Before You

A/N: PLEASE get your email address and request to receive the final chapters of ‘Before You’ gratis to me ASAP. Once I give a cut-off notice for their arrival, I will no longer continue building the list. Don’t wait until the last minute and slam the laboring author. Also, please don’t place the request in a review. Contact me directly.

MsKristinaDalton@aol.com

I have my cover for Until You and will send the final ms draft to my publisher this week after several holdups on my end. Going to try sending the cover in the body of an email to that group today. No promises. It’ll be my first try.

Sorry for the recent irregularities in posting. Seasonal complications and a trip to the computer ER for my mechanical baby have caused delays.

CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN


He woke to hearing a house filled with people. Roth looked at Adam. His partner and mate lie facing him, large, lovely violet eyes open and unfocused. Trembling in fear, but determined to help, he kissed Adam’s lips. “Good morning, baby.”

Roth got him up and into the shower. He washed his man’s long hair, squeezed out excess moisture, massaged in conditioner, then went on to wash and rinse him top to toes, shave his face, cut the water and began to towel him. Adam swayed frequently, and fearful his man might fall, Roth called for his sire. “Papa?”

Hardly a second passed before his father arrived. “Adam, let me tell you something.” He assumed Adam’s weight, escorting him to the bed as Roth continued with his own shower. “My eldest broke his right arm when he was fifteen. I secretly loved it because I got to help him shave and dress for a while.”

Roth rinsed, dried, dragged on lounging shorts, walked into the bedroom and looked to his sire. Papa said, “I’m going to finish drying you and dress you, as a father would his son.”

Roth might have collapsed given his emotional response. His sister’s arms caught him. As with all Garrett women, married in or born, her strength meant he could give in to weakness. “I have you, brother. Let’s give you a few minutes. Papa has your man.”

Roth leaned heavily upon her, grateful he had a family so full of understanding and character. Braxton walked him out to where Jason and Joseph worked in the kitchen, while his mother, Nathan and Ridge sat on the big sectional talking in hushed tones.

Ridge stood and came to him at once. Roth had never experienced his younger brother as the dominant. Ridge hauled him into his strong arms. The scent of him, so like their father, made Roth press his face into his sibling’s neck.

Ridge held him close. “We’re here. Lean on us.”

Maman and Braxton joined the knot. It caused him to break down. “I … can’t … lose him. My heart will just stop.”

They held him close and Roth didn’t think he could have remained upright without them.

Two days passed.

Papa and Grant helped Roth care for his fiancé physically. Adam ate and drank if someone placed it in front of him and told him to do it. He responded more to Roth than anyone, but only to look at him less blankly or lean his head on Roth’s shoulder as if almost terminally weary. Although everyone offered and even seemed to want to remain, he only had Ridge and Jason stay.

That evening, with Adam sleeping, Joseph and Jason in the kitchen and Nathan doing duty as sous chef, Roth took a few moments to finish bringing his brother completely up to speed. As they stood out on the patio, Roth’s personal cell rang. “Excuse me, Ridge.” He answered. “Yes?”

“Mr. Garrett, Special Agent Spelling. May I have a few minutes of your time?”

“Certainly. Call me ‘Roth’.”

Ridge walked over to watch the activity in the kitchen through the window. He smiled.

“Very well. Roth, has Mr. Taggart mentioned a Wesley Arland?”

Recollecting their discussion about Bradley’s friend Adam seduced, he asked, “The man who recruited him?”

“Yes, sir. Agent Arland’s bureau records are hazy at best,” she replied. “That man handled Mr. Taggart?”

Roth knew the speak. “I think so. What’re you asking?” He watched his brother step closer to the window and touch his fingertips to it. Although Roth’s angle of viewing made it difficult to see, he leaned around and watched Jason reciprocate. It touched him and made his gut clench thinking of his own love.

“Sir, Roth,” she corrected, “I’ve gone a bit over my clearance and pay scale to look for that agent. He specializes in invisibility. Don’t know if the Denver field office has located him, but I will bet my badge that man is fringe or not even an official agent.”

Attention captured, Roth countered, “What’re you telling me, Spelling?”

“I think Mr. Taggart may have been adopted by some black ops agency that kept the truth of his work secret even from him. It absolutely happens, and more frequently than the government or any other faction would like the public to know.”

“How could he not know who he worked for?” Even as he asked, he recalled a movie with several big stars that had involved a similar scenario. At the time it released, it had caused much chatter among private operators concerning a rumor the plot claimed a basis in reality.

“Falsified paperwork and good fronts go a long way. He went in young. And, his guardian died not too long afterward, leaving him kind of adrift.” She drew in a deep breath. “Apologies for yet again bearing bad news. You’re going to start cringing when you see my number.”

He switched ears with the cell and watched his big, hyper-masculine sibling blow a kiss to his much-loved spouse before returning to Roth’s side. “What now?”

“First of all, Roth, how is he? I can’t sleep for seeing his face that day he saw the sketches.”

The genuine pain and concern in her voice struck his heart. “Broken. However, I refuse to believe unfixable.”

“Professionalism aside, the love between you is very apparent and admirable. He’s so lucky to have that.”

Roth’s composure broke and so did his voice. “Thank … thank you for that Special Agent Spelling.” Ridge’s arm slid around his shoulders.

“Call me ‘Sarah’,” she replied. “I’ll finish looking into this and we’ll talk about your flying him out to see his sister.”

“Thank you, Sarah. May I ask your professional opinion about that? Would he benefit from it?”

“I don’t know him like you do, Roth. At risk of placing a potentially costly burden at your feet, that call’s yours.”

“Thanks again, Sarah.” His stomach churned and he leaned into his brother. “Keep me in the loop.”

“Will do. Mean time, you need me or he recalls anything consciously or otherwise, let me know.”

“I will.” Roth closed his phone and stood there, his mental processes somewhere between numb and raw.

He groomed and dressed Adam for the evening meal. During the entire process, Roth’s heart ached and jerked in his chest. So much of himself resided within his love. Of a sudden, Adam collapsed. Roth cushioned his fall, calling for backup. “I have you, Adam.”

Ridge, Jason, Nathan and Joseph arrived like the cavalry, surrounding them and offering comfort.

Adam’s beautiful violet shone sharp and bright. “I’m back.” He embraced Roth, much to his elation. “Sweetheart, I’m here. I love you and I’m going to be okay.”

Roth held him, tight, grateful, yet holding what he alone knew like poison inside him.