Mending the Rift (26 page)

“Smith will kill all of you if something happens to Kyle,” Luca said into the oppressive silence. “Have you ever thought about that? He’s a reckless bastard who kidnapped me so he could exchange me for Kyle. Do you think he’ll have any scruples about hounding you, all of you, if anything happens to him?”

The guy holding Kyle let go of him and shoved him. The momentum propelled Kyle forward until he ended next to Luca. “He’s only one man.”

“He’s well connected, with a whole army of soldiers doing whatever he wants. Liam Smith is not a nice or forgiving man,” Luca replied, ignoring the flutter in his chest. If he played this card wrong, it could lead to serious trouble for him—even more serious than he was in, anyway. On the other hand, there had been uncomfortable stares after he mentioned Smith’s ruthlessness.

The guy snorted and pointed at the translucent cubicle. “Get inside.”

With no other option left, Luca and Kyle entered the cubicle. Luca sank onto one of the beds. “They can probably hear everything we say, right?”

Kyle nodded. Luca didn’t like the haunted look in his friend’s eyes. As strong as Kyle had proved to be, right now he seemed to be at his breaking point. Who could blame him for reaching a critical point after all he’d been through?

Kyle sucked in a deep breath before he inspected the cubicle, much to their captors’ amusement. Kyle’s expression turned to granite as he became the target of the men’s ridicule. After he’d finished his tour, he sat on the bed opposite Luca. Their gazes met for a long moment, but neither of them said anything. Eventually, Kyle lay down on the bed, curled up on his left side. Luca followed his example.

Maybe an hour passed before their captors demanded they stand in the middle of the cubicle while they filmed them. The running commentary set Luca’s temper on edge. What would Marcus’s reaction be when he watched the video? Why couldn’t he have kept Luca safe? Why didn’t all the security at home prevent his and Kyle’s kidnapping?

Luca sighed. How unfair was that? Marcus had done everything he could do, and maybe he’d already paid the price and died, and what was he doing? Accusing his husband of not doing his job. The job Marcus had said numerous times he couldn’t keep doing after they were married. If he got out of this alive, he’d relieve Marcus of his duty and get a new bodyguard. He needed Marcus to be his husband, his baby’s father, nothing more. His parents would help find Marcus a job if he wanted one. Hell, what was he thinking? Of course Marcus would want to work.

By the time their captors finished filming them, Luca was fighting a losing battle against the tears. Kyle turned him around and cupped his hands around Luca’s head, blocking Luca’s sight and hearing from the jeering around him. This was all so useless. All this fighting, all these dead people because some people had differing opinions on the matter of breeders. Humankind would be extinct if not for them. Would that make these people happy?

Why did he have to be the one stuck in the middle of it? Luca breathed through his mouth as he tried to regain his composure. A pity party wasn’t going to help him, but damned if the unfairness of it all didn’t get to him. He was so tired of being terrified. He only wanted to lead a peaceful life, care for his baby, and enjoy Marcus’s company. Was that really too much to ask?

LUCA FOUND
it difficult to gauge time in the cubicle. The lights remained on, and when he fell asleep, it was only for short intervals. Their captors fed them regularly, and when he started to reek, Luca forgot all about his dignity and took a quick shower, much to the delight of their audience. If he wasn’t mistaken, some of the guys watching showed way too much interest in him. Maybe not all of them were as opposed to male breeders as their leader thought.

The big guy who’d pricked Kyle’s skin with the knife opened the doors to the cubicle, grinning wildly. He beckoned them closer with his gun, and said, “Both governments agreed to our conditions. Right on time. The ultimatum was almost up.”

Luca gaped as his thoughts whirled. No way would any government agree—that couldn’t be. If the ultimatum was up, they’d been held in captivity for almost a week, which should’ve given both governments enough time to ready their troops and rescue them. How hard could it be to find them? Sucking in a deep breath, Luca went where the big guy indicated, trying to control his rampant thoughts. Why did he have to accuse everyone of not doing everything in their power to rescue Kyle and him? Especially since he knew they were only two individuals, while the fate of thousands of people was at stake if the governments went back to the status quo.

