Harley's Achilles (The Rock Series Book 3) (15 page)

Achilles

My eyes opened slowly and a shape was sitting across from me. I licked at my dry lips and tried to focus. Blonde hair came into focus and blue eyes narrowed as I finally opened my eyes all the way. The chick from the party was sitting across from me in sweats and a T-shirt. I tried to move my hands and realized they were zip-tied to the chair I was sitting in and my feet were bare.

“Arielle?” I croaked out.

“Well, look who finally woke up. Sorry about that, but I guess I used too much ketamine.”

“What?” I blinked.

“My dad’s a vet here in town. I kinda stole his dart gun. It was the only way to get you.”

“Why?”

Arielle snorted and waved a hand in the air.

“Please! I’ve seen you with Harley. Did you know he and I dated in high school? Oh yeah, for two weeks, then he told me he didn’t want me to meet his family and ended it. Just like that.” Arielle snapped her fingers. “I came to town right after I saw him in California when he basically snubbed me. He’s been all up in your shit since you’ve come back to town. Harley’s gay, wouldn’t you know it? All of them are, I bet! He used me for sex like some cheap whore! I wanted him to pay.”

“What did you do?” I asked slowly.

“I was at the diner that night, visiting a friend. I might have slipped a little something in your food,” Arielle beamed.

“Harley ate half my food!”

“How did that go?” Arielle sat forward and clasped her hands together. “Did you have a wonderful night? See, arsenic is hard to find in your body, you actually have to be looking for it.”

“You poisoned us?”

“Well, that was meant for you, but oh well.” Arielle shrugged.

I lurched forward in the chair with a growl and Arielle jumped up, backing away from me.

“I roofied him at the club too, but I guess he still wasn’t feeling well from all that poison.”

I pulled at my zip ties and Arielle squatted quite a few feet away from me.

“I wouldn’t struggle too hard, you might hurt yourself.”

“If I get out of these…” I threatened.

“You’ll what?” Arielle laughed.

I closed my eyes and exhaled slowly. I allowed the rage in, and the darker side of me began to rise.

“You wouldn’t hurt a woman,” Arielle cackled.

I opened my eyes slowly and locked on hers. “It wouldn’t be the first time, sweetheart,” I said calmly.

Arielle backed away from me and darted looks at the door. “You’re lying.”

“You are dry humping my last nerve. Who do you think I am? Just a bodyguard? Do you even know what I did for a living before this? I was a sniper and I killed people, do you get that? I killed women, Arielle. Women with bombs strapped to their bodies, intent on taking out American troops. So don’t think for one second I won’t snap your neck, especially if you try to hurt Harley in any way.”

Arielle pulled a syringe from her back pocket and I struggled in the chair. She jabbed it into me and backed away quickly. I hissed through my teeth and she ran for the door, opening it. She cast a look at me as she left. I slumped back and closed my eyes again as she closed the door. I waited for her to leave, making sure the car’s engine was far away before I tried to get free.

My feet were free of ties, so I stood up and positioned the chair against the wall. Hauling my body as far as I could away from it, I whipped back and broke one of the arms on the wall. Wood splintered and I pulled my hand free. I pulled all the drawers out in the kitchen until I found a pair of scissors and cut myself free. I searched for my phone, but couldn’t find it. I had to warn Harley and the guys. I searched the house for a phone but didn’t find one. I opened the front door to see snow on the ground. Where I was, I had no clue. I rifled through the cabinets and found some water bottles and some crackers. I stuffed them in a plastic bag and then grabbed four more plastic bags.

I headed upstairs and checked all the closets for clothing, but found them bare. Then I checked the linen closet. I grabbed two thick towels and wrapped them around my feet, placing the plastic bags over them and tying them up. I covered my hands as well as my head, and ventured outside. I had no idea when the crazy bitch would be back and I didn’t want to be there when she returned.

