Unconditionally (Operation FALLS Trilogy - Book 1)

Chapter 11

You're mine.

The words rang in Ty's ears.

You're. Mine.

"That's not funny, Vince." Ty finally was able to speak, but it took everything in him not to let his voice break. Whatever Vince was playing at wasn't funny. If it was some cruel joke Ty had no intention of being the punch line.

"I'm not kidding."

Ty shoved at the older man on top of him and Vince gave way. Sliding to Ty's side, making sure to give him little space. The man's disregard for his personal space usually didn't bother Ty. In fact, Ty relished in the usual attention, but the trust was starting to shatter.

"Stop it!" Ty snapped, shaking his head back in forth. "I know it's funny to mess with the gay guy-"

"Ty-"

"I don't know why you're pulling this shit after so many years of friendship but fuck you!" Ty finished, standing up from the couch. He couldn't believe this. It was all some kind of long con, everybody always had to pull some bullshit. Ty was just a babysitter; he should've listened to Henry. Right? That's what Henry was trying to warn him about.

"Tyler," Vince's soft voice broke through the hateful thoughts running through his mind.

"Don't call me that," Ty snipped.

Vince reached out and wrapped his large hand around Ty's wrist. "Then listen to me."

Ty huffed and glared down at Vince. He wanted to scream. He wanted to leave. The last thing he wanted to do was to sit here and listen to Vince backpedal his way out of this. Because Ty would let him.

That was the bigger issue, wasn't it? That he would sit back down knowing the apology that was to come. Knowing that he would accept an 'I didn't mean it like that' as an apology, because what else was he to do? Go back to his cold apartment? Call the doctor for a second date? Yeah, right...

"I don't really understand what your being gay has to do with anything. You kind of lost me there," Vince started, tugging Ty closer, but the younger man didn't move. Vince sighed before speaking again, "I meant that you belong with me. You can't- No, the truth is we need you here. I need you here."

Well, that wasn't what Ty had been expecting to hear. "It's not," Ty hesitated. He didn't want to say it, here they were.

"What?" Vince urged, squeezing Ty's wrist lightly.

Ty flicked his eyes down to where Vince's hand touched his skin. The squeeze warmed him to his core. He could feel the support radiating through it. This was the Vince that the world didn't get to see. The man who was patient and ready to do battle for those he cared for.

"It's not a need," Ty finished.

"It is," Vince corrected. He pulled at Ty's wrist and this time the younger man gave, shuffling the few steps it took to stand in between Vince's spread legs. Vince stared up at him, marveling at the vulnerability that shone in the other's eyes. "You keep me focused on what's important. I lose track of it from time to time, but you always guide me back. I can't lose that."

"Vince," Ty's voice broke then. It was almost everything that he needed to hear. Hours ago, it would have been enough to make him stay for eternity. Now though, he felt foolish. He was some love-sick puppy that everyone could easily identify. "I should go."

Ty didn't want to cry here. He would cry on his drive home, with his heartbreaking every mile that passed. That was the adult thing to do.

Only he didn't make it far before Vince was on him. The larger man spun him around and clenched his fingers into his shoulders. It should've hurt, but the pressure was welcome. Ty didn't have time to think of anything, not a response or feeling. Even the fight or flight response didn't activate until after Vince's lips were on his.

And by that time, he was a goner.

Ty had been dreaming of this for years. His dreams hadn't even come close to the real experience. Vince's lips were somehow both chapped and soft, as dominate as he had imagined, but the way he was being held... Well, he hadn't expected that. Vince held him like he was made of riches, riches that could be taken away from him at a moment's notice.

Vince broke the kiss first, pulling back he looked down at Ty, "Stay."

Ty silently nodded. Besides where else would he go?

***

A shadow lurked.

Watching.

Waiting.

Planning the demise of the Hellcat.

A snicker escaped a Cheshire cat grin, as the high-resolution camera clicked. Everything was turning out to be so much easier than ever planned. The great warrior felt too comfortable at home.

Perfect.

Another round of clicks from the camera as he caught the two in a lover's embrace.

Another snicker.

Too easy.

The great Hellcat's fall was near. He would fade into history, the truths becoming tall tales, and his name losing all meaning. He'd turn into fiction.

And then history would be rewritten the way it should have been in the first place.

"Down with your pride," the shadow of a man murmured to the night.