The men escorted them to a van, the same one they’d taken the first time, and Luca willed his thundering heart to tone it down. Not that it was helping much. He wiped his sweaty hands on his pants and licked his dry lips. Nausea roiled inside him, and his abdominal wall hardened painfully. He leaned back, shifting his weight slightly, and took calm, measured breaths. After a few seconds, the contraction ceased.

“You okay?” Kyle asked, concern evident in his voice and eyes.

“I hope so. Wouldn’t that just suck for me to go into labor right now?”

“That’s not funny.”

“It wasn’t meant to be funny.” Luca rubbed soothing circles along the crown of his protruding belly. “Never heard of gallows humor?”

Kyle pulled a face. “Not a fan of that.”

“I could cry if that makes you more comfortable.”

Expecting Kyle to oppose his suggestion, Luca’s eyes widened when Kyle said, “Actually, I’d prefer that over gallows humor any time.”

“You’re kidding.”

Kyle shook his head.

“You have to be kidding,” Luca insisted.

“I’m really not kidding, Luca. I—” Kyle cut himself off when the car skidded to a stop. The men around them snapped to attention, and the back doors flew open. Luca and Kyle hurried to get up before someone yanked on them.

After they exited the van, he asked, “Where are we?”

They stood in a large field of gravel, surrounded by large industrial buildings. He glanced around, trying to catch any sign of a landmark he’d recognize.

“Somewhere in the former Ruhr area,” Kyle responded. “Not far from home.”

Their captors formed a circle around them, weapons held loosely, but that didn’t lessen the intensity with which they observed everything around them. After a while more cars approached the large field from different sides. Luca snatched a look between the men blocking his sight, his heart stumbling when he found the familiar insignia of the Northern Confederacy on the vehicles.

“Your husband has a hard head,” one of the guys said. “See, we’re not such bad guys. If everything goes according to plan, you can go and breed many more abominations with that husband of yours.”

Luca pushed between the men to see Marcus with his own eyes. The big guy clamped a hand down on his shoulder, stopping Luca dead in his tracks. Still, his gaze roved along the men standing on the other side of the field. All of them were wearing armor, making it difficult to distinguish one from the other. Then someone large lifted his hand, and Luca couldn’t help but smile. Marcus. Alive and well. All of Luca’s bottled-up emotions threatened to spill out as he choked on a sob.

Next to Marcus, he caught sight of his parents, both of them. From the look of it, Gregory had a tight hold on Nicholas. Keith was with them, as well as many other security people Luca knew since he’d been little.

“Lots of security,” one of the guys murmured. “I don’t like the look of it.”

“We have what they want.”

“What’ll happen after they get them back?”

“We’re here to reestablish the old Southern Union government. If we die while doing that, so be it. All of you were aware this could happen,” the big guy answered.

Before they could enter into an argument, more cars rumbled toward the field. Luca glanced over, gasping when realization hit him. Liam Smith was there, as well as some of the highest ranking officials of the former Southern Union government. He caught sight of Kyle’s face, a study in confusion.

When their gazes met, Kyle whispered, “They’re seriously responding to the demands. That’s unbelievable.”

“Shouldn’t you be glad you’re important enough for your lovers; they’re making history?” the big guy asked. Some of the other men guffawed before the big one added, “You two must be helluva good lays.”

Heat crawled into Luca’s cheeks as he fought to keep his composure. Only a few more minutes, then they’d be free. Could this really all be over so soon? Would everyone keep calm, or would the exchange end in a bloodbath?

His father walked away from the group of people, carrying a folder. Marcus fell into step on his right side, but no one else accompanied them. Keith was busy holding on to Nicholas. The former leader of the Southern Union, as well as Liam Smith, started walking as well. The big guy clamped a hand around Luca’s arm, unceremoniously dragging him along. Even though the others came without heavy weapons or an entourage, Luca’s captors held on to their guns. They also stayed together and moved as one big bulk. Next to him, Kyle stumbled after a harsh push but regained his footing before he hit the ground.

“You okay?” Luca mouthed.

Beads of sweat glistened on Kyle’s forehead in the afternoon sun. He forced a smile on his face, probably for Luca’s benefit. What was going on? Kyle had been fine physically, and no one had conducted any experiments on them during their capture. Although Kyle had been rubbing his belly more frequently the last few days. Maybe his female reproductive system was giving him trouble?

