Outraged, Joshua’s eyes swung to Colin, who shrugged. “Youhaveto be where they can protect you!”
Joshua nodded but hissed out a frustrated sigh. “Fucking, hell!”
At the Rainier Clinic, Officer Lopez parked the limo behind the building as close to the rear entrance as possible, and then he and Officer Hayes got out. “Wait one moment,” Hayes told Joshua, then stood beside the door as Officer Lopez checked the area. When Lopez returned to the SUV, Officer Hayes opened the SUV’s door and gestured to Joshua. “OK, Josh. Let’s go.”
Colin pulled him close and kissed him. “Another thread in our tapestry,” he murmured.
“Please be safe,” Joshua whispered. He returned Colin’s kiss, grabbed his briefcase and work clothes, and then climbed out of the Suburban.
From the time Joshua left the vehicle, Colin’s eyes constantly scanned the perimeter, watching with grim intensity as Officer Hayes moved Joshua toward the safety of the building. He propped the limo’s door open and leaned halfway out. His body coiled, every muscle tense, poised to spring into action the instant anything threatened his husband.
“Colin!” Sarah's voice snapped from the front seat. “Get back in the unit and shut the damned door!”
“In a just goddamn minute!” Colin spat out. He saw Joshua reach the clinic and watched as Officer Hayes ushered him inside and secured the door. He pressed his lips together and ground out an angry snarl before slamming the vehicle’s door and falling back against the leather seat.
“Colin, these are top-of-the-line security officers,” Sarah told him as Daniel Lopez started the big Chevy. “They won’t let anything happen to Josh.”
“Save your breath, Sarah,” Colin told her. “I’m sure they’re fine officers, but the only person on Earth I trust with his safety isme!”
CHAPTER FOUR
GUARDED MOMENTS
Colin and Joshua tried to connect by phone throughout the day, but with little success. The Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office was a whirlwind of activity. Meetings with Charlottesville law enforcement agencies and their counterparts in Albemarle County were all on the schedule, with Colin’s presence required at most of them. But even as he raced from room to room, his mind kept drifting to Joshua, wishing for a quiet moment to talk, but there just wasn’t time.
At Rainier Clinic, Joshua did his best to stay calm, professional, and fully present for his patients, even though he felt cramped and uncomfortable in his temporary office. However, being forced to dash from there to his ‘actual’ office to retrieve missing documents, patient reports, or prescription records—always accompanied by his security officer—left himseething with annoyed frustration.
When he and Colindidmanage to connect, they could barely speak coherently. “My god, Colin,” Joshua blurted out during one brief, hectic exchange. “This isinsane!”
“Let’s get through the day, bud,” Colin advised. “Tonight, we’ll be able to kick back and talk about all this.” Colin heardhis husband draw in and exhale a long breath. “A couple more hours, and we can relax.”
Joshua heard Colin sigh, and his voice grew momentarily distant. “OK, Norm, I’m coming.” He held the phone close to his lips again. “Gotta go, babe. I love you.” And before Joshua could respond, the line went dead.
Frustrated, Joshua tossed his phone to the desk. “Son of a bitch!”
At five p.m.,Officer Emily Hayes tapped on Joshua’s door. “Doctor Abrams?”
“What’s up, Emily? And please, call me Josh.”
“Wanted to let you know that the car’s here. Please let me know when you’re ready to leave so I can notify City Hall. The Omni is on our way, so Ryan will drop you and me off first, then go grab Colin and the rest of the team.”
Joshua nodded. “OK, Emily. Let me pack up a few case files, and then we can go.” He stood and scooped up the patient files he had been studying and shoved them into his briefcase. For a moment, he stood, staring down at the top of his desk. He drew in and exhaled several deep, calming breaths, then turned and strode toward the door.
He had been in their suite at the Omni for nearly half an hour when Colin burst through the door, calling his name.
“I’m back here, Colin!” Joshua called. “In the bedroom.”
Colin found him leaning over the king-sized bed, sorting through their hastily packed suitcases and the contents of several large trash bags. Joshua spun toward him, and Colin caught him in a tightembrace. He felt his breath catch as their bodies pressed close.
Joshua buried his face against Colin's neck, breathing in his familiar scent. "God, Colin,” he moaned, his voice breaking. “I don’t know if I candothis.”
Colin held him close, rocking him in his arms, his heart aching from the pain in Joshua's voice. "Hang on, my sweet boy. We'll figure it out together. I promise."
Joshua stared at Colin, his eyes a mixture of hope and uncertainty, and Colin pressed his lips to Joshua’s forehead. “This won’t last forever, baby. But until we resolve this threat, I want you safe. It’s the only way I’ll be able to function.”
“Oddly enough, I feel the same way aboutyou,” Joshua told him. He wrapped his arms around Colin’s neck, and for a long time, they stood without speaking, their bodies molded together. They each felt the other’s heartbeat quicken as they stood in the dimly lit hotel room, and after a moment, their breaths synchronized, creating a silent rhythm that echoed the unspoken bond between them.
“I know you’re scared,” Colin said, his arms clenching around Joshua’s body. “But know this: I’m not goinganywhere.”
