Chapter 17

Thirty minutes later Gaige and Alec were dressed in jeans and T-shirts. Police walked the backyard, which Alec had flooded with light. They searched for clues he knew they would never find. That hit had been professional. Alec employed an entire team of former special ops warriors to work for him. He recognized the type.

While the police searched, Gaige sat at the breakfast bar spinning a water bottle between his palms. He’d graduated from peeling off the label, but Alec wasn’t convinced the sound of crinkling plastic was a step up.

He thought about taking the bottle, but he understood Gaige needed to keep his hands busy. He had that just-tossed-on-clothes look and ruffled hair. He’d given the police the no-big-deal shrug more than once during the brief time he’d talked with them.

To Alec, the too-casual affect wasn’t convincing, but then he knew exactly how Gaige felt right now. They didn’t trade stories. Didn’t have to. They both lied and played up some theory about intruders. But adrenaline still shot through Alec like a pinball. He doubted he’d get much sleep tonight…or anytime soon.

Someone had violated his home. This was his sanctuary, the one place he could turn to for relaxation. Here he didn’t have to be the boss or the brother who handled things or even the guy with the reputation for not taking shit. Here, he could just be Alec, and now someone had threatened that.

“Hey. Everything okay in here?” Tony asked as he broke away from the backyard search and entered the house through the back door.

He had been the first one to show up tonight. He made it there right after the police did, which meant he broke speed limits and a few other traffic laws to get there.

Alec nodded. “You were close by.”

“You sent the emergency code, and I came running.” Tony shot him a knowing look. “That’s what I do.”

“True.” Alec didn’t say more because he’d likely mention Tony’s paycheck and he sensed that was the wrong answer.

The entire night had blown up. Men with guns. The alarm. Worrying about Gaige. Alec did what he’d learned to do—he reached out to Tony. Years, or even months ago, he would have handled the mess on his own and told Tony about it in the morning. That’s what he did, he resolved things. But with some help from his brothers and a shitty family history, he’d been trying to learn a new way.

This time it backfired on Tony, and Alec had to take responsibility for that. “But I’m sorry.”

Tony shrugged. “I’m fine but maybe tell Caroline the next time you see her.”

“Shit.” That meant it happened again. Alec and a work emergency destroyed a date. Much more of this and she would probably talk to Tony about quitting. Alec could not afford that. There were other qualified people but he actually liked Tony, and he didn’t want to lose the few friends he had.

“We’re going to be married with six kids before we’re able to celebrate this anniversary.”

Despite Tony’s smile, that didn’t sound good. Even Alec was smart enough to see that. “Tell her I’ll make it up to her.”

“She’s not actually talking to me right now.” Tony walked up to the breakfast bar and stopped beside Gaige. “You okay?”

Gaige spun the water bottle, making the bottom edges smack against the countertop. “I’ve had better nights.”

If he didn’t stop playing with the water bottle soon, Alec thought he might actually lose his mind. The guy needed to pick a new nervous tic.

Alec glanced at Tony. “Where’s Finn?”

“Handling the police and neighbors out front. He clearly inherited all the tact in the family.”

Alec couldn’t argue with that. “That’s why I don’t bother with that skill.”

Gaige finally looked up. “Really? That’s why?”

“I’m happy you asked before I could.” With a laugh and a slap on Gaige’s shoulder, Tony started for the front door. “I’ll be back.”

Police still convened just a few feet away but Alec welcomed some form of alone time with Gaige. The frenzy of nonstop activity tonight made it tough to even breathe. They’d been questioned—short and to the point. He’d described what he could see of the attackers and their weapons. Gaige had walked one officer through the alarm system override. It had all been necessary but didn’t do anything to ease the kicking in Alec’s gut.

He waited until he heard the front door shut to face Gaige again. He put a hand on the counter right by Gaige’s arm and leaned in. “You look…I don’t know.”

“Someone tried to shoot us through a wall of glass. Believe it or not, that doesn’t happen to me every day.”

He didn’t sound angry or shaky. More like he was stating the obvious and couldn’t believe he had to waste his time doing it.

