But Alexei had done something. More than something. He’d heroically saved Holly and then offered to share her.
Caleb wasn’t sure which Alexei was more dangerous—the criminal or the man who acted like a saint. He had two choices. He could believe Alexei or he could watch him with suspicion.
He might do a little of both. “If I find out…”
Alexei held up a hand. His whole body seemed to go on full alert.
“What?” Caleb had barely gotten the word out when Alexei hushed him and reached down to pick up his shirt. He lifted it, and Caleb caught sight of a big, shiny object. “Holy shit, is that a gun?”
“Shhh.” Alexei hefted the gun—yep, that was a big fucking gun—and clicked off the safety. His voice was low as he came close. “Someone is outside. I hear car, and now someone is moving.”
Caleb stopped and sure enough, he heard it, too. Someone was outside the cabin. He heard footsteps on the porch. They stopped and then began again, this time moving around to the side of the house. Still, he wasn’t sure about that gun. “Is that necessary?”
Alexei’s eyebrow lifted. “Yes, it is necessary when many peoples wish to kill you. Stay here. I will take care of intruder.”
“No fucking way. I’m coming with you.” He might have to stitch someone up. “You need to be careful with that thing. It could be Mel looking for aliens. Or Laura checking in on Holly. We’re not alone out here, you know.”
But Alexei was moving along the floor toward the back door. Holly’s cabin was small, with the front and back doors in sight of each other. Alexei moved almost silently, a genuine feat for a man his size on old hardwood floors. The door squeaked quietly as Alexei slipped out.
Someone was out there, and Alexei was taking it seriously. It was probably someone they knew, but then again, Holly’d had a close call earlier. Adrenaline started to pump through his system, giving him an edgy energy and making everything seem sharper, more visceral. Alexei thought someone had cut the brake line. What if the same person had decided to try again?
Who could be after Holly? He was suddenly damn glad that Alexei had the gun. Maybe it was a necessary accessory in Bliss. His heart began to palpitate as he followed Alexei. He wasn’t sure what he would do, but he meant to be there. It seemed wrong to let him go alone.
The night was oddly silent around him, the only sound the gentle rush of the Rio Grande. The moon illuminated the yard. Holly’s back door led to a small porch and a single set of steps. Somehow Alexei managed to make it to the grass without a sound, but Caleb’s every step squeaked and groaned, the wood shifting under his feet.
Alexei turned and sent him an intimidating look. All Caleb could do was shrug. He’d never gone to “sneak up on someone” school. He crossed the porch as fast as he could.
Alexei held out a hand, stopping Caleb from moving further. They both pressed against the side of the cabin. Alexei poked his head around and quickly came back. He held up a single finger.
One.
He quickly cupped his junk. Caleb nearly rolled his eyes, but got the silent message.
One man.
There was a strange man walking around outside Holly’s cabin.
He didn’t like this feeling. His stomach spasmed, and just for a moment, he could have sworn he heard the sounds of the jungle, felt the heat on his skin. His vision blurred, and in his mind he saw a canopy of green and smelled the antiseptic scent of his clinic. He kept it clean, so clean. He shivered a little. The jungle was always so hot, but this was Bliss and the night was cool.
And he wasn’t alone.
He forced himself to return to the present.
Alexei nodded and then he was off, a silent wraith taking down his prey.
Caleb followed, rounding the corner in time to see a slender male trying to open the guest bedroom window. He couldn’t see the man’s face, but realized quickly that he and Alexei were far from alone.
Zane Hollister charged in from the side and Cameron Briggs from the front. Each moved the same way Alexei did—with silent, predatory grace. And each man held a gun in his hand. They seemed to have some silent language of nods and hand motions. Alexei took charge. He grabbed the man by the back of his neck.
“Hey!” the man yelled as he found himself jerked into the air and then tossed to his back. There was a resounding woof as he hit the ground and suddenly three guns were pointed straight at his face. All three men stared down at the intruder.
Caleb caught a glance of his face. Not a man at all. Despite his height, it was easy to see this was a teen. His wide eyes had a youthful roundness. And the teen was utterly terrified.
“You will to tell what you are doing here attempting to break into house.” Alexei’s voice was a low growl. Caleb moved in, trying to get a better look.
“Rafe is already looking up his plate number.” Cam gestured back toward his cabin across the way from Holly’s. “We caught sight of him driving up.”
“So is Nate. Get his wallet. We need an ID,” Zane said. “Once we figure out who he is, Nate can take him into town.”
The kid was completely still, holding his hands up in an obvious plea to not get shot. “Uhm, am I going to die? Has anyone ever mentioned that you guys are hot? Wow. Seriously. Hot. I think I already died and went to gay kid heaven. Please don’t shoot me.”
“Guys, I think you can back off,” Caleb said. The young man on the grass didn’t sound anything like a dangerous stalker. His voice shook as he spoke.
“Or at least get rid of the guns and then we can talk,” the kid continued. “I always knew I would love this place, but I never expected to be greeted by a cadre of hot guys who don’t like to wear shirts. I really hate to say this because I’m going to completely shut out my chances of making out with any of you, but maybe we should wake up my mom, and she can convince you to spare me.”
Fuck. He’d known the kid looked familiar. He pushed Zane aside and got a really good look at him. He’d seen the face before in various stages of growth. Holly kept pictures of her son all over the house. “Nicky?”
His head turned slightly. “I prefer Nick, but seriously, we’ll go with whatever keeps this gorgeous head on my shoulders. I’m too young and hot to die.”
“That’s Holly’s kid. Holly’s son.” Caleb pushed at Alexei who immediately backed off. Zane and Cam stood down. Caleb reached out a hand to the kid on the ground. He was a lanky teen with dark hair and Holly’s eyes.
“God, you’re hot, too. Is there something in the water here?” Nick asked as he reached out and took Caleb’s hand, allowing himself to be hauled up.
Nate Wright showed up, jogging up from his cabin. “Guys, that car is registered to Scott Lang. Isn’t that Holly’s ex?”
Rafe came around the corner. “Yes. Her ex. What the hell is he doing here?”
Nick put his hands together and looked up toward heaven. “Thank you, god, for sending me down this rabbit hole. I promise to be the best Alice ever.”
“You are Holly’s son?” Alexei stared at the kid.
Nick took a deep breath. “Yes. I know how late it is, and she wasn’t exactly expecting me. I didn’t want to wake her, but I couldn’t find my key. I’ve only been out here twice and that was years ago, but I remembered the window in the guest bedroom didn’t lock.”
It didn’t lock? And she’d left it like that for years?
Alexei looked at him as though he could hear his thoughts. “Yes, we will start a tally for punishment sake. I will fix this tomorrow.”
“How did everyone get here so fast?” Caleb asked. There was a good amount of space between the cabins. “Do you guys have a neighborhood watch?”
Cam shrugged. “I’m a paranoid weirdo. I hear a car, I check it out. We don’t get many sports cars up here.”