FAMILY BOND

Chapter 22

"A job?" Adam asks, his face losing its color. "As in......"

Tim nods and hangs his head.

"Sweetheart, I was kinda hoping that maybe you had retired from that line of work." Adam says.

"I can't. Not right now." Tim says softly.

"Honey, what's going on?" Adam asks, placing his finger under Tim's chin and lifting his head. "Rob is hiring you?"

"They're being threatened, Babe." Tim says, his eyes lifting to meet his husband's. "I can't allow that to continue."

"They? As in Kelsey too?" Adam asks, receiving a nod from the brunette. "Oh, my God."

Adam gets up from Tim's lap and walks around the desk as he runs his hand through his hair. What kind of sicko would actually threaten a beautiful sweet lady like Kelsey? She has absolutely nothing to do with the 'occupation' that Rob has chosen.

"Who is it? Who's making these threats?" Adam asks as he sits down on the desk in front of the hit man.

"You know I can't give you that information. The less you know, the safer you are." Tim says as he takes the blonde's hand. "But you know that Rob and Kelsey left the city for their own safety. Well, this asshole somehow tracked them down. He's wanting all of Rob's artillery and a substantial amount of money or he's gonna turn Rob in. He's even threatening to pay Kelsey a not so nice visit."

"What do you know about this lunatic?" Adam asks.

"All I have right now is a name. I'll have to call Jason to see if he knows the guy." Tim says.

"Who's Jason? Do I know him?" Adam asks.

"Probably. Jason Momoa. Better known on the streets as Jesus." Tim answers.

"The pimp?" Adam asks.

"Yeah, he pretty much knows everything that goes on." Tim nods. "I just wanted to let you know what's going on and for the next few weeks, I'll be doing a lot of planning."

"But what if this guy decides to make a move before then? Their lives could be in danger." Adam says.

"That's possible. I've, uh, I've come up with an idea but I need your's and the others feedback on it." Tim says.

"Are you going to tell the others about this job?" Adam asks.

"Yeah, but all they need to know is that I have a job to do and that the Lundquists are in danger. I just wanted to tell you in private." Tim says.

"You know I hate this, right?" Adam says, his face full of worry.

"I know." Tim nods and leans over giving his husband a soft kiss. 

~~

"So what do you think is going on in the office?" Avi asks.

"I don't know. But if we're meant to know, he'll tell us." Chris answers with a shrug.

"I can't help it if I'm nosey." Avi says with a slight pout.

"You wouldn't be you if you weren't." Tim says as he walks into the room, leading a somewhat sad looking Adam by the hand. "Can we meet in the dining room, please?"

"Sure, I'll go get everyone." Chris says as he stands from his seat.

As the gang enters the dining room, they see Tim is sitting at the head of the table with Adam sitting at his right.

"Everyone, have a seat, there's something I need to talk to you about." Tim says.

After everyone is seated, Tim looks around the table at all their curious faces.

"I have a job to do." Tim states as he reaches over to take Adam by the hand. 

"A job as in a hit job?" Chance asks.

"Yes. I can't give out much information about it except it concerns Rob and Kelsey Lundquist." Tim states.

"What? You're gonna kill the Lundquists?" Avi asks with a shocked look on his face.

"No, Sweet Cheeks, I'm not gonna kill the Lundquists." Tim says with a slight roll of his eyes.

"Oh, good." Avi breathes a sigh of relief.

"Rob and Kelsey are in danger." Tim continues. "This job is gonna take quite a bit of planning. I'm afraid something might happen before it's completed. What I'm fixing to suggest is totally up to a vote." He receives head nods from everyone. "I think they would be safer staying here with us until this thing is over with. But the final vote is up to Y'all."

"Rob and Kelsey have become part of the family." Adam speaks first.

"True, and there's more than enough room here at the lodge." Kirstie nods.

"I've known Rob and Kelsey a long time. They're good people." Chance says. "My vote is yes."

"Let's just do it this way. All in favor of letting them stay here, raise your hand." Tim says.

He's answered with everyone around the table raising their hands.

"Okay, good." Tim nods with a smile. "Chance, why don't you and Chris go on over to the Lundquist house and give them the news. If they agree? Stay until they are safely out of the house. Make sure you're armed."

"You got it." Chance says as he stands from the table.

"Tim? Are you gonna need help with this job?" Chris asks.

"Thanks, Chris, but I work alone. The fewer people involved the better." Tim says, smiling up at his friend. "I need to go make a phone call."

Tim heads back to his office as Chance and Chris leaves the lodge. Kirstie and Esther go to prepare a room for Rob and Kelsey.

Eddie decides to go to town to do last-minute preparations for the opening of the bar. Avi and Nate tag along.

Austin slowly gets up from the table and moves to the chair beside Adam. The blonde was staring at the table, deep in thought.

"Until this job is done, it's going to be hell on you." Austin says softly.

Adam looks around at Austin and gives him a sad smile before turning his attention back to the table.

"I've been in your shoes, remember?" Austin continues. "Watching the clock. Thinking he should be home by now. Praying that he's alright. It's hard, Adam, I know."

"I know you do." Adam nods.

"You just have to put all your trust in him. He's a professional. He knows what he's doing." Austin says with a smile. "He's been doing this a long time."

"I know that too. But it doesn't stop me from worrying. What if something goes wrong as it did with Silas? He could have been killed." Adam says softly not lifting his eyes from the table.

"True but thank God that he wasn't. I guess that was a chance he was willing to take to protect his family. We just have to hope and pray that all goes smoothly." Austin says as he reaches over and rubs Adam's back. "I'm here if you ever need to talk."

"Thanks, Austin." Adam smiles as he turns and hugs the smaller man. "I'll remember that."

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