Allyn and Ransom - 3

 

There were advantages to being wealthy, as Allyn and Miranda had found out over the years. Advantages such as sleeping until noon after a night of partying or clubbing—and they did both of those quite often.

 

Having a great deal of money also meant they were able to afford a very large home outside of the city. It sat on six acres of land along the shores of Lake Pontchartrain. From the third floor, they were able to look south across the intervening area and see the Mississippi.

 

Allyn awoke the day after the masked ball to sunshine coming through his bedroom windows. Stretching, he sat up, climbed out of his massive bed, and strolled into the bathroom. After taking care of the most pressing business, he drew water in the black onyx and white marble tub, eased in once it was full, and luxuriated in the heat. Only when it started to cool did he get out. After dressing in an old pair of jeans and a comfortable T-shirt, he combed his shoulder-length red-brown hair, binding it with a leather clasp at the nape of his neck. Then he went out onto the balcony off his bedroom. Leaning against the wrought iron railing, he looked down at their Olympic-sized pool.

 

Miranda was swimming laps at the moment, so he waited for her to finish before calling out, "Did you leave me any breakfast?"

 

Laughing, she replied, "Enough to feed a starving wolf. Mrs. Wilcox made us strawberry waffles, eggs, bacon and sausage, fresh mango juice and—" she tapped her chin, "—ah yes, steak and a fresh salad in case we got up late enough to call it brunch, not breakfast."

 

By the time Miranda finished telling him what there was, Allyn was salivating. He hurried down the spiral staircase and through the music room to the breakfast nook—nook being a bit of a misnomer as it held a table that seated six—in a rotunda off the kitchen, with tall windows along the curved walls. He filled his plate with steak, eggs, and waffles, poured a large glass of juice, and settled down to enjoy his brunch.

 

When his hunger was sated, he took his dishes into the kitchen and thanked Mrs. Wilcox for the meal. Then he meandered into the workout room.

 

"Don't you know you should have done this first, before eating?" John—their live-in personal trainer and Miranda's lover—asked, grinning. It was a rhetorical question, since he knew Allyn was never willing to work out on an empty stomach.

 

After Allyn changed into shorts, John ran him through his paces, with Miranda joining them partway through.

 

"So what are your plans for this evening?" John asked when they were finished. "Another night of dissipation?"

 

"Us? Dissipation?" Miranda looked at John in feigned shock. "Never!"

 

"Yes, you, my dear. Both of you." John gave her a hug and a pat on the butt. "Go get dressed, Mandi. You and I are going out on the boat." He glanced at Allyn. "You're invited, of course."

 

"Thanks, but I think I'll pass," Allyn replied. "Watching the two of you making out is not on the top of my to-do list."

 

Miranda and John both gave him innocent looks, Miranda saying, "Now would we do that?"

 

Allyn snorted. "At the drop of a hat. So go. Have fun. I might take off later and go into the city."

 

"To visit Liam?" Miranda asked, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

 

"That has yet to be decided."

 

"Well, whatever you do, enjoy yourself." She kissed his cheek before dashing off to change for the boat ride.

 

John followed a bit more sedately, adding, "Ditto that," before leaving the room.

Allyn and Ransom – 2

 

 

An hour later, Allyn and Liam returned to the ball, well sated and—at least in Allyn's case—in a much better mood.

 

As they descended the staircase, Allyn paused. Scanning the throng of partygoers, he searched for Miranda. Finding her, he frowned, wondering who her new dancing partner was.

 

"Your sister has a taste for unavailable men," Liam commented. "That's Daniel Markham."

 

"How do you know who everyone is when they're masked?"

 

"Not everyone, my dear man. Just those who are members of a certain private club I belong to." Liam grinned slyly. "I never forget a good body—no matter how it's clothed—once I've seen it naked."

 

"And slept with it," Allyn said dryly, still perusing the crowded dance floor.

 

Liam chuckled. "Contrary to popular opinion, I haven't slept with every eligible man in the city."

 

"Just all the gay ones," Allyn teased.

