In the Heat of the Dungeon - Samantha Cayto
Chapter One
Boston was a great place to live if one enjoyed all the various types of weather that nature conjured up. From the frigid cold of the Klondike to the soupy heat of Miami, the city had it all and it could change on a dime. Ford didn’t mind. He preferred it, and the fact that he’d gone from wearing a light jacket only days ago to a tank top and cotton shorts right now didn’t faze him. Not much made him sweat, either, but racing into the emergency department to see a friend certainly did. From the moment he’d left his car, the oppressive humidity had caused his clothing to cling to his skin, emphasizing his physique. As he weaved through the usual crowd of patients waiting for help, however, he ignored the way a passing EMT checked him out. He was used to attracting attention. It was all part of being six foot three and jacked. Normally he’d appreciate the interest and possible new hunting ground for a sub, except that right now, finding out his friend’s condition was paramount.
He pulled up short at the end of the line for the information desk and curbed his impatience. Gage had been able to speak over the phone, so his injuries couldn’t be too bad. It was the almost-panic in the man’s voice as he’d urged Ford to hurry over that made him uneasy. Something bad was happening, other than the man’s injuries. And whatever it was, Gage had been unwilling to say until he could do it in person. Ford forced himself to practice the patience he’d mastered as a Dom. Freaking out or getting pushy was not going to help the situation any.
Finally, it was his turn. He stepped to the desk and—pretending he hadn’t noticed the once-over the middle-aged woman gave him—said, “I’m looking for Gage Johnson. He was admitted here a few hours ago from a traffic accident.”
“Are you family?”
“No, ma’am, but he called and asked me to come. He said it was urgent.” He added that last bit as a paraphrase of what his friend had actually said. ‘Get your ass over here like it’s on fire and I hold the only bucket of water in the world to put it out.’
The woman’s expression turned kindly and sympathetic. She worked her computer screen before saying, “Your friend has already been moved to a room.” Then she gave the information about which one and how to get there.
Ford gave a silent thanks to whoever had thought to install colored strips along the walls to lead people through the labyrinth of floors and corridors. When he reached the right nurses’ station, he repeated his request, again summarizing Gage’s summons. This time, the woman he spoke to raised her eyebrows.
“I’ve been waiting for you, Mr. Williams. Mr. Johnson has been extremely agitated about your arrival.”
Ford leaned into the counter between them. “How is he?”
“I’m afraid I can’t give out that information, but you can see for yourself.” She pointed to the room nearby where Gage was located.
“Thank you, ma’am.”
Pushing off, Ford hurried to the door and didn’t bother knocking. He found his friend lying in the first bed of a double room, although he was the only occupant. He hesitated a moment before fully entering because—Holy Christ!—his friend was beat to hell, with most of his exposed body covered in bandages, while tubes invaded his arms and machines whirred nearby. It was like a hospital scene from every medical drama he’d ever watched, except this was real, and if he hadn’t already spoken to Gage himself, he would be worried that this was ‘the end’ for his friend.
Gage opened his eyes before Ford made it to the side of the bed. “Thank fuck!”
“Jesus, Gage.” Up close, his friend looked even worse. It was obvious that among other things, much of the skin on his arms had been scraped raw. “Weren’t you wearing your leathers?”
The man wheezed out a laugh. “In this heat?”
Ford didn’t bother to argue the point. They’d had this disagreement before. Being motorcycle enthusiasts as well as long-time Doms, they’d often debated safety standards. Ford never took the risk of a spill without wearing protective clothing. That was why he’d driven his SUV to the hospital. Leather in this heat would be stifling, but the risk of having an accident and ending in exactly the condition Gage was in wasn’t one he was willing to take. Gage had always felt different, and now he was paying the