Page 16 of Into Hell: Prelude (Holding Cell: Return to the Island)

I s that them?” Wheeler nodded at the approaching dust plume on the other side of the entrance gate.

“That would be my guess,” Digger replied.

“You meet any of them?”

“No. Only heard what the bosses had to say about them.”

Wheeler snorted. “Kind of funny that the cowboy kicked Brennan’s ass. I’m sure he was asking for it.”

Digger chuckled. “He usually is. I figured that temper would get him in hot water eventually.”

Four vehicles emerged from the dust cloud and rolled up to the gate. Behind the wheel of the first rig in line could be none other than the cowboy. One look at the man, and Digger thought Brennan’s brains must’ve fallen out of his ass to mess this one.

Digger walked over to the vehicle as the cowboy rolled down the window. “Clint, I assume?”

The cowboy nodded.

“You fellas armed?” Digger glanced at the other occupants, recognizing the description of the cowboy’s boyfriend, Axel, seated in the passenger side. The rear seat was filled with teenagers.

“Just myself and my Egyptian brother, Cochise.” He indicated the SUV right behind the car.

Digger remembered the stories about the Egyptian; the man had slaughtered one of the hunters on the island to save Fabian. That made him aces in Digger’s book. The guard stepped back and motioned for Wheeler to open the gate. “Let our new friends inside.”

Clint’s first thought was that the guard meant to disarm them. Standard protocol, he assumed, and understandable. But the man waved them in without confiscating their weapons.

Axel leaned forward, looking through the front windshield as they rolled through the gates and entered the Base grounds. “This is a lot bigger than I imagined,” he said, glancing at the spacious park and school building. “It’s like their own town, or something. An entire community.”

Clint was impressed. The Base was set up nicely and appeared to be fully self-sufficient and self-operational. Smart. These days, the less one depends on the outside world, the better.

Luke scooted forward and looked out between the front seats, eyes wide. “Whoa, this is so cool. The guys showed us pics of some of it, but I didn’t know it was so big.”

Tae had opted to ride with Clint and Axel, knowing they would swing by to pick up Noah and Noel. The boy leaned up next to Luke, equally awestruck. “I’m so glad John came with us. He wouldn’t want to miss this.”

“I know, right?” Luke grinned.

Tae sank back beside Noel and held his hand. “Isn’t it cool?”

“Yeah,” Noel nodded, excitement in his eyes. Though nothing ever seemed to excite him more than simply spending time with Tae.

Clint glanced at Axel and smiled. Axel looked back at the boys as Luke dropped back onto the seat, staring out the side window. Everyone agreed that—second only to Jules and Reuben—Tae and Noel were the cutest couple in the family.

Up ahead, a group of boys waved excitedly. The small caravan slowed to a stop, and the boys approached the car. Clint recognized most of them from the island, though there were some among them that he hadn’t met yet.

“You can park here,” Lorcan said with a grin. “We’ll take you to Pater.”

The men and boys exited the vehicles. Jules insisted on bringing Reuben along, so they could both see the “kitties” that Paisley and Axel had boasted about during their previous visit to the mansion.

A bunch of the Base boys hugged Donald and John with much enthusiasm, then Luke, Tae, and the twins—whom they’d only previously met online. Zoe had a gig and wasn’t able to come with them, which, according to Luke, bummed her out.

All the boys, including the little ones, took off in the opposite direction. Only Lorcan remained with the men. “Pater asked me to show you to the meeting room.”

Clint nodded and motioned to the men to follow.

Agent Javier Alvarez and Agent Renley brought up the rear.

Clint noted the Egyptian’s tension around the young, blond agent.

Not hostile tension, but something else, something like dread.

Renley seemed as unsettled as Cochise. Whatever they had to work out, it wouldn’t happen here today.

The small group of men followed Ardan’s son into one of the main buildings and along the corridors. Lorcan paused at a door, knocked once, then opened the door. “They’re here, Pater.” He gestured for the men to enter.

