GAGE SIGHED as he turned onto the road he’d grown up on and drove to the familiar driveway, which was filled with cars. He pulled in, and the valet his parents had hired for the evening opened the door and took the keys to park the car for them.
“Holy cow,” Forge said as he got out, looking at the huge stone house with its portico and manicured yard. Most of the time Gage didn’t notice it. This was just where he’d grown up, at least for the better part of his childhood.
“Yeah. Mom and Dad bought it when I was about ten. Mom wanted someplace where she could entertain to help further Dad’s business. There’s a full two and a half acres with a pool in the backyard. Dad likes to swim, so Mom put one in.” He motioned Forge toward the front door.
“Are you sure we look okay?” Forge asked, stopping to fuss with his shirt for the twentieth time.
“You look amazing, so stop worrying. Remember, we’re here for one reason.” Gage patted Forge lightly on the lower back and rang the doorbell. After a few seconds, the door opened and his mother stood in front of him, looking as radiant as ever, wearing a dark blue designer blouse and perfectly pressed, flowing tan pants. The outfit accentuated the narrow waist that his mother cultivated at the gym with a fervor most people reserved for weekly visits to church. “Hello, Mom.”
“Gage.” She smiled, but it was slightly forced. “I’m glad you could come.” She motioned them inside and closed the door.
“This is Forge. A close friend of mine.” He smiled and could tell his mother was trying to deduce any meaning she could from what he’d just said. Gage wanted to tell her that, yes, they were sleeping together and that Forge was that kind of friend. But keeping her off-balance was to his advantage, so he kept quiet and kissed her cheek. “Is the party out back?”
“Yes. We’re around the pool. Your father is grilling and telling some of his awful stories.” She looked him over, seemed to find him acceptable, and led the way, even though Gage was well acquainted with the house.
“How are things, Mom?”
“Your father and I are doing well.”
“How’s business?” he asked, and her step faltered for just a second as she approached the door to the back patio. Most people wouldn’t have noticed, but Gage was watching for any reaction. “I know things have been tough for some.”
“Everything is great. Your father and I are making plans to turn the company over to the management team so we can spend more time together.”
“That’s really good. You and Dad deserve the chance to have some fun and get away.” Gage stopped, with Forge standing next to him. His mother turned with a glare that softened when she seemed to realize that what Gage had said was the truth. “You and Dad worked hard for a lot of years, and you deserve a chance to relax and enjoy what you worked for.” Spying his father through the glass, Gage opened the door and stepped outside.
Gage knew many of the people who’d gathered here from other parties and get-togethers his mother had thrown over the years. Some he knew from newspaper stories and television news reports, and their presence sent off bells in the back of his head.
“Son,” his father said carefully as he handed the grilling utensils to one of the young men most likely serving dinner.
“It’s good to see you, Dad.” Gage shook his father’s hand, and they shared a one-arm man-hug of sorts before stepping back. “This is Forge.” They also shook hands, and Gage watched for any sign of recognition between them and was grateful when his dad’s eyes sparked no recognition at all.
“What brings you to town?”
“Business,” Gage answered, flicking his gaze over to the others in attendance. The small group of three standing slightly separate from the others worried him. Gage had never met any of them, but he knew of them. They were businessmen with reputations that were far less than stellar. His father was in the transportation business, and in Chicago, sometimes in order to survive, business was conducted with people one didn’t necessarily want to work with. Gage knew his father had worked with sometimes shady people and managed those relationships for years without trouble. But now he was wondering if trouble had managed to slide in under the door.
His father must have followed his gaze. “They’re customers.”
“I see,” Gage said slowly, feeling the tension rolling off his father. This wasn’t good at all. His dad had always been the master of most every situation, and now it seemed he might have gotten in over his head. “Why don’t you and I talk a little later.” Gage paused to make sure his father understood before continuing. “It will be good to catch up. I’ve been so busy lately, I haven’t had a chance to spend much time down here.”
“That’s a real shame,” Mr. Abernathy, one of his father’s longtime friends, said as he approached. Mr. Abernathy was a partner in the accounting firm his father’s company used. Gage remembered playing with his son when he was a kid.
Gage smiled as he shook hands, then introduced Forge. “How’s Doug?”
