30. Chase

The study was located on the other side of the house, across from what appeared to be a large sitting area. There was a piano off in the far corner, a large fuzzy carpet that spanned the entire room, and two comfy leather armchairs nestled next to a marble fireplace. It was the perfect place to read or enjoy a glass of chardonnay while watching the Christmas snow fall outside.

Chase ignored the sitting area and threw open the doors to the study. He had spotted the study the other day during his frantic search for Levi but had not noticed any hidden doors—mind you, he wasn't fully focused on searching for invisible passages. They weren't living in some fantasy novel where secret entrances gave way to magical realms.

Well, on second thought, perhaps they were. He was currently scouring the house, searching for a secret entrance that led to a horrific world in which innocent people were being held captive. It may not be a fantasy land, but it was one that shouldn't exist. Ever.

Rushing after him, Isaac and Jared barreled into Chase's thick back when he stopped suddenly just inside the room.

He shot them both an annoyed look before taking a step forward and looking around the room.

It was your typical home office for a turn-of-the-century Parisian-style home. Deep brown mahogany wood panels filled the room. The ceiling was white clay with intricate designs in the crown molding. At the far back of the office stood four large windows that looked out onto the wooded area behind the home. Once again, another picturesque view.

In front of the windows sat a large cherry wood desk that must have been at least fifty years old. Still in great condition, but the style was very outdated.

To Chase's far right stood a large bookcase filled with many hardcover books that appeared more for show than for reading. How often did Peabody flip through French law books or the History of the Great Kingdoms of the World?

No. These books were for show. Probably inherited from his ancestors and passed down through the generations.

"Damn, look at all these paintings," Isaac said, walking around the room admiring the art instead of searching for a hidden door.

Chase noticed that Isaac got distracted really easily and often jumped from one topic or idea to another. He wondered if perhaps the man had some sort of attention-deficient disorder. That would explain his lack of focus and constant hyper-activity.

"Focus. We're looking for a hidden passage, not admiring Peabody's art collection," Chase reminded, running his hand across the surface of the east wall. He was trying to feel for any changes in texture or grooves in the wall that might indicate that there was a door hidden beneath.

"What exactly are we looking for?" Isaac asked, glancing over his shoulder at Chase. He took a swig of his whiskey, then pulled up the sides of his jeans. Isaac had this whole bad-boy skater-dude look going for him, with the spikey-blue hair, pierced lower lip, and chain hanging from his wallet.

"Not sure. It could be anything. Matteo didn't exactly say," Chase answered, making his way around the room.

Jared felt under the large desk and searched in and around desk drawers.

"What are you looking for?" Isaac asked Jared.

"The spy movies always have a hidden button under the bad guy"s desk that opens a secret door when pressed. I'm searching for that magic button."

"Then after, you can search for my magic button," Isaac whispered, not intending for Chase to overhear. His cheeks flushed red when he noticed Chase shaking his head.

Where the fuck was this passage?

Chase moved on to the bookcase and began pulling books forward, wondering if, by some chance miracle, they would open the door to the secret entrance as they did in Jared's so-called "spy movies."

Nothing.

"It's got to be here, somewhere," Chase huffed, frustrated.

"I've asked Matteo to send me the blueprints. Hopefully, I can make sense of where this damn passage is located," Marc said into Chase's earpiece. He had actually forgotten all about his boss and mentor listening in on their little adventure.

Marc and Alex were parked in a van down the street, keeping an eye on the activity outside the house. They didn't want any unexpected visitors.

Chase glanced down at the hardwood floor, wondering where to check next.

"What's this?" he asked, crouching down and running his finger over the grain of wood flooring. There were three distinct scratch marks running about five inches from where the bookcase stood. "What the fuck?"

Chase stood up, pulled the bookcase away from the wall, and stared at the wood paneling behind the bookcase. As he stared at the open space on the wall, he noticed distinct lines began to form. It was like one of those magic eye books. The longer you stared, the quicker an image took shape.

"Holy shit," Chase said in amazement.

"What is it?" Jared asked, stepping up beside him.

"Here," Chase said, tracing his fingers along the lines that appeared clear as day now to him.

"What?" Jared asked, still not seeing the outline that Chase could no longer unsee.

Using both hands, he pushed the center of the wood paneling in and watched as the wood moved inward. A second later, the paneling popped out, revealing a hidden staircase behind the fake wall.

"Bingo," Chase smiled, glancing over his shoulder at Jared before stepping into the hidden passageway and holding his breath.

The stone steps descended downward, only lit by a gentle glow coming from the bottom of the pathway.

Excitement took hold, and Chase didn't waste any time. He charged down the steps, heart pounding in his ears, hoping… praying… that they would find Levi alive and well.

Once he reached the bottom of the stairs, he stopped and glanced at the long stone and cement pathway peppered with wooden doors on both sides. There must have been at least fifteen doors ranging in various sizes.

Panic set in. What if Levi wasn't behind any of these doors? What would he do next?

"Levi?" he yelled down the long tunnel, hoping to hear a response. Any response.

"Chase?"

Relief crashed through Chase's system, nearly knocking him offline.

That angelic voice! That sweet, majestic song!

"Levi! It's me!" Chase shouted, starting to run down the corridor, glancing into each cell that he passed.

The first two were empty, but the third one contained a startled young woman who quickly stepped back from the door.

