When he'd given up his life in England to move to the United States never in his wildest dreams had he imagined he'd wind up in a New York jail cell on the orders of Olympic gold medalist Kurt Angle, alongside the man he was in love with. For the first few hours things weren't too bad, they were kept together in a general holding area and the other men were careful to keep their distance from both Ethan's and Rhyno's intimidating size.
Careful to keep his head down and his mouth shut Spud caught one of the more disreputable men staring at him, and not for the first time. Skin crawling at the barely hidden lust in the unwelcome attention he shrank into Ethan's side, relaxing a fraction as a large warm hand settled on the back of his neck.
"We'll be out of here soon, try not to worry," with rage still shimmering just under the surface Ethan found it difficult to keep his grip gentle when a part of him wanted to destroy everything around him. Angle was going to pay for having the audacity to throw him in jail like he was a common criminal.
Attention caught by a rattle of keys Ethan dropped his hand from Spud and straightened up, raising an arrogant eyebrow at the police officer who opened the door. "Alright Mr. Carter, you are free to go."
"About time," standing Ethan dragged Spud up with him, grinning smugly around the room, "come on tiger, let's get out of here."
"I'm afraid it's just you Mr. Carter, your companions are still under arrest," heart freezing the bond flared with his instinctive rage at the idea of leaving Spud behind and it was only the light touch to his hand that kept the red from bleeding into his eyes.
Clutching Ethan's hand Spud forced a confidant smile, very aware of the assessing eyes studying them, "it's okay Sir. You go ahead, your Aunt might need you and I'm sure we'll be released soon enough."
"I'll make sure Spud stays safe," stepping forward when it looked like Ethan was going to protest Rhyno met the other man's eyes with every sign of confidence, keeping his voice pitched low enough no one else could hear. He was very aware things could turn dangerous at a moment's notice and a refusal to leave was very much like waving a red flag in front of a bull.
Fighting every instinct and hating himself just a little Ethan released Spud's hand, the bond twinging angrily in response. "I'll make sure you get out soon Spud." Repressing an angry growl at the guard's impatient cough he didn't dare delay any longer. "I'm counting on you Rhyno." With one last look at Spud's brave smile, wishing he dared risk a kiss he turned away and walked out while he could.
The moment he stepped out into the gray dreary day, already regretting the decision to leave Spud despite the lack of choices he found a car waiting to pick him up and his cellphone started to ring. Looking at the caller ID he hesitated only briefly before answering and climbing into the car. "Hi Aunt D, how are you feeling … yes I'm out. Rhyno and Spud are still in jail however." Closing his eyes he allowed her to convince him to return home for a few days, shelving his worry and hatred for leaving Spud behind at the pain in her voice. Something wasn't right and his family needed him.
Arriving home after a short flight Ethan was surprised to find the house silent, too silent. His worry picked up and crowded out the lingering guilt at leaving his bonded in such a dangerous situation with only Rhyno for protection. "Aunt D, Uncle Serg, I'm home," calling out he bit his lip when no one answered, wondering through the rooms he jumped when a hand touched his shoulder.
"I don't think I've ever been able to sneak up on you before Ethan," smiling at the other man's scowl Serg squeezed his shoulder reassuringly, "I understand how worried you must be, Dixie didn't exactly make her situation clear."
"What situation? What's going on and where are the kids?" The smile fell off of Serg's face and Ethan had the sinking feeling that while he'd been keeping Spud company in New York something terrible had been happening.
Gesturing his nephew to sit Serg forced a smile, "the kids are still with your parents, Dixie needed the quiet." Holding up a hand when Ethan would have interrupted he hastened to reassure the worried man, "everyone is fine, I promise but we found out a few days ago your Aunt still had a sliver of wood resting near her spine."
"Jesus Serg, why didn't anyone tell me? I would have come home right away," scrubbing a hand through his hair Ethan stood and paced, guilt growing at all the wasted time he'd spent in New York. "I could have helped."
"Dixie didn't want to worry you," sighing at the other man's grumble Serg pressed on, he'd told Dixie Ethan wouldn't be happy but she had insisted and he hadn't been in any position to refuse her anything. "She had surgery on her back yesterday and she's healing well. Just, well, because it had been in there so long she was warned there would be some lingering pain for a few weeks."
"So she's okay now?" Reassuring himself at Serg's nod Ethan breathed out and dropped back in the chair, nails tearing small holes into the rich fabric, "I am going to kill Bully."
Laughing Serg shook his head, "I'm afraid you'll have to get in line. Now," looking around he frowned, "where's Spud, I thought you two got sprung from jail together … which, I might add I'm not too happy about you letting Angle goad you into getting arrested."
"Spud is still in jail, he didn't get released with me," jaw clenching as surprise flashed across his Uncles face Ethan found himself feeling oddly defensive. "Aunt D called once I got out, I came as soon as I heard the pain in her voice."
Swallowing the urge to continue questioning his nephew, sensing it wouldn't be welcome Serg forced a smile, "well why don't you go visit your Aunt, I know she's been looking forward to seeing you and I'll call our lawyers to make sure Spud gets released."
"Thanks Uncle Serg, I appreciate that," getting to his feet Ethan shoved the sudden exhaustion dragging at him aside, clapping the older man on the back he left and walked slowly to his Aunt's room. Hesitating, suddenly nervous for some reason he pushed inside when his Aunt's voice called out to him, eyes traveling over the room he swallowed at finding her sitting by the window, bundled up and looking frail in way he'd never seen before. Childish fear seizing him he rushed to her side and carefully reached out to hold her hand, "hey Aunt D, Serg told me what happened, I'm sorry I wasn't home to help you."
Smiling tenderly Dixie cupped her nephews face, touched by his worry, "oh darling, there's nothing to be sorry about. Serg and your parents have taken good care of me, I didn't want to worry you. I know you must be having a hard time dealing with the fallout from Spud's incompetence."
"I …" taken aback at the sheer level of anger in his Aunt's voice Ethan scrambled for a response, "it hasn't been the easiest week I admit." Hiding a wince as the bond twinged angrily he shoved down the guilt and worry to concentrate keeping a smile on his face. After all Spud would be fine, Rhyno was there to protect him. His job right now was to make sure Aunt D was okay so things could try and get back to normal.
