Disclaimer : I do not own any of the characters mentioned herein. This is pure fiction, written for entertainment only.
Chapter 11
Matt glanced anxiously at his watch, five minutes to noon. He was waiting for Orton's call. The whole team was in Mark's room, discussing the details of the exchange and on Matt's insistence, had agreed to follow Orton's plan up to the point when Jeff and the money changed hands. Cena, Dave and Kennedy would take Jeff to safety while the rest would head to Atlanta and provide backup just in case Matt wasn't released as promised, after handing over the books. Kevin had come to terms that all the evidence they had painstakingly collected over the years would be surrendered to the mob. He couldn't protest against it since Matt and Jeff had already lost their father and home because of it. It was a heavy price to pay.
Matt looked over at Cena who looked as nervous as he was. Cena had been so relieved when he heard that Matt had personally spoken to Jeff and he was unharmed. Matt recalled how Cena had tried to hide his tears of relief and that was when he realized that Cena did care for his brother. He had tried to be more cordial towards him henceforth.
Mark's phone rang and Matt answered it immediately. The others crowded around him and heard every word that was exchanged as it was on speaker mode. Randy wanted to know how the money was to be transferred. Matt told him that everything was set. With a phone call, the fifty million would be transferred to the designated account furnished by Randy. He could confirm the transfer with the bank in question. But it would only happen when they meet face to face. Satisfied with the arrangement, Randy told him to meet them at the east entrance to Southmore Park at three o'clock. After getting the directions, Matt asked if he could speak to his brother but Randy said there would be no more communication between the brothers until the actual meet. He hung up immediately.
Mark studied the local map with the rest of the team and said, "Lets leave now. We need to scout the area and it'll give us more time to plan for any contingencies."
As the men headed out, Cena stopped Matt, "We're going to get Jeff out but make sure you get yourself out in one piece. Jeff needs you."
Matt studied him quietly for several seconds and the sides of his mouth slowly lifted into a smile. Cena was actually concerned about his safety. "Thanks, I can take care of myself but do me a favor and make sure that Jeff gets to safety. I would appreciate that."
Cena nodded and proffered his hand in friendship, "We're cool?"
Matt took his hand in a firm handshake and grinned, "Yeah, we're cool."
~*~
Randy sat quietly in the back of the rented panel van with Jeff, Drew and Masters while Dolph sat in front with Miz who was driving. Adam, Brian and Eze had stayed on to mislead Cody into thinking that Randy was still around. The snotty brat was oblivious of what was going on. He was still partying in his room with his ladies the last time they checked.
Jeff sensed the disquiet in the air and shuffled nearer towards Randy to hold his hand. Randy turned to smile at him, "You'll see your brother soon, you should be happy."
Jeff nodded. He hesitated before speaking, "Randy, I know it's not my business but shouldn't you and your men consider doing something decent? You don't strike me as the type to take innocent lives, not like those men that shot my daddy in the head," he said quietly.
Randy wrapped his arms around him and spoke into his hair, "It's not a choice for us, Jeff. We've been doing this our entire adult lives and I guess we'll leave the same way. It's just the way it is." He couldn't tell Jeff that no one was allowed to leave once they entered the profession. Dusty would not permit it.
Jeff rested against him and sighed. There was silence and then, "Will I ever see you again?" he asked softly.
Drew and Masters looked away respectfully as Randy blinked his tears away. When no answer came forth, Jeff lifted his head and he shifted up immediately when he saw the shining tears in Randy's eyes.
"Randy, are you crying?" He moved his hand to wash his tears but Randy captured it. He opened his palm and placed a tender kiss on it before bringing it up to cup his cheek. He nuzzled lovingly against it before whispering, "I don't think we'll see each other again. We come from two different worlds and after what happened, I don't think it's wise for us to get together. If Dusty finds out about us …." He left it unfinished. There would be dire consequences if Dusty ever found out about his relationship with Jeff. The only way to keep him safe was to stay away from him.
He felt Jeff trembling and looked down to see tears running down his face. He cupped his face and gently swiped the tears away with his thumbs.
"Don't cry. If God will it, we'll meet again," and he bent to press a soft kiss against his lips before hugging him close. "I swear that if I ever get a chance to leave all these behind me, I'll come and look for you."
Jeff nodded and cuddled against him, enjoying the comfort of his arms. It might very well be the last time Randy held him. They remained so until the van stopped. They had reached their destination. Masters unlocked the large metal case and drew out two M60 machine guns with ammo and tossed one to Drew.