“Doug is great. He’s out in California practicing law, showing me up with his success.” Mr. A grinned proudly. “Marie and I were looking to retire out near them….” His smile faltered and he sighed.
“I’m so sorry about her. Mom called me and told me she’d passed. Mrs. A was a great lady.” Marie Abernathy had been the person Gage had gone to when things with his own parents became too much. He was always welcome there, no matter what. “Are you still planning to relocate?”
“Doug and his wife want me to, and I’m seriously thinking about it. The firm will do well without me, and maybe it’s time we realized we all need some time to ourselves.” Mr. A looked square at his father. Whatever was going on, he seemed well aware of it. Gage hoped that at least meant his father hadn’t stepped too far over the line.
“What kind of business brings you back?” Mr. A asked.
Gage put an arm around Forge’s waist. Forge smiled, and Gage’s dad hastily excused himself. “I’m looking into some things for a client.” He wanted to keep Forge close even as he observed the others. Maybe Forge was right and coming here wasn’t such a good idea. The three men kept watching them, and it didn’t take Gage very long to realize they weren’t looking at him as much as they were Forge.
“Business is good, then?” Mr. A asked as he too glanced over at the other men, tension rising all around them.
“Yes. People always need protection of some sort, especially when there are folks who don’t understand the meaning of the word no.” Gage glared at the men, challenging them, and he suppressed a smile when they turned away.
“Do you know them?” Mr. A asked in a low tone, and Gage shook his head. “Some new clients of your father’s. I told him not to get involved with people like that. But….” Mr. A paused, and Gage glanced back to where his dad now stood next to his mother, the two of them talking softly. Then she plastered a familiar smile on her face and began mingling with the guests, specifically the men in question.
“I recognize them for who they are.” Gage paused. “Do you need another drink? I think Forge and I could use one.” He moved toward the bar to fix a drink for himself and Forge, holding Forge’s hand as Mr. A followed. “Okay. Now I hope we can talk.” Gage leaned in closer to Mr. A. “Is Dad’s business in trouble? Is that why he’s doing business with the likes of them?” He absently mixed some martinis, knowing it was Mr. A’s drink of choice and hoping Forge liked them as well.
Mr. A spoke quietly as well. “Things aren’t going well for your dad. He’s slowing down, but he’s in a tough, competitive environment that’s growing more so every day, and it’s taking more and more out of him to stay on top of the game. Something we all feel when we get to be our age.” Mr. A lifted his glass, and Gage and Forge did the same. “Your dad thought these would be his golden years. He’s worked all his life to provide for you and your mother, and now he’s afraid he won’t be able to do that and he’s getting a little desperate.”
“Okay. But has he done anything he can’t undo? Has he gone beyond the point of no return?”
Mr. A sighed. “I don’t believe so. You know your dad. He’s a lion when it comes to business, but he’d never do anything shady or illegal.”
Gage glanced at the contingent near the pool still talking with his mother. They were laughing, but the menace just from their presence hadn’t diminished. “Then why are they here?”
“You’ll have to ask your father that.” Mr. A smiled and turned to Forge. “It was very nice to meet you.” Then he returned to the others.
Gage stayed near the bar. He was beginning to think he was going to need a lot more to drink by the time this evening was over.
“They won’t stop looking at me,” Forge said quietly from behind him.
“I noticed that as well.” Gage waited until his mother turned away, then whispered, “Time for a distraction. Ready?” When Forge nodded, he led Forge over to her. “Mom, Forge was just saying how lovely the house is.”
Forge smiled, and as Gage expected, his mother went into preen mode, explaining all the hardships involved in getting the house “just right.”
Gage left her to it and walked over to where the three men stood. “Nice evening, gentlemen,” he said as he approached the group.
“Yes, it is.” None of the men made any attempt at introduction. Obviously manners were not part of their training.
“I understand you and my father are contemplating doing business.”
“So you’re the son,” the older gentleman said, obviously the one in charge, judging by the way the others stood just a few paces back.
“Yes. I have a security business…. I believe that’s something we have in common.” Gage met the leader’s gaze. “Though mine is much more ethical and… shall we say… legal.” He knew he was stirring a hornet’s nest, but he needed to try to put them off their game, just a little.
