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“Yes, of course. I gave you a fake name and Social Security number, just like I gave Dexen. You’re both idiots or I’m just that good.” He winked at me. What the fuck? “Did you see me dance at the club, Perry? I put on an extra special show when I knew you were there.”
I could tell him the truth and say I saw no one but Dominic when I was there, or I could lie because I was afraid if I didn’t, he was going to shoot Dominic. “I did. You were amazing.” I put as much emotion into my voice as I could. Mostly it was fear for the man I loved hanging there with blood dripping down his leg.
I started to move forward but Peyton put an arm out, holding me back.
“You always were a pain in the ass, Peyton,” Alan spat. “Always near Perry and if you weren’t, Greer was. I couldn’t get a word in. Perry, I tried so hard to get you to see me. I even worked my ass off after college to try and get into your company, but I never could. You saw me, didn’t you? Everything I did was for you.” His gun moved in his hand as he talked. I didn’t think he realized he was doing it. Jesus fuck, he was batshit.
“Yeah, I saw you. I’m sorry you weren’t hired. You have obviously done well for yourself if you’re working here and at the club.” What the hell just came out of my mouth? Done well for yourself? He was holding a man hostage and waving his gun around like a lunatic. “What do you want, Alan? A job at PJS.”
“Not any job.” He smiled. “I want Greer’s. I took the same courses he did. Graduated with him. I deserve to be in his seat, advising you on the security of the company. And then, I want to be in your bed, Perry. I didn’t think you were gay since you never looked at men that way. I could accept it if I still got to be in your life. But I didn’t get anywhere. Then I see you out with two men. One who fucking dances at the same club as me.” Every word got higher and higher pitched. “I knew he worked for you. I bided my time until I could put the rest of my plan into motion, so you’d see me.”
“Alan, I’m not sure I can give you that.”
“Of course you can!” he screamed maniacally. “You’re going to give me everything or I’m going to fucking kill Ocean!” That gun in his hand became steady as he pointed it at Dominic’s head.
I dodged under Peyton’s arm. If Alan wanted me, he could have me. Anything as long as he let Dominic go. Peyton lunged for me, his strong arm wrapping around my waist, twisting me to the side as a gunshot rang out in the space, the sound echoing off the walls.
“No!” I yelled and tried to turn, gripping Peyton’s arm, struggling to get to Dominic.
More shots rang out, some pinging off the metal around the shop. Peyton threw me to the ground, his large body covering mine, causing the hit I took to the cement to be even harder. I tried to push him away, my hands on his arms, but he was immovable.
Something warm and wet pressed against my palm. I pulled it from Peyton, seeing blood coating my hand. “Pey?” I looked up into his dark eyes while he had an iron grip on me.
“I won’t let you get hurt.” His voice cracked slightly, worry for me, the fear he had I’d be injured or worse, right on the surface for me to see. I thought it was the first time I’d seen Peyton scared of something.
“Let me look.” I frantically tried to get out from underneath him, but he wouldn’t let go. “You need help.”
“It’s a graze. I’m fine.”
“Fuck you, you’re not.”
“Clear!” Greer called out from somewhere in the garage.
“Greer!” I yelled. “Pey’s hit!”
That brought Greer running over, gently moving his brother from on top of me, who was reluctant to go. “Perry’s okay. He’s not hurt except maybe his back from you slamming him to the ground, but he’ll be all right.” Hurt? Me.
I tried to move and groaned. My hip throbbed and so did my upper back. Okay, maybe I was bruised but I wasn’t bleeding. It was minor.
“Dom,” Peyton bit out, getting to his feet. He hadn’t lost a ton of blood, but it had soaked through his white dress shirt. He had left his jacket in the Tahoe.
“I’ll go.” I pushed from the cement, feeling every bit of Peyton’s weight where he had thrown me to the floor.
In the middle of the bay where Alan had stood with his gun in the air, he was now pressed face down on the cement with Val standing nearby, his gun aimed at Alan’s head. JJ had straddled Alan’s waist and was using zip ties to pull his hands together.
“I need Dom down. Please,” I begged. We had to help him.
JJ left Alan on the ground once he was secured, who was cursing out everyone in the room but me. I was getting told by Alan how much he loved me and how he wanted to spend his life with me. Here we worried about Dominic having a stalker and it was me. If I had given Alan more time years ago, would he have done this now? Would he have worked for JJ and Dexen? Would he have ended up working for me and tried to press himself into my life? I was too entranced in my studies to have solid friendships in college. Was that a mistake? Could I have prevented this?
JJ carefully lowered Dominic to where I could hold him, his full weight on me. JJ came over to help lay him on the ground and pressed his fingers to the pulse point in his neck. “He’s alive.” I let out a shaky breath. It was then I realized I didn’t even contemplate him being anything other before this. I didn’t think for one second he was dead. It was unfathomable to me. I wouldn’t get him only for him to be torn away.
JJ reached into his pocket to pull out his phone and tapped a few times before lifting it to his ear. “Doctor,” he told me. “We also have to do something with Rob or Alan, whoever the fuck he is.” JJ broke off to talk on the phone.
Greer and Peyton came out, Peyton immediately dropping to his knees on the other side of Dominic. He looked him over, put his fingers to his pulse like he was reassuring himself Dominic was alive. We both called his name, touched his cheek, but he wouldn’t wake up.
I vaguely heard Greer on the phone, speaking to someone, but I didn’t focus on him. I couldn’t when my heart felt like it was trying to beat out of my chest and go into Dominic’s.
“Pey…” I said brokenly. “He has to be okay. This is all my fault.”
