Ghost from the Past Read online

  Rio shook his head slowly before turning to stare directly into Ryan’s eyes. “He wasn’t lying. Ghost gave him a message to give to me.”

  “Yeah, what was that?” Ryan still didn’t want to believe Ghost was alive, not after everything Rio had gone through. Hell, not after he’d been the one to tell Rio his lover had been killed.

  “That Ghost wants me to meet him under the apple tree.”

  “What the hell does that mean? And who is this Ghost person?” Nate asked, evidently tired of letting Ryan handle the situation.

  Ryan gave Nate a look that hopefully would stop further questions. “We’ll talk later.”

  “Fuck that. We’ll talk now,” Nate pounded a fist on the bar. “Who’s Ghost?”

  “The man I was supposed to spend forever with,” Rio said without any emotion whatsoever.

  Nate’s eyes went wide, and for the first time in their relationship Ryan truly wanted to strangle Nate for his nosiness.

  “What does that message mean?” Ryan asked.

  Rio finally met Ryan’s gaze. “One of the places we used to hide out after a mission had an apple tree in the backyard.”

  “The one in Kansas?” Ryan asked. He’d never been to any of Ghost’s hidey-holes but he’d heard Rio talk about his short time living in Kansas.

  “No. It was a little farmhouse in Spain, just outside Pademe. Ghost used to call it our special place. He carved our initials in the tree so we’d always be there.”

  “Who else could have known about the apple tree?” Ryan asked. There had to be another explanation. Please, God, there had to be.

  “No one. You knew Ghost, everything was always kept on a need-to-know basis, even our personal life.”

  “So why now? If he really is alive, why wait for almost ten years to contact you?”

  Rio shrugged. “Chet just said that Ghost had been rescued and wanted to see me. He said for me to meet Ghost under the apple tree.”

  “Well you’re not going,” Ryan said. “There’s something happening here that doesn’t sound right.”

  Rio stood. With his hands still on the bar, he turned to look at Nate and Ryan. “I’m going. We both know I have to.”

  “Then we’ll go with you,” Nate said.

  Rio turned and cupped Nate’s cheek. “You can’t. This is something I have to do on my own.” Rio studied Ryan for several seconds. “You have to understand how important this is to me.”

  What if Ghost…? “I don’t like it.”

  “I know,” Rio answered. He took several steps away from the bar. “I’ll go tell Sean we have to leave.”

  “Why do we have to leave? Surely you’re not planning to leave tonight? It’s Christmas,” Nate reminded Rio.

  Rio let out a snort. “Oh, now you care that it’s Christmas. That’s rich.” Rio walked off shaking his head, and Ryan was left to explain what the fuck had just happened, and the seriousness of Rio’s trip back to Spain.

  As soon as Rio had left the room, Nate turned on Ryan. “Who the hell is Ghost?”

  Ryan took a deep breath. “Well, if he’s really alive, then I have to honestly say he’s the only man on the planet with the ability to take Rio away from us.”

  Simply saying the words made Ryan want to throw up, but it was the God’s honest truth. He’d loved Rio for almost a full year before Ghost’s capture in the Congo and never once in that time had Rio ever looked at Ryan as anything but a friend.

  “We have to talk to Rio. Tell him we don’t want him to go,” Nate said, pulling on Ryan’s arm.

  Ryan swallowed around the lump in his throat. “We can’t do that. Rio was right. If Ghost is alive, he needs to see him. Otherwise you and I will be looking over our shoulders for the rest of our lives waiting for him to show up.”

  Chapter Two

  Rio took a last sip of his coffee and handed the empty cup to the steward who had been eyeing him since they’d left New York. Rio returned his attention to the window of the plane. They were somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, exactly where, he didn’t give a shit. His thoughts were too busy going over the events of that day ten years earlier.

  March 23, 2001

  The heat in the tent was oppressive, prompting Rio to strip the moment he entered. He’d spent the previous eight hours on watch and wanted nothing more than to spend the next eight with the man he loved, naked and fucking.

  The makeshift bed felt like the finest mattress after a night spent up a tree. Rio groaned and stretched. Outside activity was in high gear. Their camp was disguised as a medical outpost complete with a trained doctor and several nurses. Victims of the regional conflict passed through the camp on a daily basis. It was good for the people and good cover for the small group of mercenaries working for the CIA to gather intel.

  The tent flap opened and Ghost stepped inside. “Jesus, it’s hot in here.”

  Rio ran a hand over his sweaty chest and down to his awakening cock. “I’m hoping it’ll get even hotter.”

  Ghost’s nostrils flared as he walked to the bed and stood over Rio. Although at five-foot seven Ghost was a small man, he carried himself with such confidence few ever tried to challenge him. Those that did rarely lived to do it again. Ghost’s size and agility made it easy for him to slip in and out of enemy camps. He truly was the best weapon the CIA had, and he knew it.

