Chapter 9: Axel
Mac met me at a hotel in town a few hours later. The fire department was still at Gareth’s treehouse looking for evidence of arson. I was sure they’d find some. First, the speeding car. Now, the fire. Not to mention the sleepwalking incident and the explosion in LA. Things ‘at home’ were escalating. Gareth showered as I paced the small room. Mac relaxed on the bed and watched me. The whole situation was fucking with my head.
“Cops pulled some shoe prints,” he spoke up.
“They could be mine or Gareth’s. We’ve gone hiking almost every day that we’ve been there.”
“Well, they’ll take molds.”
“I don’t like this, Mac. It almost has to be an inside job. I mean, who knows he lives in a damn treehouse?”
Mac shrugged. “He does a lot of interviews and he has probably mentioned it at some point. Fans can be better than detectives sometimes — maybe somebody hid out and followed him one night.”
“Yeah, maybe, but I don’t buy that. They’d try to get in and see him naked, not set the place on fire.” I stopped pacing and stared at him. “Whoever set the fire either didn’t know Gareth was prepared with a sprinkler system, or it was just a tactic to scare him, not kill him.”
Mac looked thoughtful. “The car wasn’t going fast enough to kill him; it would have hurt him seriously, though, if it had hit him.”
“So what are we looking at here? Someone who wants to cause him misery or injure him, but not kill him? Paul can’t be behind it because he can’t play anyway. Stan is gay, so what does he have to gain by this?”
“Unrequited love?” Mac shrugged.
“What the fuck are we missing?” I sighed in frustration. “I can’t see the other guys in the band doing this, and their other friends check out.”
“Well, they don’t have record deals,” Mac pointed out.
“So — what? You think one of the other guys? I don’t know. I didn’t get a sketchy vibe from them.”
“Well, the Skull Blasters made it big and they didn’t. What’s to say they don’t want a little payback?”
“But why single out Gareth? Why not the whole damn band!”
“Mikey and the guys don’t want what we have,” Gareth interrupted from behind me.
I turned and silently counted to five to slow my pulse. He was standing in the bathroom doorway, a towel draped around his hips.
“What do you mean?”
“They’re not about the fame and fortune. They give back to the community and run a few charities. It was never about the limelight for them. You’re looking at the wrong people.”
I threw up my hands. “Then you tell me, Gareth! Who am I supposed to be looking at?!”
“I wish I knew.” Gareth sat down on the edge of the bed and ran a shaky hand through his wet hair.
I exhaled and moved toward him. I knelt down and lifted his face gently.
“I need to find out who’s doing this. Someone set a fire at the base of your treehouse.”
“Yes, the base. We still had a clear way out the front door.”
“I called Ransom. He’s on his way.”
“Perfect,” Gareth groaned.
“Right now Mac, Ransom and I are the only people who know where you are.”
Mac’s phone rang and he excused himself. I joined Gareth on the bed and took his hand. I know he’s freaked out; his hand is shaking and his breathing seems labored. I ran a hand down his back and watched as he visibly relaxed beneath my touch.
I smiled and leaned in, kissing his temple.
“Hey. Breathe, okay? I will not let anything happen to you.”
“I know that.” Gareth peered at me though his lashes.
Mac came in the door and placed his phone on the desk.
“Okay, that was the fire investigator. The cops have a mold of the three shoe prints around the area and we have a preliminary report on the cause of the fire.”
“It was deliberately set,” I said with certainty.
“Yeah, but here’s the curious part — it was set in a way so that it wouldn’t start instantly. The sun had to be at a certain point in the sky. They found glass in the ashes.”
“Kinda like burning an ant with a piece of glass? That kind of thing?” Gareth looked puzzled.
“Something like that.” Mac nodded.
“I think you and I both know what we need to do.” I stared at Mac.
“I believe you’re right.”
“What?” Gareth looked from me to Mac. “What needs to be done?”
“I think we’re going to keep you out of this for now, Gareth.” I took his hand. “I can’t reveal where this investigation is going.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re too nice for your own good. Let me and Mac take care of this.”