The room was spacious with a long, rectangular table in the center surrounded by comfortable-looking chairs. Large, floor-to-ceiling windows lined one side of the room, allowing natural light to illuminate the space.

“Welcome, my friends.” Ardan greeted them with a genuine smile, shaking hands with Clint, Cochise, and Axel. He turned to Kane. “We haven’t met, but you must be Kane.”

“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you,” Kane said as they shook hands. “I’ve heard many good things about you and your men.”

Fabian and a few of the men from the island mission accompanied Ardan. Fabian warmly greeted them all, expressing a special affection for Cochise.

“Who are your friends?” Ardan asked, indicating the agents.

“This is Agent Javier Alvarez,” Clint introduced the senior agent. “He’s the reason I called you.” Clint gestured to Renley. “This is Agent Renley.” He looked at the young man. “I’m sorry, I don’t know your first name.”

“Sam,” the agent said. “Sam Renley.”

Ardan shook their hands. “Any friends of these men are friends of ours. Welcome.”

Another older gentleman entered the room, then paused. “I didn’t realize our guests had arrived. I don’t mean to intrude.”

Fabian chuckled. “You’re never an intrusion, love.

” He walked over and kissed the man with warm affection, then turned to the new arrivals.

“This is my husband, Lance.” He smiled at his husband and introduced him to Cochise first. “And this is the hero I’ve told you so much about, who saved my life on that dreadful island. Cochise.”

The Egyptian looked uncomfortable with the title of hero, but remained silent as Fabian’s husband grasped his hand between his palms, sincere gratitude lighting his eyes.

“I am forever in your debt, my friend,” he said softly with a touch of emotion.

Always uneasy with sentiment from those outside his family, Cochise mumbled, “He’s a good man. The world has a shortage of good men.”

Fabian smiled warmly. “There’s no shortage in this room.”

Lance released Cochise’s hand and turned to his husband and Ardan. “I just came by to mention that some of my helpers abandoned me when their guests arrived.” He chuckled. “So, the barbecue prep may take a little longer than expected.”

Ardan smiled. “That’s fine. No rush.”

“Do you need help?” Kane asked. “I’d be glad to offer a hand.” He smiled. “I’m no gourmet chef, but I can hold my own.”

Axel chuckled. “Don’t buy his modesty, he’s very near a gourmet chef.”

Lance’s face brightened. “Yes, I could certainly use the help. Thank you.”

Turning to Cochise, Kane kissed him. “Be good.”

Clint and the other men chuckled. The Egyptian narrowed his eyes, but there was still no mistaking his love and affection for Kane.

When Kane left the room with Fabian’s husband, Ardan gestured to the table. “Please, have a seat.”

Clint’s small group took a seat at the table. The other men in the room with Ardan and Fabian—men that Clint remembered from the former mission—remained standing while Fabian sat down with the others.

“We both have matters of importance to discuss,” Ardan said. “But you’re our guests, so you go first.” He glanced at the two agents while addressing Clint. “You said they were the reason you called me?”

Clint nodded. “They were the ones who…” he glanced sideways at Agent Alvarez.

“… hired us to go undercover in the wasteland prison where migrant kids from the border were being trafficked inside the prison walls. Since then, Agent Alvarez has been hunting the man who orchestrated the trafficking ring at the border.”

“Do you have a name?” Saint asked.

“Rober Shafer,” Alvarez said. “But I think it’s safe to assume that’s an alias.”

“I would assume so,” Saint agreed.

Clint continued. “The trail had run cold when they received an anonymous tip of Shafer’s whereabouts.”

Ardan frowned. “Where?”

Clearing his throat, Clint exchanged a look with Cochise. “The island.”

A high-pitched squeal startled the group of teens.

Out of nowhere, three little kids raced toward them.

The little red-haired girl flung her arms around Jules while a little boy who could only be her twin, hugged Reuben with much enthusiasm.

