He had been walking. Just walking and walking for what seemed miles, until the anger dissipated with his tired legs. He couldn't understand why. Theo and Andy? Although, he had a hunch that Andy was the one who had propositioned him, and poor submissive Theo couldn't run from his persistent wheedling. Andy could be strong willed and he knew he wasn't the type to take no for an answer.
He balled his fists as he stopped dead, ire boiling in his stomach again at the thought of his filthy hands all over his lover. He suddenly lost control, bashing his fist into a nearby tree, imagining it was that smug gits face. Theo had admitted to him it was true and that he had led him on, forcing himself to defend Andrew, but why?
He was becoming more and more suspicious over Andrew's behaviour and lies. He sat down on a park bench, watching two swans glide gracefully side by side. 'I bet they never have this problem, loyal to each other for life.'
He jolted as his phone rang in his pocket, already having received five missed calls from Theo. He found himself calm enough now to maybe let him explain. Lifting it out of his pocket he checked the caller ID. It was Andy's number. Scowling, and barely suppressing the urge to throw it in the pond, he grit his teeth and pressed end call. He wasn't in the mood to hear his feeble excuses right now.
Signing deeply he wandered back to the flat, hoping Andy had the sense to stay out of his way, and at least he could let Theo say his piece on what really happened. He trusted him more than that deceitful arsehole.
* * *
The paramedics arrived not too long after the call, piling out and rushing to the body slumped against the wall.
Andy stood up; all he could do was watch with the small crowd of spectators that had gathered suddenly.
"What's his name?" The young raven-haired man asked, as another checked his pupils and pulse.
"T... Theo, Its Theo, Curtis," Stammering.
"Theo, can you hear me?" He then asked the unconscious, the other older man with a greyish beard nodded his head as he took his fingers off the side of his neck.
"Is he alright? He's not..?" Andy panicked, looking down in horror at the pale boyish features.
"You are?" The elder paramedic asks.
"I'm Andrew. His... friend." The word didn't even mean anything after what he had done.
"Ok Andrew, he's fine. Pulse a little slow, but he's lucky. We just need to get him to the hospital immediately." He then concentrated on putting pressure on the wound.
Andy watched as his friend was placed on a stretcher, oxygen mask put over his face and then pushed into the back of the ambulance. He looked up as something caught his eye. A curtain swayed as if a breeze had swiftly disturbed it. He saw a shadow cross the window, moving quickly before he could get a proper look. "McGiffern?" He questioned.
"Sir?" He was brought back. "Would you like to go with him?" The older man stood, almost following his gaze.
"Yes," was his instant reply and he climbed in as they shut the doors, speeding off down the road.
* * *
Arriving home, finding the main part of the flat empty, he threw down his keys abruptly as his suspected that the two were at it again. Paranoia maybe, but what did they expect? He stalked down the hall and pushed the bedroom door so hard that it flapped open and hit the wall.
The bed was how it was, freshly made this morning, everything in place. He huffed then turned to the spare room, again finding it empty, with the window slightly open. He brushed his fingers through his hair and wondered where they had gone. His first thoughts that they had gone looking for him and would probably be back sometime soon.
Letting his body relax against the chair, his long locks falling over the back like a curtain, he found another opened bottle and started to drink, releasing his fury as the liquid soothed into his bloodstream. After a fidgety few minutes he stood and started clearing the dinner things, keeping his mind occupied for the moment.
* * *
At the hospital, Andy paced like an impatient tiger, his heart filled with remorse as to why this had to happen. He had to call HQ and find out.
At every passing doctor or nurse he would lift his head expectantly, waiting for news, but none of them was for him. In fact they were for a woman next to him who had a grim look on her face. She was being asked to go somewhere so they could talk in private, and once she had disappeared, her anguished howls filled the ward.
"Fuck," we winced, knowing who that could have been. Blood curdled and rushed from his face, sickened and faint.
Grabbing a coffee, although something stronger wouldn't go amiss, he sat down again, nursing the plastic cup of what looked like brown grit in his palms.
'Calvin!' He then thought as he lifted his head to see a man at the vending machine that looked just like him, only shorter and with spiky hair. Maybe that's what he would look like if he had shaved and cut his hair? He had to let him know what had happened, and his last call was ignored, but he knew he would get the blame. He wasn't exactly his favourite person right now. Maybe later, when he'd found out how Theo was doing.
"Mr Standley?" A female voice called, making his head snap around quickly.
"Yes?" He stood, at least a foot taller than the short young woman, his eyes glancing downwards as she told him how he was.