 

Whatever Liam's reply, it was lost to Allyn when his gaze landed on a man just entering the ballroom. In contrast to the rest of the attendees with their ornate and lavishly colored costumes, the man was dressed in black. He wore a double-breasted, high-collared tailcoat, black trousers, and knee-high boots. The only touch of color was the blood-red cravat at his throat, which accented his pale complexion. His mask was as plain as the rest of his costume: simple, black, and covering only his eyes—unlike the very fanciful ones of the other guests, including Allyn's.

 

"Who is he?" Allyn asked Liam, gesturing toward the man at the far side of the room.

 

Liam studied him, then shook his head. "No one I know. How gauche, not to wear a full-blown costume to a fancy dress ball."

 

"You must admit it makes him stand out," Allyn replied, as he made his way down the remainder of the staircase to the ballroom. For no logical reason that he could discern, he needed to see the man close-up. So he began wending his way through the dancers, gracefully stepping out of the paths of the more enthusiastic ones.

 

Finally, he was at the other side of the room. Looking around, he was dismayed to realize the man was no longer where he'd seen him. Standing on tiptoe, he tried to peer over the heads of the people nearby. For a moment he was certain he'd found the man and hurried toward him, only to discover the black coat belonged to one of the servers. He snatched a glass of champagne from the proffered tray, gulped down half of it, and after another attempt to find the man, gave up.

 

At that moment, Miranda joined him. She was flushed from dancing, smiling happily. "I'm having more fun," she announced. Leaning close, she whispered, "Gay men are the best dancers and don't require any sort of commitments."

 

Allyn laughed aloud. "Only when they're dancing with women."

 

"Speaking of which"—she grinned maliciously—"where's Liam? I thought I saw you with him."

 

"Meow," Allyn replied, making a clawing gesture with his fingers. "Honestly, Miranda, he's not that bad."

 

"You should know." She winked at him, then announced she was going to find something to eat.

 

"I'll come with," he replied, following in her wake.

 

By the time they'd reached the buffet table, Liam had joined them and the trio filled their plates with many of the delicacies on offer.

 

"Over there," Miranda said, pointing to a vacant bench along one wall. They made it there just before a couple bent on the same destination. Laughing, they sat, carefully balancing their plates while nibbling on small sandwiches, mini tarts, and bourbon balls, among other things.

 

Finally, having eaten enough, Allyn set his plate on the floor under the bench, leaned back, and surveyed the other guests. He knew he was looking for the man he'd seen earlier, but still, when he suddenly appeared not ten feet away, Allyn was shocked. He started to stand as the man looked directly at him, the gaze of his piercing slate-gray eyes meeting Allyn's own light brown. The man held up his hand to forestall him, then turned and vanished into the throng of dancers.

 

Allyn was on his feet seconds later, pushing his way through the crowd, ignoring protests from some of the people as he bumped into them.

 

Where are you? How can you disappear so quickly? And why do I care? He had no answer to the last question, only knowing he felt compelled to find the stranger.

 

At last he reached the far side of the ballroom. Ahead of him, the man strode forcefully toward the exit. Then, for an instant, he turned to look at Allyn. Allyn bit back a gasp as primal fear flooded him. He's evil. Pure evil. And yet… Shuddering, unable to take his gaze off the man, Allyn watched him walk through the doorway and out of sight.

Allyn and Ransom - 1

 

(First published in 2015. No longer available.)

"Are you as bored at you seem?" Miranda asked her brother.

 

"And then some," Allyn replied with a yawn, while he watched the crème-de-la-crème of New Orleans society dancing and drinking as if the masked ball was the foremost event of the season. Of course for most of them it was—being high society's late summer version of Mardi Gras excesses. Therefore, they spent lavish amounts of money on their costumes, trying to outshine everyone else in attendance.

 

Although, to be honest, Miranda and Allyn didn't scrimp on their costumes either.

 

Miranda was dressed in shades of lavender, the high collar of her gown trimmed in gold and deep red to match her headdress with its flowers and butterflies. If her décolletage had been any deeper, there would have been nothing left to the imagination. The amount of fabric in the belled skirt made up for that, the hem sweeping the floor for several feet around her.

