Catch a Tiger by the Tail (29 page)

Ethan pulled him close and gave his lips a quick, gentle kiss. He nodded his understanding. Calvin strapped himself into the tactical vest Riviera handed him before taking one of the Glocks and checking the magazine. With a full clip and one in the chamber, he headed for the lobby with Letty, Ash, and Rafe. They made sure to stay tucked away as Calvin approached the swinging doors leading to the lobby. He nudged one side open.

“Hector, I’m coming out. Don’t shoot. I want to talk.”

“Well, let’s go, then,” Hector called out. “Let’s talk.”

Calvin held the Glock in his hand and raised his arms at his sides as he slipped out. Hector tensed at the sight of the gun, but he remained where he was, jerking the security officer in front of him and using him as a shield. Letty, Ash, and Rafe were concealed to Calvin’s sides, waiting in the shadows.

“You wanna talk, but you bring a gun?” Hector growled. “Typical THIRDS pig.”

“It’s for my protection, Hector. You tried to shoot me tonight, remember?” Calvin slowly lowered his arms, his gaze never moving from Hector. The guy was sweating and fidgeting. He looked to be in his early twenties. Something told Calvin Hector wasn’t as self-assured as he made himself out to be.

“I ain’t saying nothing.”

“You put one of my friends in the hospital,” Calvin said, his voice calm. “A really good guy who does a lot for this city. I know you saw an opportunity. A room full of THIRDS agents, me being one of them. But they’re more than that, Hector. They have families like you. You had a room full of Humans and Therians who fight to keep this city safe.”

“Like you kept my uncle safe?”

“He left me no choice, Hector. He killed someone and injured two others. Yes, he had every right to be upset for what they did to him, but that didn’t give him the right to take someone’s life. We tried to get through to him. We did. But he was too distraught to listen. He was going to shoot someone. I couldn’t let that happen. I don’t want to shoot you, Hector. Please, you have to believe that.”

Hector let out a scoff. “What makes you think I won’t shoot him or you first?”

“Because this is what I do. It’s what I’m trained for. You’ll never see it coming. You’ll be dead before you get a shot off. Is that what you want, Hector? Do you really want to put your aunt through that after all she’s suffered?” Hector was unsure. Whatever had happened at Dekatria, Calvin was certain Hector had help, someone to push him into the decision, perhaps from his friends. It was easier to set something into motion when you had your friends backing you up. The THIRDS would get to the bottom of it. Right now Calvin would do his best to give Hector a second chance.

“Shut up! Don’t bring my aunt into this.”

“She’s still mourning your uncle’s death. Do you want to add yours to her grief?”

Hector swallowed hard, and Calvin continued, hoping he could get through to the angry young Therian. If Hector had really wanted to shoot Calvin, he would have done it by now.

“Think about your family. They’re suffering, in pain. Think about your little cousin. She needs you, Hector. She needs all of you right now.”

“Stop!” Hector shook his head, tears in his eyes. “You’re trying to manipulate me so I don’t shoot.”

“I’m trying to save your family from another loss,” Calvin replied sincerely. “They don’t deserve that.”

“My uncle didn’t deserve to die!”

“You’re right. He didn’t. But he made a choice. He hurt his family. Is that the choice you want to make here today, Hector? Because you have a choice. The same one he did.”

“You think I’m gonna punk out?”

Calvin shook his head. “No one who makes a sacrifice for their family is punking out. Think about it. Really think. Is the chance that you might get a shot off worth the pain you’ll cause your family? Worth your life?”

Hector pressed his lips together. His face and eyes were red. He looked tired, like he hadn’t slept in days. The seconds ticked past as Hector thought about his next move. His eyes darted around the place, at the hostages on the floor, some crying softly, others rightfully terrified. Hector turned his attention back to Calvin. “How do I know you won’t shoot me?”

Calvin kept his eyes on Hector as he lowered his gun to the floor. He stood slowly, hands out in front of him, and kicked his gun to one side. “Now it’s your turn.”

Hector hesitated, and for a split second Calvin thought he might back out. Instead he slowly lowered his gun to the floor. He stood and kicked it over. Letty, Ash, and Rafe rushed out, guns in hand.

“Get on the floor now!” Ash shouted as they rushed him. Hector dropped onto his stomach and put his hands behind his head. Ash and Rafe restrained him while Letty secured his wrists with Therian-strength zip ties. Calvin approached as they dragged Hector to his feet. He stopped in front of him.