“Do you know who this is?” one of the flanking men asked.
“Of course I do. Stanley Lucci. And I know who you are and work for. But this isn’t a place where you’re going to be able to do business.”
Stanley stepped forward, his eyes as hard and dark as onyx. “I don’t believe your father will have any choice.” The antipathy and intimidation rolling off him were palpable. Gage saw his gaze flick to Forge and then back to him. “Neither does your friend.”
Gage kept his cool while his mind flew at a rapid pace. “That depends on just how much information your father wants made public and how much heat he wants brought down on himself and your entire family.” Gage stared right back, bluffing like hell, but he’d played enough poker in the service to know how to do it damn well. They might not have found all the information, but they had enough to be dangerous, and these guys didn’t need to know they weren’t in possession of all of it.
“That information can be deadly,” Stanley said quietly, but with the same tone most people used to order a meal in a restaurant. Yet the threat hung there, or at least he meant it to.
“Maybe. But Granger didn’t take the precautions I have. He was bound by ethics and codes of behavior because he was an attorney, but we aren’t. And those files you were looking for so diligently could easily find their way to the news media and then none of you will have a place to hide… anywhere.” Gage kept his lips from curling upward when Stanley flinched. “So I expect you to call off your dogs and stand down. If anything happens to anyone I care about, we go nuclear, and you’re going to be ground zero.” He turned and walked away, not even looking back. He could feel their laser stares at his back, but he didn’t care. They had to think he wasn’t afraid of them. They were like bears—any show of fear and he would be dead.
His mother and Forge were still talking, which was better than Gage had hoped.
“What’s going on?” his mother asked as the three guests slowly made their way over.
“I believe they have to be going, but want to thank you for the invitation.” Gage turned, and all three of them said good night and did indeed thank his mother, explaining that something had come up and they had to leave. Gage grinned, and his mother visibly relaxed once they were gone.
Gage excused himself and went through the house to make sure his parents’ guests left quietly and without incident. As he peered out the living room window, he saw the valets bring around a large black Mercedes, and the three men got inside. Stanley turned back, and Gage caught his eye, making sure Stanley knew Gage meant business. He watched until the car pulled away and was out of sight before returning to the party.
“Is everything okay?” Forge asked, hurrying toward him.
“Yes.” Gage waited until Forge was close enough that he could speak without anyone overhearing. “But we need to find those files, and we need to do it fast. I played my cards and Stanley bought what I was saying, but he’s going to test that I have the goods. And when he does, I have to be able to show that I have what I said I did and that I can bring the wrath of all that’s holy down on the heads of his family, or none of us will ever be safe.”
“Where did they go?” Gage’s father asked.
“Something came up,” Gage answered, then lowered his voice. “You and I need to talk after your guests leave.” He met his father’s gaze with the steeliest look he could muster. “This isn’t negotiable.”
“You come here to my house and give me orders.” The volume was low, but the tone menacing.
“I just saved your life and your business.” Gage wasn’t going to back down, not for a second. “Maybe I should have let them worm their way into your company until you found yourself on the outside looking in and the company you built turned inside out and run into the ground. That’s what people like that do.” Gage could see he wasn’t getting through and tried a different angle. “I’m here because they might be the ones who killed Forge’s almost ex-husband, Granger. They executed him in his own backyard.”
His father flinched. “You’re sure about that?”
“I can’t be sure of anything at this point. Now, go back to your guests, and we’ll talk later. There are things we need to discuss.” Gage waited until his father nodded, and then he found a seat on one of the patio sofas. Forge sat right next to him.
“I don’t like it here. I feel so exposed, and those men aren’t going to just back away. That isn’t what they do.”
“No, they aren’t. But I can’t just tell my parents to send everyone home. It will create more talk, and right now, we need a chance to think. We have to solve Granger’s puzzle. The information we need is there, I know it is.”
“I’ll figure out that box, somehow,” Forge said, and Gage threaded their fingers together.
HIS MOTHER and father said goodbye to the last of their guests a couple of hours later. His mother went to see about the cleanup, and Gage motioned his father and Forge into his dad’s home office and closed the door.
