Mark finally battled the fish into the boat. He'd managed to land a seven pound black sea bass. He did the usual, he held up the fish while Dave appeared to snap a picture. In reality he was getting a close up of Hart's house and Adam sitting on the balcony. Mark then let the fish go. He couldn't stand seafood of any kind. The sea eagles screamed in protest and moved on to the next boat. Maybe next time they could get the fish...
Bret returned to the balcony. He was extremely stony faced, "Word is, Barret is bout to try to attack. Somehow he knows about this place. I have managed to keep this house safe for years. How in the fucking hell did a stupid Brit find it?" Hart nervously paced the balcony. He was truly mystified.
"Maybe your men aren't as loyal as you think," Adam said quietly. He had to forget he'd ever seen the detectives on the boat.
Before he could even blink, Adam cried out and grabbed his cheek. Hart had slapped him so hard it nearly knocked him out of the lounge. Tears welled up in his eyes, his face hurt, the skin was hot and already turning colors.
"Don't ever question the loyalty of my men. Not ever, do you understand me? Now come on, we have to prepare," Hart said with a growl as he roughly picked Adam up. He put the blond back on the bed and left the room...
"Hart hit Copeland. We have enough evidence. Let's go get him. We'll make a damn road if we have too, we have the GPS," Glen said sharply. He was tired of all the pussy footing they had to do. Fuck the courts and their hours of iron clad proof.
"You're right. We'll head to port. Call for the units, we're going in, tonight," Mark said just as firmly. He too hated all the court stuff. Let the lawyers make the case. They had done their job, they had evidence.
Dave agreed, he pointed "LUCIA" towards the direction of Tampa Bay. They would be landing at Fort De Soto...
Wade was busy giving detailed instructions to his men. It was a dangerous game. Yes, he knew exactly how to get to Hart's place, but he had no idea what kind of place or how well guarded it was. "We will go in quietly. We'll need to access the situation. Cesaro, tell them what to do. Tony was in the Swiss Army, so fucking listen to him." Barret said in a warning tone.
The group was in a park, but hardly anyone used it. It was in a dangerous part of town. If anyone had passed by, all they would have noticed was a group of men playing cards, or so they would think. Spread out on the picnic table was a crude and roughly drawn map. Cesaro had used his military background to draw a rough layout to Hart's place for them to follow.
"We know the Gulf is to the south. I've estimated from the GPS readings that Hart's place is about four miles from the main road. All I could find on the computer was a pixellated blob. I am assuming it's a house of some kind. It's also nestled in the dunes. We'll use those dunes for protection. When we get there, Jinder and myself will do the recon. The rest of you will wait," Anthony said to the group of men. In his opinion with a few exceptions, these men were all idiots.
Cesaro pulled Wade to the side and spoke in a low whisper, "I should have had more time. I should have done proper recon. Gone out on a boat, followed the road, so I could know how to best attack the place. This is just... stupid. I could have gathered better trained men. Hart will have to be taken out quickly. You're just lucky Brock is a good shot," Cesaro was upset. He needed time for the job to be done right and safely.
Barrett growled, "I know, I know, but Hart gave me a deadline. I could care less about fucking Copeland. I. Want. Hart. He is out to get me for offing his brother. I don't care what else you do, just kill Hart. If Adam gets hurt in the crossfire, so be it. Hart ends tonight!" the Brit said in a tone of finality. He knew Cesaro could pull it off... at least he hoped so...
It was two hours until sunset. The three detectives were back at their office downtown. They had made the decision to go to Hart's house. Through Glen's evidence, as far as they could gather, there were only four people on the property. Adam, Bret and two they presumed were guards.
Mark decided they would go alone. He'd spoken to their Chief, an old salt named Ric Flair. He gave Calaway permission to go ahead. Flair agreed they had enough evidence. He quickly got the judge to issue a warrant for Hart.
When the judge had been given the details he was shocked. The man who was doing his art studio was the hostage in question. Judge Lawler wanted Adam safe. The warrant was issued with record speed. The three detectives were dressed out in full tactical gear. They looked more like Special Ops soldiers rather than cops. After all, in a way, they were soldiers fighting a war... a war against crime.
Glen was putting the last touches on Mark's face. They were using black-out "make-up". There, perfect. Say, I think it's a vast improvement," Glen teased his lover. Mark rolled his eyes.
