A Hunted Man (The Men of Halfway House) (32 page)

The big guy looked over to Cam and smiled. His face reddened and strained. "Hi, Ken. You're prettier than I remember."

A wave of rage surged in Cam. Everything dimmed except the pounding in his ears and the son of a bitch who had just spoken. A veil of red blinded him and launched him forward with the sledgehammer in hand.

A force pulled him by the waist and threw him to the ground. His limbs were stretched and held. His vision still blurred from the anger.

Just like before…when the guards held me down to beat me.

"Get off me!" Cam struggled to break free. His neck corded with the yell. His veins were ready to burst. He writhed, pushed, pulled. It was useless. He yelled again and grunted, forcing his weight against the hold on him.

"Cameron!" Julian yelled. "Snap out of it!"

His face was slapped. His chin gripped tightly. "Dude, snap out of it."

Cameron's chest heaved with each breath. His vision focused on mismatched eyes staring at him. "Get off me," Cam yelled at Cole who straddled his chest. His face heated and the thumping in his head needed release. He pushed his head back to see Luke pinning his hands. "Let go of me, right fuckin' now!"

"You want to go back inside for this piece of shit? I don't think so. Chill, man. Julian's got this," Luke said, tightening his hold on Cam's wrists.

"Aidan's on his way." Matt knelt by Cam. "Cam, J has this guy and he's not going to let him go until Aidan gets here."

Cam's gaze shifted from Matt to Cole. "Get the hell off me, now," he yelled again as he fought the tight wrestle-like hold Cole had on his body and legs.

"Dude, I'm an Italian who was raised with big brothers. Stop fighting."

The big guy managed to chuckle.

Julian's muscles flexed as he pushed the bat deeper into the man's throat. "You're begging for me to break your other knee cap. Shut the fuck up," he warned through gritted teeth.

Matt gently placed his hand on Cam's forearm drawing his attention. "Cam, please…you're safe here. I need you to try to calm down. I know you're angry, but don't let this guy screw up all the progress you've made."

Cam looked up at Matt and saw the concern. He closed his eyes and tried to calm his breathing. His mind drifted to Hunter, his touch, the sound of his voice. He imagined Hunter's fingers at the base of his spine, caressing him with his fingertips. His breathing began to level and his pulse began to slow to a normal rate. He took a deep breath then opened his eyes to look over at Julian.
Yeah, he's got it under control
.

"Guys, please let me go." He looked up at Luke.

Luke peered at him for a second, nodded, and then freed Cam's wrists.

Cole looked at him. After assessing him, he finally released his grip and slowly stood then reached out a hand to help Cam stand.

Cam took the offered hand and stood. He rubbed his wrists and flexed his fingers, trying to get some feeling back into them. Damn Luke was a brute bear. He looked over to the man who was reddening under Julian's bat-lock hold. The same man he had seen at the house that night. The same man who had reported back about seeing Brad's boyfriend and ultimately affected almost a third of his life. He closed his eyes, bent over, and rested his hands on his knees. He took a few deep breaths and tried to control the anger that threatened to take over again.

His thoughts returned to Hunter, and how this could potentially be another step closer to ending all this bullshit. Being together with Hunter, alone, without all this drama…
that
was enough to bring him to the point of serenity. He opened his eyes and found himself more relaxed. He straightened and took a deep breath.

"You think this is all—"

"Shut the fuck up, asshole," Cole said, stuffing the sock he had just removed from his foot into the goon's mouth. "I've got another one ready if you think you can talk through that."

Cam gave Cole a wry grin. Cole grabbed the sledgehammer off the floor and stood quietly next to Julian's left side while Luke stood on his right holding a PVC pipe. They guarded him like watch dogs, waiting for their command to attack.

These guys were there for him and had the situation under control. Cam did what he had never felt comfortable doing…he turned his back and walked away.

Matt followed him into the kitchen and silently started a fresh pot of coffee. Cam pulled out a chair and took a seat. He crossed his arms on the table then hunched over to rest his chin on them.