 

Allyn, on the other hand, was somewhat less risqué. Also in shades of lavender, his full-sleeved, knee-length coat was accented with gold and red, flaring out from his trim waist. His deep red britches however, fit like a second skin, with dark lavender hose and matching shoes completing the outfit. He carried a gold staff, the companion piece to Miranda's wand. Their masks—reversing the colors of their costumes—were gold, heavily decorated with lavender and red gems.

 

"Madame, would you do the honor of dancing with me?"

 

Miranda fluttered her fingers against her collarbone as she studied the man who had asked. Then, with a curtsy, she allowed as how she would love to. He held out his arm, she placed her hand on it, and they melded into the throng of dancers in the center of the ballroom.

 

If he only knew… Allyn smiled with wry amusement, taking a sip from the champagne flute he was holding. Emptying it, he looked for the nearest server and saw a young woman with a tray of drinks a few feet away. Crossing to meet her, he set his empty glass down, taking a full one to replace it.

 

"Planning on getting drunk?"

 

Allyn turned to smile as his most recent lover joined him. "It's that or die of boredom, Liam."

 

"We could escape upstairs to one of the bedrooms and do something about that," Liam replied impudently.

 

"Perhaps later, once I know Miranda's in good hands."

 

Liam looked where Allyn pointed. "Unless I'm mistaken, that's Jacob Paget, so she's quite safe. His only interest in her would be as a dancing companion."

 

"For sure—if it is him. Where's Martin?"

 

"On a business trip, from what I heard. Probably planned so he wouldn't have to endure this—" Liam shuddered, "—this soirée."

 

"I think this is a bit more than a soirée," Allyn commented. "More like a dissipated distracting divertissement."

 

"How alliterative. Although I think divertissement has more to do with theatrical entertainment than a grand ball."

 

"Come now," Allyn retorted sardonically. "You don't think this is pure theater? Everyone dressed in costume, doing their best to enthrall the masses with their splendor?"

 

"Good point, and you're right." Liam slipped his hand under the slit at the back of Allyn's coat, squeezing his ass. "Now that we have that settled, let's see if we can find somewhere more private so we can explore what's underneath our costumes."

 

"You're incorrigible," Allyn replied with a laugh, lust replacing boredom. He checked on Miranda, glad to see she was still dancing with Jacob. Feeling it was safe to leave for a little while, he took Liam's hand and they exited the ballroom via the curving staircase leading to the upper floors of the mansion—and with luck, an empty bedroom.

Lessons Learned (Sequel to 'Hitman's Creed) – 20

 

 

Glenn took Joey's plate, setting it on the coffee table. “Come here.” When Joey did he put an arm around him, pulling him carefully against his chest. “It’s been a rough couple of days for you.”

 

“For both of us.”

 

“Yeah, but more for you. You’re not used to things like this as much as you think you are.”

 

“But I should be,” Joey protested. “I’m a cop, it… as they say it comes with the territory.”

 

“Not to deny what you said but you’ve only been a cop for a little under three years, in a small town where nothing really happens. That plus the fact you had to shoot someone, I think it’s catching up with you big time now that you’ve had a chance to think about it.”

 

Joey looked up at him. “Was it this bad the first time you killed someone?”

 

“Honest answer?” Joey nodded. “Not really, but then I was taking out one of the men who murdered my parents. All I could think of was getting my revenge.”

 

“Does it ever bother you? No, don’t answer that. I shouldn’t have asked.”

 

“Of course you should have, now that you’ve been through it.” Glenn gently stroked Joey’s hair. “Yes it’s bothered me but to be blunt, very rarely. I couldn’t have done what I did, been what I was, if I’d let it get to me. That sounds cold I know but it’s the way it was.”

 

“And now?”