"What about the leaky faucet? He was hanging around Flair's office like a hound dog with a raccoon up a tree," Dave asked seriously. He wanted to beat the fucking hell out of the dirty cop.
"Flair knows. He said they have about enough against him. Ric sent him across town, to help fourth division with a parade patrol," Mark explained to his worried colleague.
"Okay, that's everything. Flair said we could take the Hummer. I told him we might have to make our own road. He said he wished he could go with us, he misses field work," Glen said with a laugh. He was in a good mood, this was the part of the job he loved. It was the fruit of all his labor at the computer.
When they finished sunset was an hour away. Mark was on his cell phone, he was giving the Commander of "The Mada" final instructions. The Coast Guard would have a surprise for Bret Hart...
Adam was scared. He didn't dare move from the bed. The police boat had long ago vanished. He could only hope they were working to get him out. He rubbed his cheek, he could tell it was swollen. What scared him the most was how suddenly Bret had turned on him. It was like Wade all over again.
He had built up a bit of trust with Bret. After all Hart had taken care of him, fed him well, provided baths and clean clothes. Bret had even given him drawing materials and conversed with him like a friend. Adam wasn't stupid though, he was always aware Bret was his captor and had threatened him. Any trust he had been broken, Adam knew now that his life was truly in danger. His thoughts went to Chris, would he ever see his Lion: to be able to tell him he loved him. He took out the drawing pad and began to write a letter.
As he put a pencil to paper, silent tears dripped down his face;
"My handsome Lion,
In many ways I hope you never see this, because if you are reading it, it means I am probably … dead. When Roman died, Dean gave me a letter Roman had written to me. It gave me more comfort than anything else, so I hope this letter will do the same for you. I'll have to be quick as I don't know how much time I have left, something is going to happen... soon.
I can't leave this world without telling you, I love you, Chris. I know our physical bodies have only just met, but it's like our souls have always been together.
I loved Roman deeply and one thing that made me love you, was the fact that you didn't ask me to forget him, you welcomed his memory. In many ways, I love you more... no, not more but differently.
I'm sorry we can't build a life together. I'm also sorry I didn't get to finish your beautiful home. I hope you continue to work on it. Jay can do it, I trust him and love my brother. I'll try to write to him as well.
There is so much I want to say... I have to go... something is happening... I love you my Lion. Please, find love and be happy.
Your loving Kitten, Adam"
Adam hurriedly tore the letter from the pad and put it in the pocket of his robe. Bret was coming up the stairs. He was shouting at his two guards.
"And don't forget your vests. Titus go on look out, Darren start pulling the drapes. I'm going to put Adam in a vest too, hurry up!" the mobster said loudly from the top of the stairs.
Bret entered the bedroom. He was dressed all in black and was wearing a bullet proof vest. He wore a shoulder holster, a pistol butt was visible. An AK-47 was slung over his shoulder and rested on his back. A huge knife was sheathed and hung on his belt. Bret Hart meant business.
"Here..." Hart opened his closet and looked at Adam. Fire blazed in his dark brown eyes. He pulled a dusty pink button down shirt and a pair of blue jeans out of the closet. He bent down and picked up a pair of hiking boots.
"... put these on. Hurry up, just be careful of your ankle. Here's a slipper for your bad foot. MOVE!" Bret commanded sharply. He stood in the door way.
Adam quickly did as he was told. He thought the clothes belonged to Bret, but they fit like they were made for him. He pulled the letter out of the robe pocket and stuffed into the back pocket of his jeans. The boot was a half-size too big, so he laced it tight, the slid the other foot into the slipper. He sat on the edge of the bed and waited. He was terrified.
Darren came up the stairs, he was dressed the same as Bret, only he had an AR-15 slung over his shoulder. He had a bullet proof vest in his hand. "The boys are arming. Booker said an hour, two at the most. They were scattered. Titus says all clear for now. I'm going to get the radio and other stuff," Darren said calmly with an edge of anxiety.
"Good. Don't forget to set the detectors. Darren, stay alert, but Barret is mine and mine alone," Bret spoke in a warning tone. He sent Young on his way with a wave.