“I’ll head out now.” Mac grabbed his jacket and gun. “I’ll give you a call.”
I walked Mac out and closed the door behind me. I leaned on the motel railing. Clouds were forming in the sky and a storm was kicking up, swirling leaves into tiny tornadoes. Ransom was just pulling up in the parking lot below. I turned to Mac and placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Let’s keep this between us. The fewer people who know, the better.”
“I agree. I’ll check in.”
Ransom came around the corner and eyed us. He crossed his arms and narrowed his gaze.
“Where’s my brother?”
“Inside.”
“Any info about the fire?”
“I’ll fill you in,” I assured him.
As soon as Ransom shut the door behind him, I turned to Mac.
“Well, let’s set the bait.”
~*~
Over the course of the next two days, I kept Gareth sequestered at the hotel. The only person allowed near him was Ransom. Mac was active, checking in with me to keep me posted. I was pretty damn sure I knew who was behind everything, but I needed concrete proof. The European tour was right around the corner and the guys were getting ready to leave for London.
I looked around the hotel room one last time, making sure we had everything. I was taking Gareth to the house in Glendale to gather his belongings for the European tour. Ransom paced in front of me, mumbling.
“Something you care to share?” I finally asked.
“Why Gareth? He’s the sweetest guy in the world. Hell, even as his big brother I couldn’t help but love the shit out of him. We never had that sibling rivalry crap and I never looked on him as a nuisance. He’s been my rock since the day he was born.”
“That’s odd, isn’t it?”
“What?” Ransom stopped pacing and looked at me.
“I don’t know. Seems like most older siblings do look at the younger ones as a nuisance. At least at some point.”
“Not me.” Ransom shook his head. “I was seven when Gareth was born. He was premature; he was so tiny. There were days when we didn’t know if he was going to make it. His lungs weren’t fully formed, on top of some other issues, so he was in the NICU for months. I was old enough to go with my parents to see him, and old enough to understand how serious his situation was. I could only look at him through the NICU window, connected to all those tubes and monitors. Every time I visited, I was scared he wouldn’t be there when I got there. Do you know what that’s like, Axel? Not knowing whether your flesh and blood will survive the night? I do. It’s something I’ll never forget. When we were finally able to bring him home, Mom put him in my arms and he immediately grabbed my finger and held it. I knew from that day forward that I was always going to make sure he was protected, safe.”
“I feel the same way you do,” I assured him quietly.
“Do you?” Ransom glared at me.
“I would give my life for him, Ransom.”
The look of shock on his face rivaled the shock I felt as soon as the words left my mouth. I realized in that instant that I meant them. I’d fucked my share of men, but I’d never felt anything for any of them. Certainly, nothing remotely resembling what I feel for Gareth — and I hadn’t even fucked him.
Gareth came out of the bathroom, saving me from further interrogation. He looked between us and then tilted his head.
“What did I miss?”
“Not a thing,” I answered. “You ready?”
“Yep.”
~*~
I manned the grill as Ransom and Gareth swam in the pool. Not for the first time since I’d been protecting Gareth, I had the feeling of being at home. Whether it was a hotel, his Glendale house, or the treehouse it just felt so right. Mac was spot on. For the first time in my life, I cared for someone other than my parents and it was freaking me the fuck out.
Feelings were complicated. They fucked with your head.
There was a reason I killed people for a living.
I didn’t give a flying fuck.
Now I did.
I watched with a smile as Gareth dunked his brother. I understood why Ransom was so protective; theirs wasn’t a sibling relationship you saw very often. Ransom would die for his brother. Gareth splashed out of the pool a few minutes later, toweling his hair dry. He stepped up to the grill and inhaled deeply.
“Is it still mooing?” he asked.
“Yes, this one right here.” I pointed to a porterhouse with the tongs. “This has Gareth written on it.”
The smile he shot me would have melted the hardest heart. I shook my head clear and flipped Ransom’s steak. The foil-wrapped potatoes were done. Gareth grabbed the salad bowl and Ransom joined us. We sat at the patio table, and Ransom looked over the tour dates as he ate.