 

“Now I’m doing it for the right reasons.” Glenn paused before saying. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m not the kind of man who lives to kill. I’m just very good at what I do. It’s… a talent I suppose. I can’t say I regret what I did in the past, although I probably should. It was a job and I did it, and made out quite well in the process. Damn, I’m beginning to sound like… like some sort of feral animal that should have been put to sleep.”

 

“A bit, yes.” Joey pulled away to look at him. “Sorry if that hit a nerve.”

 

“It did, but it’s still the truth.”

 

“The thing is, it was just a part of you, not the whole you. If it had been, you wouldn’t have helped us when my father showed up.”

 

“A weak moment maybe?”

 

“Not even! You said, later, much later, you’d already cut your ties with the people who would send you jobs. That was before you helped us.”

 

“I was old and tired of living out of suitcases.”

 

“Will you quit!” Joey moved back to rest against his chest. “You’re never going to convince me you were someone evil. I know better. Misguided maybe…”

 

“Misguided?” Glenn laughed. “I sort of like that description.”

 

“You know what I meant.”

 

“Yeah, I do.” Glenn kissed his forehead. “At least I saw the error of my ways so to speak, thanks to you. Now I’m all for truth, justice and the…” He chuckled when Joey clapped his hand over his mouth, pulling it away. “Okay, maybe that was a bit extreme. And how the hell did we get on this anyway?”

 

“Because I asked. I guess I needed to know that what I did was something I could learn to live with.”

 

Glenn cupped his face in his hands. “What you did was necessary. You not only saved my life, you probably saved the lives of all the people he would have been hired to go after had he gotten away. Don’t ever doubt your decision. It was the right one no matter what you may be feeling at the moment.”

 

“I know,” Joey said so softly Glenn could barely hear him. “I really do.”

 

Glenn kissed him gently. “You’ll be fine, I promise. But now I think we should head to bed. We’re both tired and drained and need to get some sleep.”

 

“Yes we do, you especially.” Joey sat back and shuddered. “You’re still wearing that shirt. They should have given you a pair of scrubs or something.”

 

“They offered, but…” Glenn shrugged and stood, holding out his hand. “Come on. You can get me out of my bloody shirt and the rest of it.”

 

“And tuck you into bed because for damned sure that’s all I’ve got the energy for.”

 

“What, you’re not going to ravage the wounded hero?”

 

Joey snorted as they headed to the stairs. “I doubt either of us is in a ‘ravaging’ mood at the moment.”

 

“Around you, I always am, but I think we’ll put it off until we’re well rested.”

 

“That works for me.”

 

                                                                The End

Lessons Learned (Sequel to 'Hitman's Creed) – 19

 

 

Several hours later, well after midnight, Glenn and Joey finally made their escape from the clinic and Chief Leades. The man Joey had shot had no ID on him. The car he’d been using this time had been reported stolen earlier in the day from a town a few miles south of them.

 

While they were at the clinic so Glenn could get checked over and stitched up, Joey went to check on Nate. He was asleep, as was Rory who was in a chair by his bed. Rory work up enough to tell Joey that Nate was going to be released in the morning.

 

“He had a slight concussion which is the only reason they’re keeping him here overnight,” he explained.

 

“Alright. Let him know I stopped by?”

 

“I will.” Rory put his hand over Nate’s, almost protectively before asking why Joey was there at such a late hour. Joey gave him a brief rundown on what had happened. When he finished Rory nodded. “At least we don’t have to worry about his coming after Nate again. That’s a relief.”

 

“I know,” Joey agreed. “Okay, I’ll see you both later I’m sure. Now I have to go get Glenn before he thinks I’ve left without him.”

 

Rory chuckled. “The day you do that is the day the earth stands still.”

 

Laughing, Joey headed back to find Glenn.

 

* * * *

 

Now they were both back at the house. Glenn had wanted to drive back on his own, with Joey following in his car, despite the fact he was dosed up on pain killers. Joey had put his foot down.

 

“Not happening. You’re in no condition to drive no matter what you think, and you know it,” Joey had told him in not uncertain terms.

 

“I would have been fine,” Glenn grumbled fifteen minutes later as he got out of the car.