“I know it might not seem like it, but you made the right choice. Tell your family you made a mistake and you’re sorry. You all need each other.”

Hector let his head hang before giving Calvin a nod. Teams of agents rushed in as Ash and Rafe escorted Hector out of the hospital to one of the awaiting BearCats. It was over. For now at least.

Sloane stood beside Calvin and smiled at him. “Good job, Cal. You did real good.”

“Thanks. I’m glad no one was hurt.”

“It’s been one hell of a long night. Why don’t you and Hobbs head home. We’ll finish up here. You can write your report in the morning.”

“Thanks, man.” Calvin wasn’t about to turn down Sloane’s offer. He was exhausted. The place was crawling with agents, and the EMTs were checking on the hostages. As tired as Calvin was, all he wanted to do was get Ethan home. Ethan had been on the verge of a bad panic attack before the shootout. He needed to make sure Ethan was all right.

Calvin dropped off the vest and gun with Riviera, thanking him before letting the rest of his team know he’d see them bright and early Monday morning. Tomorrow was Sunday, so he could just fill out his report from the comfort of his living room while in his pajamas. He smiled at Ethan and motioned toward the door.

“Let’s go home.”

Ethan smiled widely and followed him out. They headed for the parking garage and Calvin’s Jeep on the second floor. Ethan was quiet, and Calvin knew it was the exhaustion finally setting in. Ethan had been through a lot today. The party itself had been draining enough, but with his brothers, what happened to Hudson, and his panic attack, Ethan would be feeling it soon.

When they got home, Ethan disappeared into his room. Calvin let him go. In the meantime, he got a nice hot bath ready in their Therian-sized bathtub. He added scented bath salts and lit a few candles before turning on the small bathroom radio to some soft tunes. In his bedroom he undressed, hanging up his clothes behind the door. He wrapped a towel around his waist, then walked to Ethan’s bedroom. His boyfriend was most likely going over everything that had happened tonight, wondering if he could have done something different. His anxiety would be trying to get the better of him, and he’d be worried about what everyone else might be thinking of him.

Calvin knocked, smiling warmly after Ethan hesitantly opened the door. He held his hand out to Ethan.

“I could use a nice warm bath to unwind in. Join me?”

“Okay.”

Ethan quickly finished undressing and took Calvin’s hand. They walked into the bathroom, where the bath was nice and full. Ethan was going to get in first when Calvin stopped him. He tossed his towel and turned to Ethan.

“Let me take care of you.”

Ethan’s expression softened, and he put his hand to Calvin’s cheek. “You always take care of me.”

“That’s not going to change, Ethan.” He stood on his toes and kissed Ethan, loving the feel of Ethan slipping his arms around him, pulling him close against his hard naked body. Before things could get heavy, Calvin stepped back. He smiled at Ethan before climbing into the tub and sitting back. “Come on. Before the water gets cold.”

Ethan climbed in and carefully sat. Even though their tub was Therian-sized, with both of them Ethan had to bend his knees, and they stuck out of the water as he slid down so he and Calvin were chest to back. Calvin took the shampoo and washed Ethan’s hair, telling him to close his eyes and relax. Ethan had done the same for him over Valentine’s Day, and now it was Calvin’s turn. The soft sigh Ethan let out squeezed at Calvin’s heart. It scared him a little how much he loved Ethan, especially since that love would only grow with time.

Calvin rinsed Ethan’s hair, using the tips of his fingers to massage his scalp. Then he poured shower gel into Ethan’s pouf and soaped him up, using his hands to caress Ethan’s body as he washed him. He slowed down, taking his time as his fingers explored Ethan’s skin, his sculpted muscles and firm abdomen. He moved his hand lower until he had Ethan’s half-hard cock in his grip. Leisurely he stroked Ethan, smiling when Ethan let his head rest back against Calvin’s shoulder.

“I love you,” Ethan said softly.

Calvin turned his head and kissed Ethan’s lips, savoring the taste of him. There was no telling what the future might hold for them, so Calvin would make it a point to cherish what he had while he had it. He’d never been much of a dreamer, always focused on goals and what he could do to achieve them. Life had taught him not to take anything for granted, and he had no intention of starting now, especially with Ethan in his arms.

“I love you too,” Calvin replied, pulling away to smile down at Ethan before kissing him again. Never in a million years would he have imagined having what he had with Ethan. Deepening his kiss, he stroked Ethan’s cock, quickening his pace just enough to make Ethan moan. They kissed for what seemed like ages but wasn’t really. The water was still warm. Calvin picked up his pace. This was about Ethan and making him feel good.

