Page 21 of The Flame of Carson (Blackout Security Inc. #3)

Before Gage even registered what he was doing, he was out of the chair and hauling Doug up and off his feet by the lapels of his jacket.

“Gage!”

“Hey! Hey, get your hands off me!”

“Listen to me you little shit. This filter is being used to stalk my woman. You better start talking.” Gage hissed.

“Gage, let him go.” Tony ordered, breaking Gage’s hold on Doug. “Alright, you need to get the hell out of here Gage. Now!”

“Tony, Ethan wants...”

That was as far as Gage got before Tony bodily shoved him out into the hall.

After closing the door behind them Tony got right in Gage’s face.

“I know what Ethan wants and damn it, you might very well have just blown the one chance we had to finding out how to track this bastard. Get the hell out of here and let me see if I can salvage this. I’ll text you when I’m done.

Go take a walk or something. Clear your head. ”

Gage watched as his friend and teammate turn on his heels, walk back in the office and closed the door.

It was then he realized he was shaking. Looking down he saw his knuckles were white from how hard he had his fist clenched.

He needed to get out of there. Now. Turning, he walked back to the elevators and jammed at the button.

A small eternity later, Gage all but burst out of the federal building into the early November air.

His chest felt like a boulder was on it.

He could not catch his breath. What the hell was wrong with him?

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A twisted smiled formed as he snapped picture after picture of Gage.

Watching the unmovable Sergeant Gage Carson having a freaking panic attack outside the fed building was priceless.

He was so glad he was here to witness this.

He continued snapping away with his camera watching Gage pull out a cell phone and calling someone.

Oh, how he wished he had been able to place a bug on Carson and Stacey’s phones.

What he wouldn’t give to hear this call.

Yet, he also knew that Blackout had more toys to sniff out bugs than most government agencies.

He had seen that earlier this year when the Malconi family had been taken down and two years ago with Carter Ingram.

No. He was not going to make any mistakes that could get him caught. He would be patient.

Tucking his camera away and slipping his Ray-bans back on, he slowly pulled away from the curb and into traffic.

As he passed the federal building, he saw Gage sitting on the edge of a concrete planter, the former Marine’s head in his hands with his elbows resting on his knees.

Yes, he would be patient. This was a mission he would not fail.

He would have the pleasure of watching Gage Carson fail.

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E than paced outside the emergency room.

When Gage had called him an hour ago, Ethan knew something was wrong.

His friend and second in command had sounded winded like he had run a marathon.

When he pulled up outside the federal building, he found Gage almost hyperventilating sitting on the cement wall around the flagpoles.

Ethan didn’t think, he just got Gage into his truck and hauled ass to the nearest hospital.

Now, he was just waiting to find out what the hell was happening with Gage.

“Ethan.” Ethan turned to see Tony and Lance walking toward him. “What’s going on?” Lance demanded.

“I don’t know. The damned doctor hasn’t come out yet.

I get a call from Gage and the bastard sounded like he was having a heart attack or something.

I get there and he’s shaking, pale as a sheet.

He was sitting on the barrier around the flagpoles damned near hyperventilating.

I just got him in my truck and came here.

” Ethan hissed. “Tony, what the hell happened at the meeting?”

Tony sighed and rubbed the back of his neck, “It was FUBAR boss. We went into the room and Gage lost his shit. He grabs our guy and just hauls him out of the chair. I bodily shoved him out of the room and told him to go for a walk. Me and Elias had just finished with our hacker when you called.”

“Does Stacey know yet?” Lace asked.

“No. Grant just texted me before Gage called saying he had dropped her back at her office. I told him to head to Blackout and I would be there soon.” Ethan sighed.

Before Lance or Tony could say another word, the doors opened, and a doctor came walking toward them. “I’m Dr. Dennison. You three here about Mr. Carson?”

“How is he doc?” Ethan nodded.

“Better than he was an hour ago. Your friend had a severe panic attack.” The doctor answered.

“He had a what?” Lance frowned.

“A panic attack. Mr. Blackstone, you said when he was brought in that he is a coworker and friend. May I ask what line of work you do?” Dennison questioned.