 

“Probably, but I wasn’t going to take the chance,”

 

Glenn laughed tiredly. “I’ll admit I like that you’re concerned.”

 

“Of course I am!” Joey muttered, unlocking the front door.

 

“I know.” Glenn smiled, patting his shoulder as he followed him in and carefully sat down on the sofa.

 

“Nuh uh, up to bed.”

 

“No supper? We missed it in case you’ve forgotten.”

 

“More like breakfast time now. Don’t move and I’ll see what I can come up with.”

 

He came back twenty minutes later with two plates of eggs, bacon and toast only to find Glenn sprawled across the sofa, asleep. Putting the plates down on the coffee table, Joey carefully removed Glenn’s shoes before going to get a blanket to cover him.

 

When he returned Glenn cracked one eye open. “So where’s my food?”

 

“Right here but you have to sit up because for sure I’m not feeding it to you.”

 

“I’m not feeling the love here,” Glenn wisecracked as he carefully sat up. Joey handed him his plate, frowning when he didn’t start eating. “This is not finger food, well the eggs aren’t at least,” Glenn pointed out.

 

“Ouch, yeah, hang on.” Moments later Joey was back with utensils, and two glasses of milk which he put down before sitting beside Glenn, his plate in his lap. He looked at the food, pushing it around but not taking a bite.

 

“Not hungry?” Glenn asked softly.

 

          Joey shook his head. “Not really I guess.”

 

Lessons Learned (Sequel to 'Hitman's Creed) – 18

 

 

Glenn did as he’d said he would, pulling onto the street then into a space directly in front of the building. As he got out he looked back to see Joey on one knee, ostensibly retying his shoelace. He looked so young and innocent that for a second Glenn was torn between beckoning to him to get back in the car where he’d be safe, or at least safer, or continuing on with their plan. Then common sense prevailed.

 

This ends now, one way or the other.

 

He moved swiftly down the cut-through on the other side of the building from the parking lot. Silently he made his way to the back corner of the lot, his gun now in his hand. As he watched Joey strolling with apparent casualness toward his car, Glenn saw a slight movement in a car parked in a space next to the building. It was just behind Joey’s, only a few feet separating them.

 

Even as he inched his way along the wall, squeezing between it and another parked car, Glenn saw Joey arrive at his car and heard a muttered oath when Joey saw the flat tire. Looking pissed as hell in the dim light; Joey went to the back of his car and opened the trunk.

 

Instantly, but quietly, the door to the car which had caught Glenn’s attention opened. The man must have unscrewed the overhead light because it didn’t come on, not that Joey would have seen it any way from where he was standing.

 

A head appeared above the roof of the car and a voice, low but threatening, said, “Move and you’re dead. Put your hands behind your head.”

 

Joey did as he’d been told.

 

The man stepped into the aisle between the two cars. “Now back toward me. Do not turn around.”

 

Glenn was of two minds, shoot and wake the neighborhood or just capture the man and deal with him in a more remote spot later. Common sense prevailed, again. He slid around the back of his car, coming up behind him.

 

“I think you’re the one who should put their hands behind their head, after dropping you gun,” he said menacingly as he pressed his gun to the man’s back.

 

Joey spun around, reached for his gun and pointed it at the man’s chest. “Do as he says, please.”

 

Glenn would have laughed at Joey’s politeness if he’d had it in him at the moment. “I said, hands behind your head, and then turn around, slowly,” he ordered.

 

The man turned, but not slowly. He whipped around and fired, the bullet cutting a line across Glenn’s side as he twisted to avoid being shot. Before the man could get off a second shot, Joey fired. His shot hit home and the man dropped to the ground, still clutching his gun in his dead hand.

 

Joey was beside Glenn seconds later. “How bad?” he asked, his voice trembling with emotion.

 

“A flesh wound, nothing more.” He holstered his gun before asking, “How are you doing?”

 

“I’m…” Joey looked at the dead man at their feet. “I killed him,” he whispered, then turned, bent over and threw up.

 

Glenn rested his hand on Joey’s back in commiseration. “The first one’s always the worst.”