“This tour is pretty laid back. We’ve got days between gigs so we have plenty of down time if we want to explore.”
“I definitely want to spend some time in Italy.” Gareth enthused. “Have you been there, Axel?”
“Yes, but I didn’t get to sightsee.”
“Ah, one of those visits.” Gareth grinned, slapping butter on his potato.
“I can’t believe how nonchalant you are about that, Gareth.” Ransom frowned.
“What? Everyone has to make a living somehow,” Gareth shot back.
“So what do you say, Axel, when people ask you what you do for a living?”
“Well, normally I’ll say, ‘Hey, I’m Axel and I’m a mercenary.’”
Gareth snickered and Ransom slapped his arm. I fixed Ransom with a look.
“I don’t have conversations with people, Ransom. That’s not who I am. I stay to myself and I don’t make friends. Mac is the only person in my life who knows anything about me.”
“I know stuff,” Gareth piped up.
“Yes, you do.” I shot him a grin.
“Like what?” Ransom asked suspiciously.
I told Ransom the story about how I got my name, how I became a SEAL and how I came to work for Mac. I figured he should know who was going to be dating his brother. Because I intend to see Gareth again once I catch his stalker. Ransom listened attentively to my story, nodding every now and then.
“So, these guys you kill — they’re bad?” he asked slowly.
“Let’s just say a lot of people are still alive because the guys I killed are not.”
Ransom contemplated my answer and then nodded slowly.
“Okay, I get it. Doesn’t mean I have to like it.”
“Well, sorry to say but it’s not your opinion I’m worried about.” I glanced at Gareth.
“I already told you how I feel about it, Axel,” Gareth assured me.
“I never thought I’d see the day. My brother is falling for an assassin.” Ransom winked at me.
“Damn, Bro! Really?” Gareth ducked his head, his cheeks tinged pink.
I chuckled and took Gareth’s hand. Was he really falling for me? The thought made my stomach knot up. Maybe it was time to have someone like Gareth in my life? I know how I feel about him. I’m not sure what love is, though.
“Eat up, Gareth. You’re pale again,” Ransom warned.
“Are you anemic?” I asked.
“Yes. I have lots of problems because I was born early. I got Valley Fever when I was a kid.”
“Scared the shit out of me,” Ransom said. “Gareth got all the weird shit. Any sickness that was rare, Gareth got it. His immune system is pretty damn fragile.”
“Was,” Gareth corrected. “I’m much better now.”
“That’s why you don’t take any drugs at all, isn’t it?”
“Yep.”
Ransom’s phone rang and he excused himself from the table. I scooted closer to Gareth and ran my fingers through his hair. He wasn’t delicate; he’d taken my ass down in seconds at the campground, so why did I feel like I had to swath him in bubble wrap? Gareth must have sensed my thoughts because he smiled at me and palmed my face.
“I’m tougher than I look, you know.”
“I do. I just worry about you. Gareth, I need you to know that anything I do is to keep you safe. You know that, right?”
“What does that mean?”
“I need you to trust that I know what I’m doing.”
“I do trust you, Axel.” Gareth searched my eyes.
“Good.”
~*~
The European tour kicked off in London at Wembley Stadium. I was working with the stadium’s security to keep the guys safe and Mac sent three of his best bodyguards to give me a hand.
The men had arrived the day before. Now they stood in front of us in the dressing room. Ransom’s eyes widened as they filed in. If he thought I was big, I have no clue what he thought of the three men standing in front of us. I gestured vaguely at each man as he was introduced.
“These are Buster, Hammer and Achilles. They will be watching your backs from the stage.”
I expected a giggle, a chuckle or even a snicker at the names, but the guys didn’t even bat a lash. Impressive. But I have to admit, all three men are awfully intimidating.
And that’s coming from me.
“Are those your real names?” Gareth finally ventured.
Hammer raised a brow.
“Mine is,” Achilles spoke up. “The other two would be a no.”
“Your mom named you Achilles?” Harley asked curiously.
“Yes.” Achilles crossed his arms and glared at Harley.
