand tracing around to cup and squeeze Clay’s bare ass.
Clay’s bottom lip caught between his teeth. “I distinctly remember you telling me you wouldn’t break me in half unless I asked nicely.”
’s groin stirred. “I did.”
“I would like to officially and nicely ask now.”
gave a low chuckle, pulling Clay onto the bed completely. “That can be arranged.”
* * *
Watching Clay shift and wriggle in the passenger seat left a permanent smirk on ’s face. He tried to avoid the worst potholes and bumps in the road, but it didn’t seem to be helping much. For most of the ride, Clay continued squirming, eventually leaning heavily against the door.
Clay glanced over and caught sight of his smirk. “What are you looking so smug about?”
“Looks like someone got more than they bargained for,” said.
Clay snorted. “Oh, please. I’ve had harder.”
“Not sure if I should be offended or relieved,” said as he turned the corner.
Clay stared out the window, smiling. “I said harder, not better.”
“Then consider me relieved and pleased.”
Clay was still smiling as he motioned to a building. “There. Room 122.”
pulled into the parking lot, snorting softly as Clay winced as the car bumped again. Clay gave him a dirty look but said nothing as they pulled into the spot in front of the room. It wasn’t the greatest part of town or the nicest of motels. It was split between several buildings, four rooms each, with scraggly grass-filled alleys separating them. was pretty sure between the two of them, they’d be alright, but he’d still keep an eye out for potential trouble.
“I should only be a few minutes,” Clay told him as he opened the door.
“You don’t want me to come in?” asked.
“Eh, no real point. I have to make a call anyway.”
“A call?”
Clay eyed him. “Don’t sound so dubious. I’m calling my handler.”
“You have a handler?” asked in surprise.
Clay shrugged. “It’s how I get my contracts and my information. I need to put her off for a few more days while you and I figure things out.”
“Is that your way of telling me you’re considering not killing him?” asked.
Clay smiled. “It means I’m seriously considering it. But it also means I need to make sure she’s no more suspicious than she already is. She’s already wondering what’s been taking me so long.”
“Alright, go make your call. I’ll sit out here like a good little chauffeur,” teased.
Clay rolled his eyes and closed the door behind him. watched him jog to the door, unlock it, and step inside. Once he was in the room, couldn’t see anything but the curtained windows. He supposed anyone else might be worried about what Clay was up to, but had already decided to trust Clay completely. Maybe it was foolish, but he would rather risk being right.
There was a great deal of hope for Clay, whether the man wanted to admit it or not. had seen hints in the little things, how shy Clay was when something genuinely nice was said to him, and his willingness to explore another option regarding Anthony. Maybe Clay had believed himself too far gone to be found again, but was pretty sure that some of the happier things from his childhood, particularly the nice lady across the hall, had left a bigger impact than Clay thought. And maybe she had left a light inside Clay’s heart that would be able to help grow.
He sat in the driver’s seat, grinning like an idiot, hoping they were on the right track together. His smile died when he caught movement in the rearview mirror. A kid, a teenager, to be more exact, was perched beside a derelict van parked on the other side of the parking lot. The kid kept looking around nervously, then waving his arms for a moment toward .
Unease trickled through ’s gut. He glanced around the parking lot and didn’t see anyone else around, waiting in ambush. That didn’t mean there weren’t other people. Steeling himself, he pushed the driver’s door open and strode across the parking lot. made sure not to walk between the van and the wall it was parked beside.
“You need something?” asked.
The kid’s eyes darted around. “You have to get out of here, fast. I’m not kidding.”
held up his hands. “Hold on, slow down. What’s your name?”
“Tyler. You have to get out of here, fast. Get him out of there.”
“Clay?” asked.
“There were guys in there earlier, a couple of them. They looked like they meant business.”
’s heart dropped. “What were they doing?”
Tyler shook his head. “I don’t know. They just went in, were in there for a little bit, and came back out. Dunno where they went after that.”
Shit.
jerked his head. “Get out of here. I think things are about to get ugly.”
The teen didn’t have to be told twice, and he quickly scurried away, hopping over the wall and disappearing out of sight. glanced around once more, looking for someone, anyone approaching.
He backed up, turning to face the room just in time to watch as the front windows and door exploded outward. had just enough time to register what happened when the force of the explosion hit him, slamming him into the front of the derelict van. Air rushed from his lungs, and pain roared through him. He didn’t remember hitting the ground but still found himself staring at the dirty asphalt.
managed to pick his head up, staring at the room engulfed in flames.
“Clay,” he croaked, not believing what he was seeing.
He felt the approach of something through the vibration on the asphalt. A large vehicle pulled up a few feet from him. A door opened, and booted feet landed on the parking lot. tried to look up into the face of the man looking down at him, but he couldn’t understand what they were saying. He wished he’d learned to read lips as the man spoke over his shoulder.
didn’t know who the man was, but he had a good idea who he worked for. They were here to kill him, just as they had killed Clay. Before could do anything, the man brought his booted foot up and down onto ’s face, blacking out any further thought.