Alec decided to lighten the stifling mood. “Well, sure. Not every day.”

“Wait.” Gaige’s eyes narrowed. “Was that a joke?”

“I can be funny.” The front door opened again and this time Finn sauntered in. He wore his I’ve-got-this grin that tended to make authority figures listen. Not Alec, but others. Alec knew that meant Finn had been busy outside.

“We okay out there?” Alec asked.

Finn headed right for the sink and stood there. “The intruder story is holding. Seth is working back channels to make this go away.”

Gaige made a groaning sound. “Seth?”

That worked for Alec. “He’s good for something.”

This time Gaige snorted. “I’m not agreeing with that.”

“Smart.” Finn stared at Gaige. “Can you give me a second with my brother?”

Gaige frowned, then started looking around the warehouse space. “Where exactly am I supposed to go?”

But Finn didn’t give up. If anything, he looked more determined. “Just a second.”

Gaige slipped off the stool and headed for the loft. “I guess I can go in the closet. It’s been more than a decade since that’s happened.”

“Thanks,” Finn said to Gaige’s retreating back, and kept watching him until the footsteps echoed on the stairs. Then he focused on Alec. “What the hell is going on?”

Alec should have expected that. It was a fair question. He just wished he had a solid answer. “No idea.”

With his hand on the edge of the counter and his arm locked, Finn didn’t look ready to abandon the topic. “How are you this calm?”

“I’m not.” Alec had perfected the art of appearing cool under pressure. It’s what helped him gain control of the company and survive the onslaught from his father and uncle in the months after. It’s what made him damn good at his job…and probably played a role in how terrible he was at handling his personal life.

“Well, that makes me feel better.”

But that’s not what this brotherly meeting was about. Ever the diplomat, it wasn’t Finn’s style to dive right into a problem, so Alec helped him along. “Say it. Whatever you need to say. Let’s just get there.”

Finn’s gaze zipped past Alec to the area behind him. “I can see the bed.”

That forced Alec to turn. He spied pillows on the floor and sheets that looked pretty tossed, but nothing that should surprise anyone.

Alec turned back to Finn. “And?”

“He works for you. There’s a reason you have rules.”

This was about the sex. Fine, Alec expected that, too. He just wasn’t prepared for the accusations. “Wait. You think I’m taking advantage of him?”

“He’s an unknown. Our work could put him in danger, or vice versa. This could backfire.” Finn pushed away from the counter and came over to stand right in front of Alec. “This wouldn’t be the first time someone tried to screw you while screwing you.”

Alec was about to launch into a lecture that would kick off a family battle when footsteps sounded on the stairs again. Gaige took his time coming down. It was as if he wanted everyone’s attention, and he got it. He stalked across the room until he stood between the two brothers.

“Okay, I’m back because, let’s face it, I’m listening.” He sighed in Alec’s face. “Honestly, you’re a billionaire. Put up a privacy wall in this place.”

That was enough for the tension to escape Alec’s body. One sentence from Gaige and the room shifted back into perspective. Sure, Finn was trying to help. He played the role of dutiful brother well, even when it was annoying. But Gaige being there was what eased the hammering in Alec’s head.

He silently thanked Gaige for getting them back on track. “I like the open space.”

“Whatever.” Gaige rounded on Finn this time. “And you, what the hell is wrong with you? I’m a grown man. I’m fucking your brother because I want to fuck him.”

“Well, you can’t be more clear than that,” Finn said.

Maybe it was the yelling or Finn’s shocked expression but Alec piped in. “And it’s pretty great.”

“Don’t help me.” Gaige barely spared Alec a glance before focusing all of his attention on Finn. “I am not the problem. You guys, whatever it is you do, could be. But I blame Seth. He dropped all of us into the middle of this by talking about random seed deliveries. This is about something much bigger.”

That sobered Alec. Never mind the men trampling his lawn or the neighbors being forced to answer questions about him, the mention of Seth had Alec at full attention. “What does that mean?”

