Chapter 19 Sheldon
SHELDON
I was smiling, lips lifted and all.
“What’s happening here?” Rory asked. He was standing by the back door of Hartley’s studio. Hartley had run in to pick something up here. It was Sunday. Usually, Jordan liked them to spend time together, but Hartley had a heavy workload.
“Where?” I knew damn well what he was referring to. I just liked to fuck with people.
“You’re… smiling.”
The smile faded. I had to mess with him some more. “I do have emotions.” Turning my head, I glanced back at my bike like Rory had hurt my feelings.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean anything by it. You don’t usually show them.”
I faced him again and grinned. “I know. Get used to this though. At least outside of work. I’m a happy man.”
“You’re a fucking asshole is what you are.” He shoved my shoulder, but not before I caught his grin.
Hartley exited the studio and stared at me. “It’s weird. I’m going to need a bit to get used to that.” He motioned to my mouth. “I also don’t want to know what my brother did to put it there.”
The door to Forest’s apartment opened, drawing my attention. He stepped out in a pair of jeans, black boots, and a leather jacket that reminded me of something from the nineties.
“Oh my god.” Hartley started laughing. “What are you wearing?”
Forest locked the door and came down the stairs. “Are the boots too much? I don’t think I’ve ever worn them.”
“No, the jacket. Didn’t you get your high school senior picture taken in that thing?”
The smile Forest gave his brother nearly knocked me backward. It was that gorgeous. “I did. Pop didn’t want me to wear it, but I insisted. All of the other kids wore something dressy, even V. He gave me shit for days.”
“It’s not that decade anymore, For.”
“It was the only leather jacket I had. Sheldon said I should wear one to protect myself.”
“We could have bought you one,” I said. “It’s not bad per se, just not good either. It’s way too big on you.”
“That was the style back then. You’re lucky it’s black leather and not that tan suede others had.” He eyed his brother.
“I only had that because I wanted to be like you!” Hartley yelled.
“We had to get them secondhand,” he told Rory and me.
“Pop couldn’t afford to get us new. I’m so glad I donated mine years ago.
I found it in the back of my closet. It was horrible.
That’s where yours should be, by the way. ” He looked pointedly at Forest.
Forest hugged the jacket closer, even though it was hot as hell out. If it were just me on the bike, I’d forgo the jacket, but I wouldn’t take chances with Forest. That jacket wasn’t the best, but it was better than nothing.
“Enough of this,” I cut in. My voice stayed calm while I fought to smile again when Forest leaned close to me. I couldn’t remember the last time I was this happy. “We’re going for a ride. Aren’t you supposed to be home, cuddling with my boss on the couch?”
“Yes,” Hartley said. “I’m buried in work, thanks to having one person on vacation and another visiting a sick family member.” He looked at his brother. “Are you sure you don’t want to quit working at the shop and help me?”
“We wouldn’t get along nearly as well if I did,” Forest replied.
“Fine. Whatever. I have to get home and work while Jordan stares at me like he could make me stop with that alone.” He opened the back door of the Navigator and loaded it with what he had brought out before setting the alarm and locking his studio.
“You two have fun and be careful. If anything happens to my brother, you’ll have a lot of pissed-off people to deal with, Sheldon. ”
“I’m not even mildly afraid.”
“Asshole.”
“Uh huh.”
“I liked you better when you were smiling, even if it was weird.”
“Shoo,” I told him.
Rory chuckled as he got behind the wheel. They left, then it was just Forest and me, like I’d hoped.
“Hi.” He grinned.
“Hi.” I stepped close and pressed my lips to his. He readily opened, dipping his tongue into my mouth. The groan that rose up my throat was nothing I could control. I’d pin Forest against the wall and suck his cock again, but I had plans for us today.
Leaning away, I smiled. “I could get used to this.”
“Good, because I’m not giving you up.”
“You like my cock that much? You’re all about the dick now?”
He rolled his eyes. “No, jerk. I’m all about you.”
“Okay, that was sweet as hell.” I kissed him again.
How could I not? This one was quicker than I’d like, but I meant it when I said I wanted to take him out on my bike.
“You said you’ve ridden before?” I handed him a full-face helmet.
I might ride around the city without one on, but I wouldn’t let him, nor would I go without when I had him on the bike.
“I had a friend in high school who had one. He took me for a ride a few times.”
“Okay, just lean with me and hold on. I’ll go slowly through the city. It will be an easy way for you to get the feel of it. Once we’re out of here, I’ll pick up the pace. You’d better wrap your arms around me, beautiful. I want to feel every inch of you pressed behind me.”
He hummed. “I like the sound of that.”
