I had orders to apprehend. Not kill.” Mr. Chicago quieted and looked to the gunman still holding aim squarely at Bull. “He gets that pleasure.”
Bull stumbled back against the couch, nearly falling. He slid his hands behind his back again, trying to leave another breadcrumb but his brain and hands weren’t in sync anymore. He tried. Then tried again until his knees buckled.
Each breath, more labored than the one before.
Not a breath. More like a series of random gasps when his lungs decided to work.
He clutched at his chest and gritted his teeth, willing the numbness he felt on the outside to calm his heart that thumped with far too much force and a heck of a lot more speed than anything remotely normal.
“I swear, if you dosed him enough to kill him, I’m going to rip your limbs off one by one. Grab him and take him to the truck.”
A yank of his hair threw his head back. He could barely keep his eyes open or stay upright.
“The tranq should be enough to knock him out, but I want to be sure.”
With something between a sneer and a smirk, the man slammed his fist into Bull’s face.
“Take him to the fucking truck. Now!”
Pain bloomed across Bull’s cheek and eye as his body fell limp. With everything blurring out of focus and his mind in a foggy haze of chaos, there was one thought that was crystal clear.
At least we’re getting out of here before Ben gets home. He’ll be safe.
The corner of his mouth curled upward. The relief of knowing that one small detail was enough to give him a little peace.
“I’ll give you something to smile about.”
Another blow to Bull’s face wiped the smile away and threw everything into blackness.
= ♥ =
Ben held the keycard up to the reader, pushing the door open once the light flashed green. He stepped inside and immediately froze. His eyebrows twitched as he scanned the room. Nothing appeared out of place yet something felt way off. Gabriel always waited for him to arrive before going to bed. But even if he had turned in early, he wouldn’t have left all the lights on in the living room. Maybe just the one at the entryway so Ben wouldn’t walk through the door and step into darkness.
With his heartbeat thumping wildly in his chest, Ben slowly walked into their bedroom.
Empty.
His pulse spiked. Swallowing heavily, he checked the bathroom, and then ran to the other side of the penthouse, checking every room and closet along the way.
Something wasn’t right.
He circled back to the kitchen counter. Flattening his hands on the cool granite, he ducked his head and closed his eyes as he took a few deep, calming breaths.
Think. Think. Think.
Maybe Gabriel had run to the store? Maybe he had gone to the gym downstairs? Maybe…no. Gabriel would have texted, video called, or left him a note so he wouldn’t worry.
He pulled his phone from his back pocket. No missed calls or texts. Quickly dialing, he video called Gabriel, his heart sinking when he didn’t get a reply. He shot off a quick text and waited. The message showed as delivered but not read.
He raked his fingers through his hair, nearly yanking the strands daring to hang over his eyes.
Maybe he doesn’t have his phone?
No.
Gabriel always has his phone with him.
He would start with the living room, then check each room. Ben ran to the large window and pressed the button on the panel, waiting as the automated window shades slid down from the ceiling, stopping when it touched the window frame edging along the floor. One by one, he switched off every single light until everything was pitch black.
He called Gabriel again as he slowly scanned the room.
A faint dot of flickering light reflected off the television screen. He ran to the living room couch and spotted Gabriel’s phone partially tucked under one of the cushions.
Ben frowned as he reached for the phone. Gabriel wouldn’t leave it behind, regardless of where he went.
Trying to contain the rising panic, he did exactly what Gabriel had told him to do if there was ever anything wrong and he wasn’t available.
He shot off a text to Aidan.
Aidan’s reply was quick. What’s up?
I don’t know. Something’s wrong. Gabriel’s not home.
Give me a sec. I’m going to call him.
His phone’s here.
The dots bounced on the screen. Stay put. Make sure all the doors are locked. I’m calling it in and coming over.
Clutching his phone to his chest in one hand