  Rio slid his thumb over the head of his cock and gathered a large drop of pre cum before holding it up for Ghost to sample. “Wanna taste?”

  Ghost’s mouth opened and sucked Rio’s thumb inside. He continued to suck long after he’d washed Rio’s thumb clean. Reaching down, Ghost ran his fingers over Rio’s balls before walking them up the length of Rio’s cock. “There’s something I have to do, but will you save this for me?”

  Rio spread his legs further apart, asking without words for what he wanted.

  Ghost chuckled as his fingers entered Rio’s hole. “You really are too tempting for your own good.”

  “Only for you,” Rio said around a moan.

  The pager clipped to Ghost’s belt began to vibrate. Rio knew all too well what it meant. “You’re leaving me.”

  Ghost slid another finger deep into Rio’s hole. “Just for the day. One of the rebel camps just acquired a rather large stockpile of explosives. I don’t need to tell you the damage they can do with that kind of power.”

  Rio shook his head. It was hard to concentrate while being fingered by the one man he respected and loved above all others. Ghost had taken Rio under his wing, so to speak, right after Rio’s twenty-sixth birthday. Rio had been in a shitload of trouble with the Marine Corps because he’d mouthed off to yet another officer. Like an angel, Ghost had swooped in, pulled some strings and convinced Rio to come and work for him as a highly trained, well paid mercenary for hire.

  Rio’s first reaction had been one of doubt. Weren’t mercenaries seedy? It wasn’t until Ghost had explained that most of the work he did was on behalf of the United States government that Rio had become really interested. It had been the chance to fight for his country while at the same time being free enough to explore his sexual nature that eventually won him over.

  Staring up at Ghost, Rio began jacking himself off. “What’re you going to do?”

  “Blow the fuck out of the place with their own explosives,” Ghost answered in a matter-of-fact tone.

  Rio cringed. Explosives scared the shit out of him. Handling them might come as second nature to Ghost, but there was always that element of danger that made it impossible for Rio to sleep when his lover was away. “I’ll go with you.”

  Ghost shook his head and prodded Rio’s prostate with his finger. “I’m taking Ryan and Chet as backup.”

  Chet was a company man working directly for the CIA. He’d come to the jungle two days earlier and now Rio knew why. “Why Ryan?”

  “Because he’s the best sharp-shooter we have. He’ll be watching my back while Chet relays what’s going on to his superiors.”

  Rio’s erection wilt
ed in his hand. He pushed Ghost’s hand away from his ass and sat up. “You’re going into their camp alone?”

  Ghost nodded. “It’s the safest way.”

  Rio shook his head. “Please let me go with you.”

  Ghost sat on the bed. “No.” He cupped Rio’s face in his hands. “I need to know you’re here, safe in our bed, waiting for me to come back.”

  Opening his mouth, Rio accepted Ghost’s deep kiss. With each swipe of Ghost’s tongue, Rio’s worry ratcheted upwards. There was something about this particular mission that Ghost wasn’t telling him. Rio wanted nothing more than to beg Ghost to stay, to tell the CIA to go fuck themselves, but he knew better. Ghost’s reputation for getting the tough jobs done meant everything to him.

  “When are you leaving?” Rio asked when Ghost broke the kiss.

  “As soon as I can pull myself away from you.” Ghost jerked his head towards the tent flap. “Ryan and Chet are waiting outside.”

  Not only was Ghost running off to risk his own life, but he was taking Rio’s best friend, outside of Ghost, with him. “Can I talk to Ryan before you leave?”

  Ghost took a step back and pulled Rio to his feet. “Sure.” He tossed Rio a pair of sweat-dampened underwear. “Why’re you so nervous all of a sudden? You never doubt my ability to come back safely.”

  “You’re wrong,” Rio admitted. “I always worry that you won’t come back to me. Guess I’m just not good at hiding it today.”

  Ghost wrapped his arms around Rio and brushed his cheek against Rio’s collarbone. “Do you have any idea how much I love you?”

  Rio kissed the top of Ghost’s head, feeling the military-short, brown hair against his lips. “Not nearly as much as I love you.”

  When Ghost looked up at Rio it was with eyes filled with tears. “You’re so wrong about that. I would die for you before I would ever do anything to make you unhappy.”

  “Stop it.” Rio shook his head. “No talk of dying. I won’t have it.”

  Ghost bit the base of Rio’s neck hard enough to leave dental impressions in the skin. “I have to go. I’ll send Ryan in, but you’ll only have a few minutes while I gather my gear from the supply tent.”

  Rio released the man he loved and watched him depart. A brief moment later, Ryan walked in with a puzzled expression on his face.

  “You wanted to see me?”

  Rio’s gaze immediately went to the large white bandage just visible under Ryan’s short sleeved shirt. “Please tell me you didn’t get another tattoo?”

  Ryan had the good grace to look guilty. “I found this incredible artist when I went to pick Chet up from the airport.”