He didn't move from this position until Aidan arrived at the scene about five minutes later.

"You okay?" Aidan asked, taking a seat next to him.

Cam nodded, still resting his chin on his crossed arms.

"I called Hunter on the way here. He should be arriving any minute."

Cam nodded again, not saying a word.

Aidan patted him on the shoulder then returned to the living room to rejoin the police officers who had arrived.

Moments later, Hunter raced into the kitchen. "Cam?" he asked with the worry crease evident between his brows.

Cam slowly stood. "I'm okay."

Hunter took the few steps to reach him and scooped him up, almost lifting him off his feet into one of the tightest embraces Cam had ever felt. He wrapped his arms around Hunter's shoulders and simply held on. Cam didn't panic, he wasn't freaking out, he wasn't dazed. Clearer than he had been for some time, he realized that, finally, he had a few people around him who cared. For the first time, he thought maybe there would be a life for him after all this was over.

Hunter's body shook in his arms. He tightened his hold on Hunter. He couldn't remember what life was like when he didn't have to look over his shoulder every moment. But somehow, hope had bloomed within him that it was a possibility, and it was simply because of this man who held him so tightly.

Hunter loosened his hold on Cam and searched his face.

Cam smiled and stroked Hunter's cheek. "I'm okay and I'm hanging in there. How about you do the same?"

Hunter exhaled and chuckled. "You never cease to amaze me."

Cam's smile grew even more as he reached for Hunter again. He tightened his hold on this man, never wanting to let him go.

* * * *

"You're good for him, you know," Matt casually said, walking up to Hunter.

"He's good for me, too," Hunter responded, intently watching Cam as he spoke with the police about the break-in. "I just want to see him happy and at peace."

Matt looked at Hunter appraisingly. "As long as you're a part of that, I think he can be." He patted Hunter on the shoulder then walked off to sit with Julian who was still being interviewed by another officer.

Hunter stayed with Cam until the police finished their questioning. He'd occasionally observe him as he answered each question, checking his tone of voice, body language, gestures. Hunter didn't detect any panic or worry. Cam was composed and responded to each question as thoroughly as possible without letting his emotions take control.

Hunter was a strong man, but didn't know if he could live life completely isolated from friends and family and always on guard. It was the kind of thing that totally screwed with a person's head. He remembered one of the many times he went on a mission with a skeleton crew, isolated for twelve weeks in a foreign country with no contact outside of his small team—always on guard, watching over his shoulder, their shoulders. Adrenaline would pump in his body at will, endlessly, keeping him focused, in charge. His leadership never wavered, his steadiness never in question. He did what he had to do to protect his crew, but the undercurrent of fear and panic wore away at him. When he returned home, the slightest sound or quick movement would set him off balance, push him into a tailspin of anxiety and dread. He hated the loss of control, which ultimately drove him to leave the service after eight years.

He didn't know how Cam was able to maintain his sanity and handle this for almost a decade.

He reached out and grabbed Cam's hand. Fingers entwined, he didn't care about the looks of the remaining police officers in the room. He needed the contact. To know Cam was still with him and to let Cam know he was there for him.

Cam responded to the questions without chancing a look at Hunter. He squeezed Hunter's hand in acknowledgement.

Hunter sat quietly for the remaining ten minutes of questioning until the last officer left.

"Thanks," Cam said.

"I didn't do anything." Hunter raised their clasped hands and kissed Cam's knuckles.

Cam smiled. "For that. For knowing exactly when I needed you." He leaned into Hunter and pressed his nose against the crook of Hunter's neck.

Hunter chuckled and wrapped his arm around Cam's shoulder. "I just wanted to hold your hand. I'm not psychic or anything like that."

"Just take a damn compliment. You're my hero so you're just going to have to deal with it."

Hunter smiled, kissed Cam's forehead then tugged him closer.

"That's it, everyone's gone," Matt said after closing the back door behind the last of the investigators.

