Page 11 of Rising Storm

They chatted for another hour before Gareth let him get back to his work. He picked up burgers for himself and Helix and headed back to the motel. He knocked on Helix’s door and couldn’t help but inwardly smile when his heart picked up rhythm. Something about Helix just got to him and when the man answered, he was in his usual jeans and no shirt. Gareth couldn’t help but look over that firm chest with its tattoos.

“I picked up food. Figured you’d be hungry.”

“Thanks. Come in.” Helix stepped back to let him pass.

Gareth took the food to the small table between two chairs and sat in one of them. He started unloading the burgers and fries. “I’ll have to run to the machine to get us some sodas.”

“I just went. If you’re cool with Coke, one of them is yours.”

“Works for me. What did you do all day?”

“Just hung out here. I went over the building schematics Shelli found on the Internet, but they didn’t tell me much other than Kavaugh’s office is on the top floor with some other offices. I don’t know how many because the plans were before they finished out the floor. We still need to go in and scope the place out before we can even think of taking the statuette.” Helix sat down and picked up his burger to unwrap it. “Thanks for the food. I was starving and thinking of walking back to that diner.”

Gareth just smiled at him as he picked up a fry and slipped it into his mouth. It was still hot and nice and salty. Helix handed him the can of soda and he popped the top. “I went to see my old mentor today.”

Helix looked up from his food. “You told him about Rising Storm?”

“No. I didn’t want to get his hopes up in case anything goes wrong.”

“It won’t.” Helix took a bite of his burger and chewed.

“Wish I felt as confident. But then, I’m new to this side of things.”

“More used to going after people like me, you mean.”

“Yeah.” Gareth chuckled and took a sip of his soda. He wasn’t much of a soda drinker, but it was nice and cold after being outside in the heat. “It’s wild being on the other side. Have to completely change my outlook on the world.”

Helix shook his head. “I don’t know how you do it.”

They were silent then as they ate and Gareth couldn’t help but wonder about Helix and the life he’s been forced to lead. He stared at the phoenix tattoo on Helix’s chest and wondered if it had special meaning, but didn’t ask. He wanted to. Wanted to know more about the enigmatic man. Helix also had black designs on one arm and shoulder that ended at his neck. Gareth took another bite of his burger, his fingers itching to trace the tattoos.

His attraction to Helix didn’t really surprise him. He was exactly his type. Well, maybe not his attitude, but his body sure was. He was shorter than Gareth, but most people were with Gareth at six foot five. Helix was around six feet. He wasn’t lean and he wasn’t stocky—but somewhere in between. He didn’t have any hair on his chest and Gareth couldn’t help but wonder if Helix liked hair on his men because Gareth not only had a hairy chest, but his belly had a light covering as well.

The only personal thing he knew about him was that he was gay.

He wanted to know so much more—wanted to know about the burn scars on his neck and arms.

Helix just seemed so…alone. It broke Gareth’s heart. He thought about what Quincy had said about the thieves being broken in different ways. The more he was around Helix, the more he came to understand that. And he was the type of man who wanted to offer comfort. Comfort and stability. He was the sort who craved relationships over hookups. He’d never really had what he wanted either. His on- and off-again relationship with Jake had been more off with the man firmly in the closet.

He finished his burger and fries and drank the last of the soda. Balling up the wrapper, he watched as Helix ate his last bite.

“You ready to do this thing Friday?” Helix asked as he settled back in his seat.

“Yeah. You brought a suit with you?”

“I did. It’s good to be prepared for anything.”

“I’ll have to pick one up.” Gareth snorted. “Should be interesting finding something off the rack.”

“I can imagine with your legs.”

“Noticed them, did you?”

Helix rolled his eyes. “Yeah, Gareth, I’ve noticed how fucking tall you are.”

They were silent a few moments before curiosity got the best of Gareth.

“So how old were you when you did your first steal?” Gareth asked.

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