“I need some answers, and I’m not going to beat around the bush. We found papers that indicate you took kickbacks or payoffs from the Luccis.”
“No.” His father stood behind his desk. “I never did. They offered payment, large ones, for some expedited shipments, but I didn’t take them. I knew what they were trying to do and wanted no part of it.”
“Then why were you doing business with them?”
His dad slumped into the chair. “Business has been tough lately, and I need more freight. They have plenty of legitimate business, and I was willing to work with them to try to garner some of it.” He sighed. “Maybe that was me being naive.”
“The records we found, which were in the hands of an attorney, showed those payments. Now, whether or not they were delivered, that isn’t going to look good when they come out. Those people play by different rules, and sometimes people end up dead.” Gage went over to where Forge had sat in one of the other chairs in the room and took his hand, knowing this was going to be upsetting for him. Everything about this situation sucked—well, everything except being able to hold Forge’s hand and try to protect him.
His father’s gaze zeroed in on where they touched, and his eyebrows cocked upward.
“Gage is someone special to me,” Forge said rather softly.
“I see.” His dad’s reaction was hardly a ringing endorsement of acceptance.
“My relationships aren’t the issue here. Forge and I are trying to get to the bottom of a situation, and you and Mom have become involved in it. Because of that you could be in danger.” Gage closed his eyes and groaned. This was a real mess. “Why don’t you and Mom take a vacation? Go somewhere for a few weeks. Get away and kind of disappear.”
“What?” His father’s voice boomed off the office walls.
“If what I think is correct, associates of your party friends may have killed Granger. They won’t hesitate to go after you and Mom if they think it’s to their advantage. Call your security company, have them watch the house, and go on a trip.”
His dad narrowed his gaze. “You’re serious?”
“He’s deadly serious,” Forge said. “This isn’t a game.” He gripped Gage’s hand tighter as tension ramped up to the ceiling.
“Trust me, Dad. These people aren’t who you want to do business with. You said things have been tough, then do what you’ve always done in the past: innovate and come up with something new. It’s what you’re good at. Open a new market and take advantage of that opportunity. But don’t sell your soul and do something you’re going to regret.”
“You should have been here to take over. It’s—”
Gage shared a look with Forge, who nodded, pulled his hand back, then stood and quietly left the office. It amazed him that Forge seemed to know and understand what needed to happen without Gage saying a word. Forge closed the door, leaving Gage sitting across the desk from his father, exactly where he’d been when they talked about this subject the last time.
“Running your company isn’t what I want to do. It never was. Building Livingston Cartage was your dream, not mine. I have my own, and it includes the man who just left. I know you have a tough time with that, but I’m not going to hide who I am or what I want.”
“But it’s my legacy.”
Gage shook his head. “Your legacy is the relationships you leave behind, not some business. Don’t you see that? I won’t be tied to something just because you want it so badly. You have the right to dream and build whatever is going to make you and Mom happy. But you don’t have the right to determine what will make me happy. Do you understand? Turn the company over to good managers and let them find the next opportunity if you aren’t able to do it,” he said, though he doubted very much that was true. After a pregnant pause where they both stared at each other, he added, “We’re a lot alike.”
“How do you figure that?” His father didn’t look away, and Gage wouldn’t expect him to.
“We’re both stubborn as shit, for starters.” He cocked his head, and his dad rolled his eyes and nodded. “I started my own business, Dad. I’m successful and damn good at what I do—the same as you. I wanted to do things my own way and follow my own path. Does that sound at all familiar to you?”
His dad huffed, and Gage could see his resolve fading. “But I wanted you to have a better life and more chances than what I had. I built the company. All you needed to do was take over and run it into the future.”
“Instead, I went into the Army and then used my training to start my own company.” Gage stood. “Don’t you see it? I took after you and found my own way. I don’t want to carry on your life—I want to build one of my own. Is that really so hard for you to understand?” He leaned over the desk, forcing his father to acknowledge what he was saying. “Or is all of this just a smoke screen for the fact that your son is gay and you can’t deal with that either?” He pushed away, turned around, and stood tall. “Maybe it was a mistake coming here at all. You can go ahead and make all the stupid moves you want. Do business with gangsters and criminals. I have my own life and my own business.”