I had to chuckle. If anyone looked like an Achilles, it was this man. Blond buzz-cut hair and massive biceps with Greek letters tattooed the length of them.
“As much fun as this is? We have work to do. These behemoths will be close by should anything happen. It’s about time you guys had some professional security. You’re not in the garage anymore, okay? You’re rock stars.”
The guys nodded and left to get ready. Hammer and Buster checked out the equipment while I walked the stage back and forth. Achilles followed me out and checked vantage points from all four corners of the stage.
“Mac said Gareth was almost taken out at the L.A. concert,” Achilles half asked.
“Yes.” I crouched to check the position of the pyrotechnics.
“You think they’ll try again?”
“Wouldn’t you?”
“Yes. If I was hell-bent on taking someone out.”
“You’re the Delta Force guy, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Sorry, we can’t all be SEALS,” I chuckled.
“Nah, we’re better.”
“I’ll let that slide for now.”
“You got a gut feeling on this one?”
“I do.” I stood up and crossed the stage to where Achilles was checking out possible vantage points for attempts on Gareth’s life.
“I can’t believe they’ve gone all this time without a security team. That’s fucking crazy.” Achilles took a wary look around. “Too many places to hide in here. We need to stay close.”
“I agree.”
“Well, let’s get our gear into place.”
~*~
The concert went off without a hitch. Thanks to the professionalism of the guys working with me, we worked like a well-oiled machine. We got the band out of the stadium and safely into their hotel rooms without incident. Of course, we had to deal with the long line of fans and VIP ticket holders before we were able to leave the venue. Gareth smiled the whole time, happily signing autographs for his fans. I stood behind him, arms crossed, impassive, alert to any sign of trouble.
Achilles posed behind Harley and Jinx in the same stance. Hammer and Buster watched over Ransom and Rebel. All in all, the guys were back to their usual happy selves.
Gareth walked out of the bathroom, a swirl of steam following him out like a magic genie. Until I get free rein to jump his bones, I’m really going to have to get him a big, frumpy robe to replace these sexy after-shower towels wrapped around his waist. He was rubbing the tips of his fingers and I took his right hand in mine. His fingers were red and the skin was raw. I ran my thumb over his index finger and looked into his eyes.
“Does this happen a lot?”
“Yeah, they just need to toughen up a bit. All part of a guitar player’s life.”
“You looked at home up there.”
Gareth took his hand back and sat down on the bed, sighing deeply.
“I love playing; I loved it before I became part of the band. Being in the band is altogether different. Sometimes I feel trapped, you know?”
“I guess I do.”
“You’ve been alone for most of your life, huh?”
“Yes.”
“No wonder you try so hard to stay at arm’s length.”
“I tried it at first with you,” I admitted. “The more time I spent with you, though, the more I saw the real man. You hide offstage, but you’re such a commanding presence on it. I’ve watched the concert footage from before you joined the band. Paul never had that stage presence, Gareth. You were born to shine.”
“You think so?” Gareth tilted his head in thought.
“I know so. You may have been born small, but you are larger than life.”
“That’s so cheesy!” Gareth chuckled.
I jumped on him and pushed him back on the bed, hovering over him. Gareth’s lips parted and he gasped. I slid my knee between his legs and rubbed his balls slowly. Gareth moaned softly and I leaned in and kissed him.
“What happened to no hanky panky?” Gareth panted.
“I’m just kissing you. Besides, we jacked off together.”
“You’re…rubbing my balls,” Gareth rasped.
“Oh, is that what I’m doing? Oops. Does it feel good?” I asked, nipping his bottom lip.
“Um, yeah. My dick really likes it.”
“I have something else it might like.”
I scooted down Gareth’s body and took the head of his dick in my mouth. God help me, I couldn’t help myself; I want more of that taste. Gareth’s stomach contracted as I took him down to his pubes. I want him to choke me with his seed and fuck my mouth. Gareth got the hint when I grabbed his ass in both hands and shoved him down my throat.
After that, he fucked my mouth in earnest — and the noises he made? I’ll never forget them as long as I live. Gareth’s fingers petted my hair before he yanked on it, shoving me down to the root again. I moaned around his girth as precome coated my tongue.
