3.27 Should Have Listened

Leaning against the wall Heath gulped in several deep breaths. He didn't like that man. He was too sure of himself. Heath felt weak in his presence. He didn't want to go anywhere with that man no matter how lucrative or beneficial it might be for his career. Walking unsteadily he entered the dining room He stood staring into the crowd trying to locate Don.

"There's space at me table," Gerald whispered in his ear. His warm breath moving Heath's hair tickling his skin.

"I'm joining my husband" Heath said attempting to step aside to let the older man pass by

"If you were mine I'd never let you out of my sight" he spoke just above a whisper in the younger man's ear while his hand landed roughly on Heath's bottom. Gerald smiled in fiendish delight when the younger male jumped in surprise tensing at the man's touch.

Heath turned lips curled up in distaste "don't touch me," he snarled as he walked away from the man feeling nauseated. So focused on getting away from Gerald he almost walked past Don until Don waved him over.

"How did it go?" Don asked excited for him "Mr Huntington said Gerald is from a prestigious Art Gallery in Bridgeport. This would be great for your career in getting your name out there."

"I don't like him," Heath said.

"What? Why?" Don asked losing his smile "he seemed very personable and nice."

"He came on to me Don," Heath said keeping his voice low not wanting to cause a scene.

"Are you sure?" Don asked putting his fork down "maybe you were misinterpreting things..."

"I understood perfectly well," Heath hissed.

Don reached over and took his hand "calm down...."

"I won't calm down," Heath's nostrils flared incensed by the implications. "They guy grabbed my ass" his voice trembled with barely suppressed anger.

"he what?" Don exclaimed eyes darkening as he looked around the room. He stood up when he spotted the man. His hands clenched into fists when Gerald lifted his wine glass in a mock toast and winked.

"Don please" Heath clutched at his had "don't make a scene. Please. Can't you see that's what he wants."

Don let Heath coax him into his seat "I'm sory I should have listened to you."

"I might have done the same in your shoes," Heath acknowledged not wanting to argue the point.

"He put his hands on you" Don looked down at his half finished plate "that's inexcusable."

Heath nodded picking at his food. The excitement of the evening having faded into the past. "I should have handled the situation better."

Shaking his head Don scowled across the table at him "none of this is your fault. I shouldn't have let you go off alone with that guy."

"Why?" Heath looked up sharply "don't you think I can take care of myself?"

"No that's not what I meant," Don protested "if we had been together none of this would have happened..."

"You think I'm weak, incapable of thinking for myself..."

"No that's not it," Don denied "it's just" he sighed "you've been sheltered most of your life. You don't know how the world works."

Heath opened his mouth to refute his husbands stinging comments when Mr Huntington approached them. "I hope you're enjoying you're evening." Don and Heath both nodded eyeing each uneasily 

"Good good," he clapped his hands together "Gerald is very interested in organizing a showing of your work in Bridgeport. Several rich clientele have voiced an interest in seeing more of your art."

"No" Don said interrupting the man's smooth words.

"I hope that decline of this fantastic and lucrative offer has nothing to do with Gerald's behavior..." he rubbed his chin as the two men glared at each other from across the table. "Oh I see. I'm sorry. Gerald tends to come across rather brash and uncouth when he wants something..."

"In this case my husband" Don growled.

"Let me assure you that Heath will not be dealing directly with Gerald in Bridgeport. In fact Gerald will be in France during the proposed showing." Mr Huntington continued to expound upon the 

proposed showing.

Heath nodded agreeing with most of what was being said "I'd like to do the show as long as I don't have to deal with Gerald."

"That  can and will be arranged" Mr Huntington assured him "so do I have your approval to set this 

up?"

Without looking at his husband Heath nodded saying "yes I'll do it."

***

The month leading up to the art show in Bridgeport were filled with tense days. Neither Don or Heath were willing to admit they were wrong both ignoring the bigger issue. Don sat in front of his computer trying to ignore his husband as he painted nearby. He typed a few words as his stomach twisted in knots knowing that in less then a week Heath would be in Bridgeport for a month. "I don't like it" Don said suddenly in the quiet room.

"What don't you like?" Heath asked from his easel "I finally made a decision of my own and you've been mad at me ever since."

"It wasn't your decision to make" Don growled getting up from the computer.

"Not my decision" Heath gasped "it was about my work, my career. How is that not my decision to make?"