“Gage—”
“You’re too damned stubborn to listen or care what anyone else wants, so why should I bother with—”
“Gage!” His father cut through his rant, and Gage whirled around. “I think you made your point.”
“Fine. What are you going to do about it?”
His father picked up the phone for his assistant and asked her to make a hotel reservation. Gage stepped forward and shook his head. His father paused in his speech, and Gage motioned for him to hang up.
“What? You wanted us to get away.”
“Don’t make a reservation. Just show up and check in. Pay cash and stay out by the airport. There are a lot of hotels, and people come and go all the time. Then decide where you and Mom want to go, buy plane tickets, and just get away. I need to figure all this out, and I don’t want to worry that they’ll use you to try to get to me… to Forge and me. Call me each day to let me know you’re okay.” Gage reached into his wallet and pulled out his card. “This is a secure line, and Margie will get word to me that you’re fine. Don’t tell any of your friends where you are.”
His father took the card. “What about work?”
“Buy a new computer and use that. It will be clean and untraceable for a period of time. Again, tell no one where you are, and watch your back.”
His dad stood, eyes darting around the room in the first show of nervousness Gage had seen. “You really think your mother and I could be in danger?”
“Those people don’t take no for an answer. Dad, they thought they had you on the hook, and they aren’t just going to let you go if they can help it. I need some time to unravel this puzzle and do my best to make sure they can’t hurt you or Forge ever again. I’m not sure how I’m going to do all that yet, but I need to know you and Mom are safe. So just go. Call the security service, then lock up the house and get out of here. If you’ve got any cash in the house, use that. If not, get some. Don’t use credit cards or anything that can be traced. Stay with friends you can trust if you’d like.”
“I have some cash in the safe.”
“Then get it. Pack bags and put them in the trunk of the car. Oh, and make sure you have the security company check the system on the property. Tell them you think it’s been compromised. They need to make sure there aren’t any honey hooks into the system.”
“Okay. How do I tell your mother all this?” He lowered himself back into his chair.
“Just tell her the way you tell her everything else. You and Mom have always been a team, so handle this the same way. You know Mom. She loves an adventure. After all, she put up with us for all these years.” Gage smiled, and his father did the same. It was the first time in years that they’d both seemed contented in each other’s company. “Now I think I need to rescue Forge from the grand inquisitor.”
His dad nodded, and Gage turned to go. “Are you serious about that young man or is he just a friend?”
Gage paused at the door. “Dad, he’s the other half of my soul. I knew that when I first met him when I was in the Army hospital.” There was no need to bring up old wounds, not when he and his dad had made progress. “Forge and I lost touch back then. But we found each other now. I know you don’t understand the whole gay thing. But it’s the same as you and Mom. I love him and will move mountains to keep him happy.”
His dad sighed. “Then that’s how it should be.”
Gage opened the door and went in search of his mother. He found her and Forge in the kitchen, sitting at the table with a drink in front of each of them. When he’d brought Forge, the last thing he’d expected was for him to hit it off with his mother. Maybe there was such a thing as miracles after all.
His mother looked up at his approach. “Forge was telling me that you knew each other in the service.”
“Yes. We met back then but lost touch. Forge sent me letters, but I never got them.” He held Forge’s hand and watched his mother for any reaction, but only saw the slightest flinch around her eyes. She might not have consciously made the connection, but somewhere inside, he thought her conscience jabbed her.
“Gage…,” she whispered, looking between the two of them, her eyes darting from one to the other.
“Yes, Mom. He sent the letters to the house, but I never got them.” He let the implications hang in the air and waited while her mind wound through her own actions.
Gage saw the moment she remembered. Her eyes widened and she gasped softly. Then the mask she usually wore when she was in society and encountered something unpleasant slid into place.
“I know what you did.” He wasn’t letting her get away with it. Not that there was anything that could change the past. It was what it was, and hanging on to the hurt was never going to help.
“Gage, I—”
“It’s in the past, and through some miracle of fate, we found each other again.” Gage held Forge’s hand tighter. “Forge and I need to go.” He turned to his dad, who had just walked in from his office. “Please do what I asked.” He’d had all of his mother and father that he could take at the moment. Gage didn’t want to hold what had happened against them. “Call me to let me know you’re safe.”