“Gage is one of the founders of Blackout Security. I, Gage, Lance, and Tony here and our fifth partner Grant, all founded the firm after we were discharged from the Marines.” Ethan replied.

“Has Mr. Carson been under any unusual stress lately?” When Dennison saw the three men’s hesitation he sighed, “Gentlemen, I understand the code of honor and client confidentiality, but right now your friend and teammate is back there and in order for me to help him I need full disclosure? Understood?”

“About a month ago we took on a case and it involves his...well, his girl. The guy stalking her is running us in circles Doc.” Tony spoke up, yet guilt filled him as he did.

“I see.” Dennison nodded.

“Damn it, I saw this morning just how deep he was getting on this case. I should have...” Ethan began.

“Stop right there Mr. Blackstone. I’ve seen these kinds of attacks before in law enforcement and federal agents during a case that hits close to home.

I have also seen it in soldiers’ home after a rough deployment or just discharged.

In attacks like what your friend had, there are not always warnings.

These are called unexpected attacks. I have also seen them happen to people who have never had a history of panic attacks. ” Dennison said.

“What can we do for Gage?” Lance asked.

“Right now, what he needs is rest. As for the immediate future, I would keep him as far from this case as you can but given that you told me his significant other is the center of this case, that may be difficult to accomplish. I will leave it to you to manage that front. He is getting dressed and should be out momentarily. I also wrote him a prescription just in case he has another attack to help calm him down.” Dennison explained, handing Ethan a slip of paper.

“We also gave him a shot with a mild relaxer to calm him. He may be a bit groggy for the next hour or two.”

“Thanks doc.” Ethan said. As Dennison walked away, he faced Lance and Tony. “Well, what do we do now? Tell Stacey?”

“She’ll kick our asses if we don’t Ethan.” Lance stated.

“I’m with Lance there. We need to tell her. The bigger question, how the hell do we keep Gage off this?” Tony added.

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“U m Stacey?”

“Judy, I thought you left?” Stacey asked, slipping manuscripts into her bag.

“I was on my way out when I bumped into Mr. Whitney. He is out here.” Judy answered.

Stacey frowned and rose to her full height, “Send him in then head on home. I will see you Monday.”

“See you Monday.” Judy nodded.

Stacey closed her bag as Grant walked in. “Grant? What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know how to start honestly doll.” Grant sighed walking in and leaning against the long table against the wall. “After we had lunch, I texted Ethan and he told me to go to Blackout and he’d be there shortly.”

Stacey felt her gut roll, “Just spit it out Grant.”

“It seems that while he was with Tony at the federal building, meeting with some hacker to try and get a bead on the filter this guy is using to block his location, Gage lost it. First, he grabbed the hacker guy by the lapels and after Tony kicked him out, Gage had some kind of panic attack.” Grant explained.

“He had a...oh god.” Stacey breathed, her eyes closing. “Where is he now?”

“That’s why I’m here. Lance drove me over. Gage is back home, and Ethan wanted me or Lance to drive you over. Whoever drives you, the other will drive your car to Gage’s.” Grant answered.

“Let’s go then. I need to get to Gage.” Stacey said.

Grabbing up her bag, she and Grant left her office.

When they got outside to the parking lot, she found Lance standing next to his truck and an unreadable look on his face.

Without a word, she tossed Grant the keys to her car and climbed into Lance’s truck.

After Grant somehow crammed himself into her sports car, Lance pulled out of the lot.

It was a few moments before Lance broke the silence.

“Gage is going to be fine Stacey.”

“Will he Lance? He’s in too deep and today it reared its ugly head.”

“Yes, he’s in too deep, but at the same time he will get through this.”

Stacey did not miss how Lance tightened his grip on the wheel. “What is Ethan going to do?”

“He hasn’t said yet.” Lance stated.

Stacey looked out the window as Lance drove.

She had a pretty good idea what Ethan was now going to be forced to do.

What happened today would mean that Gage would no longer be part of Blackout’s investigation into her stalker.

The bigger question for her was, how the hell was Gage going to take the news when Ethan finally told him?

Closing her eyes and squeezing the strap of her bag in her hand she drew on her years of Krav Maga training to calm her worry. She just needed to get to Gage.