I checked the sky for the North star and headed the opposite direction. As I headed down the mountain, I could barely see lights way off in the distance. At least I knew I was heading toward town. The temperature was dipping lower as I kept a good pace through the trees. My feet were cold, as were my hands, but I knew they would hold out a little while longer. I stopped and took a small sip of my water and ate a cracker. I needed to stay focused. Whatever she’d injected me with would definitely start to fuck with me once my adrenaline wore off. I could feel it already. I was starting to sweat and my eyesight was getting blurry. The ground rushed up to meet my face and I spit out snow, trying to haul my weary body back up. The temperature was starting to take its toll on my body as I stood up again and began walking. I kept my eyes trained on the terrain ahead, imagining Harley’s smile as I did. What I wouldn’t give to see it one last time. I could barely make out lights up ahead. I wasn’t sure what the hell I was seeing, they seemed to be bouncing around. I fell again, my legs giving out. I rolled to my back and stared at the moon in the sky.

“Achilles?!”

Now I was hearing things. Shit.

“Achilles? Where are you?”

“Harley?” I whispered.

“Achilles? Where are you?”

Harley sounded frantic, and then I heard Hammer far off in the distance. I tried to shout, but my voice wouldn’t cooperate. I rolled back to my stomach and got on my hands and knees and began to crawl.

“Harley!” I rasped.

“Achilles? Keep talking! I’m coming!” Harley shouted, “Guys! He’s over here!”

“Harley, I’m so sorry,” I grated.

Light shone in my eyes and I lifted my head. Harley slid onto his knees and wrapped his arms around me tightly.

“Oh God! I thought she killed you!” Harley sobbed into my neck.

“I’m hard to kill,” I mumbled into his hair. “So sorry, Harley.”

“Shut up, stop apologizing and look at me.”

Harley lifted my face to his and peppered kisses all over my lips, eyes, and cheeks.

“C-c-cold,” I chattered out as I shivered.

Hammer and Buster appeared in front of me with what looked like a blanket, and Buster picked me up while Hammer wrapped it around me. It was so warm. I closed my eyes and felt a hand slip into mine.

“We’ve got you, Achilles,” Harley whispered.

“Arielle…” I started.

“We know, Axel is out hunting her now,” Hammer reassured me.

I had to laugh at the word “hunting” because it was what we all said when looking for a suspect. My laughter turned into tears as I realized what could have happened to Harley if Arielle wasn’t caught. Harley placed a soft kiss on my lips and caressed my cheek.

“We’ve got you now. I’m never letting you go, Achilles.”

“Stavros.” I held Harley’s hand.

“What?” Harley bent in closer.

“My middle name,” I mumbled.

“Okay, stay with me, Achilles.” Harley placed a kiss on my temple. “Stay with me.”

“So tired.” I closed my eyes and sighed.

“Achilles! Stay with me!”

“Harley…”

I was put into a truck and Harley had my head in his lap. He was warming my face with his hands and I grabbed one, placing a kiss on his palm.

“Don’t close your eyes!” Harley placed my hand on his cheek. “Don’t leave me, Achilles, please? Please don’t leave me alone.”

I wiped a tear from his cheek and licked it from my fingers.

“Never alone, Harley. I will always be with you.” I closed my eyes and tried to concentrate on breathing.

“Achilles! Guys, hurry!”

Achilles

I opened my eyes slowly and stared at the ceiling above me. Soft light illuminated the room and beeping was coming from somewhere. My hand was warm and I looked down to see Harley’s hand in mine. He was asleep on the side of the bed. I wiggled my fingers and his head sprang up. He wiped at his eyes and blinked, focusing on me.

“You’re awake,” he said quietly. “I was worried when you didn’t wake up.”

“What happened?” I heard myself asking. My throat was raw and my voice rough.

“Hammer, Buster and I found you in the woods. You’d wrapped your feet and hands, but you still had a mild case of frostbite. The doctor wanted to keep you a few days because of the drugs in your system.”

“Arielle!” I tried to sit up and Harley placed a hand on my chest, pushing me back gently.

“Axel got her. Please calm down. You’re safe.”

“I wasn’t worried about me, I was worried about you.” I touched his cheek.

