Blue Moon II ~ This is Reality (14 page)

“I need to get Pierce back to Hawk in the next eight hours or else all bets are off.”

Alpha turned and left his hood off as he approached the glass door to Pierce’s room. The small man shook his head no, as if that would keep anyone from coming in. His eyes were bloodshot red and his face looked dull and sallow. Not at all like the pretty man he’d intercepted in that restaurant.

“He refused to eat or drink, didn’t he?” Alpha asked Omega, looking at Pierce’s exhausted form.

“Affirmative. And he hasn’t slept,” Omega answered.

“Hmm. No wonder the seer fancies him so. Tough little bastard. Strong and loyal to a fault. Perfect companion for a SEAL.” Alpha opened the door and quickly put his hand out in front of him in a calming gesture. Pierce was curled up against the corner of the room, crouched down on the floor. At this point he knew Alpha was partnered with Omega. He’d killed the giant as easily as if he was killing a bug and had hugged Omega. Now he was coming into Pierce’s room.

“Backhander. I need you to get up and come with me. Hawk sent me. I’m taking you to him.”

“You’re… lying.” Pierce’s voice cracked from dryness. “He’d never… send… anyone. He’d… come…. himself. Go… away”

Alpha pulled out an untraceable and dialed a few numbers. A deep voice came onto the line and Pierce’s eyes widened just slightly. “Dane,” he sighed.

“Pierce! Baby, are you okay? Can you tell me where you are? Are you hurt?”

“Whoa. Slow down, Seer. He’s not hurt, he’s just tired and dehydrated. I want you to tell him to come with me. He doesn’t trust me.”

“Tell me where he is and I’ll come and get him myself!” Hawk roared into the phone and it made Pierce’s dry lips turn up into a small smile.

“Stick to the plan,” Alpha said back calmly, Hawk’s rage doing little to faze him.

“Pierce can you hear me?” Hawk said a little more soothingly.

“Pierce go with the man in black, he’ll bring you to me.”

“You trust… him, Dane? He’s… with O. They’re… partners,” Pierce choked out. He tried to stand, but couldn’t. His legs giving out on him.

“I trust him to bring you to me, baby. Pierce, drink some water, please.” Hawk’s tone was pained, and Omega found himself feeling ashamed.

“Omega. I swear to God. If he’s hurt. I’ll make it my life’s purpose to hunt you and –”

“Okay. Settle down. No need to make threats. Be there in an hour and a half.” Alpha ended the call.

“I’m coming with you,” Omega said definitively.

“Yes. You’re not leaving my sight. But when we get to Hawk’s you are not to get out of the car. Do you understand?”

“Yes.”

Just like that. They were back to Alpha and Omega.

Chapter Fifteen

HAWK

An hour and a half and Pierce would be back safe where he belonged. He didn’t trust the two assassins, but what choice did he have? Alpha had revealed his identity so that would have to suffice. Hawk walked through his three level elevated home located so deep in the forest of Winchester, Virginia that a car wouldn’t make it through the rough terrain. His house sat raised on solid steel stilts, the area underneath bricked in and converted into a space to store his Jeep and bikes. The other half of the space was an in-home gym. He’d been working his body vigorously for two days as he waited for Alpha to follow through on his promise. It was all he could do to keep from running off half-cocked.

The two upper levels of his home looked like a modern-day log cabin on the inside with dark mahogany wood flooring and refined wood walls. The entire back side was constructed of one-way glass that he could see out of but no one on the outside could see through. The space was open and the neutral colored furniture was large but not over-cluttering the large living area. He’d made most of the wood tables and bookcases that lined the walls. Shelves filled with pictures of his team. His medals and awards were overflowing the huge amount of space. His kitchen – although rarely used – was very well-equipped. He hoped Pierce liked it. The top floor held two large master suites with two full bathrooms with Jacuzzi tubs and dual head shower stalls. Hawk had designed his house himself. There was a back passage way that could be accessed from any room. The small corridor was completely fire and bullet proof that led to an emergency panic room. His security system was designed by Viper and was impenetrable.

Hawk opened the floor to ceiling doors on the back of the house and stepped out onto the wraparound deck. Plush deck chairs and tables were scattered amongst large potted trees. Hawk loved the woods. He wanted his house to reflect his love of the outdoors and his admiration of fine sturdy craftsmanship that newer, cookie-cutter houses lacked in this day and age. He stared at the large fire pit that sat in the center and Hawk thought of turning it on since the air was brisk, but decided against it. He liked the cold. Hawk’s thoughts went to Pierce for the millionth time. He probably would enjoy a nice fire. Hawk went inside and knelt on the fur throw rugs in front of the stone fireplace and began to throw some wood inside. He started the fire from the bottom and watched it grow before his eyes. It was beautiful and the warmth crept inside of him at the thought of lying on the plush rugs with Pierce staring at him with love in his eyes. Then he figured he’d start a fire in the bedroom as well. He wanted Peirce to feel welcome. To love his home so much that he’d never want to leave.

Hawk turned his head when he heard the distinct call of alert indicating that someone was approaching. He got up and hurried out to the balcony, walking to the edge to stare down the only jagged road that led to his home. Since Alpha knew where he lived, he figured the man knew what type transportation he needed to get through the unforgiving landscape. Meaning a Porsche would have serious undercarriage damage if it tried to make it past the first mile of his – for lack of a better word – driveway.