“Harry, what’s going on?” his mother asked, standing as Gage gently tugged Forge out of the room and toward the front door.
“Shirley, just go sit down and I’ll explain.”
Gage turned, and his father met his gaze and nodded. At least he could breathe a little easier knowing his parents would be safe.
He closed the door to the house and looked around carefully. Gage had the feeling they might be watched, but the hair on the back of his neck didn’t stand up. Still, he wasn’t going to take any chances. “Let’s get to the car and back to the hotel. It’s late.” The valet was waiting for them and handed Gage the keys.
“Did anyone get near the car at all this evening?” Gage asked.
“No. Why would they?” he answered, and Gage handed him a twenty before getting in. Once Forge was inside, Gage pulled out of the circular drive and onto the quiet suburban street. He took multiple turns and made certain he wasn’t followed before driving anywhere near the hotel where they were staying. Finally he pulled into the parking lot, and they went up to their room.
“Will they be able to find us here?” Forge asked once they were behind closed doors.
“No. I didn’t check in under my own name. Over the years I’ve developed a number of alternate identities, and I used one of them. I’m very good at what I do, and believe it or not, it’s very easy to get a credit card in any name you choose. So, unless they know the name I registered under, we’re safe enough for now. We also used the underground garage so they’re going to have to specifically look for our car.” Gage sat on the edge of the bed as Forge picked up the bag containing the jade box and sat next to him. He took it out and turned it over in his hands, a soft rattle coming from inside.
“There’s a way to open this. I have to find it. Granger told me that there is usually a piece that presses inward and starts the cascade of movement that allows them to open.”
“Okay. But what if it’s a piece you have to pull out? The box is small, so there isn’t going to be much room to push anything inward.” Gage extended his hand, and Forge placed the box in it. He turned it over, lifting the box so he could look the dragon in the eyes.
“I don’t think he can look back,” Forge quipped, laughing. He reached for the box and gasped slightly before gently taking it and pulling the tail of one of the dragons, which moved outward slightly before coming to a complete stop. “That’s it.” Forge carefully moved the remaining pieces until the side of the box lowered and the lid slid off to the side.
“What’s in it?”
Forge placed another thumb drive in Gage’s hand, along with a folded piece of paper.
Gage opened the page, read it briefly, and then turned to Forge. “This is for you.” He stood to give Forge a chance to read the note. “From the date, it was written six months ago.”
Forge took the page and read aloud.
“Dear Forge,
“If you’re reading this note, then I’m dead and the precautions I took to try to save myself—and by extension, you—weren’t enough. The last few months have been difficult for us, and my work has been suffering. I know it’s because I can’t concentrate, and the two of us arguing about everything has gotten me to the point that I can’t think straight most of the time. I want you to know that none of what’s happened is your fault. I know it was mine because I was weak.”
Forge sniffed and looked up from the page, wiping his eyes. At Gage’s nod, he continued.
“I know you have no reason to believe me. I know I was weak, but I was also set up, and since I thought I was too smart to let that happen, it’s exactly what did happen. Then you found out, or they arranged for you to find out. I don’t know which, but hurting you brought my world to an end. Like I said, everything is all my fault, I know that. I should have been stronger.
“The people who set me up have no scruples and will do anything to get what they want. I’m willing to bet they think they can find what they want, but they can’t. My computer was encrypted, and they will never find the key. If they destroy it, they’re wasting their time. Everything needed to bring them down is in cloud storage, but you need the access information. You have what you need. You know the private account, and I put the password where we kept our personal papers. You just need to look for it.
“I know you and I had a good life and I was the one who changed all that. But know that I regret it. Be safe, and above all, be happy.”
Forge wiped his eyes. “I wonder how much of this was still true after all these months.” Forge refolded the letter and placed it gently on the bed. He didn’t move, sitting quietly, staring at the wall. “Things between us got so messed up.”
“Maybe. But at least you know that Granger did care and felt bad for what happened.”
