In His Sights Page 9

  Mason got up, ready to put the past behind him and get started with the day when the phone rang. He hoped the call was from Noah. Mason didn’t even check the screen before picking the phone up, so when the voice on the other side of the call spoke, his stomach dropped. But the words the man said next had Mason forgetting about Noah within seconds.

  “There was another explosion. This one taking out our interests in Ar’ar, Saudi Arabia.”

  * * * *

  Noah’s body ached, in not the best way, and he hadn’t slept. Yet adrenaline still pumped through him, keeping him on edge. The pain in his ass brought memories of the night before, causing mixed emotions every time he felt the twinge—just like always.

  He’d come to the airport a little after two in the morning and paced for close to five hours. Every time someone new had come into the seating area, Noah had grimaced, expecting them to be Mason. As if Mason would come after him.

  The airline had put him on standby, and informed him he’d likely get a seat on the next scheduled flight at 09:15 A.M. He’d half expected to be stuck sitting in the airport all day, until the flight he’d been booked on later that night, and that thought had him full of dread. He watched as the latest plane pulled into its spot and sent a silent prayer that he’d be on it when it left. He needed to get out of town as fast as possible—get away from Mason—get away from what he’d done. What the fuck have I done?

  They’d found him a seat on the early plane. The flight had been quick, and now he stood in the Baltimore airport trying to figure out what to do. He moved along with throngs of people needing their bags. Once at the baggage area, he veered off, seeking someone to help him find his duffle bag that’d been delivered days earlier. It took him a total of forty minutes—thirty-nine to find the person in charge, then one minute to find his duffle bag.

  He took a deep breath as he stood outside the terminal waiting on a taxi. Four sets of people waited in front of him, but since the sky was blue and the air not too warm, he didn’t care. Hell, he had no place to be. He’d head to port and figure out what to do from there.

  The cab weaved its way through the tourist-filled area, then pulled over to the curb to drop Noah off at the water’s edge. He spotted a coffee shop, surprised it wasn’t one of the chains, as soon as he stepped out. Noah headed inside and received a strange stare from the barista when he ordered a large coffee, black. He chose a seat near the front entrance with his back against the wall, giving him a perfect view of the water and anyone else who’d come inside.

  Noah sipped his darkened brew as his mind struggled to fend off the memories of the night before. It wasn’t working. He’d like to blame the events on the pain medication he’d taken making him loopy, but lying to himself would be as bad as everything that happened. An overwhelming need washed over him, unlike any he’d experienced before, and his only option at that moment had been to go with it. And once he’d gotten Mason on board, it’d been no holds barred, like his granddad used to say. Yeah, now’s the perfect time to think of granddad. What the fuck is wrong with me. If that man ever found out I swung that way, he would have taken off quicker than my parents did. After he beat me, of course.

  Noah put his elbows on the table and rested his head in his hands. He pulled his hair. He’d messed up so bad. Why couldn’t he control himself? Even now, he could picture Mason reacting to Noah’s need. They’d both been needy, but no matter how Noah looked at what they’d done, having sex had been all his fault. Noah had started everything—pushed Mason into responding. There was no doubt in Noah’s mind, if he hadn’t taken that first kiss, nothing would have happened. He would be at Mason’s house right then, getting ready for his flight tonight. He couldn’t help himself. He couldn’t fucking help it. When he got a nose full of Mason’s scent, he was fucked. He’d fought the urge washing over him, and had thought he was in the clear.

  And he had been until Mason’s hand had touched his in the damn popcorn bowl. The most intense sparks he’d ever experienced had ignited Noah’s body. Then one peek at Mason told Noah Mason had felt the charge, too, and then for fuck’s sake, Mason had even tried to give Noah a way out. By then though, the haze of lust had blinded Noah, and nothing short of a pair of night-vision goggles would lead him to safety.

  Crowds of people moved in and out of the coffee shop. Noah watched; hoping his interest would be piqued and his mind would travel to a new topic. His skin itched from the inside the longer he sat there—the longer his mind obsessed with what took place.