"You know it's not about your work," Don said pacing the length of the room.

"You're jealous"

"The guy put his hands on you," Don was practically yelling at this point.

"He's not even going to be there," Heath told him keeping his voice low and steady "you know what Mr Huntington said. He's going to be in France while I'm there. I'll be working with his assistant...." he tried to recall the woman's name. Snapping his fingers Heath said "Samantha". Walking towards Don he wrapped his arms around him. "I don't see the harm in doing the show. Where's the danger?"

Don leaned forward resting his forehead on Heath's chest "I just don't trust the guy."

Dropping his arms Heath tensed "which means you don't trust me."

"I never said that" Don protested "I want you to do well in this venture. I really do. I just wish it wasn't with him."

"It's not with him," Heath said stepping away from Don. "Everything has been set up without even talking to him. I've only dealt with Mr Huntington or Samantha. Why can't you let this go?"

"Because because i can't" Don ran a hand through his hair trying to reign in his galloping emotions. Why couldn't Heath see he was walking into a trap? "Heath please this Gerald character is a smooth talker. I wouldn't put it past him to fake this supposed trip to France..."

"Don't you think I verified that this France trip is legit?" Heath asked "I don't want to deal with the guy either." He sighed heavily bowing his head looking at his feet. "I love you Don. I would never do anything to jeopardize what we have."

Don moved to embrace his husband "I know. He kissed Heath's cheek tenderly "I worry and" he sighed "I'm jealous."

"I knew it," Heath gloated before laying claim to Don's mouth "there's nothing he has that I want. You're my everything."

***

A week into his trip Heath was awakened from a deep sleep by someone knocking on his hotel room door. Groaning Heath shuffled to the door, peeked through the peep hole. The sight that greeted him was enough to send shock waves through his system. Opening the door his face sporting a huge grin "can I help you?"

"Special delivery for Heath Van Winkle" the delivery boy said holding a large bouquet of roses.

Heart hammering Heath took the roses after tipping the delivery boy. Closing the door Heath read the note attached. 'You make my heart beast faster than a rocket to the moon. Can't wait to see you babe.' Smiling Heath said the note beside the roses before reaching for his phone. He knew it was too early to call. Don needed his rest to keep up with the kids. He sent a quick text thanking him.

Still smiling Heath laid back down before turning the beside light off. Heath glanced at the roses marveling at how wonderful his husband was for thinking of him. He couldn't wait to go home to thank Don properly and to hug his kids. He missed his family something chronic.

***

Walking into the Gallery Heath stopped dead in his tracks shocked and dismayed. The one person he didn't want to see was standing with his back turned to the door. Heath recognized the men by the way he stood and moved. The man's voice sent shivers down his spine. Heath moved to retrace his steps hoping to leave before he was noticed. As he was about to slip through the door a voice behind him said "how did you like my apology?"

Closing his eyes Heath swallowed over th lump in his throat. "The roses...were from you?"

"Yeah babe...."

"Don't call me that" Heath demanded pushing open the door turning to leave. Heath felt his arm being grabbed from behind.

"Where do you think you're going?" Gerald asked harshly "we have things to discuss."

"I was told you weren't going to be here," Heath mumbled wrenching his arm from the man's grip.

"Things change," Gerald shrugged "whether you like it or not you're mine or the next three weeks. Now get your ass inside."

Shooting the older man an angry glare Heath walked past him into the gallery. Jumping when the man slapped him in the rear. Without turning Heath kept walking to the sounds of laughter. Clamping down on his anger not wanting Kimberly to know and inform Don of any issues. As much as he hated to admit it Don had been right. This had been a set up. Now he was here alone. He was such an idiot. He should have listened. He had thought he was safe...Gerald wasn't supposed to be here. Everything was going well until he showed up.

"The brooding look will drive all the women wild but we need you to smile for a few of the pictures," the photographer said.

Heath tried to focus on the demands of the photographer as he requested one pose after another. The entire time he felt the leering gaze of the Gallery manager. He knew for certain he shouldn't have come but the last thing he wanted to do was go home. He was twenty-six years old. He needed to be able to make  his own decisions. Good or bad this was his decision.

Once the pictures were done Heath headed for the door. "Where do you think you're going?"

Stopping Heath gritted his teeth "were done. I'm going back to my hotel room."

"Only if your inviting me up to your room" Gerald's voice was deep, suave dripping with honey. "Otherwise we have a lunch date."