Jeff gasped in horror and gripped tightly onto Randy's arms, "Please, no shooting!" he pleaded.
Randy rubbed his back reassuringly and said, "We have to look out for our own safety, Jeff. We won't fire if they don't."
An MK19 was passed to Dolph who kissed it for luck. "Don't fail me, baby!" he cooed.
Miz and Randy opted for easy handheld pistols. With their weapons ready, Drew threw open the side door and everyone climbed out. It was early afternoon and there wasn't anyone around. Randy was just about to give instructions to comb the area when the hair at the back of his neck bristled. He surveyed the surroundings with an expert eye, sensing they were being watched.
'So, they're already here!' he muttered to himself. His body was rigid with tension and his men immediately went on the alert.
They covered Randy and Jeff and Dolph asked quietly, "Do we wait or should we call them out?"
Randy grinned cockily as he stepped out of the protective circle, one hand holding onto Jeff, the other, his pistol. He raised his voice to be heard, "We know you're here. So, why don't you show yourselves and we can get the deal done."
Matt stepped out from behind a tree with both hands raised to show he wasn't carrying any weapon. Jeff's immediate response was to go to him. "Matty!" he started forward but was pulled back by Randy who shook his head at him.
Randy turned his attention back to Matt and called out, "I know there are more of you. Show yourselves! Lets not waste time playing hide and seek."
Kevin, Mark, Cena, Dave and Kennedy stepped out of their hiding places, holding weapons. Morrison, Glenn, Hunter and Shawn were waiting in a car close by, ready to go on hot pursuit once Matt was taken away.
Randy turned to Jeff when he heard him gasp. He followed Jeff's gaze and found that he was staring at one of the agents. And then he remembered. Jealousy rose in him but he suppressed it. This would be the last time he would see Jeff. He had no right to stop him from seeing other men.
Taking several deep breaths, he fought to bring his emotions under control and finally took a couple of steps forward, with Jeff in tow. His men spread themselves out, weapons trained on the FBI agents who also assumed the same stance.
"Come forward," he gestured to them and Matt and Kevin approached cautiously until they were face to face.
Matt looked over at his brother and gave him a reassuring smile. He was relieved to see that he was unharmed. He turned to Randy and said, "The money is ready for transfer. But first, let my brother go."
"Now, do I look stupid to you?" Randy asked as his eyes narrowed to mere slits. "First things first, I need to check you for weapons," he said curtly.
Miz stepped forward and Kevin handed over his gun and said, "I'll need that back. I borrowed it from someone."
Miz ignored him and checked their bodies for weapons but found nothing but a hand phone on Kevin. He removed it and passed it to Randy. Kevin spoke up again, "I'll need the phone to place the call to transfer the money."
Randy studied it cautiously, making sure that it was not an explosive device before handing it back to Kevin. "Make that call now. I want to get this over and done with."
"No, you let my brother go first!" Matt demanded but Randy shook his head and said, "I'm calling the shots here! You have my word that he'll be released once the money goes into our account."
"I don't trust you!" Matt hissed.
"You do not have a choice!" Randy retorted. He turned to Kevin, "Are you going to make that call or I'll call off the whole deal!"
"I'll take Jeff's place. You let him go and the money goes into your account. You've got nothing to lose because I'm the only person who knows where the books are kept," Matt said in a compromising tone. He was desperate to get his brother to safety before they changed their mind.
"No, you have the money and the books. It's only fair that you transfer the money first and put us on equal footing," Randy said adamantly.
Matt gritted his teeth in frustration and finally relented. He couldn't afford to let things go wrong. He turned and nodded to Kevin who immediately placed the call. He spoke to someone on the line and handed the phone to Randy, "Give him the account number."
Randy smirked and read out the number. He confirmed it and waited, his face calm but inwardly, he was trembling with excitement. The man on the other line told him it was done. He passed the phone back to Kevin and drawing out his own phone, he punched the numbers of the receiving bank and put it to his ear. He talked briskly and waited. His face washed over with relief when the bank manager confirmed that fifty million dollars was transferred into the said account. He thanked him before ending the call, pleased that the first half of the transaction was completed.
"Let my brother go now!" Matt demanded and Randy released Jeff's arm. He watched as the two brothers embraced each other. Jeff was crying openly while Matt fought back his tears, whispering comforting words to him. Once Jeff calmed down sufficiently, Matt kissed him on the forehead before handing him over to Kevin. "Get him out of here!"