Gaige blew out a long breath before he started talking again. “He has me checking the seed vault records since its opening. Checking and rechecking deposits from every country. Verifying your deliveries.”

The drama struck Alec as misplaced. They’d had enough this evening. “We know that, or at least suspected as much.”

Gaige shook his head. “No, I mean, this isn’t just about the extra shipments. He’s looking at employees, security. I’m scanning through old surveillance video.”

So, this was it. The “other” project Seth had set Gaige on. Gaige was spilling and Alec was not about to stop him.

“There are three vaults at Svalbard and only one is in use,” Gaige said.

Alec had no idea why that mattered but he nodded anyway. “Right. The other two are for future deposits.”

“If they’re empty, why is Seth insisting I look for anomalies in the security video and access records to see if and when those doors were opened?” Gaige’s eyebrows rose as he looked from Finn to Alec. “He clearly thinks something is happening in the other vaults.” When neither of them said anything, Gaige spoke again. “I’d point out that if someone needed to smuggle something in, using Alec’s reputation and the goodwill he’s built up with the people managing the vault might be a good way to do it.”

It made sense to Alec. Those fake deliveries made Drummond the likely suspect if someone really was using the vault for another purpose. If people started questioning, the paperwork would show Drummond as the business with an anomaly, not anyone else. It was smart right up to the part where they actually used him and his company. That was a big fucking mistake.

Finn’s face suddenly cleared as if he’d just figured out what Gaige was thinking. “Damn.”

Alec couldn’t help but agree. “Exactly.”

It took another two hours to clear out the police and the forensics team. Gaige didn’t even know what time it was when he finally stepped out of Alec’s fancy marble shower with its numerous wall jets and two showerheads. The minutes ran together, and the clock sat by the bed. That left him with one answer—it was dark outside and late. Time for sleeping.

He looked at the massive wall mirror and wiped the side of his arm over the middle. The swipe cleared some of the fog while the fan worked on the rest. He’d wrapped one of the thick white towels around his waist. It hung there now as he used another to hand-dry his hair. He predicted he’d be asleep in another few minutes.

Alec picked that minute to step inside the white and gray room. He’d showered first while Finn and Gaige checked the glass wall for cracks. Now it was just the two of them alone in the bathroom.

“You tired?” Alec asked as he moved up behind Gaige.

Exhaustion tugged at Gaige. He wasn’t sure he could talk without slurring his words at this point. He’d been dragging, his eyes closing as he stood under the hot shower spray.

That was before Alec stood there massaging his back. He was wearing his lounge pants again but he did not look ready to climb into bed. And if the bulge pushing against Gaige’s back was any indication, Alec needed something other than sleep.

At Alec’s touch, a new surge of adrenaline rushed through Gaige. This had nothing to do with fighting or survival. This was raw and possessive.

“Tell me what you want.” Gaige almost didn’t recognize his own voice through the scratchiness.

“You.” Alec’s fingers went to the knot in the towel at Gaige’s side. He slipped it open and let the material fall to the floor.

Intense need flared in Alec’s eyes. Gaige could feel it pulse off him. Energy still pummeled him from the earlier near miss. He’d been stalking around, watching and waiting ever since.

“Before you ask, yes.” Gaige nodded. “Unequivocally yes.”

“Bend over.”

The counter was right there. Gaige didn’t pretend not to get it. This time would be about satisfying a primal need to know they were alive. The attackers did not win.

Gaige slowly doubled over, with his elbows resting on the sink countertop and his ass pushing harder against Alec’s stiff body. From this position, he could watch every move Alec made in the mirror.

For a second, all Alec did was stare. His gaze traveled over Gaige’s back to his ass. Then it flicked up to catch Gaige’s eyes in the reflection. Neither of them moved as they looked at each other.

Gaige sensed he would need to make the move to get them started. “Now, Alec.”

Alec touched him then. His fingertips trailed a long line from the base of Gaige’s neck to his ass. Danced along his spine. His palm caressed. His hand lingered. Without breaking eye contact he lifted his finger and plunged it into his mouth. Gaige thought it might have been the sexiest thing he’d ever felt or seen…until Alec slipped the wet finger inside him.