"Levi?" Chase yelled as he stepped away from the cell with the startled woman and charged forward, desperate to find the boy who stole his heart.

He heard a laugh and a scream. "Chase! You came! Down here!"

A long, skinny arm shot out from one of the cells down the tunnel and began frantically waving at him.

Happiness, joy, relief, and love all burst through Chase at the same time. He didn't remember running toward him. All he remembered was finally reaching that door and seeing a gleaming Levi staring back at him.

"Ahh! You found me!" Levi screamed with excitement, his arms desperately trying to grab hold of Chase. "I knew you'd come!"

Chase reached inside the cell and pulled Levi into a hug against the door.

"Fuck, babe! I was going insane trying to find you!"

Chase pulled Levi's head against the bars and began kissing him as best he could. He needed to connect with Levi. He didn't care if two metal bars were cutting into his face. His lips and tongue needed their mate.

"Fuck, I've missed you!" Levi cried, pulling his lips away from Chase.

"Me too, babe! I'll never leave you alone again!"

With their faces up against the cold metal bars, they continued to maul each other. Levi's lips tasted amazing.

Inside him, emotions crashed, angels sang, and all was right with the world once again.

"How about a little help over here?" a male voice shouted a few doors down.

"Calm your tits, dufus. I'll get you out of this Lecter cell," Chase heard Isaac say somewhere behind him.

Thank God because Chase couldn't think about anyone else but Levi right now.

"Here," Jared said, handing Chase a crowbar.

"Stand back," Chase warned, taking a step back before driving the sharp metal edge into the hinge of the door and forcing the mechanism to snap free off the wall. When it came to freeing his love, his muscles knew no limits. Yes, he was He-Man, here to save his mate.

Levi pushed open the door and jumped into Chase"s arms with a squeal.

"You're amazing! I love you! I love you so much!" Levi shouted, excitement spilling out of him.

Seeing the brightness of his smile and the excitement on his face, Chase couldn't help but fall for this man all over again. Someone so bright and cheery deserved a life of happiness and worship. Chase wanted to be that man.

Gripping his body tight, Chase gave Levi the biggest bear hug known to man. He was so happy to see him. Safe and alive. "I love you too, sweetheart."

Up and down the corridor, doors flung open as Isaac and Jared worked quickly to release all the captives.

Cries of thanks flooded the enclosed area as Chase and Levi continued to hug each other. There was no way that he was ever letting this ray of sunshine out of his arms.

It was at that blissful moment that Chase's blood went cold with the sound of a shot and a scream behind him.

He heard Isaac shout and Jared cry out.

Commotion.

Then, the world went black around him.

He felt the cool air brush against his face, followed by the cold feel of the concrete floor beneath him. He was lying face down. He could hear voices and shouts, but they all seemed so far away.

Another shot rang out, followed by more screams.

Light slowly returned to Chase's vision. The world around him was blurry, and there was a lot of moving objects.

Screams, shouts, more bangs.

A struggle! Something was happening! But he still couldn't see what.

A solid blob appeared in front of him and wrapped his body in a loving embrace. Levi! He could recognize that sweet cherry smell anywhere.

He felt safe. He felt loved.

More shouting.

Slowly, the moving blobs began to take shape and came into focus. The arms wrapped around his chest never wavered. They held him firm and tight against Levi's chest.

Peabody!

The dark figure finally came into focus. The man was covered in blood and grinning down at Chase. In his left hand, he held a revolver, and in his right hand, he held a bloody crowbar.

Isaac! Jared!

Chase's eyes went wide. Where were they?

He felt Levi's arms tighten around his chest as Levi bent forward to kiss him on the head.

Was this their end? Was this how the Chase and Levi love story ended? Killed by a madman in his Parisian dungeon?

Chase wrapped his arms around Levi's and squeezed him back. At least they would die wrapped in each other's arms.

"I love you, Levi," Chase whispered as he watched Peabody raise the crowbar above his head and lunge forward.

Warm wetness splashed across Chase's face. He startled backward, still gripping Levi's arms tight.

A horrible gurgling sound escaped Peabody's throat as a sharp metal rod protruded from the man's mouth.

Chase watched in horror as the rod was pulled out of the back of Peabody's head, causing his lifeless body to fall to his knees and then collapse at Chase's feet.

Standing in the open doorway was an older gentleman holding the bloody spear.

"Simone?" Chase heard Levi say over his shoulder.

"Your nightmare's over, kiddo," the man said, dropping the rod onto the concrete.

"Levi?" a painful voice called from around the corner. A moment later, Isaac appeared being held up by Jared, who was bleeding from his arm.

"Isaac! Jared! You guys came!" Levi cried out through tears of happiness.

"Of course, we did, shit for brains," Isaac said, gripping his side. He appeared to have been stabbed. "Couldn't let you have all the cool stories," he winced with a smile.

A woman with light brown hair appeared behind their injured comrades. She looked terrified and weak.

"We need some help back here," she said, glancing down the hallway.

"Police and ambulance are en route," the voice of God—also known as Marc—said through Chase's earpiece.

Fuck,would he ever remember that the man was listening in?

With a groan, Chase slowly got up, still gripping Levi's arms.

"Still not letting you go, sunshine," Chase whispered, taking Levi's hand in his and stepping over Peabody's motionless body.