Luca’s thoughts came to a halt when they reached the meeting point. His father held out a folder to the big guy. “As you can see, the status quo was reinstated yesterday.”

“Father…,” Luca said in disbelief. Did he really throw away the chance of a real and long-lasting peace between the Northern and Southern part of Earth? Because of him and Kyle? Gregory Walker didn’t react. Instead, he kept his gaze firmly on the big guy studying the documents.

Liam Smith held out another folder filled with legal documents. “As you can see, I’ve resigned, and Louis Moridas has been reinstalled as the Southern Union’s leader.”

Moridas looked as if he’d bitten into a lemon. Shouldn’t he be happy? Luca’s gaze traveled from one to the other until it finally locked on Marcus’s face. Marcus’s expression remained blank, much to Luca’s distress.

“Mr. Moridas, welcome,” the big guy said after shuffling through some of the papers. “It’s great to have you back. Would you like to drive home with us?”

Moridas’s eyes narrowed to slits as he tugged on his tie. It would probably be a good idea for him not to strangle himself quite that much. The double chin quivered ominously when he spoke in a softly modulated voice that caused the hairs on Luca’s arms to stand on end. “Thank you very much for the offer, but I have to attend some more meetings to settle minor details.”

“All right,” the big guy nodded. He beckoned two of his men forward, handed them the folders, and they took off at a run, waving at the man they left behind the steering wheel. A tense silence settled between all parties until the van slowly drove up to them, the gravel crunching underneath its tires. The back doors were flung open and most of the men jumped inside. The big guy propelled Luca forward, right against Marcus. Before Luca had a chance to bask in his husband’s arm, the big guy pulled out a knife and held it to Kyle’s throat.

“We’ll take him with us for a few miles. Just as a little reassurance. Nothing personal, you understand.” Cackling, he walked backward, digging the tip of his blade against Kyle’s Adam’s apple, drawing the first drop of blood. Smith roared.

“SHIT! SMITH,
no!” Luca’s father yelled.

Whether Smith didn’t hear him or didn’t listen was his secret. He raised a small gun and fired at the big guy holding Kyle. Luca screamed when the guy’s right shoulder slammed back, the motion jerking the knife along Kyle’s throat.

Smith stormed forward as more shouts followed. Luca couldn’t see anything because Marcus and his father grabbed him, sprinting toward safety. Soldiers from the Northern Confederacy, as well as the Southern Union, appeared out of nowhere, heading rapidly toward the van with Luca’s captors.

“Wait! Wait, what about Kyle?”

“We got this,” a man yelled at him as he sprinted past. It took Luca a moment to realize it had been Ty, one of Smith’s henchmen. Shots rang out behind them, followed by cries of pain and pleading.

“Don’t look back,” his father growled. They didn’t stop until Marcus heaved him into an armored van, banging the door closed.

Inside, Nicholas barreled into them, taking Luca’s face in his hands and kissing his cheek. “Luca, sweetheart, are you okay? Are you hurt? Is the baby fine?”

Despite the seriousness of the situation, Luca burst into hysterical laughter. “Want me to answer your questions in the order you asked them?”

Nicholas stared at him, momentarily at a loss for words, until Luca couldn’t stand it anymore. “I’m sorry, Dad. Yes, I’m okay, but I’m really done with these fucking kidnappings.”

His laughter turned into a choked sob as he turned around to face Marcus. He smacked Marcus’s chest. “You! I was afraid you were dead!”

“I’m not.”

“No shit.” Luca hurled himself against Marcus, who caught him easily. “You promised me no one would kidnap me again.”

Marcus anchored Luca to his body. “I’m sorry, kitten.”

An explosion shook the van, causing everyone to scramble for their footing. From the corner of his eye, Luca caught sight of Gregory tugging Nicholas farther away from them, toward the front.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t accuse you. I’m just… being immature, I guess.”

“No, you’re right. I should’ve never given you a promise I couldn’t keep, and for that I’m sorry.”

Luca rubbed a hand over his eyes, wiping tears away. Another series of shots rang out around them. Kyle! While Luca had indulged in a diva moment, Kyle was still in mortal danger. “Kyle! What about him?”