“I’m worried about you-know-who,” he admitted, his face against Cross’s neck a few minutes later.
“Me too,” Cross whispered. “I hate how obsessed he is with you.”
“I should never have brought you into this.”
“Shush. Best thing that ever happened to me.”
Rusty stifled a hysterical laugh against Cross’s skin. “Getting kidnapped?”
“You, you dork. Being let into your life.”
“Cool life right now, huh?”
“Sh.” Cross kissed his temple. “We’ll make it out. We have to. I haven’t had my coming-out rainbow banners yet.”
“Life essentials.” Rusty swallowed hard.
“You bet.”
They leaned on each other as the minutes dragged by, became an hour, perhaps. Rusty had no sense of time. Every second felt like an eternity. Every muffled sound made him jump. He vowed to go with Tyler if that’s what it took to keep Tyler’s attention off Cross. Tyler was obsessed but in a positive way, in a soulmates way, right?Whatever he wants, if it keeps him off Cross.
Except he kept feeling the pressure of Tyler’s fingers closing around his neck… He didn’t realize he’d whimpered until Cross nudged his chin up and softly found his lips—
Loud footsteps running overhead jolted them out of their kiss. Rusty jumped to his feet and yanked Cross up. “What do you think?”
Cross threw a wild look upward. “Pray it’s Amy or the cops.” He stared around the bare room. “Nowhere to hide.” A door slammed, somewhere above them. Something thumped.
Rusty peered at the floor trusses overhead. “How good are your arms?” He sprang high and caught the open two by fours, hauling himself upward with a stomach crunch until he could hook a foot into a truss space as well. The move suspended him up horizontally against the ceiling, seven feet off the ground. “This?” He dropped to the floor, trying to land lightly.
“Good thought.”
“Right here by the door. So when they look in—”
“They won’t see us—”
Steps ran left to right overhead, then there was a clatter on the stairs. At least two sets of feet.
“Now!” Rusty grabbed Cross by the hips and boosted him as Cross launched off his left foot. The moment Cross had a grip and was arching up, Rusty leaped for his own hold.Grab, chin-up, feet up.His pulse rabbited and sweat dampened his palms. He found a purchase with the sides of his feet, hugged up against the trusses, just as a thud echoed against the door.
Then someone slammed the door open shouting, “Pelican!”
Cross dropped one leg, unable to hold, and Rusty yelled, trying to attract their attention as he swung his feet hard toward the newcomer. The man below him dodged and Cross yelled, “Friends. Friends!” Then lost his grip and fell.
Fuck, his ankle!Rusty dropped to the floor, tucking, rolling as he hit the concrete, trying to catch Cross in some impossible move. He was too far away, but the newcomer lunged and cushioned Cross’s fall, landing on the floor under him. Another man and woman rushed in, also saying, “Pelican!”
Rusty let his roll carry him to the wall and pushed to his feet.
Cross called from where he lay on top of the newcomer, “These are Amy’s people, Rusty. We’re okay. Guys, Rusty’s my friend. Hold up!”
Everyone eyed each other as the man under Cross untangled them and helped him to his feet.
Rusty said, “Cross, your ankle.”
“It’s okay. Soft landing.” Cross turned to the man who’d come through the door first. “What about the two upstairs?”
“Dealt with. I have two men restraining them. We’re waiting for the cops.”
“You didn’t c-call themfirst?” Rusty asked, unable to control the tremor, wanting to yell at someone, anyone.