"Put this on and listen to me pretty boy. I've decided. I'm keeping you for myself. I'm not handing you over to an animal like Barret, and..." Bret walked over to Adam and gently lifted his chin with his fingers, "You're too beautiful to kill. I want you for myself," he whispered the last few words, then bent down and kissed Adam's lips.
Adam trembled, he hated the feel of anothers lips on his. He'd almost rather die than have to be in another man's bed, especially one he didn't trust. When Bret broke the kiss Adam had to avoid the urge to wipe his mouth with the back of his hand. He stayed silent.
He helped Adam into the vest. He took another kiss as he finished, "You'll be mine tonight. Maybe I'll even make Barrett watch before I kill him," Bret spoke with a wicked smirk.
"i... belong... to... Chris... if... just... no... no!" Adam put his head in his hands and let out a cry of despair.
"You did belong to Chris. Now you belong to me and I protect and care for what is mine. You'll learn. Now, stay here, you'll be safe," Bret said sternly. He kissed Adam again and left to go down the stairs...
Wade and his group were on motorcycles while Tyson Kidd and A.J. Styles followed with a Jeep. They were armed with pistols and knives. About a mile from the beach house, Wade stopped.
"Brock, Anthony, Vlad and Dolph will go with me. The rest of you wait here. Keep radio silence. Be ready when I call and when I do, come in with guns blazing. Curtis is in charge here, " Barrett instructed his men.
The Englishman and his chosen men took off on foot while the others made a mini camp and waited. They knew it would be a long night...
Mark, Glen and Dave were making their way towards the beach house. They were made their own trail. Glen was watching with binoculars, he tapped Mark on the shoulder. Calaway brought the hummer to a stop, he cut the engine.
"Look, is that a campfire? I know there isn't any camping allowed here. Let's check it out. If its civilians we need to move them, if it's not, then we might get lucky," Glen said thoughtfully.
"Commander, we'll need those MP's after all. Put them on standby," Mark said into the radio. Because the dunes were protected, the military police from the Coast Guard were in control.
"Aye, Detective. We're ready with the other. We're black, off shore, ready for your signal," the older man's voice answered back in Mark's ear. The three policemen grabbed their gear and started off towards the campfire. They were ready for anything...
Back at Adam's house, everyone had been touched by the engaged couples invitation to Las Vegas and all agreed to go. The conversation moved to the elephant in the room, their missing blond.
"I just can't stand the thought of Barrett getting his hands on my brother again. When I think of it..." Jason sighed. He wrapped himself in his husbands arms.
"Won't happen. Have faith the detectives will find him," Chris said confidently. He hope the picture had proven itself and they were working to find Adam.
"That's what we all have to do. Keep the faith. Chris, when do you go on tour again?" Shawn asked, as he tried to change the subject.
"Late mid summer. We'll do the European festival circuit. Germany, France, Italy, England and back to Germany, maybe Austria. Depends on the ticket sales," Chris explained to his newly adopted family.
"Fozzy has great chops. I have all your CD's. I'll have to get you to autograph them for me," Seth finally said with a fan boy gush and blush. He'd been in awe of Chris since he first met him.
Chris chuckled, "Anytime Seth. When we start rehearsals, you and Dean can come watch, if you want," Jericho said honestly with a soft smile.
"That would be great! Thanks," Seth replied with a huge smile. He was thrilled and couldn't wait.
"Hey! We want to come too!" Heath chimed in. He liked Fozzy as well.
"Us too," Shawn added, much to everyone's surprise. They never thought a preacher would be a fan of heavy metal music.
Chris laughed, "Alright, you can all come. We'll make an evening of it," his voice faded a bit. It just wasn't the same without Adam there...
Wade, Brock, Anthony, Dolph and Vladimir made their was down the road. The moon made the sandy road look like a silver ribbon, the dunes around them appeared to be humped camels lying down. The distant sound of waves against the shore echoed in chorus with night hunting shore birds and crickets singing in the sea grasses.
The five men moved like silent shadows. They pulled black ski masks down over their faces. Barrett wanted Hart and he was bound to get him...
Mark and Glen circled one way while Dave went around the other. They circled the seven men sitting around the tiny campfire. The Coast Guard Military Police had told Mark they were two minutes out, they too were coming on foot...
"Any word from Booker?" Bret called from the top of the stairs. He hoped help was on the way.