  He needed to accept what he’d done and move on. He needed to pull back for a minute and regroup. He couldn’t stop the meltdown, but he could sure as fuck control it. First, he needed to accept sex with a man could never happen again. Well, that was a bit much. He was a tough shit, but not that tough. He’d end up getting off with a guy again, no matter how much he’d hate himself after, but it could never happen with someone he knew, or ever had the chance of seeing again. Noah’s chest tightened. That included Mason. It had to.

  Regardless that he had a great time with Mason, and he could see them becoming good friends, something he lacked these days, their friendship was now out of range. He went and fucked that up. Putting his dick where it didn’t belong. Or rather, taking something he had no right in taking.

  Noah drank the last sip from his cup. The cold coffee took its time going down. As he stood, his muscles cramped. He refused to take a pill—out on his own, he couldn’t risk compromised senses. Instead, he opted to take a walk.

  Once outside, he took a deep breath and let the fresh air wash over him. He strolled along the dock with his gaze glued to the water, feeling its freedom. Soon enough, he’d be on the boat and heading away from all his regret. Starting on a new course. He just hoped he could deal with his new path.

  He paced until the stiffness left his body, then headed to a bench to sit down. He wasn’t sure how long he sat, but when he noticed most other people had left the area, he decided he would, too. He needed to find a place to stay for the night. Noah had planned to get in touch with the other guys working security with him. Stay in whatever hotel the guys had stayed. But now since Noah had showed up so much later than he’d intended, he’d settle in anyplace with a bed.

  He’d meet up with everyone on the boat the next day.

  Instead of catching another cab, he opted to stay in the downtown area, hiking the streets like every other tourist. The first hotel he spotted appeared fancier than what he needed. Dressed in the clothes he changed into at the airport, a pair of washed out jeans that hugged his body and an old Hotel del Coronado T-shirt, he was best suited for a more moderate establishment. It didn’t take long to find a chain with a name he recognized. When he strode inside, the smell of the flowers in the lobby overpowered everything else. The two women behind the desk both wore friendly smiles. Perfect. He booked a room within minutes and headed upstairs to unload his bag.

  Chapter 10

  One year later

  The hour was late and Noah was tired. He’d just come off his fourth back-to-back assignment and desperately needed some R&R. He paced the concourse; if he sat down, no doubt he’d crash. He had a three-hour layover, and he needed something to keep his mind going, so his body would follow suit. He glanced around the airport. When he spotted the bar across the way, his stomach tightened. That was where he’d met Mason the year before. He couldn’t believe it was so long ago. Parts of him felt like it was yesterday, and others, as if a lifetime had passed. Regardless, he wouldn’t let his mind rehash those few days. He was better off with their time together long forgotten. It had taken him a while to get over what had happened, and he knew putting the experience behind him was for the best. But now, being so close to Mason, and yet, not, had his mind filling with memories.

  Alcohol wasn’t the best idea with the way he felt—both emotionally and physically. Unfortunately, besides the bar and restaurants, all he could do was shop for T-shirts or shot glasses in the souvenir shops or find somewhere to p
lug in his now dead phone, and pass the time playing on the internet. Then again, he could sit and stare at the planes coming and going, but watching the aircrafts’ choreographed rise and descent would have a hypnotic effect on him. So instead, he headed toward the bar, deciding he’d buy a soda. The caffeine and the atmosphere would keep him alert enough to get him to his connecting flight.

  The area was dark, but the voices floating through the air, over Bob Seger coming from the speakers, told Noah the place was crowded. He made his way over to the bar, found a vacant area against the side wall, and took a stool.

  The bartender came over, a smile on his face. “Hi. What would you like?”

  “A cola with a little ice, please.”

  “You got it. Would you like a menu?”

  Noah only debated for a second. Something about being in Mason’s town had his stomach doing funny things—not in a good way. “I’ll pass. Thanks.”

  “Be right back with your soda.”