"Matty," Jeff started to sob again but his brother hushed him gently, "I want you to leave with Kevin, Jeff. Once I've settled with them, I'll come back for you."
"Promise?" Jeff asked in a small voice and Matt nodded, "I promise! Now, go with Kevin."
Kevin took him gently by the arm and led him away. Randy kept his eyes on Jeff. His heart wrenched as he watched Jeff walk out of his life. Cena came forward to meet them halfway and Randy felt torn inside as he watched Cena pull Jeff into a hug. He dragged his eyes reluctantly away from the scene, telling himself that Jeff would be better off without him. He turned his attention to Matt and found him watching his brother with a smile on his face. He sighed and gestured to Drew who moved forward and snapped the cuffs on Matt. Matt looked at his cuffed hands in surprise.
"Just in case you try to make a run for it," Randy explained and gave orders to move out. Just as he was about to climb onboard the van, he turned back to catch a last glimpse of Jeff and coincidentally, Jeff also turned around. Their eyes met and locked. And somehow, both knew their paths would cross again. Randy found himself smiling. Jeff was surrounded by the agents and he lost sight of him. With a sigh, he climbed in and Drew shut the door.
As Miz drove off, Dolph asked, "Where to, Randy?"
Randy turned to Matt who told them to head to Atlanta, Georgia, "I'll give you the directions once we get there."
Randy nodded and leaned back, closing his eyes. He had begun to miss Jeff terribly already. He could still smell his scent on himself. He wondered if Jeff had also started to miss him when his reverie was interrupted by Miz, "Randy, we're being followed!"
Randy let out a sigh of frustration and glared at Matt, "What games are you playing at?"
"You tell me!" Matt retorted.
"It doesn't seem like they're trying to cut us off, they're just tailing us," Masters reported as he looked out the back window.
"What are you afraid of?" Randy sneered, "You think I'm going to collect the books and then kill you?"
"That's what you did to our father!" Matt shouted.
"Wait a minute, we weren't involved in that shooting and we didn't set your house on fire," Drew clarified, "Your brother knows we have no part in it."
"What's the difference, you're all the same! You're all cold-blooded murderers!"
Drew was about to voice his protest again when Randy raised his hand to stop him, "Let him vent, you're not going to change his opinion of us."
He stared at Matt, noticing that the brothers bore no resemblance at all.
"What the hell are you staring at?" Matt barked with annoyance.
"You don't look anything like Jeff," Randy spoke casually, refusing to be ruffled by Matt's biting attitude.
Matt looked taken aback for a moment. It wasn't the remark that got to him, it was the way he said Jeff's name, in an intimately caressing tone, as if … he shook his head, refusing to entertain that line of thought. He suddenly recalled Jeff saying something about making friends and they being not bad people.
"How well do you know my brother?"
That question threw Randy into a loop. He was tongue-tied. Matt studied his face and his heart sank. Something did happen between him and Jeff! He wasn't sure if he wanted to know the truth.
Randy avoided answering him and said, "Get some rest. It's a long drive but we'll stop at a motel for the night. No sense driving all the way up there as it will be midnight by then. We will continue our journey tomorrow morning." He leaned back and closed his eyes, letting his thoughts drift to Jeff, leaving his men to keep watch over Matt.
~*~
Jeff was bundled into the car and whizzed off. He was riding with Dave, Kennedy and Cena. Mark and Kevin had taken off with the others after Matt.
"Where are you taking me?" he asked in bewilderment as he looked over his shoulders to see the other vehicles leaving in the opposite direction.
"We're taking you to safety, Jeff," Cena said as he held him close.
"Wait! Aren't you going to follow them? Matty will be released once he surrenders the books. I want to be there for him."
Kennedy climbed over to join them at the back. "Jeff, what's going on?" he asked.
"They just want their money and books back, that's all. They won't harm Matty," Jeff stated as a matter-of-fact.
"And you believe them?" Cena asked in an incredulous tone.
Jeff nodded fervently, "I do. Instead of turning me over to Dusty, Randy and his men decide to help me by setting up the exchange. He said he'll let Matty go once the books are handed over. I believe him."
Kennedy pondered over what Jeff just said and asked, "But why would they help you? What do they get to gain?"
"They just want their stuff back!" Jeff insisted, "In fact, they're risking their lives by disobeying orders and letting me go. Randy says Dusty is not a forgiving person and he will not let me or Matty go even If Matty returns his stuff."