“I’m so sorry I yelled at you, Achilles. I was just so…freaked out.”

“It’s okay, I understand. You don’t have to stay with me. I know how you must feel.”

“Do you really? Because I wanted to slap the shit out of you when you kept babbling about taking Holden’s place. Do I miss my brother? Yes, of course. Would I want him back? Of course, but to say you’d gladly take his place so I could have him back? Not gonna happen. You are stuck with me, Achilles Stavros Castellanos.”

I blinked and focused on his face. Harley smirked and I groaned. “Shit, I told you my middle name?”

“Yes, and I love it.” Harley leaned over and placed a soft kiss on my lips. “I’m not leaving you. You scared the shit out of me. I was so worried about you and then I wanted to kick my own ass for yelling at you. God, if those were the last words you ever heard from me, I’d have lost my mind.”

I palmed Harley’s cheek and searched his eyes. They were so light just then, like melted caramel and chocolate. He was such a sight for sore eyes. I pulled him close and our lips met. Harley whimpered a bit and wrapped his arms around me carefully.

“I’m so sorry I yelled at you,” he breathed across my lips.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t save your brother. I’m sorry I yelled at your parents. I’m not sorry I met you, though. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me, Harley James Payne.”

Harley grinned and ran a fingertip over my lips.

“I went to the cemetery. I cried and I yelled and screamed.”

“You feel better?” I asked.

“Yes, I do. I don’t know what I’m going to do about my parents just yet. One day at a time.”

“I’m glad you finally got to grieve properly, Harley.”  I glanced around the room and noticed it was dark out. “Just how long have I been here?”

“Two days. I want you to come home with me. Is that okay?”

“It’s perfect.”

~*~

The following morning, I was still not allowed to get up without help. My feet were still a little sore, but they were looking much better according to the doctor. I stumbled trying to get out of the bathroom and Harley was right at my side in an instant. I kissed the top of his head as he walked me slowly back to my bed. He hadn’t left my side since I woke up. He looked a little tired, but he’d been sleeping with me in the hospital bed and I was kind of big.

“You can go home, you know.” I raised a brow at him.

“Not without you.” Harley pulled the covers up over me and sat on the edge of the bed.

“Harley, about what I said to your parents —”

“Don’t.” Harley raised his hand. “You were right, but I wanted to say it myself.”

“I want you, Harley Payne.” I took his hand.

“Yeah? Even though I’m nuts and run around half-naked?”

“I love it when you run half-naked.” I wiggled my brows.

“If you’re a good boy, I’ll run around buck naked.”

Clapping erupted behind us and Harley turned around. Jinx stood in the doorway with Jayden and Rebel. The three of them walked in and Rebel leaned over my tray of food, sniffing.

“What the fuck is that?” He pointed at the tray.

“No idea. How are you, Rebel?” I asked.

“Fisting and existing my friend.” Rebel winked.

I choked and Jinx slapped Rebel on his back. Harley and Jayden burst into laughter.

Within the hour, I had a whole roomful of people. Jayden’s bandmates had come, as well as Hammer, Buster and Stan. Ransom and Gareth were on their way with Axel. I looked at all the people in my room and then zeroed in on Harley talking with Jinx in the corner. Harley was laughing and smiling. Our eyes met and he gave me a shit-eating grin.

“I thought we’d lost you,” Hammer said, sitting on the bed. “As much as we wanted to join in on the hunt for Arielle, both Buster and I wanted to find you first. You’re like our little brother.” Hammer mussed my hair. “Harley was beside himself. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him pissed off, but boy
was
he when he found out about Arielle, a.k.a. Adrianna.”

“Thank God for cold weather training, huh?” I joked.

“Take a few days off, okay? We’ll be fine while you rest up.”

I nodded and leaned back in the bed. Hammer glanced over his shoulder and I sat up a bit to see what he was looking at. I spotted Jayden and his guys in the corner, talking with Stan.

“Marc?” Hammer turned to me and I searched his eyes. “What is it?”