“Six months ago. He put all that crap in a letter instead of sitting down and talking to me. We were living in the same house, avoiding each other, and all he needed to do was try to talk and explain. I don’t know if I’d have been able to forgive him right away… or take him back, but we could have talked instead of arguing about everything we owned for the last six months and getting nowhere.”
“I bet you weren’t getting anywhere because Granger was still holding on.” Gage took Forge’s hand, lightly stroking the back with his thumb. “I know he was a lawyer, but sometimes people don’t have the words for what they want, so they act on their emotions instead. Maybe he hoped things could work out if he kept the two of you living together as long as possible.” He continued stroking Forge’s hand and caught his gaze. “Are you going to be okay?”
“Yes. I’m surprised to see the note, and yet I think I understand. I always thought of Granger as the kind of man who was always in control and knew what he wanted.” Forge tugged his hand away and put both over his face. “Ten years and I didn’t understand who he really was.” He gasped and wiped his eyes. “Granger wasn’t the person I thought because I didn’t see beyond the mask that he wanted everyone to see. He wanted to be the strong, in-charge, amazing lawyer. So he played that part, even for me.” Forge picked up the note once again. “But this shows me something different, something I should have seen and never did.” He set the letter down and wiped his eyes once again.
“But he didn’t want you to see anything else,” Gage tried to explain, but Forge shook his head.
“I know you have this image of the strong protector, and you are that, but you’re also gentle and the most caring person I’ve ever met. You’re strong because you help others be strong. I saw who you were almost immediately, but I never really saw Granger.”
“Did he see you?” Gage asked, and Forge grew quiet, shrugging.
“I thought he did. But maybe not.” Forge leaned closer, and Gage put his arm around him. Forge sighed. “I’m sorry about what happened to Granger. He didn’t deserve to die.” Forge picked up the letter. “Though he did think it was a possibility.”
“Yes, he did. But no one deserves to have their life taken away like that. And somehow we’re going to make those responsible pay for what they did.” Gage gestured at the paper and Forge handed it to him. Gage read it through again. “He says you’ll know the information you need.”
“Yeah. I’m pretty sure I know what email address he’s referring to. Granger had one that he used only for the most personal communications. He rarely gave it out except to close friends. Most of the time he directed communications to his work email so his assistant could help deal with it. He said the password was where we kept our personal papers, but that’s the safe we already went through.”
“Then we need to look again.” Gage patted Forge’s hand. “We’re going to need to go back to your house and see what we can find. I’ll call Harv in the morning just to check that everything has been quiet, but he would have called if he’d seen anything.”
Forge picked up the flash drive out of the box, holding it in his hand. “I wonder what this is.”
Gage got his computer, booted it up, and inserted the drive. He waited for it to start, and then pictures flashed on the screen. Forge stared, mesmerized by the images of him and Granger. The first pictures showed a much younger Forge, closer to the one from Gage’s memories. Skiing, boating, a cruise with glaciers in the background. This was obviously something Granger had put together to document his and Forge’s life as a couple. The slide show continued, with the two of them getting older and ending with a photograph of them in tuxedos, a cake in front of them, holding champagne glasses.
“You had a good life together,” Gage said softly.
“Yes.”
But it was over, and the grief showed in Forge’s eyes. Gage held him tighter, and Forge turned his face to his shirt. Gage squeezed him and let Forge release the grief he’d been holding for days. He had no illusions that Forge needed to grieve for the life he’d thought he had. Gage was glad that Forge and Granger had been happy, for the most part. He hated thinking that Forge had truly been miserable.
“Granger and I had good times together, and I did love him and he loved me. In the end things went to hell, but that still doesn’t mean that we hadn’t cared about each other.” Forge held him tighter. “Now it’s all over, and we can’t say the things to each other that we want to.” He gasped, and Gage slowly rocked him back and forth. “Everything between us ends like this. There’s no chance to say we’re sorry and no chance to forgive in return.”
“You can always forgive him. Granger will know. And maybe that’s what you need to do so you can truly move on.”
“Eight months of fighting and arguing was more than enough for that,” Forge countered.
Gage lightly stroked Forge’s cheek. “It isn’t, and deep down you know that. The fighting was only the outward sign of something else. If you cared enough to fight, then there’s still some feeling there.”