Shaking his head Heath had the fleeting thought that he was being toyed with. "Where?" he asked turning to face the dreadful man.

His lips quirked up looking very much like the cat who ate the canary. "To an Italian restaurant." Looking Heath up and down "you'll need to change."

Thinking this was his way out Heath said "this is all I have."

Rubbing his chin Gerald nodded "we'll go shopping for the needed attire." He ordered his chauffeur to pick them up. Stopping in front of the man's clothing store. Heath shook his head "I can't afford anything in that store."

"That's the beauty of having a rich boyfriend," Gerald said putting a hand on Heath's knee rubbing softly.

"I'm married and you're not my boyfriend," Heath said throwing the man's hand back at him.

Chuckling softly Gerald leaned over and spoke in Heath's ear "for now. Soon though you'll be mine."

"Fat chance in hell," Heath muttered reaching for the door.

"That door doesn't open" Gerald told him taking his hand "a safety mechanism preventing anyone from exiting the car into traffic."

Heath had little choice but to follow Gerald out of the car and into the men's store. The entire time Gerald held his hand tight parading him around to the sales men as his property.

An hour later Heath eyed his reflection in the mirror. He didn't recognize himself in the clothes Gerald insisted he wear. Tears threatened to spill from  his eyes. He came to Bridgeport to prove he was capable of making his own decisions. Instead he was involved in some sort of fatal attraction with an older man that seemed to be leaps and bounds ahead of him. There was something sinister about the older man's intent that went beyond anything Heath had dealt with before. Even as he thought that he realized there was something familiar about the man like he had met him before. Something that made his heart race and his skin tingle whenever the man touched him.

Panic knifed through him as he rummaged through his discarded clothes searching for his phone. He knew he had it when he left the hotel. Had it through the photo shoot. Had it when he got into the car. With a sudden unwelcome thought he knew Gerald had it. He was completely cut off from everyone.

***

"Babe what's taking so long in there?"Gerald asked through the dressing room door "we're going to be late for our dinner reservation."

Taking several deep gulps of air Heath gathered his things. He dabbed at his eyes making sure there were no traces of tears or fear on his face. Opening the door he found Gerald waiting for him in what appeared to be patience. In reality Heath could see the barely contained rage. "I can't find my phone" Heath told him by way of explanation.

"You must have dropped it in the car" Gerald told him putting an arm around him drawing him close. 

Heath stiffened in the man's embrace. He felt Gerald's lips press into his cheek. "Don't make a scene." Gerald whispered in his ear "or someone might get hurt."

Heath looked into the man's eyes and blinked. He thought he saw the man's eyes change color from dark to light blue. He knew those eyes. Stunned Heath nodded accepting things. Accepting there was no way out. "Good" Gerald smiled as he led Heath from the store.

Getting into the car Heath sat as far over on the seat as he could get away from Gerald who seemed unperturbed by his futile attempt to put space between them. The man leaned over forcing a kiss on his captive that left them both breathless. When he released Heath there was the the shift in eye color again confirming Heath's deepest fears. As the car drove past the restaurant where their supposed lunch date was going to be Heath knew he was a goner.

Biting his lip Heath tried not to give voice to his fears, his suspicions. He did the only thing he knew could help him even though it was already too late. He opened his mind and sent an urgent plea for help. Even as he did so Gerald once again assaulted him with a fierce kiss. Heath could only hope that Kimberly was able to shut down the link before she connected with Gerald.

***

Kimberly gasped in shock as she sat in class causing the other students and teacher to look at her. She was engulfed in waves of anxiety and fear. She couldn't breathe. She saw the teacher approach her talking to her. No sounds reached her ears though. She watched the woman's mouth move but that was it. She couldn't respond. Couldn't speak. Couldn't hear. Her vision dimmed as the panic increased. She reached out to the one person she knew needed to hear her Daddy's cry for help.

***

Adam was relaxing with his young son Keenan when he received the SOS blast. Crying out he dropped to his knees holding his head in his hands. He was vaguely aware that his son was calling for him. "Daddy Daddy" Keenan cried tugging on his arm.

With tremendous effort Adam dampened down the emotions sweeping through him as wave after wave of anxiety was sent to him. His granddaughter was relaying Heath's plea for help. With gut wrenching realization Adam knew beyond doubt their old enemy was loose and they were all in danger.