"He's got Riley, Mizanin, Morrison, Rey, Del Rio and Rodriguez. They are on the way. They have to stop for supplies. He said they would be on the road to the house in about fifteen minutes," Darren called back, radio in hand.
Bret gave him a nod, then went into the room with Adam. He had turned off all the lights so he could look out of the windows. He saw nothing but the moonlit dunes. There were a few boats out in the Gulf. He could tell they were small fishing boats, he shook his head, he never understood the point of fishing. He thought it was boring and then why go through all that, just let the fish go.
Hart looked at "his" blond, Adam hadn't moved. Silent tears dripped from the green eyes every so often. Bret moved to his captive.
Once again he lifted Adam's chin with his finger tips, "Don't cry pretty baby. It won't be so bad. Behave and mind me and you'll have anything you want. I'll spoil you rotten," Hart said as he kissed Adam's lips chastely.
"My mother and brother? What about Chris? Shawn and Hunter's wedding? I had a life, nobody thought of that did they? I don't love you, I will never love you! I want to go be with Chris and my family!" Adam's voice was calm, but fire and defiance burned in his green eyes. He would not be a willing person in Bret Hart's bed.
Hart felt a little pang of guilt, he hated seeing Adam cry, but the blond would have to learn to obey. He might arrange for the brother and mother to visit, but not Jericho. That was over. Adam was his now, and Bret didn't share his toys.
"I'm sorry pretty baby. I really am, but that's life. Maybe, if you behave, you can see your mother and brother, but not Jericho. You are mine now and I do no share my toys," Hart said firmly once again.
"Fine, fine! I belong to you! I'm nothing but property to be bartered like fruit in the market! To Wade I was his punching bag. To you I am a toy! To Chris, I am a person, he allows me to be me! Hum, which one do I love? You can put me in your bed, you can use my body, but I'll never be willing. I'll never love you. I trusted you despite our situation, you were kind to me. This changed all that. I'll never, ever trust you again!" Adam ranted as he pointed to his bruised cheek.
Bret was a little speechless, he wasn't used to being chastised. He turned Adam's bruised cheek to the moonlight. He kissed the damaged skin, "You questioned my men and their loyalty. I'm sorry I slapped you. I have to go, stay put," Hart walked out and went down the stairs.
Adam sat there, resigned to the fact that life as he knew it was over. He fingered the letter in his pocket. He wanted his Lion. When would he get to be happy?...
At Adam's house, the men were cleaning up the remains of their long ago eaten supper. They had sat around talking all evening. The visitors wanted to help Chris clean up.
Heath, Shawn and Seth were washing the glasses and silverware. Hunter and Jay were bagging up the trash, while Chris and Dean brought more trash and dishes from the living room.
The red-head sighed, "It was almost fun tonight. Is that a terrible thing to say?" he asked the older man next to him at the sink.
Shawn stopped what he was doing. He turned to Heath and placed a hand on the young man's shoulder, "No, it's not. Adam, of all people would want us to be happy. Where ever he is, he knows we are praying for him, he knows we're thinking about him. Yes, we are all worried to death about him, but the human mind can only take so much. We have to laugh once in a while. It's okay, it doesn't mean we don't love him, understand?" Shawn's words were from his heart, with emotion behind them.
The others had stopped to listen. After Shawn spoke they all felt better. He was right, sometimes you just had to laugh...
Adam had gotten up and gone to the door that opened out to the balcony. He didn't dare slide it open. He looked out, he could see the Egmont Lighthouse, without thinking he counted the fifteen seconds intervals of its warning light.
As he watched, suddenly a blinding flash lit up the sky like daytime. It had come from a boat out in the Gulf. There was a second flash, then a third and all hell broke loose downstairs...
Chris and his guests were in the living room. Everyone was in the process of putting on jackets and hugging good-bye. Just as Chris put his hand on the door to open it, the door bell rang, followed by a frantic knocking.
For a moment, the seven men froze in their tracks and stared at each other. There was only one reason someone could be ringing and knocking so frantically. Good news never came at two thirty in the morning. Jay pulled Heath in close, Dean and Hunter held their mates as well. Tears streamed down the faces of Heath and Seth. Shawn's eyes were closed, his lips moved in silent prayer.
Chris trembled as his hand turned the knob, he opened the door...