 

Shaking, Joey straightened, his face pale. “I guess…I should call this in.”

 

“Might be a good idea although they probably heard shots fired since we’re less than half a block from the station.”

 

“But still…” Joey called it in anyway, his hands trembling as he punched in the number. When the dispatcher answered he told her he’d shot the man who had kidnapped Nate, gave her the location and hung up.

 

Glenn wrapped his arms around him finally, ignoring the pain in his side. “You might not think so right now but you did good.”

 

“I guess.” Joey shivered, resting his head on Glenn’s shoulder. “I just… I never ever want to have to do that again.”

 

“Chances are you won’t. It’s not like you get a lot of killers coming to town.”

 

Shuddering, Joey took a deep breath before pulling back. “What do we tell them?”

 

“Simple. We got to your car, you saw the flat and went to get the spare. The man appeared out of nowhere, pointed his gun at us, said something about you screwing up his plans when you found Nate and then fired. Heroically…” Glenn grinned, “I stepped in the way, he hit me and you shot him.” 

 

“I guess that works.”

 

“Let’s hope, because we’re about to have a lot of company.”

Lessons Learned (Sequel to 'Hitman's Creed) – 17

 

 

“Stay here, don’t get out,” Glenn said fiercely as he pulled the car to a stop across the street from the lot where Joey had parked his car earlier that day. He reached under the seat, coming up with his Ruger 22/45 in its holster, and the scope for it. After attaching the scope he holstered the gun again, clipping it to his belt.

 

“Hand me my blade.”

 

Joey flipped open the glove compartment, slid aside a panel and took out the sheathed knife. Glenn strapped it to his forearm and pulled down his sleeve.

 

“There’s another gun under your seat. Get it out just in case.”

 

“Mind telling me what’s going on?”

 

“Look at your car.”

 

“Yeah, and? Oh shit.” He realized it was listing slightly and knew one tire was flat.

 

“Oh shit is right. You might just have picked up a nail but it’s doubtful, all things considered. I’m betting he knows about you and that you’re connected to me. He’s moved faster than I expected.”

 

“He might have seen us together, yesterday in the cut-though when we were checking the roof or when you picked me up tonight.”

 

“Either way it looks like he was planning on grabbing you for bait, so wait here.”

 

“Which would make me a sitting duck. Nope, I’m coming with.” Joey got out the gun, finding it was a match to Glenn’s, checked it thoroughly which earned him an approving nod from Glenn, then stuck it at the back of his slacks under his jacket. “How are we going to play this? He has to be watching somewhere.”

 

Glenn agreed. “Best bet, he’s in one of the other cars there. Too bad he isn’t driving the Ranchero; he’d be easy to spot.”

 

“We should be so lucky.” Joey looked at the cars closest to his. Some he recognized immediately, but there were three which could have belonged to any number of people in town, or to the hitman, they were so generic. Unfortunately it was too dark to see the license plates so he couldn’t make a determination as to who’s they might be. 

 

“There’s a good chance he saw us drive up so pretend to kiss me.”

 

“And then?” Joey moved closer, turning enough to shield the fact they were talking.

 

Glenn frowned, obviously running through possible scenarios. While he did Joey put one hand at the back of his head, shifting slightly to try to explain why they were still in that position.

 

“Okay, given where we are I only have to pull the car a few feet forward and I’ll be out of sight from the lot. Get out and then stand as if you were watching me drive away. Give me time to park and get out before you head to your car. Do something to stall like…”

 

“Bend and tie my shoelace.”

 

“That’ll work. Stay well away from the building just in case we’re wrong about where he’d hiding.”

 

“All right. Say when.”

 

Glenn took a deep breath. “Now.”

 

          Joey paused just long enough to actually kiss Glenn and then he was out of the car.

Lessons Learned (Sequel to 'Hitman's Creed) – 16

 

 

Joey leaned back on his hands, staring up at the darkening sky. “He won’t come marching up to the door.”

 

“No shit. He won’t even come up the lane unless he’s totally lost his mind.”  