  Noah glanced around the room as he waited for his drink. The place seemed the same as the previous year, except this time he viewed the room through sober eyes. There were a few tables, all full with people eating; then in the back, kind of hard to notice, a group of people stood around the pool table. Playing would help him relax. From the crowd gathered around the table, he didn’t think he’d have a chance. But he did have a three-hour wait. He’d make his way back after ordering a refill.

  When the bartender came back with his soda, Noah removed his backpack and put it on his lap. He opened the zipper and pulled out the red folder. The paperwork inside contained a list of the next few missions for him to work security, if he were interested. He wasn’t excited about the work, but it was a job, and he was glad to be working. It’d never be like his SEAL days, but then again, nothing would.

  His mind flowed back to the trip he’d just finished. They’d traveled to Africa and had crossed paths with pirates. But they’d been smarter than expected, and had continued minding their own business as Noah’s ship passed. One of the other guys Noah had worked with said it’d been because of the shipping company’s name. The company they worked for had the reputation for being hard-ass. They were known for their security measures, which included armed personnel, and the fact that they had never once been successfully boarded by pirates. That had been fine with Noah, though more action and a little less paperwork would have been nice.

  But it was what it was. And as the job wasn’t a suckfest, Noah decided he’d keep at it. At least for now. Until something better came along, which he wasn’t really expecting.

  He checked over the future routes available. Most of them were two-month clips, like the first ones he’d taken; a few, like the last one he’d been on, ran for three months.

  The first voyage he’d taken, he’d been one of five in the security detail. All of the individuals had been former military, him having been the only SEAL, and employees of the security company. The second trip had been different. He’d been one of three employees hired to guard the ship, and they’d been joined by four active SEALs who had used the ship as a taxicab. In return for their passage, they’d acted as part of the security team for the duration of their trip. The ship had picked up four other SEALs who had come along for the voyage home. It’d been strange traveling along with them. Especially when they’d learned Noah was a former SEAL. It’d been hard answering their questions, the ones asking why he left the teams. That’d been the question he refused to answer. Refused to answer with the truth, anyway. He’d told them there’d been a family emergency that he’d needed to take care of, and it’d happened right when the time came for him to re-up.

  Even thinking back now, he felt like shit for lying. But he didn’t really have a choice. What was his alternative? Tell them the truth? That he’d been blackmailed with pictures of him and another man. That he’d been given the choice of opting out, or re-up and be outed to the Navy—and more importantly, his team. Then have said team look at him with disdain and only later, when things mattered most, finding out they wouldn’t have his back. The pain of losing his team that way would’ve hurt much more than him simply walking away. Well, not simply by any measure. And then again, maybe that wouldn’t have happened. It was really sad. Noah had trusted his team with his life, but not with his secret.

  Noah rethought his decision on alcohol. A stiff drink could be exactly what he needed. Just to get his thoughts unstuck from the past. He waved the bartender over. As the man made his way, a commotion broke out in the back of the bar. The bartender saying, “Shit, not again,” was enough for Noah to recognize the shouts meant trouble. He peered over, but sat tight; this wasn’t his fight.

  Until one of the guys involved moved to where Noah could spot him. Noah did a double take. And before his brain could fully comprehend what he saw, he was up, out of his seat, darting across the room. Fuck. The voice, now shouting through the bar, caused him to quicken his pace.

  He made it over to the group as Mason ducked out of the way of flying fists.

  The bartender shouted, “Security is on the way,” but no one paid him any attention.

  Not giving it any thought, Noah stepped in the middle, putting himself in between Mason and the three guys it seemed he picked a fight with. “I don’t know what the fuck is going on here, but you better step back. Security is coming.”

  The biggest guy in the group stomped forward, stepping into Noah’s space, and said, “Think you need to move on, guy. This ain’t got nothing to do with you.”

  Not backing down, Noah replied, “See, that’s where you’re wrong. This guy here’s my friend, which makes this my problem.”

  “Then I guess we’ll have to fuck the both of you up.”

