Before You

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE





Roth had Nathan swing by the shelter before going to catch their ride. He took what he needed from his private stores kept in an on-site safe.



As he climbed back into the car with the big guy, he had a lesson in making assumptions about the man’s intellect. He hadn’t considered him slow, but his insight floored Roth.



“Would I be wrong guessing you stopped here for pharmaceutical supplies?”



“No.”



“The law frowns on that.” Nathan pulled out onto the street.



“I don’t give a shit. That stubborn bastard gives us trouble, I tranq his ass.”



“If the cops have come because of the trouble, and ask about the unconscious man over your shoulder?” He actually didn’t sound disapproving.



“He’s my step-brother, an addict and we’re performing an intervention.”





Roth chafed at the wait during flight. They touched down on the chopper pad of a high rise in the heart of Chicago’s financial district. Nelson had insisted on a ride-along. Like a true vet of private operations, he stepped out onto the bird’s skid before it even landed.



Helping Roth out, he leaned low and placed his huge hand on Roth’s head to keep him down as well. “We have to move fast. I had Keith call in a marker. We’re gonna get your man.”







Although Roth had considerable martial arts and weapons training, Nathan effectively dusted him in cutting through the mob gathered at the shelter. Some neighborhood dispute had erupted, hence the priceless footage leading him to Adam. A few beat cops had arrived to supervise, but seem disinclined to step into an uneasy mob. Tank-like, Nathan plowed forward with Roth at his back. He grabbed the waistband of his escort’s combat pants so they wouldn’t get separated.



As they entered the Catholic-run establishment, Nathan rumbled. “He just walked down that hall. Go get ‘im.”



Roth navigated through staff and the people they cared for, gazed locked on the appetizing view of Adam from the back. He plied a key to what appeared an office door. Feeling the presence of the capped syringe filled with chlorpromazine in the back pocket of his jeans, Roth thought back to when he’d requisitioned it from a supplier. He’d seen it as a potential solution to a violent situation at the Savannah shelter. Now he stalked his estranged lover with it as a weapon.



Love made mad men.



Before Adam could allow the door to close behind him, Roth slipped in and slammed it.



“Jesus!” Those beautiful, large violet eyes showed complete surprise. “How’d you find me?”



Roth advanced on him, and shoved him against the desk. His heart thumped wildly and already his erection fairly burned with want. The scent of his lover seemed to blaze through him. Taking advantage of Adam’s stun, Roth grabbed his face and kissed him.



Adam mumbled something, attempting to turn his head.



Ruthlessly, Roth pushed his thumb into the corner of his lover’s lush lips, using an old horseman’s trick to force a bit. On fire, he ordered, “Open your mouth to me, goddamnit.”



Adam’s jaw relaxed. Groaning, Roth sought his tongue and thoroughly reintroduced himself to that strong, silky muscle.



A helpless whimper proceeded Adam averting his head. Panting, he rasped, “No. You have to go. Now.”



“I came to bring you home.” He surrendered to sexual temptation and savored Adam’s ear with his tongue.



“I told you -”



Furious, aroused and in no mood to negotiate, he lifted his head, pulled out the syringe. “See this?” He held it up between them. “I’m prepared to surrender my personal and professional standards, shoot this in you to get you back with me.”



“What’s that?”



“My ticket to the special hell for doctors who have vowed to ‘first, do no harm’, Adam.”



His lover’s face seemed to crumble. He wrapped his arms around Roth. “I brought you to this.”



Trembling, Roth snarled, “Good of you to accept blame.”





They cleared out Adam’s efficiency apartment in less than fifteen minutes. He’d traded cars as he’d traded identities. Adam relinquished claim on the small economy model, handing the keys to a homeless man he knew in the neighborhood.



Then, they returned to the drop point. Roth shoved Adam inside, then followed. On the roof with the chopper, Nathan pushed Adam into a seat.



Adam’s eyes gleamed with that same light as the night he and Roth physically struggled in his bedroom. “Back off, Rigley.”



“You made my boy lose sleep. Pisses me off. Try my patience.”



Roth held up his hand. “Thanks, Nathan. Stand down.”





As they pulled into the garage at an ungodly hour, Joseph rushed out. He walked up to Adam, stared at him for a moment, then slapped him. “He cried in his sleep.”



To his credit, Adam remained cool. “I made a mistake.”



“Mistake?” Joseph repeated the term. “Family is gold standard. You tossed that away.”



Adam attempted to touch the younger man. “I thought I protected you both.”



Joseph knocked away his hand. “You made him weep in his sleep!” He shook his head. “I will forgive you. Just not today, Adam.”



Adam stood watching Nathan and Joseph depart through the sliders to the guesthouse. In his musical voice, he queried, “How about you, Roth?”



His heart continued to thunder. “You told me you wouldn’t just run out. I trusted you. You lied.”



Adam stepped close, touching him. “I’m sorry.”



“Don’t try distracting me with sex.” His chest constricted. “Adam, I love you. And, I hate it I feel like I can’t fuck you or let you fuck me now.” His voice broke. “I want you so much. Yet, all I feel is betrayal.”



“Will you at least believe this was truly the only course of action I saw?”



“No!” Roth panted with the force of his emotions. “You didn’t even talk to me.”



“I put more importance on your life than your opinion of me.” Adam leaned close. “I couldn’t stand to lose anything else I loved. Understand that?”



Roth stared into those glorious violet eyes. “I understand protecting what you love. Not lying and betrayal.”



Adam gave him a rough shove. “Then why come after me, you relentless bastard?”



Roth pushed back, infuriated. “Because despite my better judgment, I adore you!”