Ransome

Chapter 1

Robert had woken up with Aaron asleep in his arms, he couldn't have wished for a better start to his day. He'd kissed and caressed Aaron awake, passion had soared and left him on a blissful high.

It was a Friday morning and ten minutes after Aaron had left for work he had set off for Ripon, he'd been determined to seal a business deal there and had done just that. His vast array of contacts and business sense had helped him secure yet another contract for the scrapyard. He was pleased with himself and why shouldn't he be, the scrapyard was now a thriving concern because of his input.

Having arranged to meet Aaron in the Woolpack for a lunchtime drink he'd headed straight back to Emmerdale. A smile of contentment had settled on his face as his car swept around the corner into the village. He was happy, truly happy. He'd never been able to say that and mean it before, but he could now. And the reason for his happiness? Aaron! He loved Aaron and despite all the seemingly unforgivable things he'd done Aaron loved him too. They were together now, a couple and he was happy for the world and his wife to know that too, his sexuality something he no longer wanted to hide and deny.

Robert knew Aaron still had a lot of healing to do, the trial had torn him apart emotionally, but he was determined to get Aaron through the lingering hurt and turmoil it had left in its wake. He had promised Aaron he wouldn't let him down ever again, and he wouldn't. His main goal in life now was to nurture his relationship with Aaron, it was the most important thing in his life. He'd finally got his priorities right, money and power coming way down on his list.

Parking at the back of the pub he entered through the side door, immediately spotting Aaron and Adam propping up the bar. The two men were chatting away but suddenly erupted into raucous laughter. Robert grinned to himself, it was good to see Aaron laugh, it sent his spirits soaring on seeing his boyfriend so carefree. On seeing him Aaron had smiled, his eyes mirroring his delight. The dazzling smile and the twinkling baby blues had set Robert's heart racing, he was back on cloud nine again!

Aaron gestured over at an empty table, "I'll bring our drinks over."

Robert pulled out a chair and eased himself down onto it, it seemed Adam wouldn't be joining them and he was pleased about that. He liked his brother-in-law, but right now he wanted Aaron all to himself. He wanted to spend as much time as he could with Aaron before Monday dawned. He was dreading that day, ok maybe dreading was too harsh a word, a little anxious about the day was perhaps more accurate a term. As from Monday Liv would be a permanent fixture at the Woolpack, Aaron her legal guardian in her mother absence. Robert knew the little minx didn't like him, and that she didn't like him being with Aaron. Liv was bound to stir things up between them, perhaps try to come between them. Even though Aaron was well aware of what she was capable of Robert knew he would let her get away with most things. Aaron loved her, was naturally protective of her, just like he himself was where Victoria was concerned. Still he hoped Aaron's love for Liv wouldn't blind him to any untoward effects she might have on their relationship, he could only hope they could weather any storms Liv might cause.

Chas had made them sandwiches and they'd discussed the new contract as they ate, all too soon it was time to go their separate ways again. Aaron had planted a quick kiss on his lips before heading for the door, he'd watched him go, his gaze staying on him until he disappeared around the door. That's when he'd started to plan their Friday evening, they could go to the multiplex then on to somewhere for a meal, he fancied some posh nosh but Aaron preferred the simple things in life, he'd be happier with a pizza or a takeaway, so Robert decided to leave the choice of food to him.

Robert had been downing the last of his pint when the ring tone on his phone sounded. "Hello... What?... Yeah right!" Robert was bemused by the demands of the man on the other end of the line. He'd paid him well for the 'jobs' he'd done for him in the past, and he owed him no favours. If he needed money now then he was going to have to get it elsewhere he wasn't in the loan business. "Can't help you Billy, don't bother me again!" With that Robert ended the call forgetting about it just seconds later, his mind moving on to more important things. He had another business proposition to pitch and he didn't have a lot of time to get to his appointment.

/

Adam had left work an hour early, he had a dentist appointment, one he was dreading. Aaron had felt for him, he didn't much like visiting the dentist either but then who did? With Adam gone and Robert in Hotton chasing more business Aaron was all alone at the scrapyard. He didn't mind, he quite liked his own company, not all the time of course. He didn't mind working on his own either, he usually got more done that way. Adam tended to distract him with his nonstop banter and Robert... well Robert distracted him for a great many other reasons. Aaron smiled as he remembered what the two of them regularly got up to in the privacy of the office.

Telling himself not to let his thoughts stray down that particular road he set his mind on the job in hand. He was stripping down yet another old banger, wondering what stories it could tell him if it only had a voice. He still had a bit more work to do on it when his attention was drawn to a blue transit van that had just driven into the yard. Stopping what he was doing he walked over to speak to the driver who was now standing beside his vehicle.

"Aaron?"

"Yeah." Aaron responded, certain some business was about to come his way.

"I'm having a few problems with the engine, Robert said you wouldn't mind taking a look for me?"

Aaron hadn't worn his mechanics hat for a while but he was happy to don it when asked, "Yeah that's fine, what the problem?"

"There's a weird noise coming from it."

"Ok." The engine had sounded fine to him, he hadn't heard anything untoward as the van had entered the yard. Opening the bonnet Aaron asked the stranger "You a friend of Rob's?" Friend or acquaintance it didn't really matter he was just making polite conversation.

"You could say that."

It wasn't so much what the stranger had said more the tone in which the words had been spoken that made Aaron suspicious. He turned to look at the other man and as he did so felt something slam into the side of his head, the blow sent him crashing to the floor. He was aware of a sickening pain in his head and of someone looking down at him, the man's face contorted into a self-satisfied grin. Aaron knew he was in trouble, that his very life was in danger, but even knowing that he was helpless against the darkness that was falling around him, he couldn't fight it and closed his eyes slipping into the beckoning nothingness...

/

Robert was running late, the business meeting had proved another success but it had taken longer than expected and he was now caught up in the traffic, currently held up by yet another red light. His phone had bleeped several times as he'd been driving but he'd had to ignore it, it had just bleeped again and as he was stationary he reached into his pocked to retrieve it and then began to check his messages. Robert had expected to see at least one message from Aaron but there wasn't any. There was though, several from a withheld number. Opening the first one he was taken aback to see the words YOU READY TO TALK MONEY NOW? NO! YOU WILL BE WHEN YOU SEE WHO'S KEEPING ME COMPANY!

Robert read the message several times, it had unnerved him had sent a chill of forboding up and down his spine. Remembering there was more than one message he moved on to the next one. I HOPE YOU'RE SITTING DOWN.

"What the fuck..." Robert aired his confusion out loud, before hurriedly opening the third message. The image that met his eyes horrified him, his mouth gaped open and his heart pounded painfully in his chest, he didn't want to believe was he was seeing... Aaron lay bound and gagged, his eyes closed and what Robert knew to be blood was smeared down one side of his face.

Several car horns sounded behind him, dragging his attention away from image, the lights had changed he was holding up the rush hour tyraffic, he quickly moved off, turned into the nearest side road and slammed on the brakes, opening the fourth and last message.. I'LL BE IN TOUCH.

"No!" Robert breathed there had to be more, frantic now he scrolled back to the picture of Aaron, desperate for some reassurance that he was alive. He studied the image panic spreading through him as he did so, he told himself Aaron was unconscious he wouldn't need his hands and feet tied up if he was dead. His next thought was to why and then quickly on to who, just who had done this to Aaron?

Suddenly emembering the phone call he'd received at the pub he realised with a sickening jolt who was responsible, Billy Shields! Roberts heart lurched at the realisation, Billy was a head case, a cold soulless bastard...and Aaron was in his merciless hands...

TBC