“You’re here!” the little girl squealed again, and the teen boys winced, rubbing their ears.

“Easy, Paisley,” Whitey grinned, exaggeratingly poking his ears. “You’re gonna blow out our eardrums with those lungs.”

Paisley paid him no mind, her full undivided attention on the two little boys. “We have kitties!” she squeaked. “This small!” She measured with her hands. “Come see!” She grabbed Jules and Reuben’s hands and started to tug them forward when the other little girl stopped her.

“Don’t tell them, they’re boys.”

“Hey, Miss Smarty Pants.” Whitey chuffed, feigning offense. “What’s wrong with boys? Boys are cool.” He winked and nodded at Jules, Reuben, and the red-haired little twin. “Isn’t that right, Axel, my man?”

The twin boy grinned. “Uh-huh. Boys are cool.”

“All right.” Whitey high-fived the boy, making the child giggle, then held his hand up to Jules and Reuben. Jules giggled loudly and smacked his hand. Reuben hesitated, then shyly touched his palm. Whitey laughed. “You’re outnumbered, smarty two-shoes. Boys are awesome.”

The little girl huffed and rolled her eyes. “Boys are so not cool.”

The teenagers laughed. Donald pitied the person she married one day; he predicted serious “ball busting” in her future.

“Be nice, Selma,” Cian gently reprimanded. “Jules and Reuben are your guests. Paisley can show them the kitties if she wants.”

“Yes!” Paisley screeched, making everyone wince again, and took off, dragging Jules and Reuben with her. Axel raced beside them, grabbing hold of Reuben’s other hand.

The little one named Selma scrunched her face, let out a breath that sounded like a scoff, and trailed after them.

“Damn,” Donald chuckled. “She’s a feisty one.”

“She’s known around here as Miss Smarty Pants,” Cian laughed. “But we love her, gods help us all.”

“How could you not?” Donald grinned. “She’s adorable.”

Lorcan rejoined their group. “Maddy didn’t come with you?”

“No,” Donald said, sobering a bit. “He, uh… he had stuff to do.” Like John, Maddy was still dealing with lingering trauma associated with the island.

He had made an excuse about why he couldn’t come with them to the barbecue, but it was there in his eyes—the same as John—he feared being around the other boys would resurrect the nightmare. John was only there because of Donald.

Lorcan nodded knowingly, not needing to be told the real reason. Lorcan turned to Tae, Luke, and the twins. “Hey. It’s nice to finally meet you in person.”

The boys returned the sentiment.

“So,” Lorcan grinned. “Let’s get this party started.”

Whitey hooted, and he and Gavin linked arms with John, leading him ahead of the group.

“How is he doing?” Lorcan hung back a bit with Donald. Thorvald, Lorcan’s boyfriend, and Cian walked with them.

“Better than before,” Donald said quietly. “He’s still struggling with some things, but he’s making progress.” He sighed, his heart hurting for John. “I think he’s worried that I’ll get tired of waiting for him to heal and find someone else. But that will never happen.”

Lorcan smiled sympathetically. “Of course, not. You two are soulmates; anyone can see that. It’s sad he worries about it, though. That can’t be easy for him… or you.”

“It isn’t,” Donald admitted. “But it’s all part of the healing process. We’ll get through it.”

“Without a doubt,” Cian said. “I saw how strong you guys were on the island, not just physically strong, but how you made each other strong.”

“Thanks,” Donald offered gratefully. His smile stretched. “It’s really good to be here with you guys again.”

Cian wrapped his arm around Donald’s shoulders and gave him a half hug. “It’s awesome you guys are here. We’re gonna have so much fun.” His smile softened. “John, too.”

Donald looked ahead, where Whitey and Gavin clung to John, Whitey talking a mile a minute while making wild hand gestures.

The small smile on John’s face seemed genuine.

Maybe it was a good thing he came with them, after all, Donald thought as his reservations settled somewhat, and hope seeped in that seeing the other boys would actually be therapeutic for John.