“Me too. Unfortunately, we’ll be clothed.”
The pink that bloomed on his cheeks had me leaning in to kiss one.
“I love when you blush,” I told him.
“I blame you.”
“That’s okay. I don’t mind being blamed for you being adorable.”
“Let’s go.”
I gripped his hip to bring his body flush to mine. “There’s only room for one bossy guy in this relationship. Fun fact, it’s me.”
Forest laughed. “You’re lucky I don’t care one bit. I want you to lead.”
“I can lead you to bed once we’re back.”
“You better.”
After we put our helmets on, I straddled the bike and Forest did the same behind me, sliding in close, his arms right where I wanted them. He fit against me perfectly.
I made sure to go slowly as we entered the road and slid into the flow of traffic. It was lighter than usual, which made me less worried about having him on the back. There was always that fear of someone hitting me because they weren’t paying attention.
Once we got away from the traffic and out of the city, I did as I said I would and sped up, taking the country roads away from the craziness of our daily lives.
There was a park past Oleander’s parents’ house, and I wanted to take Forest to it.
Too bad for us; my phone started vibrating against my chest before we arrived.
I pulled over where I knew we’d be safe and took my helmet off.
“What’s wrong?” Forest asked, doing the same.
Standing, I pulled the phone from my pocket. It was a habit of mine, so I’d feel Jordan calling me. There weren’t many people who had my number. I’d stop what I was doing to answer it for all of them.
I held the phone up for Forest to see. “Yeah?” I answered. It was Reghan calling.
“Get back here with Forest. Hartley had a note in a box he brought home. Not the good kind.”
“Fuck. Be there soon.” I hung up and shoved the phone into my pocket. “Helmet on now, Forest. Don’t ask. I’ll tell you when we’re back.”
My helmet slid over my head while he did the same.
Not wasting time, I got us on the road, heading toward the city much faster than I did on our way out here.
Scenarios flashed through my mind of what the note could have said.
How the fuck did anyone get into Hartley’s shop?
Wait, there was a package by the back door.
That was common. He had deliveries all the time.
When shit was going down, we inspected each one before he did, but everything had been quiet.
I couldn’t go any faster than I already was with Forest on the back. I trusted my skills on the bike. Putting him at risk wasn’t worth it. We’d arrive in one piece. I’d breathe again when we were in the building.
There was no way to know what the note said.
Was it directed toward Hartley or Jordan?
The quickest way to piss the boss off was to threaten the people he cared about.
Vail, Hartley, JJ, and Ava were all on the absolutely do not fuck with list if they didn’t want to feel Jordan’s wrath.
The man would go to any part of the planet for them.
Forest held me tighter, his arms like metal bands around me.
He had no idea what was going on, just that I had to get back.
When he heard someone had left a package for his brother, he wouldn’t take it well.
It was better that I didn’t tell him until we were there, and he could see for himself that Hartley was fine.
I breezed through Dremest faster than normal, but not so fast that we became a target for the local police.
Riding into the garage under Jordan’s building was like a weight was lifted from my shoulders.
We were almost inside, in the safety of this place.
There was no other like it in the city. If a person thought to attack us here, they would have many levels of security and people they’d have to go through before they ever got to Jordan’s home. In fact, they’d have to kill us all.
The moment the elevator doors closed, I pulled Forest into my arms and leaned heavily against the wall.
“What’s going on?” he asked without moving away from me.
“Hartley got a package, and there was a note inside. I don’t know what it says. Reghan told me to get back here and bring you with me.”
“Oh my god. Is someone after Hart again? Is he okay?” Forest tried to move away, but I wouldn’t let him.
“Hey, look at me.” His body began to shake. “No matter what we hear when we get upstairs, I’ve got you, okay? I’m sure your brother is fine. Whatever this is, we’re going to handle it.”
He nodded. I couldn’t tell if he was on the verge of tears out of worry for his brother or anger that someone would come for his family again.
The elevator doors opened to Jordan’s home, Reghan no doubt already aware I was on my way up. No part of this building outside of the private residences was without cameras.
“Hart!” Forest called the second he stepped out.
“I’m here,” Hartley said, rounding the couch. “It’s okay. I’m here.”
“What happened? What did the note say?”
“It wasn’t for me.” Hartley took the note from a very pissed-off Jordan and gave it to me.
I looked down.
You don’t remember me, but you will. I’ve waited a long time to see you again, Sheldon.
A long time for you to have someone special in your life.
You’re going to know what true pain feels like when I take Forest from you, just like you took the person I loved from me.
I hope you’re scared shitless because I’m coming for you and those you love.
Sleep with your eyes open, motherfucker.