"You mean to tell us that Randy and his men are doing this behind Dusty's back?" Dave asked in astonishment.
Jeff nodded. The three men exchanged looks, not sure what to make of it. If what Jeff said was true, then maybe Matt was not in any danger. They didn't have time to contemplate any further when their vehicle was rammed from behind.
"What the …." Dave exclaimed as he fought to steer the vehicle back on course. He had been preoccupied and didn't see the van coming up behind them.
Kennedy and Cena readied their guns. Cena pushed Jeff down to the floor, "Stay down!" he ordered just before they were fired upon. Fortunately, the vehicle was bullet proof. Dave pressed down on the accelerator and said, "Hang on, guys, I'll try to lose them."
Their vehicle picked up speed, leaving the van behind. Dave watched the rear mirror and realized that the van wasn't even attempting to catch them. He started to feel antsy and on a gut instinct, he slowed and swerved the vehicle around, going back in the direction they came from.
"Ken, call Mark and tell him we're being chased!" Dave watched the oncoming van. But his instincts told him to watch his back. He checked the rear mirror and saw two vehicles coming at them at top speed.
"Oh crap! We've two vehicles following us. Tell Mark to get here pronto!" As he pressed down on the accelerator, he noticed that the van in front was bearing down on them on the wrong lane.
Kennedy was on the phone with Mark and he explained quickly what was happening. Mark told them to hang on, they were on their way.
It looked like their vehicle would crash headlong with the van. Dave surmised that it was going to force him to slow down or stop and he did not intend to do so. Help was on its way, so all he had to do was to outrun them until reinforcements arrived. Instead of slowing down, Dave stayed at the same speed but he shouted at them to put on their seat belts. Cena pulled Jeff up and fasten the seatbelt around him before belting himself in. Ken followed suit and they braced themselves for whatever Dave was going to do. They watched with abated breath as Dave stayed on course and Jeff squeezed his eyes shut, gripping tightly onto John's hand. They were expecting a head on collision when the van suddenly swerved out of their way, wheels screeching.
Kennedy and Cena let out their breaths, realizing they had been holding them. Ken leaned forward to squeeze Dave's shoulder and said, "Don't put me through that again! I swear I was going to have a heart attack!"
Dave grinned at him via the rear mirror and said, "Well, if we were to die, at least we'll die together." His smile disappeared as he saw the vehicles still coming up from behind. The van was no longer in sight.
"Ken, call Mark and ask where he is. I don't know if … never mind, I see him."
The headlights of the fast approaching vehicle flashed twice and Dave grinned, "Guys, it's time to rumble!" He slowed and swerved, stopping the vehicle at an angle, blocking one lane. They quickly climbed out and readied their weapons. Kevin swerved to a stop and blocked the other side of the lane and he and Mark climbed out, each carrying the nastiest piece of weaponry they ever did see. Cena took Jeff with him and both men watched from a safe distance as Kevin and Mark launched what appeared to be mini missiles, sending them whistling in the air. The oncoming vehicles saw them coming and turned 360 degrees, going back in the direction where they came from. To everyone's astonishment, the missiles tracked the rapidly departing vehicles and their jaws dropped open as they hit the vehicles and exploded on impact. Kevin and Mark whooped as pieces of metal flew in the air and rained down. Black smoke and fire billowed from the sorry remains of the wreckage.
Cena and Jeff ran forward to join in the celebratory cheers. Dave and Kennedy were gushing over what they had just witnessed. "Woo whew! That's like the fourth of July!" Dave said and shook his head in disbelief. There was awe in Kennedy's voice as he said, "Those motherfuckers were tracking them!"
Mark grinned and said, "These OICWs are worth their weight in gold! They have an effective range of 1000 meters and can track moving targets. Nothing can escape them once they locked onto its target!"
"Mark," Kevin clapped his hand on his shoulder, "you're a man after my own heart!"
Mark feigned annoyance and pushed him away but his mouth twitched with amusement, "Get away from me, you're not my type!" His eyes went over to Jeff and he grinned mischievously, "But the kid there, he's just my type!"
Jeff heard his comments and blushed. He looked down bashfully as the others chuckled amusingly, but not Cena. His reaction was to put himself in front of Jeff. "He's with me!" his eyes and demeanor challenged Mark.
"Woah there!" Mark laughed and put up one hand to placate him, the other still holding his prized possession. "I'm just saying, don't get yourself worked up!" His eyes twinkled with amusement as the others roared with laughter.
