RAW Deception (Round 2 in the RAW Instinct Series)

Chapter 15

Gregory returned from his photoshoot a few minutes before two and found Shane's house surrounded by police cars and an ambulance. The area had been cordoned off and only residents of the street could enter. No one was allowed to leave.

The officer standing behind the line stubbornly refused to allow Gregory through.

"Just tell me, is Shane okay?"

"He's alive, mister. They're taking him to the hospital now. You can see him on the stretcher there."

"What happened?"

"Seems there was a fight. He's been stabbed several times."

"A fight? With who?"

"Can't say. Don't know. The ambulance is leaving now, you can follow if you need to."

Gregory followed and at the hospital was told that Shane had been taken straight into theatre. He'd need to wait.

"May I ask your relationship with Mr. Devin, sir?" The receptionist asked.

"I'm his frie...his boyfriend."

"Please take a seat, sir."

"How long?"

"Anything up to two hours. It depends on the severity of his wounds. He has multiple stab wounds."

Gregory retreated to a bench in the waiting room when Beryl and Raw rushed in. Within twenty minutes the doctor arrived and introduced himself.

Shane came around six hours later with Gregory holding his hand tightly. When he opened his eyes the trauma of the moment and the memory of what had happened, triggered the floodgates and tears trickled down the side of his face.

"Colonel?" he whispered in a questioning voice.

Gregory smiled. "I'm here."

"Joe?"

Gregory didn't say anything.

"Rest. I'll tell you when you wake up."

Shane stared at the ceiling with tears streaming from his eyes. Eventually he said, "I have to talk to you."

Gregory kissed his cheek, careful not to apply weight onto his shoulders. "No talking. You need to rest."

"Stay with me. I need you so bad."

Gregory squeezed his hand. "I'm not going anywhere. I'm here. Right here."

In the next instant Shane was asleep. Gregory leaned back in the chair and crossed his legs. As always, unable to take his eyes off the face of his man.

***

Raw and Beryl were pensive when they met Gregory at the hospital. Much to Gregory's surprise, he smiled when Edward came in from behind them.

"Ed," Gregory cried out. He leaped from his chair with tears streaming down his cheeks and hugged Edward. "Oh my god it's so good to see you."

"I left this morning. I'm at the gym, dad."

"We came immediately after you phoned, Greg. How is he?"

"He's not good."

"I'm so glad you were here with him," Edward said, kissing Gregory on the forehead. "You don't know how much it means to him. And us. Thank you."

"Seeing him like this, it kills me."

"I understand. They still haven't found Joe?" Edward asked, searching for an answer.

"He's disappeared. The police are in there with Shane right now taking his statement."

"It's hard to believe that he could do this," Raw said, guiding Gregory to a chair in the waiting room.

"I was looking at Shane earlier, just before you arrived, and I realized there's no place I can get to by myself anymore. I need to trust him with all my heart and soul because the less we trust the more we hurt. These last two weeks my soul has been both devastated and enriched."

"Hell, Greg, that's quite a number. We're just grateful that you're in Shane's life. He deserves you. You deserve him because your souls are perfect for each other," Beryl said.

"I know. I know. Don't worry. My house is no longer cold. I'm here to stay. When he's better my arms will be the only place he belongs."

"Trust, Greg," Raw said, glaring at him intently. "It all begins with trust. Trust is what makes us love. It's what makes us get up in the morning and go to sleep at night. It's what allows us to get through life and shield each other from danger. Find us when we're lost. Shane's had a tough time these last few years, and still he remains one of the most awesome people I know. Strong, focussed and loveable."

A doctor came into the waiting room and announced that the police had left and they were able to visit.

The three of them stood behind the glass in the foyer and waved at Shane before entering. Shane smiled and waved back.

"I've brought you some visitors," Gregory said, approaching the bed, kissing him gently on the lips.

"Good to see you guys. I'm sorry for all the trouble I've caused. So sorry."

"Trouble is your middle name, remember," Raw said, kissing him on his forehead.

Through his tears, Shane laughed. "I know. I know. How does the Colonel feel about trouble being my middle name?"

Gregory stared at him.

"You're doing it again, Colonel. Staring," Shane said, smiling.

"You know I like staring at you," Gregory said.

Everyone laughed, but Gregory waved them into silence. "You want me to tell you what I was thinking?"

Shane nodded.

"About how much I love you."

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