"Seems he was lucky. The shot missed any major arteries. Either he had ducked out of the way or he turned quickly, catching the right side of his chest. He's lost some blood but nothing critical."
Andy breathed out hard. He had saved him! If he hadn't called him in the street then it would have hit the perfect target. "He's gonna be alright?" A smile crawled onto his thin lips.
"Yes, you can see him if you'd like, he's woken from the anaesthetic."
"Thank you," looking up clasping his hands together. 'Was it in the spiritual force because Theo has saved someone that it was returned? In that Convent, little Hope and Lillie? Strange things, miracles can happen.'
"Hey," he whispered walking slowly to injured who was propped up in the bed, a large gauze dressing placed on his chest. He looked healthier than he had not too long ago.
"How are you doing?" He pulled a green plastic chair closer, and sat down, leaning forward.
"I'm fine," replied hoarsely, swallowing slowly before he spoke, his mouth obviously dry.
"Good." He sat back, but Theo's eyes looked down.
Since he had walked in he hadn't even looked at him. Andy sensed something was wrong. Maybe it was him? That he didn't want him there after what he had done, and said? He lifted up the jug on the table by the bed and poured him a glass of water, reaching forward to offer it to him. "Here, you're probably thirsty."
He took it and drank slowly, still not even a flicker of a glance towards the red-head. Not even thanks.
"Theo?"
"You must think I fell off a Christmas tree," he mumbled from under the hair that covered his eyes.
"What?" Andy looked up, quite puzzled by his randomness, thinking that perhaps he had hit his head when he fell.
"You know," gazing into the clear liquid that magnified his fingertips through the glass.
"I don't, wait that incident?"
"Was no accident Andy and you know it."
"I had nothing to do with that, I...," he sighed deeply.
"Really, then why has he come after me again? Too damn bloody close to succeeding this time round! What next, third time lucky?!"
Andy shuddered in his seat, avoiding his hot gaze.
"I might as well stand on the roof-tops and spread open my arms. No obstacles, a nice open target eh?"
"No Theodore, don't say that." Andy went to stroke his hand but stopped as the eyes flashed at him in anger.
"They are starting to ask questions. The police may come to get a statement, probably link me to that run in last week. You may as well leave me now. I'm no use to you or Cal anymore."
"Theo?"
"Just leave me alone!" He snapped. Andy caught his bitter tone and stood up, looking back before leaving.
Once he was outside he pulled out his mobile phone. He had to get to the bottom of this and he knew who he'd find there. The phone rang a few times before the smooth voice answered.
"Alister"
"Ah Andrew I was hoping you would call."
"Listen, I thought you said 'Plan Eagle' was abandoned," a hushed tone and turned as someone walked by.
"That is correct. I decided to approach this differently and to do what you agreed."
"Right, then why is he laying in hospital with a bullet wound?" It went silent, and then the man breathed slowly through the earpiece.
"Seems someone has disobeyed orders, and I know who. He is alive I take it?" He asked coldly and calmly.
"Yes luckily I was there to save the day."
"Well that's all we need to concern ourselves with. I shall see to this misunderstanding right away."
Andy moved again, further away from nearby ears. "The police are coming to the hospital, they will pull him in."
"Then get him out right away before they do. Take him somewhere safe, I want no more harm to come to him. I can't bribe them with any other information Andy, it has all dried up. Will call you as soon as things are arranged again. I'll request Calvin to come here. I will call you in time."
He hung up brashly and Andy growled in frustration, banging his head back against the brick wall and closing his eyes. He wanted out, but feared it was too late.
* * *
Lorenzo shook his head and picked up his office phone.
"Boss?" The man said smarmily, a little breathless as he was receiving a massage from one of his women.
He poured out a dry sherry and proceeded to take that smile off his face. "You have disobeyed me." He stopped, smelling the drink before sipping it.
The other man shooed the girl away and sat back on his luxury sofa. "How? Boss I...I..."
"No excuses or bullshit, you went against my wishes YET AGAIN! You hired McGiffern to do a hit didn't you?"
"Hey I was only thinking it was for the best! Stan..."
"...Leave Standley to me, I am more concerned on keeping his colleague alive."
"Yes boss." He shakily waved to his bodyguard to light him a cigar, blowing out the smoke, trembling at the harsh threats. He had to be careful, to watch his back. A horses head on his pillow was not what he wanted. He had to comply and he knew he could already be in deep shit. Or he will receive that shot too.