"Well, that's my cue to leave." Hunter looked at his watch before standing. He'd be lucky to get a few hours' sleep before heading into the office in the morning.

"Do I go to work tomorrow as if nothing happened?" Cam looked at Hunter expectantly.

"Yeah, don't raise any additional red flags. I'll pick you up at five from here after work."

"Is that still okay?" Cam asked Matt.

"I've got you guys already set up with the weekend pass before all this happened. Besides, you're still local so this shouldn't be an issue," Matt said.

Cam sighed and smiled at Hunter.

"C'mon, kid. Get your ass upstairs," Luke said as he herded Cole up the stairs.

"Hunter, I want a ride in that baby one of these days," Cole yelled before disappearing.

"I swear that guy is obsessed with my car," Hunter said before wrapping his arms around Cam from behind.

"You have no idea," Cam said with a chuckle.

"We're heading off to bed. Cam, lock up, okay?" Matt asked with a yawn as Julian guided him up the stairs.

"No problem, and hey, Julian?"

Julian stopped midway and looked over to Cam.

"Thanks."

Julian half smiled in response before nudging Matt up the remaining steps.

Cam rubbed Hunter's arms and pulled on the blue bracelet.

"Don't pick at it," Hunter said, kissing Cam's cheek.

Cam looked up and over his shoulder. "I can't believe you never take it off."

"I like it. It reminds me of you."

"Cheap, ragged, and twisted."

Hunter turned Cam in his arms. "Unique and thoughtful."

"You're reading too much into it." Cam wrapped his arms around Hunter's neck and rested his head on Hunter's shoulder.

"Bullshit. You're an undercover romantic, admit it."

"Shh. I'm trying to have a moment here before you leave. Don't ruin it," Cam said. Hunter could swear he heard the words said through a smile.

Hunter loved to tease Cam but secretly craved the day when Cam would just open up and voice his emotions. He lost his train of thought as Cam alternated between kisses and bites along Hunter's jaw.

"Mmm. I might not want to leave if you keep doing that," Hunter said.

"Might? Shit, we're out of the honeymoon phase already?"

Cam's throaty laugh, the soft kisses, the gentle bites, and…
oh fuck
…the lick up the side of his neck, were wreaking havoc on Hunter's control.

"Promise me something," Cam said.

"Anything."

"We'll do some wall slamming tomorrow night," Cam said as he continued his torture.

"You keep this up I won't make it to a wall."

Cam placed a last kiss on Hunter's lips before retreating. "Then I guess I'll stop…for now," he finished with a wicked grin.

"Evil man."

Hunter didn't see the usual tells and quick shifts in expressions to indicate Cam was freaking out. He couldn't imagine Cam had been unscathed after what had happened. "You sure you're okay?"

Cam shrugged and quieted for a few moments. He bit his lower lip and shuffled his feet. "I lost it earlier."

"Panic attack?"

Cam ducked his head.

Hunter cupped Cam's face and gave him a gentle kiss. "Are you okay now?"

Cam nodded. "I thought of you. That kinda grounded me."

Hunter's chest tightened and his breath caught in his throat. "You thought of me?" he said with a grin.

Cam shook his finger at him. "Don't get sappy on me. You need to go and get some sleep before work so you're well-rested for our weekend." He waggled his eyebrows.

Hunter laughed. "You too, lock the door behind me."

"Yes, sir."

The heat spread across Hunter's face. He looked at Cam from the corner of his eye, knowing he'd see a smiling Cam waiting for his reaction.

"I'll see you later."

Yup. Wall slamming weekend was definitely in order just to prove he wasn't an old fart after all.

This was pure bliss. Cam would forgo the sunrise in the morning for a repeat of this. Waking in Hunter's bed, encased in his protective embrace with their legs tangled. Cam took a deep breath and closed his eyes as he gently rubbed the arms that held him. He exhaled and nestled a little closer to the warm, hard chest against his back, wrapping his arms around Hunter's hold. He had never felt freer in his life.