 

“But we have to lure him to where we want him.” Joey sat up as something occurred to him. “I’m calling in sick until this is over.”

 

Glenn laughed. “That was my plan originally, only it was your mom who was going to be sick so you had to take over for her.”

 

“Dumb plan.”

 

“It would have worked.”

 

“As if. I’m not stupid. Man in town hunting for you, mom ‘conveniently’ getting sick, I’d have figured it out before the words got out of her mouth.”

 

“Yeah, probably.”

 

“Definitely.”

 

‘Well I had to try, being me.”

 

Joey shook his head. “Next time… Don’t.”

 

“Hopefully there won’t be a next time, but just in case I think I know better now.”

 

“Fast learner, I like that.”

 

“Smart ass.” Glenn grinned, then sobered. Picking up a stick he began drawing the outline of the house in the dirt, added a wriggly line to represent the trees surrounding it, and another for the lane. “The house itself is well protected, the perimeter, not so much.”

 

“And there’s no time to change that.”

 

“So we use it to our advantage.”

 

“How?”

 

“We make it look as if one of the perimeter motion-sensors has bitten the dust, one which will lead him in where we want him.”

 

“Come on, won’t he suspect it’s a trap of some kind?”

 

“That’s the beauty of it, he will. And if he’s anything like me he’ll go to the other side, as far away from it as possible, disable a sensor and make his way to the house from there.”

 

“Big ‘if’ you know.”

 

“Of course, but we have to figure he thinks the way a halfway decent hitman should. I know I keep calling him stupid but he can’t be as dumb as he’s seemed so far. No one would send an idiot after me.”

 

Joey smiled a bit at the ego behind that statement but he knew it was the truth nonetheless. Still… “We don’t know who sent him, an ex-rival or some who hates you for killing a family member.”

 

“It can’t be the latter. There’s no way they could know it was me.”

 

“You found the ones who killed your parents.”

 

“That was different, I had connections.”

 

“Glenn,” Joey growled, “if you did, someone else could too so don’t discount what I said out of hand.” He rubbed his fingers over his forehead. “Sorry, I didn’t mean that to sound the way it did.”

 

“Not a problem.” Glenn went back to the diagram he’d drawn in the dirt. “We’re better off getting him to come this way. I’ll have a clearer shot from the roof.”

 

“The roof?”

 

“Yeah, where else?” 

 

“You’re just going to take him out without finding out who sent him?”

 

“What, you want me to capture and torture him? Because that’s the only way he’d give me that information.”

 

“Well… no.” Joey chewed his lip, turning away from the tight anger in Glenn’s voice. He heard a sigh then Glenn’s arms went around him.

 

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have barked at you.”

 

Joey leaned into his hold. “We’re both tense.”

 

“It’s still no reason…”

 

“Shush.” Joey made certain he did by kissing him. “You’re forgiven. Maybe we should leave here though? It’s almost dark.”

 

“Good idea.” Glenn stood, pulling Joey up after him. “We’ll finish our plans when we get home.”

Lessons Learned (Sequel to 'Hitman's Creed) – 15

 

 

“Thank you. It’s not like I don’t know you have a strong protective streak so it doesn’t really surprise me, and I bet it was mom who changed your mind,” Joey said.

 

“She laid out what I already knew but wasn’t willing to admit in this particular case. You’re an adult, you know you job, and you are half of our partnership. You should be allowed to make your own decision on whether you want to be involved in what might, or might not, happen.”

 

“At least you knew it,” Joey replied somewhat acidly.

 

Glenn winced. “Yeah, I know. I was being stupid.”

 

“No, you were being ‘you’.” Joey moved closer so he could hug him. “I should be pissed, you’re right, but honestly I’m not. Well, not too much anyway.”

 

Glenn took the opportunity to give him a kiss before he explained what he’d done. Joey listened, nodding occasionally, until Glenn was finished.

 

“What makes you think he’s going to come after you at the house? Why wouldn’t he just take you out in town?”

 

“First off, other than dropping you back at your car, I don’t intend to go to town again until this is over.”