Ethan arched his back, a shuddered sigh escaping him as Calvin tweaked one of Ethan’s nipples. His skin was flushed, his breath coming out quicker. His fingers dug into Calvin’s thighs as he thrust his hips against Calvin’s hands.

“Cal….”

“It’s okay,” Calvin murmured, kissing the side of Ethan’s head.

Ethan groaned, his muscles tensing as he came. A shiver went through him, and Calvin rained kisses up the side of Ethan’s head.

“I got you.”

Ethan stood and turned. He climbed out of the tub and held his hand out to help Calvin. He followed Ethan without question, his heart skipping a beat as Ethan dried them off before leading Calvin to his bedroom. He closed the door and pulled Calvin against him, kissing him with a passion Calvin hadn’t known Ethan possessed. It curled Calvin’s toes and sent the most amazing shiver up his spine. He stood there, floating on a cloud as Ethan stepped away to turn down the bed, then the lights. He took Calvin’s hand, and like every other time in their lives, Calvin followed Ethan blindly and willingly. They climbed into bed and huddled close together, their limbs intertwined. Calvin paid close attention to Ethan’s signals. Whatever his boyfriend needed. Ethan rolled Calvin onto his back, mindful of his weight. He was always so attentive, so careful with Calvin.

Ethan’s expression turned troubled, and Calvin ran a thumb across Ethan’s bottom lip.

“Talk to me.”

“I could have lost you tonight.”

“But you didn’t,” Calvin said gently. “I know this is going to be hard for us. All these close calls, the job, but we can’t let our fears come between us. I want to see where this takes us, Ethan.” He felt his cheeks grow warm, and he was having trouble looking directly at Ethan. “I can see us, I don’t know, growing old together. Complaining how music isn’t what it used to be.”

Ethan took hold of his chin and turned his face so he could look him in the eye. He smiled warmly. “I’d love nothing more than that.” He plucked at a lock of Calvin’s hair. “I think I see some gray already.”

“Fuck off,” Calvin said with a laugh, smacking his hand away. “You’re going to get gray hair before me because that shit’s hereditary. Look at Rafe and Seb.”

Ethan narrowed his eyes. “Yeah, all right Mr. Smarty-Pants.”

Calvin chuckled. He planted a kiss on Ethan’s chin, then his jawline. “I think it’ll just make you look even sexier.”

“Yeah?”

“Mm-hm. My sexy silver fox. Or silver tiger, rather.”

Ethan pressed his lips to Calvin’s, and Calvin opened his mouth, inviting Ethan to slip his tongue inside. He’d never grow tired of this. He loved the feel of Ethan’s heavier weight on him, of Ethan’s warm breath against his skin, the way Calvin felt loved and needed. Ethan had always needed him, but now things were a little different. Being loved by Ethan, being in his arms was more than he could have hoped for.

CALVIN WAS
startled awake in the middle of the night by Ethan’s cell phone buzzing away. It took a moment for the sleepy haze to pass. He sat up and groaned. He was sore from their sex earlier. The thought brought a smile to his face. Ethan had been sweet and gentle, and then he’d rocked Calvin’s socks off. The phone continued to buzz from the nightstand. Who would be calling at this time of night? Shit. What if it was Thomas or Seb? He grabbed Ethan’s smartphone, frowning when he saw Letty’s picture and number on the screen. Ethan was fast asleep, so Calvin answered for him. It wasn’t like they didn’t often answer each other’s phones.

“Hey, Letty, it’s Cal. Everything okay?”

“Cal, thank God. I tried calling your phone, but you didn’t pick up.”

Calvin hadn’t expected Letty’s unsteady voice. “Shit, sorry, I left it in my room. I’m, uh, not there right now. Is everything okay? What’s wrong?”

“You and Hobbs need to get over to Dex’s house right now.”

Calvin jumped out of bed. “What happened?” He gently nudged Ethan until he stirred awake. “Are Dex and Sloane okay?”

“Just get over here.”

“On our way.” Calvin hung up as Ethan sat up, his expression both sleepy and puzzled. “We have to go to Dex’s. Something’s wrong. Letty sounded worried.”

Ethan scrambled out of bed, and they both quickly dressed. Nothing ever rattled Letty. Whatever it was, it was serious. The fact she wouldn’t tell him over the phone didn’t bode well.