Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 84544 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 423(@200wpm)___ 338(@250wpm)___ 282(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84544 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 423(@200wpm)___ 338(@250wpm)___ 282(@300wpm)
“What’s going on? Are you hit?” Charlie shouted in his ear, but Kairo couldn’t think beyond the fact that Vanko was now dead.
“Fuck!” he screamed a second time as Ed got him to his feet.
“K! Have you been shot?” As soon as the words were out of Charlie’s mouth, the following silence seemed extra heavy, punctuated only by Charlie’s whispered curse.
“No!” Kairo answered. “I’m not hurt, but Vanko’s dead. I fucked up. He’s dead.”
“We were in the trees when it happened, so there should be no direct witnesses,” Ed explained. “Asshole fired at us first, anyway.”
“I’ll be monitoring the police bands. Get your asses back here,” Charlie ordered.
“I’ve got my computer with me. I can intercept calls and reroute as needed once we’re on the road,” Kairo said now that his brain was functioning again. Guilt and frustration swirled together in his stomach to create a disgusting soup of discomfort.
“K,” Charlie started in a low voice. “Izzie heard me.”
Kairo fought the sigh that had risen in his throat. He’d wanted to keep this side of his life from the man, but was that really fair at all? Over the past three days, they’d talked about everything under the sun, told each other stories about their lives during the free time Kairo had away from his computer. He might have toned down some of the more dangerous aspects of his life, but he hadn’t completely censored them out.
Hell, Isidore had been right there in the middle of their mad escape. It wasn’t like he could believably lie that he didn’t face life-and-death situations on a somewhat regular basis. If they were going to make this relationship work, Isidore had to know the truth.
“Do you know how to change the outputs on the computer so he can hear me and I can hear him?” Kairo asked.
“I do, but he’s shaking his head no. He says he doesn’t want to distract you or upset you.”
“Shit, K. You really better marry this man,” Soren interjected.
Kairo was about to roll his eyes when Ed looked over his shoulder at him as they jogged through the edge of the forested area back toward their car. The big man nodded, his expression fierce.
“Do it, Charlie. I won’t be distracted or upset.”
There was a moment of silence on the line, and then Charlie spoke again. “Okay, Kairo and the rest of the team can hear you.”
Kairo nearly laughed aloud at the pointed reminder that this wasn’t a private conversation. Isidore was being added to the party line, and everyone was going to hear this. But he had a feeling his Isidore would not censor himself because of other people.
“H-hey,” Isidore’s sweet voice wobbled. He cleared his throat and when his words drifted into Kairo’s ear, everything felt better. Some of the anger faded and it was like he was already being hugged by this wonderful person. “I just wanted to hear that you’re okay. You didn’t get hurt?”
“I’m fine, I promise you. I’m dirty and very fucking sweaty and I think I scraped my elbow when Ed threw me to the ground,” Kairo said, trying to add a little levity to his tone so Isidore would worry less.
“I think you mean when I saved your ass,” Ed chimed in.
They stopped at the tree line just at the edge of the street. They had yet to see any police cars or hear sirens. He refused to believe that no one had called the cops at the sound of gunfire, unless people actually believed the sounds were from firecrackers. Not to mention Vanko’s dumb ass did start shooting on an occupied street. Insane.
Kairo glanced over at his equally sweaty companion and winked. “Yeah, saved my ass. But, Isidore, I’m sorry. I screwed up. Vanko is dead.”
“I don’t care,” Isidore’s voice wobbled again but gained strength as he continued talking. “As long as you are safe and coming back to me, I don’t care. We’ll get the answers some other way. The only thing that matters to me is that you return safe and sound so I can hold you.”
“I think you might need to let me take a shower first, but I’m looking forward to being held.”
“Awwwww,” several people teased. He couldn’t even tell which of the bastards was saying it. Probably all the voyeur assholes he called friends.
Didn’t matter. Isidore had the perfect reply. “I don’t think I can wait that long. I’ll just have to join you in the shower.”
Yes. Yes, he would.
14
ISIDORE PANOPOULOS
He made good on his promise.
The second Kairo walked into the house, Isidore took him straight upstairs to the bathroom, where he helped the poor man strip out of his sweat-drenched clothes. He followed him into the shower, where they simply held each other for several minutes.
He’d known the meeting was happening today. Kairo and Charlie had been honest and up front about the risks. Isidore hadn’t truly felt any fear until he’d heard Charlie’s panicked shout.