Brody nodded. "He offered up his mechanic skills."
Hector grinned before reaching out to shake Tony's hand. "We don't get many people through here with their own transportation, but we get a few."
"Well, if any of them need a tune-up or anything, give me a call. I'd be happy to do it, free of charge."
"We appreciate it."
"Is that why I'm here?" Tony glanced between the two men. "To fix someone's car?"
Hector shot Brody a look. "You didn't tell him?"
"No."
Hector chuckled. "Man, are you in for a surprise. Come with me."
Tony glanced at Brody as he passed him, following Hector into the house. Hector led him past the living room and down a hallway to a small bookshelf built into the stairs. Tony's jaw dropped when Hector pushed on the bookshelf and it swung open.
"A secret room?"
Hector nodded before starting down the stairs to the floor below. Tony swallowed tightly before following him down. He was surprised by the large, bright room he found when he reached the bottom of the stairs.
He was even more surprised by the man he saw sitting on the couch talking with Will. "Lex!"
Tony raced over and dropped to his knees in front of the man. Before he reached for him, his mind warned him about the swollen bruises. He slowed his momentum, but he didn't stop from taking Lex into his arms.
Lex let out a little sobs before collapsing in his arms.
Tony scooted up onto the couch and pulled Lex closer. "What happened to you, baby? I went to your apartment, but you weren't there. I even went to the hospital, but they said you'd been released. Where have you been, Lex?"
Chapter Thirteen
Lex had never been so happy to see someone in his life. He snuggled into Tony's hold and gave free rein to all the anguish he'd been feeling for the last few days. And they have been a few very long days.
Tony's fingers threaded through his hair. The other hand gently patted his arm. "You're okay, Lex. Whatever is going on, I'll help you. You're not alone."
"I tried to call you," Lex said as raised his head. He sniffled then wiped at his eyes. "I called a couple of times, but you never answered."
"I was probably working in the shop and didn't hear the phone. I know someone called from an unidentified number."
"That was Dr. Green's phone. He let me use it to try and reach you. He was too afraid Carson would be able to track it if I called you from my hospital room."
Tony stilled. "Robert Carson?"
"Yeah, do you know him?"
"I think I saw him at your apartment." Tony's jaw clenched. "Your next-door neighbor told me that your fiancé was having all of your stuff packed up so you could move in with him. He told your neighbor he didn't want you to have to go back to your place after you were attacked there."
Fresh tears flooded Lex's eyes. "He's packing up my apartment?" He was never going to get away from this man. "He's trying to take over my life. First he had a medical power-of-attorney in my name, and now he's taking my apartment. I don't understand why he's doing this."
"Do you know this man?"
"Yes, and you do, too. Remember that guy that was hitting on me at the bar the night we met?"
Tony's eyebrows lifted. "That was him?"
"He seems to think I belong to him now."
Lex snickered when Tony growled. He leaned his head on the man's shoulder. He didn't want to belong to Robert Carson. He wanted to belong to Tony Garza. "So, you live in Cade Creek?"
