Prologue
Tank paced the hospital waiting room, desperate to hear how Chester was doing after he was shot trying to save a woman’s life. How the hell had things gone so bad so quickly? Ale and Michaela had been injured when the shooter escaped police custody. Ale’s injury had required surgery, but it was Chester’s injury – a bullet to the chest - that concerned everyone the most.
The rest of the team was still at the hospital, most of them were sat or stood around him, and they all had one thing in common— they were all wearing the same shell-shocked expression. Probably mirroring his own. How did the perp get away from the cops and manage to hold them all hostage? Thank god for Silas. Without him, fuck knows what would have happened.
Pacing over to the doors, Tank took a quick glance around and opened them. He needed to get out of there, he felt like he couldn’t breathe, the waiting was killing him. He glanced down the corridor and slowly began walking down it, passing nurses busy going about their business. He checked every room, trying to locate other members of the team, but didn’t spot anyone until finally he came across Michaela in a room near the far end.
Her arm had been stitched up and covered, and she now sported an impressive sling. Her expression spoke volumes. She was not happy.
“Hey Mich. How’s it going?” Tank asked as he stepped into the room.
“How do you expect? Some fucker shot me. If he wasn’t dead already, I’d shoot him myself.” She glared at him, sighing. “It hurts. I’m waiting for the pain meds to kick in.”
“Shit, Mich. I’m sorry. I keep going over and over it in my head, wondering how that bastard got away.”
“Oh, well, it all comes down to the fact they were looking after their own. Wasn’t he related to one of the officers?”
Tank nodded. “Yeah, a brother I think.”
“Not anymore.” Mich suddenly grinned. “Serves them right he’s dead. The bastard shot me!” She waved her arm to show him but ended up hissing with pain.
“I’m gonna see if I can get any news on Chester and Ale.”
“Okay, let me know if you hear anything. I’ll just be here, doing nothing and eating jello.” She grimaced, glancing at her arm again.
Tank waved goodbye as he stepped out of the room and continued making his way down the corridor. As he approached the nurse’s station, a doctor came around the corner and stepped in Tank’s path. Tank inhaled sharply as their eyes connected… what the fuck? His body seemed to be moving through treacle, causing him to slow down, and his stomach had suddenly developed a severe case of butterflies.
The doctor also slowed down, mimicking Tank’s movements, his dark eyes roaming over Tank’s body, sizing him up, taking him in. Tall and dark skinned, it was hard for Tank not to appreciate him with the white coat he had on.
“Can I help you?” the man asked.
Shaking his head, Tank answered. “No, I’m fine, thanks.”
He went to walk past him but couldn’t stop himself from looking back at the other man as he smiled at him, white teeth shining against his beautiful dark skin. Tank frowned. Beautiful? When had he ever called a man beautiful? Yet, he just had. No other word seemed to fit.
“Niles Conway.” The man held his hand out and Tank stared at it before slowly reaching out to shake it.
As their palms touched, Tank gasped at the sensations that coursed through him. His eyes shot up to Niles, looking to see if he’d felt the same thing. There was a faint red glimmer, but Tank knew that could be for a number of reasons. As he stared, he managed to stammer out, “Tank.”
“Hi Tank. Are you lost, or do you need any help?”
“No, I’m good, thank you.” Tank didn’t let go of Niles’ hand. For some unknown reason, he couldn’t.
“Are you sure?” Niles tilted his head, once again smiling at him.
Tank opened his mouth, but nothing came out. What was it about this man? And why the hell hadn’t he let go of his hand?
“I’m… my friend was shot…”
“Oh, the one brought in earlier, or from the incident here?”
“Both actually.”
“They’re both in surgery. Why don’t you go to the waiting room? The surgeon will be out to give you an update as soon as she can.”
“Oh, okay.” Tank stared at his hand still in Niles’ and then looked back up at him.
“Fancy a coffee while you wait?”
“I…” He couldn’t think of anything to say. The close proximity of the man was playing havoc with his body, driving him nuts, and Tank couldn’t for the life of him understand why.
“Come on. It’s not too far.”
