“Who is he?”
“We’re working to figure that out.”
“Mace,” I said, searching for strength I wasn’t sure I had. “I don’t want to hide. I want to help.” My voice started shaking again and came out in a whisper. “He’s already had Leith for two days.”
Mace was quiet for a moment, and I knew the same horrible thoughts going through my head would be going through his, too. “We’re going to find him and you can help. Cleave will be sending video from around the club and apartments for the last couple weeks. Tell Eben to let you help review it. You’ll be able to spot him better than any of us.”
“Oh shit. I saw him. That day you found me on the steps. Remember?”
“You said the guy with Leith had reminded you of Vector.”
“I didn’t get a good look at his face that day.” And the small glimpse I’d gotten had sent me spiraling.
“That’s okay, it will help us form a timeline. Baby, I need to go make a couple calls and get on my bike. Will you be okay until I get there? Lex and Arden will be coming, too.”
I lowered my chin and whispered, “You keep calling me that.”
When he answered, his voice was just as low. “You are mine, aren’t you?”
“Yes.”
A whoosh of air sounded against my ear. It brought a smile to my face. “Mace?”
“Yeah, baby?”
“Be careful.”
“I will. I’ll see you soon.”
I had to log on to fill out a form on the car service’s website to report my lost phone. The driver called me back on Cody's phone, and we made arrangements for him to bring my phone back in a couple of hours. Not knowing exactly when Mace would be back or when Arden and Lex would arrive, I decided to go up to his room and take a shower.
Stepping into the room without him was strange, even though I'd been there a few times and didn't feel like an intruder. It was much the same as I didn't feel like Mace was a guest in my apartment, either. It was more like he belonged there—belonged in my space—and I belonged in his.
Going to his dresser, I dug through until I found a clean pair of sweats and a T-shirt, then went into the bathroom. It was larger than mine, with an extended vanity counter and a shower stall with plenty of room for two.
I stripped off my clothes, throwing them into the hamper with Mace’s and got the spray going before stepping inside. The hot water felt like heaven on my skin, and I stood there, letting it beat against my neck and shoulders in an attempt to loosen and ease my tense muscles.
I told Mace I was okay, but seeing that man's face on the camera had really shaken me up. I'd been afraid plenty of times in my life, but nothing had compared to the totally helpless feeling I'd had when Vector tortured me. I shivered despite the sticky heat filling the shower stall. That night was one I wished I could burn from my memory, and I couldn't let myself dwell on the thought that whoever this man was, if he was anything like Vector, that he'd had Leith for two days. In an instant, the shower stall felt too confining, so I quickly scrubbed my body, washed my hair, and rinsed off. Shutting off the water, I stepped out, grabbing one of Mace's fluffy towels. I was drying myself when there was a tentative knock at the door.
"Pax?" Knowing Mace was so close sent a sharp stab of longing through me. I dropped the towel and rushed to the door, yanking it open before throwing myself into his arms. He caught me, just like I knew he would. I probably should've been worried by the fact that I was still damp and he was fully clothed, but I couldn't bring myself to care. I clung to him, wrapping my arms around his shoulders and burying my face against his neck. His strong arms enveloped me, holding me just as tightly.
"I'm here, baby," he said, his hands running up and down my back.
When I loosened my hold a little, he pulled back enough to meet my eyes. Cupping my face, he pressed his lips to mine. The kiss went from slow and steady to needy within moments. He threaded the fingers of one hand through my hair and gripped hard, tilting my head back and thrusting his tongue in alongside mine. I groaned, kissing him back just as passionately while my hands worked their way under his vest and around his back on down to cup his ass. I thrust forward, grinding us together, just wanting to feel him, but I knew we shouldn't take it any further. One of my friends was missing, and I knew that Mace was only here long enough to make sure I was okay before he'd be out, looking for Leith and putting an end to this nightmare.
“Scared the shit out of me when I couldn't get a hold of you."
I pressed up, leaning my forehead against his and took solace in sharing the same breath—the same space. "Sorry. I lost my mind there for a second. I know I should've called you first."
"It's okay. Now you're here and we're rallying everyone so we can go find Leith."
"Good. I’ll help Eben go through the video footage and maybe we'll get lucky and find something."
"That will be perfect."
Mace glanced over my shoulder, a little smile forming on his lips. "Found you some clothes, I see."
"I didn't think you’d mind." Reluctantly, I pulled out of his arms and stepped back into the bathroom, pulling on my borrowed sweats and T-shirt.
Mace leaned his shoulder against the door jamb and watched me. "Hell no, I don't mind. I love the thought of you in my clothes." He cocked an eyebrow. "Especially commando."
I smiled at him and gave my body a little shake, knowing he’d be able to see my dick move behind the material of the sweatpants. Mace groaned and moved into my space, one hand reaching down to cup me through them. He pressed his face right up against mine, so that I could feel his breath on my lips.
"As soon as we get Leith back safe and sound." He gave me a little squeeze. "This is mine."
Chapter Fifteen
Mace
Walking away from a warm, freshly showered Pax, smelling like my body wash and wearing my clothes took Herculean effort. But I managed it. Somehow. I fixed him a sandwich and got him a soda—because I was sure he hadn't eaten since before his shift—then we both went back down to the main level of the clubhouse to find Eben, Cody, Lex, and Arden standing in the kitchen.
"Pax, oh my God, you scared the shit out of me," Arden said, rushing across the kitchen as soon as we entered and throwing his skinny arms around Pax's neck. Pax didn't protest, only wrapped his arms around Arden and hugged him tightly, nearly lifting the smaller man off his feet.
While they were embracing, I walked over and offered Lex my hand. He shook it before pulling me into a quick hug, as well.
"He okay?" Lex nodded toward where our boyfriends were speaking quietly to each other.
"He’s pretty shaken up," I answered just as low. "But yeah, I think he’s alright.
Lex nodded and folded his arms over his chest. "Calix and the rest of the guys are in the garage. Eben’s going to hold here, but your Prez wants the rest of us out there looking for Leith. He put in a call to Stone and Warrick, as well, to get them headed this way in case we can't settle this quickly."