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G age opened his eyes when he felt a hand against his forehead. “Mm, hey babe.

“Hey yourself big boy.” Stacey smiled gently. “How are you feeling?”

“Honestly? A bit shaky still from the damned shot the doc gave me in the E.R.” he answered.

Stacey sat beside him and took his hand in hers, “When Grant came to get me and told me what happened, I was...”

Gage reached up with his other hand and cupped her cheek, “Hey, hey babe. It’s okay. I’m going to be all right.”

“Are you? Really?” she breathed, her eyes meeting his.

Gage didn’t know how to answer. Would he really be okay?

He opened his mouth, closed it, opened it again but nothing came out.

As if she sensed what he was feeling, Stacey leaned down and kissed him softly.

She gently pulled back and just laid her hand against his cheek.

Like she was trying to infuse the strength he loved so much about her into him in that simple touch. She leaned back a little.

“Why don’t you try and get a little more rest. I’ll go downstairs and fix us some dinner. All right?”

“Okay. Um, is Ethan still here?”

“Yeah, he is. He said he would not leave till I saw you.”

“Can you send him up?”

“Okay Gage.”

With one last kiss, she slipped off the bed and walked out of the room.

Gage pushed himself up in bed and just rested his head against the headboard.

How the hell had he had a damned panic attack?

That was not like him. He didn’t get anxious or jumpy.

Yet today he got the crap kicked out of him by his own damned mind.

It was a humbling feeling and one he didn’t like one fucking bit.

His eyes opened when there was a knock on the door a second before Ethan walked in.

“Stace said you wanted to see me.” Ethan said walking up to the bed.

“Boss I’m sorry. I fucked up...”

“Gage...”

“No, I did. I did the very thing you warned me about when I told you what was happening with Stacey. I got too deep in the case. Christ, I threatened the only clue to that damned filter this fucker is using and possibly endangered Stacey even more.”

“About that. Tony and Elias were able to smooth things over and even got some more information. Tonight, Tony and Elias are starting work on seeing if the hacker is on the up and up. If he is, the information he gave them will help. If not, then we are back at square one.”

Gage let out a relieved sigh at this. “So, what happens now?”

“You know what I have to do here buddy. I don’t want to, but after what happened we can’t risk it.” Ethan said, his voice full of regret.

“I’m off Stacey’s case.” Gage nodded.

“I’m sorry.” Ethan apologized.

“No, I’m sorry. I thought I could remain cool headed like I was when it was Krista and Alora but.

..” Gage paused. “she told me last night that she loves me, man. On top of that, it was our two-year anniversary being together. When she said those words, I felt like Superman. Guess I found my kryptonite. Stacey in danger.”

“I’m glad you two found each other. The team and I will protect your woman, Gage.

I promise you. On Monday, I want you to work with Bravo on the upcoming political stuff.

We have been hired for security on Thursday when the candidates for the governor’s race next year are announced.

I called Morton and he said he was fine with you taking over.

Something about maybe he would get home at a decent hour and his wife not being mad at him. ” Ethan chuckled.

Gage gave a little grin, “I know you and the boys will protect Stacey. I also know that after today I doubt she will talk about it with me. Maybe it’s for the best that way.”

Ethan gripped Gage’s shoulder, “Gage, we all have our demons. I still have nightmares of that night in Iraq. We all know Lance still struggles with his own issues, despite him and Alora planning their wedding, he still struggles. Grant has his as does Tony. I bet even Danny has his own to deal with. We get through all the bull shit by being what we are. A team. You hear me?”

Gage lay his hand over Ethan’s, “Ooh-rah.”

“Ooh-rah. You just try and relax this weekend with your woman all right. Maybe you and her can go for a drive or something. Hell, go to the lake and just chill.”

“I hear you. Thanks Ethan. For today.”

Ethan gave a nod and exited the room. Gage felt much better now after talking to Ethan and knowing he hadn’t put Stacey in more danger.

Right now, he just had to focus on getting his shit together again.

He couldn’t afford to lose it again and Lord knew Stacey couldn’t either.

Ethan had warned him this would happen and because he could not stay out of it, he had to face the music.