  The other two guys had hesitated every time someone mentioned security. Noah needed the loud mouth in the front to get over his agitation, and they’d all be able to walk away. But Noah wasn’t sure if he’d be able to make that happen with Mason standing behind Noah, mouthing off to the guy.

  The bartender yelled again, and this time one of the guys in the back grabbed the front guy’s arm and said, “Come on. Let’s get out of here. It’s not worth it.”

  Anger oozed off the guy, but instead of acting on it, he stared into Noah’s eyes and said, “You better tell your friend there to watch what the fuck he says, because next time, you might not be here to fight his battles.”

  “Yeah? Fuck you. Don’t need anyone to fight for me. Let’s go right now. You and me,” Mason shouted as he tried to push past Noah.

  After saying his piece, the big guy ignored Mason, turned around, and stormed out of the bar with his friends. Holding onto Mason, Noah focused on the three men leaving the bar. Only once they were gone did he move his gaze to stare at Mason.

  Mason stood—his body tense, his jaw clenched, and his nostrils flared. He pressed against Noah, trying to move around him to go after the other guys. Rage radiated out of his pores. Whatever had happened between Mason and these men had Mason riled up, and now Noah had the task of persuading Mason to calm down—before security showed up. They were lucky the bartender had had their backs the first time they had a problem in the bar, but Noah didn’t want to take a chance that the bartender would lie to security again.

  From witnessing his behavior, and the way he appeared, it was obvious to Noah that Mason was wasted.

  Great. “You need to calm the fuck down, Mason. It’s over.” Noah didn’t release his hold on Mason as he spoke. Mason’s hands fisted, and Noah half expected Mason to try to slug him. Noah tightened his grips on Mason’s arms.

  Noah had to penetrate not only all the alcohol in Mason’s system, but also the fury blinding him, and make him realize who Noah was before something bad happened. Unfortunately, Mason continued to stare at Noah with nothing in his eyes but anger. His expression told Noah he didn’t care who Noah was, and he was still pissed off Noah had interfered in the altercation and chased the three guys away.

  For a second, Noah thought he s
potted a flash of recognition in Mason’s gaze, but it was gone too fast to be anything.

  The clock ticked in Noah’s head: security was on their way, he’d only give Mason a few more seconds. When nothing came of it, Noah said, “Mason, it’s me, Noah.” When that didn’t seem to register, he added, “I’m here again on another layover.” Still nothing. His final hope was to bring up the last time they’d seen each other. “I stayed with you last year. We planted trees against your fence in the backyard.”

  Noah thought he saw a small smile, but Mason’s lips twisted and they turned into a snarl. “You took off in the middle of the fucking night.” Mason’s voice was filled with contempt. “You didn’t even fucking say goodbye.” Mason pushed himself out of Noah’s grasp and turned to leave.

  Noah grabbed his arm before he could move too far. “I know, and I’m sorry, but now is not the time to discuss it. We need to head out before security shows up.” Noah put his hand on Mason’s forearm.

  “I can take myself out of here.” Mason slurred his words.

  “I’m sure you can, but you don’t have to. I’m here to help.” Noah didn’t release his hold on Mason. He could tell the man was upset. “Do you have any bags here we need to pick up?” Noah glanced around at the surrounding tables, but didn’t see anything.

  “Why would I have a bag?” Mason growled.

  “Any luggage?”

  “For what?” Mason frowned.

  “For your trip. You’re at the airport. Are you heading on or off a plane?” Noah hoped the answer was off, because in Mason’s condition, any airline would be hesitant in allowing him to board a plane.

  “What?”

  The ticks of the clock moved faster. “You’re at the airport. Do you have any luggage we need to worry about?” Noah spoke slowly, hoping it would help Mason understand what he said.

  Mason remained quiet for a moment. He appeared as if he were thinking. Mason’s shoulders slumped, and he grimaced. All the rage he’d held moments ago seemed to drain out of him and turn to pain. His voice low, he said, “No. My sister was here. I, uh, dropped her off. She went home.”