His alert notifying him that someone was approaching wasn’t the man-made system Viper installed. It was the massive red-tailed hawk that circled over his house making a hoarse
keeeeee-arr
scream and dipping low into areas of the thick trees. Telling him exactly where his visitor was located. With the rounded wings stretched wide, he circled over-head a couple times before coming to land on the balcony, the sharp talons wrapping around the railing. Hawk was silent as he reached up and stroked the side of the muscular raptor with the back of his hand. He was careful not to make sudden movements because this was still a wild, untamed animal, but he seemed to like him. Hawk wasn’t sure if it was a female or male, but whatever he was, he was a faithful companion to have living this far into the woods.

Hawk had been sitting on the deck one evening when the bird swooped down out of nowhere and landed on the railing directly in front of him. He stared at the bird for what seemed like hours before it finally flew off. Ever since then, he made it a point to come and visit Hawk anytime he was able to come home. It was as close to a pet as Hawk had ever had.

He and his raptor watched a dark SUV bounce over several dips as it emerged through the trees. Although the windows were very heavily tinted Hawk could see clear through to the back of the third row. Alpha drove, Pierce was in the front with his chin resting on his chest. A man that had to be Omega was in the back. Hawk had an intense urge to jump down from his position, yank the man out the car and stomp his ass into the earth.

As the car bounced up to his house, Hawk hurried down the side stairs stopping just in front of the car. Alpha got out first but Hawk didn’t wait for him. He went around to the passenger side and opened the door so hard he may have caused some damage to it. He glared at the intense man in the back seat while he unbuckled Pierce’s seat belt.

“When you look at me like that, it makes me wonder what you see, Hawk,” Omega said, sitting up. His own eyes were just as mysterious.

“I see your numbered days,” Hawk whispered and turned his attention back to Pierce.

Pierce’s head wobbled like it was partially detached from his neck. His eyes looked like he was strung out on dope and his face was ashen and void of its usually creamy color. Hawk lightly tapped his cheek, whispering to him, “Pierce, can you hear me?”

Pierce groaned, letting his head fall back to the headrest. “Dane… hurts.”

Hawk turned to glower at Alpha who he’d just realized was directly behind him. Damn the man was quiet and too damn sly. “What did he do to him? You promised to return him unharmed”

“I did nothing,” Omega chimed in. “He refused to drink or sleep. What you see was self-inflicted.”

Hawk reached in and scooped Pierce up into his strong arms and Pierce instinctually wrapped his arms around him, holding on tighter than he’d thought the man had energy to. He buried his face in the crook of Hawk’s neck. He moaned again and Hawk pressed his lips to the top of Pierce’s head and went back toward the door without further acknowledging the assassins. They’d better disappear, or else they’d get what’d been long overdue to them.

Pierce

Pierce’s head pounded so hard behind his left eye, he thought perhaps he’d developed a brain aneurism while he was held captive. He knew it was sleep deprivation, but he’d refused to sleep and be caught off guard. Now he was with the man that he’d avoided for months because he was afraid of what he might do to him, but he realized that Dane Aramis cared about him too much to ever hurt him.

His face was nestled into Hawk’s neck and Pierce swore he never wanted to leave that spot. Hawk smelled like the outdoors and Old Spice. An enticing aphrodisiac combination. Hawk effortlessly carried his small frame up two flights of stairs and after several seconds of walking, he was brought into a dimly lit room with a small fire blazing in the corner and was slowly lowered to a bed that was large enough to fit five people and it felt like heaven on earth. Pierce snuggled down into the soft bedding. He desperately wanted a shower and food, but he wanted sleep more than anything.

“Hey, baby. I know you’re tired but don’t go to sleep yet. I’ll be right back,” Hawk said soothingly while softly stroking the side of Pierce’s face. When Hawk tried to stand, Pierce grabbed his hand and held on as if Hawk might disappear. What if he was asleep and dreaming this and when he woke he’d be with the Russians.

Hawk sat on the edge of the bed starring down at him. His eyes were glistening with amber-golden flecks, his pupils the size of pinpoints. He had a look of concern on his handsome face. “I’m not going to leave you. I need to get some supplies to check you out make sure your vitals are good. I’ll be right back.” Hawk was back quickly carrying a large box and a couple bottles of water.

“Hurts,” Pierce said the word again and it came out like a croak. His pain had gone beyond the typical hunger pangs from not eating for over three days. Now he felt empty and tired, a feeling that was extremely difficult to explain. Like death had crawled up inside of him and left him desolate.

“I know you ache all over. I’ll be quick, then you can rest after, for as long as you want.” Hawk’s voice was so low that Pierce was straining to hear him over the pounding in his head.

“Work… Vale…. Mrs,” Pierce started but Hawk cut him off.

“She’s still in custody. Everyone’s gone back to their division offices until you are rested up. Then we’ll reconvene. Don’t worry about any of that right now. Everything’s not fucked yet. We got time to right this. Everyone knows you’ll fix it, genius.” Hawk tried to make Pierce feel better by stroking his ego. 

“Fox?” Pierce questioned.

Hawk released a sad sigh. “His surgery was successful but he’s still in the hospital. He has a long road of recovery ahead of him. But he’ll pull through.”

“Shot. Is he okay?” Pierce's face contorted in pain as he tried to speak clearly with a throat that felt like he’d been swallowing crushed glass.

Hawk put his fingertips to Pierce’s mouth. “Shhh. Everyone is fine. They want you to focus on getting better right now.”

Pierce hadn’t even noticed that Hawk had a stethoscope in his ears and was listening to him breathe. Next his blood pressure and temperature were taken.