“True, but I had given up and was about to walk away when I found Granger in the backyard. I’d told Vince to settle, that I wanted to be able to move on with my life.” Forge turned to him. “We were good together for a while, but things were over between us.” Forge sighed. “That part of my life is over. It was kind of Granger to write the note, and it made me feel better, but only about moving on.”
Forge turned toward him, and Gage realized he’d been holding his breath and was likely to turn blue. He’d been worried that the note from Granger was going to open up a whole new round of soul searching. Not that Gage could blame Forge for a second. The note had been powerful; even he’d felt that.
“Maybe we should get ready to try to sleep,” Gage offered.
“Yeah. I never thought days could be so packed with activity.” Forge yawned, and Gage motioned for him to use the bathroom first. While he was gone, Gage lowered the lights and pulled down the bed covers. He took the chance to undress and figured he’d take his turn once Forge was done.
The door opened and Forge stepped out, bare, only for Gage to see and drink in. The view was stunning, like in the movies where the character has been hiding and then shows their true self and it blows you away. That was his Forge, beautiful chest, narrow hips, and eyes the color of the brightest sky. Forge came closer, and Gage’s mouth went dry. It never ceased to amaze him how Forge could do that each and every time.
“Do you need a turn?” Forge asked without looking away.
Gage shook his head, unable to take his gaze off the splendid creature in front of him. Gage lowered himself to the bed, sitting on the edge, willing Forge to come forward. As soon as he was close enough, Gage placed his hands on his hips and drew Forge into his embrace, sliding his hands around to the perfect globes of Forge’s butt. He squeezed and brought his lips to Forge’s belly, inhaling the deep, masculine richness of his skin before kissing it, the muscles under his lips fluttering.
“You are so beautiful.” Gage closed his eyes, inhaling again. “I waited so long for this.” It seemed like a lifetime, and now his spirit soared with every look, each touch, making his heart beat faster. Gage hadn’t realized how much he’d put the emotional and caring portion of himself on hold until Forge released it.
“So have I.” Forge ran his fingers through Gage’s hair, and Gage shivered at the roughness for even the slight pull of his hair. It didn’t hurt in the least, but the movements were strong and confident, with nothing tentative. “I mean, I know you had other relationships. Not that I want to hear about them now….”
Gage chuckled. He certainly didn’t want to talk about any other men at this moment. “I told you. There was no one who touched my heart. I had men in my life, but things never lasted very long.” Gage wound his arms around Forge’s waist and muscled him onto the bed.
Forge laughed as Gage pressed him onto the mattress, the smile worth everything he possessed. “That’s a long time to feel unloved.”
Gage climbed on top of Forge, staring deeply into his now darkened eyes. “How can anyone, ever, compare to you?” He knew Forge would argue, so Gage kissed him and didn’t let up. He wasn’t in the mood to hear anything contrary, and after a few breathlessly intense moments, it seemed Forge had lost the will to argue. “You were all I ever wanted, and I thought it better to be alone than to settle. And that’s what I would have been doing. I looked for that spark, that gentle touch that wrapped around my soul, but I never felt it with anyone.”
Forge stroked his cheek before wrapping his arms around Gage’s neck. “Why not?”
“I think it’s because of what I went through. When I couldn’t move my hands or legs, you sat beside me. You didn’t do it out of pity, but because you cared. You saw me at my most helpless and defenseless and made me feel alive. You, Forge, gave me something to look forward to each day, when all I wanted to do was kill myself.” Gage closed his eyes, trying to keep his emotions from overwhelming him. “You loved me for who I was then, at my worst. No one else can ever do that. The guys I’ve met since I got out of the Army have all seen me as I am now. They didn’t know what’s on the inside, and none of them can ever understand it. They don’t know the pain, determination, and guts it took to be able to walk again, or the thrill we shared when I was able to move my hands. You do because you saw me and cared for me.”
Forge shrugged slightly. “I only did what anyone would do.”
“No, you didn’t, and don’t ever say that to me. You brought me back to life, nurtured my spirit and my heart. I needed that before I could begin to heal physically.” Gage leaned closer, capturing Forge’s lips. Sometimes words were just not adequate, and Gage set out to show Forge just what he’d done all those years ago meant to him.