“What is what?”

“Who are you looking at?” I tried to peek around him again.

“No one. Rest up.”

Harley came back over to the bed and climbed in next to me. “Ready to go home?”

“More than ready.”

~*~

Harley opened the door for me and I stepped over the threshold, looking around nervously. I knew they’d caught Arielle, well, Adrianna, and she’d been put away, but my innate need to protect Harley was always front and center. I was feeling ten times better and ready to get back to my life. Now that I had Harley in my life as a boyfriend, things were much different. I overheard him in the hall when they were discharging me, asking about what he needed to do for his boyfriend. I smiled at the memory and Harley came to stand in front of me, tilting his head in question.

“I heard you call me your boyfriend,” I admitted.

“I did.” Harley nodded. “Was that okay?”

“More than okay.”

“Let’s get you off your feet, okay?” Harley wrapped an arm around me and helped me down the hallway to his room. I stopped as we walked through the door and stared at the wall across the way. A picture I had colored was in a frame hanging on the wall.

“You framed it?” I whispered.

“It’s an original Castellanos.” Harley stepped in front of me and held my face in his hands. “This house is just as much yours now. I want you to be comfortable.”

“Harley…” I started.

“No. You be quiet and get in that bed.” Harley pointed to it. “I talked to your parents and assured them you are fine, but I still want you to get on the computer so they can see you for themselves.”

“Yes, sir!” I reclined on the bed and Harley fluffed the pillows behind me. “Could you wear a nurse’s outfit?”

“Ha. Very funny.” Harley sat down on the edge and took my hand. He laced our fingers together and then raised my hand to his lips, kissing the back of it. “You scared me so badly.”

“I’m not leaving you, Harley. Not ever. Not while I still breathe,” I assured him.

“I wanted to tell you when I found you —” Harley’s phone beeped and he grabbed it, staring at the screen. “It’s Stan.”

“Take it.”

Harley answered and I kept hold of his hand. Whatever Stan was saying, Harley nodded his head and did a lot of the “uh huhs” before hanging up. He placed his phone down and then looked at me.

“Stan booked us on a Christmas special for an LGBT youth fundraiser. The guys from Black Ice and Ivory Tower are on it as well. It’s in California. You up for a little trip?”

“I will be.”

“Okay, but for now, I want you to rest.” Harley leaned in and kissed me lightly. He pulled back slightly, our lips still touching. “And when you feel better, I want you to take me.”

I backed up and searched his eyes. “Are you sure? I mean, you’ve never —”

Harley placed a finger over my lips.

“Yes, I’m sure, more than ever now. When I thought something happened to you, that maybe I’d never see you again, something snapped inside me.” Harley cradled my face in his hands. “I love you, Achilles.”

“Are you sure?” I whispered.

“Oh yeah, I’m sure. When I wake up, the first person I want to see is you. When I color an awesome picture, you’re the first one I want to show it to. I want to take walks on the beach with you in Greece and drink Ouzo out of your belly button.”

I laughed and Harley grinned. He sobered and stared into my eyes.

“I love you, Achilles Stavros Castellanos. Completely.”

“I love you too, Harley. From the first second I saw you, I knew you’d be trouble.”

“Yes, but aren’t I fun?” Harley wiggled his brows.

I grabbed him, throwing him on his back and hovering above him. I looked down into the face of the man who had stolen my heart from the second I walked into that dressing room at Wembley Stadium. Harley’s first question that day had been to ask me if my mom actually named me Achilles. I smiled at the memory and Harley cocked his head to the side, smiling at me.

“What is it?” he asked.

“I’m remembering the first day I met you. Seems so long ago now.”

“I just remember thinking how appropriate your name was.” Harley pulled me down. He wrapped himself around me and nuzzled my neck.

“I’m glad you finally got your letter, Harley,” I murmured.

“You said the same thing Holden did.” Harley leaned back and met my eyes. “That’s how I know it’s you, Achilles. It will always be you. You
see
me.”

I palmed his face and smiled. “And I always will.”