Page 65 of His UnBearable Touch

“I spent summers with my grandfather in this neighborhood. He told me about the tunnels.”

Tunnels. The word sank in and Valerio reached his hand up to his lapel spoke into the microphone to tell his brother what was going on as he gestured to the other man.

Go.

* * *

Away from the sirens, her mind began to clear and fresh fear set in.

He wore the same cologne.

The scent coated her tongue, rolled her stomach.

His touch crawled along her skin.

She was trying to keep up. Not because she wanted to go with him, but she didn’t want to fall either. The uneven ground beneath her feet was hard enough to contend with. And the farther they went, the air changed too.

Changed from cold and stale, to rank.

“Where… where are we going?”

“You just leave it to me, Allegra. I’ve got everything under control.”

Control. The word had a chilling effect on her. It said volumes.

“Yes, I know, Lance.” Even saying his name hit her hard, made her ache. “I just… can’t we slow down?”

“We’ll slow down when we get there.”

“I don’t have my cane,” she told him, tugging on his arm. “I’m worried I’m going to fall.”

He slowed suddenly, nearly stopped beside her and that sudden change made her trip, forced her against his body and she had to slam her lips closed to keep from retching all over him.

“You were always clumsy.”

Allegra was thankful that her mouth was closed. His cold words brought up so much anger that she thought she might burst. Unbidden, her thoughts turned to Valerio. Is that what it felt like to have his bear inside of him. Was the bear all the base emotion and his human side the reason? Or was there a mix of both?

When Lance tugged her along, she went, trying to stall her steps, keep her thoughts on Valerio. He would come for her. He was likely already looking for her.

He would come, she knew.

She just had to wait and see what Lance had in mind.

* * *

They moved through the structure quickly enough. Zack knew the building well and seemed to sense the question on the tip of Valerio’s tongue. “I get here early a lot. Don’t have much to do in my apartment except sit around while my roommate screams at soccer games on his TV. So, while I’m here, I look around.

“I discovered the entry to the tunnels just a few weeks ago, but I didn’t go any further than the sign.”

Valerio noticed the tension pinching between Zack’s shoulders. “What sign.”

Zack came to a stop beside the wall and moved an aged particle board that was propped up against the wall. He came away from the action shaking his hand from a splinter but he gestured to the wall with his free hand. “Right there.”

Gotham Center Station

Dedicated February 12, 1904

Valerio called up to Salvatore and managed to make himself heard through the electronic distortion. Nodding, he turned and looked at Zack. “Salvatore sent some of our men to the City to get the plans for the subway tunnels. The rest of them are swarming around the building, covering every exit and door they can find to get in and get Allegra back.” He could feel worry roiling around inside of him like boiling water. “And we’re going to get her back.”

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