Fighting for Survival by Serena Yates

Author:Serena Yates [Yates, Serena]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf

Chapter 13

ALASTAIR HATED being a trembling mess, but after the ordeal he’d just been through, the brutal kidnapping and constant fear of being shot by that lunatic, all his bravado was gone. He held on to Reinaldo, grateful that the man didn’t seem to mind.

“You’re okay. You’re safe.” Reinaldo’s voice soothed Alastair’s nerves. “I got you.”

A sob worked its way up from deep inside Alastair. He’d been strong the whole time so he wouldn’t show any weakness to Nicolai, and now he wanted to give in to the overwhelming relief of being safe. But what would Reinaldo think if he started to cry? Cedric had always admonished him to “be a man” and pull himself together, but while living with his ex-husband had been stressful, it didn’t even come close to the terror of the last forty or so hours.

“Let it go. Let it all go.” Reinaldo rubbed soothing circles on Alastair’s back as he spoke. “It’s okay to be upset, to cry, to talk, whatever you need to do.”

Alastair pressed more closely against Reinaldo, prayed the man was telling the truth, and gave in to his need for a breakdown. The tears started to flow, and his whole body shook. He only had half his attention on following Reinaldo’s responses to Marcos and Duarte’s questions, then Reinaldo picked him up and carried him somewhere before sitting down, awkwardly taking off his backpack, leaning back, and cradling him in his arms.

It felt ridiculously good to be held like that, and even though he’d only just met Reinaldo, he already felt a lot safer and more accepted by him than he’d ever been with Cedric. The thought of losing Reinaldo’s support for any reason was far more devastating than it should have been after such a short time, and he hoped it was an unfounded fear. The way Reinaldo had supported him so far and how he’d reacted to the kidnapping certainly didn’t indicate an imminent withdrawal, so Alastair would have to wait and see.

After a while the tears slowed down, and the trembling got less severe. Alastair sniffled and Reinaldo handed him one of the strips of ex-T-shirt fabric they’d kept in case they needed another bandage. Alastair wiped his eyes and took a few deep breaths as he began to take in his surroundings. He continued leaning against Reinaldo’s chest.

“Better?” Reinaldo took the wet fabric and put it on the ground next to them.

“A little.” Alastair tried to smile but made it only about halfway. “Thank you.”

“You don’t have to thank me.” Reinaldo tightened his embrace. “I’m just grateful we found you in time. I don’t know what that asshole was planning, but it can’t have been good.”

“Still, you came after me knowing it was dangerous.” Alastair took one last deep breath to take in Reinaldo’s scent, a fragrance that was calming and exciting at the same time. Then he lifted his head and took a look around.

They were in a small clearing, with a creek bubbling to their right and the ever-present trees around them.

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