Their mirth was suddenly cut short when they heard the distant screaming of approaching sirens. "Okay, lets get the hell out of here!" Mark said, "We really don't have time to stay and explain this."
"Please, I want to go with you!" Jeff pleaded and stepped forward to grasp his arm.
"Kid, we're to keep you as far away from danger. You're not coming with us," Mark said with finality. He and the others looked on in surprise when Jeff climbed into the back of their vehicle without saying a word. He wore a stubborn look on his face.
The sirens were coming closer and Mark sighed, "We'll discuss this later." He asked Dave to follow them in their vehicle. "Orton would have to stop somewhere for the night. We will have time to catch up with them tomorrow morning. Glenn will keep us posted."
They climbed into their vehicles and took off, staying within the speed limit. It made no sense to get caught for violating the speed limit and found with unlicensed military weapons in their possession. They cruised past the three police cars coming from the opposite direction.
As Kevin drove, Mark turned around in his seat to face Jeff. Cena had taken the liberty to join them. He had no intention of letting Jeff out of his sight. He wanted to tell Mark to stop staring at Jeff but the quick look he sent him made him shut his mouth. He hated to admit it but Mark struck awe in him. Jeff started to squirm uncomfortably under his fixed gaze, his courage waning.
"What do you think you're doing, kid?" Mark asked.
Jeff swallowed his nervousness, trying to put up a brave front. He wasn't going to let anyone push him around. "My name's Jeff, not kid!" he said with a huff. 'Why does everyone treat me like a child? I'm eighteen!'
Mark kept a straight face but amusement bubbled within him. The kid had a rebellious streak in him. A snort escaped Kevin who tried to disguise it as a cough. He waited to see how Mark handled the little spitfire.
"O ... kay, Jeff then," Mark said in a condescending tone, drawing a frown from him.
'Is he patronizing me?' Jeff stared at him and Mark made sure to hold his eyes before deliberately bringing his eyes slowly down to his lips and then back up to meet his eyes. He leered. Jeff felt his cheeks flushed at the suggestive look and his eyes dropped to conceal his discomfort.
Cena was fuming under his collar. He glared at Mark who blatantly ignored him.
"Your brother doesn't want you to get in the line of fire, so we'll drop you off with Dave at the next stop and you're going to stay with him until we come back with Matt." Mark's voice broached no objection whatsoever.
He was therefore a little taken aback when Jeff got in his face and hissed, "I am going with you, whether you like it or not! Matt and I are in no danger! Randy just wants the books back and as long as Matt returns those damn books, everything will be just fine! He's not going to hurt us!"
Cena was almost tempted to give Jeff a pat on his back for facing up to Mark. He hid his smile behind his hand as another snort escaped Kevin. It only irked Mark and he said in a commanding tone, "You are not going anywhere, boy! If I have to, I'll chain you up myself!"
Jeff's reaction was unexpected. He started to tear and blubber. Cena hugged him close and glaring at Mark, said, "Look what you've done! You make him cry!"
Mark looked on, stunned. The little spitfire seemed to be going through an emotional upheaval. He was all fiery one moment and then crying like a baby next. Mark shook his head while thinking, 'I swear the kid has the hormones of women undergoing premenstrual blues!"
He looked on uncomfortably as Cena pacified the upset younger Hardy. Kevin cleared his throat and asked, "How can you be sure that you can trust Orton?" As Jeff hiccupped and sniffled, Cena relayed what Jeff told them.
"What do you call that incident back there? If Orton was straight with you, Jeff, they wouldn't come after you again!" Kevin pointed out. For the first time, the seed of doubt was planted in Jeff's mind. Was he gullible to trust Randy?
Mark looked deep in thought, processing the information. He finally said, "Either way, we'll find out soon enough." He turned to Jeff, "If I were you, I'll reserve my opinion about Orton until Matt is returned safely. But if Orton is in the clear, those guys that came after you could only be sent by Dusty. He must have found out about Orton's treachery. I hope for Matt's sake that you're right about Orton because if you're wrong, your brother is in deep shit! But, if you're right, then Dusty's men are following them to Atlanta and when they find them, there's going to be a massacre!"
Must keep Jeff with Cena and/or Orton! Must keep Jeff with Cena and/or Orton!
It's not what you're think it is! I swear that the incident between Mark and Jeff was just a teaser! I promise to shoot myself if Mark ended up stealing Jeff again!
Reviews greatly appreciated.