 

“But that’s presupposing it is you he’s after. If it’s someone else he’ll just hit and run.”

 

“The more I’ve thought about it the more I’m certain it's me for that very reason. He might or might not know Nate was found, but either way it would’ve behooved him to make the hit as soon as he stashed him, or this morning if he needed time to get to wherever he planned on doing it. Make sense?”

 

“Yes. But by that same logic you were in town today so why didn’t take his chances then?”

 

“I’m not some civilian wandering around with my head up my ass. I was well aware of my surroundings and made damned good and sure he wouldn’t have the chance.”

 

“Yeah, right. You were waiting outside the station house when I got off.”

 

“And where was I?”

 

Joey thought about it. “Leaning against one of the pillars, facing the door, so he’d have had to walk up to you in order to get in a good shot.”

 

“Exactly. And I moved you to the car as fast as you’d let me. God’s, sometimes your stubbornness drives me crazy.”

 

“Well like I said…”

 

“Yeah, yeah. Anyway, with feelers out, and very publicly, that I’m looking for the Ranchero, I’m hoping he gets wind of it. That also gives him my name.” When Joey growled under his breath, Glenn patted his knee. “That’s the whole idea. He has to know it so he can ask about me when I don’t show up in town. He’ll find out where the house is and, God willing, come after me there.”

 

“It could be a day or two before he does. It’ll take that long for him to figure out you’re holed up there.”

 

“Possibly. Then again if he asks the right questions he’ll know my being in town at all is a rarity.”

Lessons Learned (Sequel to 'Hitman's Creed) – 14

 

 

Glenn was waiting outside the station house when Joey got off his shift. Joey instantly panicked because Glenn had never done that before. But if it was an emergency he’d have called he told himself. It didn’t really help. Glenn must have seen it in his face because he pulled Joey into a hard hug.

 

Joey leaned back to look at him in shock. “What are you doing?”

 

“Just letting you know you’re part of my life everywhere, not just when no one’s looking. Does it bother you?”

 

“Hell no!” Joey grinned. “And in case you haven’t picked up on it, which maybe you didn’t because you don’t come into town that much, it’s not really a secret anyway. But…”

 

Glenn cocked an eyebrow when Joey paused.

 

“I have the sneaking suspicion there’s more to this than just proving I’m yours, and vice versa.”

 

“Aren’t you the clever young man.”

 

“Occasionally.”

 

“Usually.” Glenn slid his arm around Joey’s waist, hustling to his car. When Joey balked, pointing out he’s brought his own car, Glenn nodded. “And we’ll come back for it later.”

 

“So what’s going on that we can’t talk about at home, which I suspect it the reason you’re kidnapping me.”

 

“I’ll tell you when we get where we’re going.”

 

Knowing he’d get nothing more until Glenn was ready, Joey got into the car. When they headed out of town he was doubly puzzled, but still didn’t ask until Glenn pulled off the road onto a narrow lane much like the one leading up to their house. This lane however ended at a small grassy area with a stream running through it.

 

“We’re having a picnic,” Joey quipped as they got out of the car.

 

Glenn chuckled as he led the way to the edge of the stream. “Nope, but only because it didn’t occur to me.”

 

“Either you’re feeling romantic, or this is going to be a very serious discussion and you don’t want anyone overhearing it.”

 

“The latter I’m afraid.” Glenn sat, waiting for Joey to join him. “Okay, first off you’re not to get pissed at me.”

 

“Not an auspicious start. What did you do, or not do, or are planning on doing that would piss me off.”

 

“Two things. First I’ve done all I can to make the hitman come after me on my terms, which means drawing him to the house if I’m lucky.”

 

Taking a deep breath, Joey nodded. “And I can guess the second thing. You were planning on making sure I was out of the picture when that happened.”

 

“I was, until I talked to a very smart woman who pointed out I was being stupid.” Glenn smiled, though barely. “I wasn’t going to tell you the second part since I’d changed my mind, but I knew I owed it to both of us to be honest about it.”