Tank nodded and allowed Niles to guide him along. As he blindly followed him, a frown appeared on his face. He couldn’t understand what on earth had got into him. This man made him feel something, something he’d never felt before, and Tank couldn’t put his finger on what it was, but he knew it was something he couldn’t walk away from.
No, Tank wanted to go. Wherever Niles took him, Tank would follow.
Several months later…
Targon 'Tank' Evans walked down the hospital corridor towards the room the blood slave was in. The blond one Troy had saved. The room Miguel was in too.
When Tank found out the former slave was Miguel's mate, he'd rocked on his heels in shock. From the condition the vampire was in, Miguel had a long road to travel if wanted his mate.
When he reached the room, he knocked quietly on the door and stood waiting. Receiving no answer, he slowly opened it and stuck his head in, glancing around the room. Miguel was asleep on a chair and the blond-haired man asleep on the bed.
The vampire was thin, too thin, with bite marks and bruises covering every inch of pale skin Tank could see. He'd suffered at the hands of the vampires who'd had him. Tank stared at him, anger curling in his gut. Who did this to another person?
He closed the door quietly, leaving them both asleep, and rubbed his thumb over his lips. No one deserved what that vampire had suffered. Yes, Miguel had a hard road to travel, but Tank knew he wouldn't give up.
Hearing footsteps approach, he turned and froze on the spot. Niles Conway, the man who Tank suspected was his mate, was walking towards him staring at the paperwork he held in his hands.
When Niles saw him, he walked closer, pausing in front of him and giving Tank a wary smile.
"Niles. What at you doing here?" Tank glanced over him, noticing the white hospital coat he wore.
"I work here now. I transferred recently when there was an opening for a cardiothoracic surgeon."
"What? When did that happen?"
Niles glanced away, a flush covering his dark skin. "A month ago."
Tank frowned at him. A month? "You've been here a month already? You never said anything."
"I wanted to get settled in." Niles shrugged, the movement causing the paper to rustle.
Tank put his hands on his hips, staring at Niles. "Why have you moved here?"
Niles looked away, the blush staining his cheeks deepening. "I needed something."
Tank stepped closer, asking the one question he didn't know if he wanted the answer to. "Are we mates?"
He watched Niles lick his lips. "We've known each other for months."
"Don't avoid the question, Niles. Tell me."
Niles paused, his eyes searching Tank’s. Finally, he sighed, looking down at the floor. When he raised them, he looked Tank square in the face. "Yes, we are."
Tank rubbed his hands over his face, sighing heavily. All these months, Niles had known. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"You had a girlfriend."
Tank shook his head. "After. You know we broke up. I told you about it. You've had months to tell me, Niles. Why didn't you?"
"Have you ever been with a man, Targon?"
Tank looked away. "You know I haven't," he mumbled.
Niles smiled sadly. "Now you know why."
Tank gritted his teeth. He'd been lied to for months by the one person who shouldn't have lied to him. He knew about mates, so he knew they were honest with each other. Well, the ones he knew were. Anger burned at him, his limbs shaking as it increased. Through gritted teeth, he said, "Months, Niles. You've had months to tell me."
He needed to get away from Niles because at that moment he was close to losing his temper and he didn't want a shouting match in the hospital. He pushed past Niles, and Niles grabbed him, pulling him back. "Tank¬¬¬—"
Tank shrugged him off. "Fuck you, Niles."
Tank stormed off and didn't look back. He needed to get out before he did or said something he'd regret. All those months wasted. Maybe he should have asked Niles earlier, but in all honesty, he'd been too afraid to hear the answer.
He'd known though. Deep down, he'd known who Niles was to him. He'd even kind of admitted it that morning in the kitchen with Chester, but after that, he'd closed down and refused to consider it.
He wasn't gay. He loved women. Their taste and smell, the way they moved, and yet for some reason, fate had decided he was going to have a man for a mate. A man. He knew what felt good to him, what to do with his tongue and dick to make a woman scream, but a man? What the fuck did he do with a man, and did Niles think he'd take it up the ass? No fucking chance. That hole was an out one only!
Reaching his truck, Tank leaned against it, resting his forearms on the roof and staring out across the parking lot. He was stumped. He had no idea what to do about the situation. Niles wouldn't have another mate. Tank was it for him. Grimacing, Tank sighed. What the fuck was he going to do?