Gaige forced his eyes to stay open as Alec prepared him. Plunging and retreating. Pressing that gland that made his body tremble in anticipation.

When he leaned down and replaced his finger with his mouth, Gaige almost lost it. He slammed his hand into the mirror for leverage. His fingers curled against the slick glass. Hot steam warmed his palm.

Alec’s tongue slipped inside him. The rimming, the licking—Gaige knew he couldn’t hold on. Not tonight. Not after so much buildup and all the rushes of adrenaline.

“Alec, please.” Gaige wasn’t even sure what he wanted. They’d skipped the ass play before. Turned out Alec was damn near expert at it. Every touch of that hot, wet tongue had Gaige squirming and shifting and on the verge of crying out.

When Alec stood up, Gaige gasped and his chest heaved from the force of his breathing. Regret moved through him. The loss of that mouth had him trying to push away from the counter to turn around and grab Alec back. But Alec wouldn’t let him. He put a hand in the middle of Gaige’s back and pressed him down and held him there.

“I want to watch your face while I fuck you.”

Hell, yes. Gaige almost screamed the words. “Do it now.”

Cabinets opened and closed with a bang. Gaige saw the flash of the condom and watched Alec shove his pants down. With rough tugs the material dropped. No underwear, so the move treated Gaige to a glimpse of bare skin.

Then Alec was back. Since Gaige had been readied by his finger and tongue work, Alec pushed his tip inside. Not waiting. Not going slow. No, this was a taking, pure and simple. Alec pushed in fast and deep. With only a second of hesitation, he started plunging in and out. The rhythm picked up and Gaige’s stomach rubbed against the smooth edge of the counter.

The fog from the shower mixed with a new heat. Sweat broke out over Gaige’s shoulders. He put a second hand on the mirror to steady his body from the force of Alec’s thrusts. Not too much, not too hard. Just right.

The front of Alec’s thighs pressed against the back of Gaige’s. Their bodies engaged in a push and pull that had them both gasping.

Gaige could feel the clench of Alec’s fingers on his hips and knew he’d have bruises. He didn’t care. He needed this. It was like a cleansing. The sex wiped out the fear and panic of the night. Now need whipped around the room. A driving desire to get closer.

One of Alec’s hands slipped over Gaige’s body and slid along his length. For those minutes Alec was in him, around him and touching him…and Gaige loved it. The thrusts had his hand slipping down the wet mirror. He didn’t try to hang on. He braced his body and let Alec take over. Watched his determined expression. Saw the way Alec stared at his ass.

So fucking sexy.

Gaige broke then. He didn’t call out a warning because Alec had to know. There was no way he couldn’t tell. Gaige’s cock jerked and he started to come. He clenched his butt cheeks, let those internal muscles clamp down on Alec again.

That’s all it took. Alec’s legs started to shake and his hips pressed forward even harder. He leaned down until his hand slapped against the mirror, lying half on top of Gaige as they both came.

The orgasm raged through Gaige until he had nothing left. His muscles ached and his brain shut down. When Alec fell heavily on him, giving Gaige his full weight, Gaige sighed in relief. That sensation of being weighed down and surrounded comforted him. He couldn’t remember ever feeling that before, that sense of complete abandonment combined with the knowledge that everything was going to be fine.

Alec’s mouth skimmed over the base of Gaige’s neck. “Damn, you’re good at that.”

Gaige shifted his hand on the mirror, just enough for his fingers to slip over Alec’s. “I was just about to say that to you.”

“We’re going to need another round of showers.” Alec brushed his forehead back and forth over Gaige’s back but he didn’t make any attempt to stand up.

“In a minute.” Because Gaige wanted to savor this.

Alec’s fingers wrapped around Gaige’s. “Yeah, that can wait.”

Gaige wanted to say something profound or at least smart. Nothing came to him. In that moment he forgot about the seed vault and Seth. He had more to explain about his theories and a suggestion about what they should do next. But all he wanted was a few more seconds like this.