Morgue. The sounds of the shots still rang in their ears. Those people were supposed to take care of Fielding. What kind of protection did those Neanderthals offer if they allowed one of their clients to die on a public street? They could see the spread of blood across Fielding’s chest. Rage traveled along their limbs as they tightened their hand around the syringe in the pocket of their stolen lab coat.

They’d stood in the windows of Decadence. Bile burned at the back of their throat when that disgusting creature lifted Fielding’s hand to his mouth. That beast soiled their man. Through the cabin window a few nights before they’d watched Livingston take what was theirs. The scarred bastard using and abusing Fielding had caused the beautiful man to cry. He’d pay for that.

At the hospital, they peeked into rooms. Dropped their head as people passed them in the corridors. The stench of antiseptic and death caused them to snarl their nose. They were about to turn the corner when two of their targets came into view through slightly parted blinds, and they stared into a room filled with gurneys and supplies. They took a few steps and pushed the door enough so they could listen to the conversation.

Hayden Gage. The older silver-haired man leaned back against the wall and the scarred bastard mirrored on the opposite side. The two men spoke quietly. A light flickered on and off, and they listened to the low hum of the fluorescent lights.

“It’s been two fucking days, how much longer?”

“Liv, you’re getting impatient. We’ve been on longer stakeouts than this.”

“My boy needs me.”

“Your boy will be fine.” Gage wore a smile which bordered on indulgent.

“I made him promises.”

“Ones you’re keeping. Want your boy back in your bed?”

Fielding was alive? They’d fallen for a trap—almost. They started to back up.

“Don’t you fucking start too. I got chewed out by Peaches. Even Linus tried to pull the fucking boss card with me earlier.”

“Man, I’m not the one to give you relationship advice. Just be smart and when it’s time, let the boy go.”

“That was my plan. I had no intention of keeping him.”

They clenched their fists in the pocket of the coat. Fielding wasn’t a whore. The ugly bastard took what was theirs, and he would pay. They’d watched that abhorrent brute force himself upon the innocent Fielding and for that Francis needed to suffer.

“I’m headed out.”

Gage pushed away from the wall and approached Francis. The slightly shorter man slapped Francis on the back. They moved quickly to hide behind a tall rack and removed the cap from the syringe. Francis stepped out into the hall and watched Gage disappear at the end of the hall. While Francis’ back was turned, they struck.

They tightly fisted the plastic until the edges cut into their hand. Lowering their head, they bumped into Francis. One quick jab to the thigh and they pushed down the plunger.

“Excuse me, sir.”

They glanced back, recognition filled the man’s gaze, and they smiled as Francis attempted to step forward. They quickened their steps.

“Stop,” Francis bellowed, he closed the distance, but Francis stumbled.

Fear filled their chest as Francis pursued and just as Francis grabbed them, tried to throw them to the ground but they fought out of the loosening hold. They hit the ground and kicked. The tranquilizer weakened the much stronger and bigger man, but it didn’t knock him out like they’d assumed it would.

One solid kick, his head snapped back, and the man went still. They struggled out from under him and crouched, searching left and right, thankful for the emptiness of the lower levels.

Payback within their reach, all they needed was patience and time.

They rushed to Francis’ feet and dragged him through a swinging door into a deserted, darkened room. Their breathing was harsh with the exertion of moving the huge man. Killing the bastard would be so easy, one more shot or just slit his throat, but they needed the man. They stared down at Francis and decided killing the man seemed a more viable option. Francis was at their mercy.

The soft echo of steps reached them, and they ducked down as a doctor passed by the large glass. Part of them thankful for the distraction. Francis would run to Fielding, and they’d be there to follow, Trenton Security couldn’t keep them away from Fielding—not anymore.