Chapter Fourteen
Two months since they’ve been searching for Alphonso Gianni and, gods, Tucker really missed his husband and stepdaughter. They spoke every night on a secured and untraceable line, but it wasn’t the same as having Lucas in his arms or hearing Zoi’s infectious laughter. The message sent to Hamilton employees was that Lucas was taking some time off, and no one knew when he’d return.
Considering that he just got married, everyone took it as him needing to spend time with his new husband. Tucker could tell that Lucas was starting to get impatient, especially since he had another doctor’s appointment coming up. Tucker was trying to figure out a way to get Doctor Wilson over to Lucas. It would be easy to have one of the Seeker organization doctors take over his care, but he and his team didn’t know who to trust.
Things were not going that well with the rest of the family either. Christen found out about his father’s infidelity and refused to listen to Asher’s explanation. Tucker could also feel the warring tension between Asher and Tyler each time they were in the same room. They hardly spoke unless it had to do with Gianni or Ethan since it was getting closer to his due date. Poor Seth was in the middle of it all, and probably felt terrible for causing all the trouble.
Everything is so fucked up. I’m not sure when things are going to work out in the end.
“Come in,” he answered when there was a knock on his office door. Jaxson walked in and closed the door.
“You got a few minutes to talk?” Jaxson asked.
“Is this personal or business?”
“Both,” Jaxson said sitting down in the chair in front of him.
“I just got a call from Seth. They still haven’t been able to pinpoint where or who hacked into their system last night, our guess is still Gianni.”
Sometime around midnight the night before, someone tried hacking into the Seeker servers, and Tucker’s only thought was that they were trying to find Lucas. The good thing was only Asher, Tucker, and a trusted IT tech knew exactly where his husband was. They wanted it that way since word hadn’t gotten out that they were married.
“What else?”
“Stephen is working with that guy, Chance, the computer analyst from Seekers. They’re trying to crack January’s computer, and with what little we got off it, Mayson and Tyler are following up on the clues. We’ve already confirmed that January was the double agent, but I have to tell you, boss, the guy was in debt up to his eyeballs. We’re still not sure how January and Gianni came into contact, but the night the guy killed himself, three million dollars was deposited in his account. But that still wouldn’t have covered his debt.”
Tucker sighed and ran his fingers through his hair, clasping them at the base of his neck. He was tired in so many ways. Leaning forward, resting his elbows on the edge of the large desk, he looked around the conference room at all the files, maps, and photos hoping something would lead them to Gianni. So far, things were adding up to a whole lot of nothing and leading them nowhere.
The team had commandeered one of the offices and a conference room in the New York FBI building. They had brought one computer analyst with them from Seekers—the only one that Asher and Tyler seemed to trust. They were working under the assumption that Gianni had more than one person working in Seekers on his payroll and they weren't taking any chances. Thanks to Erich, everything was done through back channels, and their group's day-to-day investigation didn’t interrupt the daily working lives of the New York agents.
“Things aren’t adding up,” Tucker said. For two months he’d been wracking his brain as to why things felt so clean cut—all except finding Gianni.
“No, they aren’t,” Jaxson agreed then sighed. “It doesn’t seem as if we are going to figure business out today, so let’s see if we can figure out the personal part. What are we going to do about the other thing?”
“Hell if I know,” Tucker answered. “I can’t force Lucas to talk to his father, just as you can’t force Christen to do the same.”
Jaxson leaned forward nodding. “I have to admit. I’m disappointed in Asher, I mean . . . hell, I don’t know what I mean.”
“Every family has issues, Jax, and this is just one of them. They are a close-knit family and as simple as I’m saying this, things will get better. They will argue it out, and Seth will be welcomed in the family as if he’s been there the entire time.”
“Fuck, I didn’t realize how right Lucas was about you.” Jaxson chuckled.
“What’s Lucas right about?” Tyler said walking into the conference room.
“That Tucker's a rational thinker,” Jaxson answered.
“That is true. I never realized how much Lucas needed someone like you in his life,” Tyler said. “Don’t get me wrong, I loved Rebecca, we all did. She showed Lucas how to love, but with you, I see a side of my brother he probably didn’t know was there. He listens more, and he thinks before he says the thing that pops into his head. I just hope you love him as much as he loves you.”
That surprised Tucker,Lucas is in love with me? Did he say that to Tyler?He looked at Tyler when he heard his chuckle. “Shit, you two haven’t even said the words to each other yet, have you?”
“Things have been a bit hectic,” Tucker said in defense.
“I get it,” Tyler said shaking his head. “The next time you speak to him, tell him how you feel.”
“All right, let’s get back to business,” Tucker said hoping to change the subject.
The conversation started around him, but Tucker’s mind kept going around the words Tyler just said. The only one he’d ever said the words to was Rochelle. He remembered every aspect of his wife, from the way she felt to the softness and warmth of her touch. But lately, he didn’t yearn for Rochelle’s touch, he wanted for Lucas’, for his strength, to hear his laughter, and feel his passion.
Closing his eyes, he remembered the last time they made love and how passionate but sweet Lucas felt in his arms. The sexy way he looked riding his cock, with sweat soaking his hair and glistened off his body, and begging Tucker to give him more. He remembered being amazed at the small baby bump that was forming and was sure Lucas wouldn’t think it was cute. The thumping in his heart grew louder the more he thought about his husband.