“Oh fuck… Axel! Gonna blow!”
I sucked harder and he rewarded me with a blast of salty/sweet goodness straight down my throat. I kept at it, coaxing more until he was limp beneath me, his chest heaving. He threw an arm over his eyes and let out a nervous laugh.
“Are you okay?”
“I’ve ever come that hard!”
“Good.” I crawled up his body and cupped his face in my hands. Gareth’s eyes meet mine and I searched his face. “What is it?”
“Are you going to realize you can do better?”
I stare at him, stunned. “Are you joking? That’s not even funny. If anything, you can do better. You’ll find a nice man who doesn’t kill people for a living. Let’s just take this one day at a time, okay?”
“Okay.”
“Now, what do you want to do tomorrow?”
“Funny you should ask.” Gareth grinned.
~*~
I groaned each time as my feet hit the pavement. We’d been out most of the day and Gareth dragged me everywhere from Big Ben to Piccadilly Circus to the Tower of London. He made me take a picture of his head on the chopping block. Eerie and somewhat morbid — Gareth was my kind of guy. We ate at McDonalds because Gareth was tired of fish and chips. I had to laugh at that. We sat and munched, people watching.
“How many times have you been here?” I asked.
“A few, but I never got to get out and sightsee.”
“Well, I’m glad I could take you then.”
“I really want to take a gondola ride in Venice.”
“We can do that, too.”
“Axel?”
“Yeah.”
“I’m glad you were the one chosen to watch over me.”
“Me, too.”
~*~
Germany was much of the same. The crowd went crazy as the band wrapped up their concert. Another long line of fans and VIPs. Gareth is itching to get to Italy but our next stop on the tour is Paris. I’m looking forward to the pastries.
Gareth and I walked around Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.
“It’s weird to think that once upon a time, there was an East and West,” Gareth mused.
“Yes. It is. Families separated by a wall. So many people died trying to cross over.”
“I’ll never understand any of it.” Gareth shook his head.
“I stopped trying long ago to figure out why some people are fucked in the head, Gareth. It will drive you insane.”
“Kind of like trying to figure out why some people hate gays, right?”
“I really don’t give a flying fuck what people think about my life. I never have. You would do well to do the same.”
We spent the rest of the day shopping around Berlin before heading back to the hotel. The band had gathered in Ransom’s suite when we arrived. Mac stood in the center of the room and I nodded to him.
“Mac. Good to see you.”
“I came as soon as I could. We arrested Stan.”
“What?!” Gareth and the rest of the band shouted in unison.
“His shoe fit the mold taken at the treehouse after the fire. We found traces of gasoline on his shoes and a search turned up glue, paper and tweezers used to make the threatening letters. Stan lives two blocks from the post office stamped on some of the letters. We turned that place over with a fine-toothed comb. We’re confident we have our man.”
“But it can’t be,” Gareth spoke softly. “He’s gay. He said he would never hurt me.”
“He’s in love with you, Gareth,” Mac said seriously. “He knew you would never feel the same way. We found a letter he was starting. It said ‘if I can’t have you, no one can’.”
“No.” Gareth shook his head. “I saw his face that day when Axel confronted him. He wasn’t like that…he wouldn’t…” Gareth trailed off, choking back a sob.
“Thanks, Mac. I’m taking Gareth to his room. Good work.”
I walked Gareth back to our hotel room and looked him over. Tears cascaded down his cheeks. He looked positively wrecked. I wanted to fix it, but I can’t.
“Are you okay?”
“He was so sweet and he helped us, Axel. Why? I can’t wrap my head around this.”
“As I said, no one knows why some people do what they do. I’m so sorry.”
“I just want to go to bed.”
I sat on the edge of the bed and ran my hands down my face. I hated this, I really did. There was a soft knock at the door and Ransom stood there when I opened it. He looked just like Gareth did — devastated.
“Are you leaving him now?”
“No. I’ll stay through the tour.”
“Thank you, Axel. I think he’s going to need you.”
I knew Gareth would need me.
Because the worst was yet to come.