28. Lex
LEX
I watch as Rory goes to talk with the Detective Risch. She looks amazing, but I only have eyes for my boy. He looks so pretty and soft in the custom suit I gave him. I can’t wait to undress him later. Maybe we can take a bath and he can suckle—
“Some party, Alexander.” I huff out an annoyed breath and turn around. I know I needed to invite David, but you’d think he would have the decency not to show up.
“David. Glad you could make it.” I’m going to fuck up your son. We shake hands, and I turn to the side so I can see Rory.
“I heard you have a boyfriend.”
“He’s speaking with Detective Risch. They’re old friends.”
David looks toward where I nod and flinches ever so slightly.
“A bit young, Lex,” he teases. “But I understand the appeal of a younger lover.” Everyone knows he has a few mistresses. “How did you two meet?”
“His brother is my new doctor.”
“Really, Lex? The help?” he teases.
“How’s your pool boy?” I throw back. David’s eyes widen a fraction before he laughs. “We all have to get our fun somewhere.”
“Is your lovely wife here?”
“She’s speaking with the mayor right now.” He pauses. “I would be remiss if I didn’t at least ask you to spare my son.”
“Don’t waste your breath.”
“Hopefully, he’ll finally learn something.” David sighs like he’s exhausted or just resigned as he walks away.
Rory’s gone…
My rabbit…
My boy…
It all happened so fast. I was watching him from the corner of my eye while he was talking to Rebecca, then the alarms went off, and all I could think about was getting Rory to safety, but I couldn’t find him.
Tag blames himself, even though I gave him the night off to enjoy the party.
It might be easier to blame him, but it’s my fault.
“I feel so fucking useless.” Brendan wipes his hands down his face and starts pacing the room.
He took the words out of my mouth.
We’re just standing here with our dicks in our hands while Rory is suffering and alone.
“We’re doing everything we can, Bren,” Liv says and pats his back.
Rory always called him Bren. Will I ever hear his sweet voice again?
“Goddamnit!” I swipe everything off my desk in one angry slash. “I have to get him back. I told him I’d keep him safe!”
“Maybe you could if dating you didn’t put a huge target on his back,” Brendan snaps, and Mal jumps on my back, wrapping his arms around my neck so I don’t kill this fucker. Tag jumps in between us and holds out his hands to separate us.
“If you would have protected him better, he would have never been attacked in the first place,” I snap back.
“Dad, please.” I still step forward but stop when Liv gets in front of me. “He’s upset, just like you are.”
I take a few deep breaths and then let it go.
Brendan sighs. “I’m the one who really put him in danger by asking for revenge. If I hadn’t boxed Chad into a corner—”
“No, the Hellhounds have been looking for a way to get to me for a while. And now they have Rory.” My sweet little boy.
Rebecca comes bursting in the door, and Mal and Liv draw their guns.
“9-1-1 just got a call from Rory!”
“What?” we all shout.
“He says he was kidnapped, but he doesn’t know where he is. He asked to speak to me, but now he’s not answering.”
“Shit.”
“We got a location from the trace—”
“Let’s go!” I grab my coat, and Brendan is right behind me.
“We can’t get involved if the police are,” Mal says calmly.
“Fuck that. It’s my brother. I’m going.”
“Nothing is going to keep me from my boy,” I growl.
“Here’s his location. I convinced the dispatcher that it was prank call from one of my cases. I’m going to go back to the station and make sure no one gets in your way.” Rebecca hands Mal a card.
“I’m taking my bike. Text me the address.” Tag runs out of the room.
Rebecca stops me. “Make sure Chad gets what he deserves.”
“Done. If you ever need anything,” I put my hands on her slim shoulders, “just ask, but I won’t turn myself or any of my guys in.”
She places one of her hands on my shoulder and squeezes. “Save Rory.”
“I will.” And we all head to the door.
“What if it’s wrong, or we’re too late?” Brendan whimpers.
Liv tries to calm him. “No, they need Rory alive. They could never stand up to us in an all-out war, so they’re using him to get us to leave.”
“What if they already hurt him?”
“They will beg for death,” I growl.
My phone rings, and we all hold our breath.
It’s an unknown number.
“Don’t mention that we know where they are,” Mal says.
“No shit.” I answer the phone. “Hart.”
“Well, hello. Are you ready to talk or do I need to start cutting off pieces—”
“You hurt him and it will be war.”
“So feisty. I wonder what it is about this kid that has everyone wanting him. Maybe I should…” My phone cracks in my hand, and Mal grabs it. “Sample the goods, too.”
“You listen—” Brendan starts and then stops when I raise a hand. I take a few deep breaths and hold out my hand for the phone.
“What do you want?”
“Now we’re getting somewhere.” He sounds so smug.
“What do you want?” I repeat.
“I want you to close up shop and leave town.” There’s some noise on the other end. “Oh, and your word that you won’t hurt Chad because he’s a whiny bitch.”
“Really, you want to have your ribs and arm broken?” Chad shouts.
“I’ve heard you and your friends say it’s enjoyable,” Travis taunts, and we’re getting off track.
“If I agree to your demands, when do I get Rory back?”
“Once you’re fully gone.”
“Fully gone? That could take months!” Liv shouts.
“How will I know that he’s safe?” I ask.
“You’ll just have to trust me.”
“Like hell we will,” Brendan snaps.
“I want to talk to him every day.”
“Once a week.”
“Every day,” I demand.
“Once a week,” he says casually. “Maybe I should cut off a finger for every week you don’t leave. That will get you moving pretty fast.”
“Three minutes,” Liv mouths, and I nod.
“If I get him back in anything less than perfect condition, the deal’s off.”
“Then you better get packing.” He hangs up, and I punch the back of the seat.
I turn to Mal. “I want him and Chad in the cells. That pig is mine.”