Forgive and Forget(48)

Liam ducked and dodged, running around trees, and over boulders and fallen trees. The shooting continued and a bullet grazed Liam’s arm.

“Shit.” He ducked behind a tree. In the distance he could hear shouting and see the faint glow of flashlights. His captors were closing in on him. If he called out now, he’d give away his position. Forget waiting for backup. It was time to take matters into his own hands. Liam checked the magazine of the machine gun. He was tired of being hunted. It was time to become the hunter.

Liam slipped into a thicket of trees and crouched down in the shadows. He grabbed a rock and tossed it far across to the other side, where it hit a tree. Two of the men rushed forward, their guns ready. Liam fired twice, one bullet per guy, catching them both in the legs. They dropped to the ground, shooting blindly as they screamed and writhed in pain. Three down. Three more to go. Liam silently and swiftly left his hiding spot to duck behind a large tree. He peeked out, grinning. The three men were out in the open, exposed. Liam’s adrenaline was pumping. He smiled to himself. It was good to be back.




A SERIES of shots rang out somewhere close-by, and Joe gave a start. “Oh no.” It was Liam, he just knew it. Joe took off, ignoring the shouts of the men who’d stayed behind with him. He had to go to Liam, make sure he was all right. Joe sped off in the direction the sound had come from. There he was putting his safety at risk, but he couldn’t think about anything except Liam. It was strange thinking of Tom as Liam. Whatever name he used, it wouldn’t change what had happened over the last few weeks. It wouldn’t change how Joe felt.

Running through the woods, Joe was aware of the dozens of agents running along with him, guns in hand. Joe prayed Liam was safe and that he was able to call on his training as he had in the shop. Liam could handle himself; Joe had to trust in him. Maybe he even remembered who he was. All this had to jog some kind of instinct or reaction, some memory recall.

In the distance he spotted a man holding a gun standing over an injured man, and Joe’s heart almost stopped, until he realized the man holding the gun was Liam. Joe came to a halt when he reached him, stunned to find three men scattered around on the ground writhing in pain. Liam had done this on his own?

The Feds closed in, rushing the men and detaining them. One officer arrived to take the machine gun from Liam. When Liam spotted Joe, he hurried over and pulled Joe into his arms.

“Thank God you’re all right. I was so worried.”

“You were worried?” Joe pulled away. “When they took you, I was terrified.” He noticed the blood on Liam’s arm. “You’re bleeding!”

Liam released him, seeming to remember they weren’t alone, especially as an EMT was heading their way. “It’s just a graze. Thank you for coming.”

“Of course I came. I was so afraid they’d hurt you.” Joe swallowed hard as they escorted the men away, cursing and shouting. Joe had witnessed arrests before, but never anything like this. Liam pulled Joe to one side, his expression troubled.

“I’m okay, Joe. How about you? Are you all right?”

Not remotely, but he nodded anyway. The EMT spoke to Liam, asking him questions before she got to work on his arm. “So this is what you do.” Joe glanced over at one of the gunman being taken away.

“Sometimes. Other times it’s a lot of sitting around waiting, filling out paperwork.”

Joe turned his attention back to Liam. “You’re a G-Man.”

Liam chuckled. A mischievous gleam came into his eyes. “Guess it’s better than a nutritionist.”

Joe arched an eyebrow at him. “Not funny.” Liam laughed, and Joe shoved his hands into his pockets, aware of the chaotic scene going on around them as agents dealt with the crime scene. He waited for the EMT to finish up with Liam, and once she’d walked away, he spoke up. “So, what happens now?”

“First things first.” Liam held his hand out with a smile. “Liam Baker, FBI.”

Joe took his hand with a sad smile. “Nice to meet you, Liam.”

Someone called out Liam’s name, and Joe’s heart sank a little. “You should get going. They probably have a lot of questions for you. I gave the SD card to Agent Geoffrey.”

“He’s my partner at the bureau, and a good guy.” Liam’s expression softened, and he placed his hand on the small of Joe’s back, leading him back in the direction of the parked government vehicles. “I need to take care of this, but as soon as I’m done, I’ll come by the café. We need to talk. I’ll send people over to clean up and get you some new chairs.”

“That’s not necessary,” Joe assured him.

“No, it is. Please.”

Joe nodded and did his best to smile, but his heart was breaking. This was it. This was what he’d feared. He couldn’t blame Tom—Liam. The man had a life, one he’d lived just fine before meeting Joe. He had a career and maybe someone special back home. Even if he didn’t have someone, Liam was a federal agent. What would he want with a man who baked pies for a living? Joe was happy with what he did. He loved what he did, but he could understand how that might not be the most exciting lifestyle for a man of action like Liam.

The ride back was quiet. Agent Geoffrey took Joe’s statement, recording the conversation as Joe explained everything he believed was relevant to their case from the moment he’d found Liam until the FBI showed up. Of course he left out personal details, like their nights in front of the TV together, enjoying each other’s company, or the way Liam had made him feel like he was the most desired man in the world. Their intimate moments, caresses, embraces, the way Liam drove him crazy with his kisses, or the way Liam brought him to his knees. Their nights making love, teasing each other. Joe didn’t bring up any of that. He didn’t mention how much he missed Liam already.