  “If you don’t watch it, you’re going to end up with some kind of disgusting disease that makes your dick fall off,” Rio told his friend.

  Covering his cock, Ryan shook his head. “No tats there yet. I’m saving that area for someone special.”

  Rio had only seen Ryan naked on two occasions, both while they were on assignment. He tried to push the image of a tattoo inked into the hairless skin above Ryan’s cock out of his mind. Their time was short and there was something he needed to ask his friend.

  “I need you to do something for me.”

  “Anything,” Ryan readily agreed.

  “Keep your eyes open and your finger on the trigger.” Rio reached out and squeezed Ryan’s shoulder. “Make sure he comes back to me in one piece.”

  “Of course I will. Why do you think I accepted the assignment in the first place? I know what Ghost means to you. Hell, everyone does. I just happen to be one of the few who it doesn’t bother.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Rio asked.

  Ryan shrugged and broke eye contact. “Nothing really. Chet just said something about Ghost being off his game ever since he recruited you. Between you and me, I don’t think Chet approves of the two of you being together.”

  It was one more reason for Rio to worry about Ghost disappearing into the jungle with Chet. “Keep a close eye on him. I don’t trust him.”

  “Neither do I.”

  Ghost stuck his head in through the flap. “We need to go.”

  Ryan glanced at Ghost and nodded. “Be right there.”

  Ghost stepped inside and crossed his arms. “Is there something going on between the two of you that I should be concerned with?”

  Rio snorted. “As if I could fall for a gorgeous Native American with an incredible body when I have a scrawny little Jew to love.” Rio slapped Ryan on the back. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

  Ryan left the tent without looking either man in the eye. Ghost must’ve noticed. His brows rose as he swung his attention back to Rio. “I think he’s sweet on you.”

  Rio walked several steps until he was pressed against Ghost. “You should be happy about that. It means I have another person watching my back.”

  Ghost gave Rio another hard, deep kiss. “Keep the bed warm for me.”

  “No problem in this heat.” Rio watched as the man he loved left, heading for an unidentified destination full of men who wanted nothing more than to kill him.

  His thoughts swung to Ryan as he pushed down his underwear and climbed into his rack. Yeah, he knew Ryan loved him, but Rio had never given Ryan an indication that love would ever be returned. Rio was a one-man kind of guy and he already had the man he wanted and needed.

  * * * *

  Even within their isolated camp, news of a giant explosion began to filter in. Rio’s fingernails had been bitten to the nub by the time Ryan returned. The first thing Rio noticed was that his friend was alone.

  When Ryan spotted Rio, tears sprang to his eyes.

  No! Rio marched straight to his tent. There was an unspoken rule never to leave another man behind alive. If Ghost hadn’t returned with Ryan it could mean only one thing. Rio collapsed on the dirt floor of the tent before he was able to make it to his rack. “No!” he screamed at the top of his lungs.

  He felt a hand on his back and jerked away. “Leave me alone.”

  “I can’t,” Ryan said.

  “I’m going to ask you a question and then I never want to talk about it again.”

  “Okay.”

  “How?”

  “Something must’ve gone wrong. I had him in my scope when he entered the building where the explosives were supposed to be housed.” Ryan swallowed. “I don’t know if it was a trap or if something just went wrong, but there was an explosion.” Ryan squeezed Rio’s shoulder. “Ghost never made it out.”

  Rio closed his eyes and willed himself not to throw up. “He went quick then,” he surmised. “It would’ve been the way he wanted it.” He was grasping for straws and he knew it. “And Chet?”

  Ryan shrugged. “He was supposed to position himself on the other side of the camp with binoculars, relaying to whoever he’s always talking to the exact coordinates of the building. After the explosion I went to the prearranged rendezvous point and he didn’t show.”

  Rio looked over his shoulder to meet Ryan’s gaze for the first time. “But you’re positive that Ghost…”

  Ryan nodded. “I’m sorry.”

  Anger like he’d never felt overwhelmed Rio. He began striking out at anything within reach, which put Ryan in his direct line of fire. Grabbing Ryan by the neck, he pushed him to the dirt and climbed on top of him as his fists met the bronzed skin of his friend in punch after punch.

  Ryan never lifted his arms to fight back. For several moments he allowed Rio to beat the shit out of him without saying a word.

  “You promised to bring him back!” Rio screamed. He landed one more blow before finally coming to his senses. He jumped off Ryan and retreated to the corner of the tent. Staring at the bleeding face of his best friend, Rio couldn’t believe what he’d just done.

  Eventually Ryan pushed himself into a seated position. “I’m sorry. I don’t know if it matters, but I think Ghost knew how dangerous the mission was.”

  “Of course he knew. All missions are dangerous,” Rio
spat.

  Ryan shook his head and used the bottom of his shirt to wipe the blood out of his eyes. “Yeah, I know, but this one was different.”

  “How so?”

  “Because he made me promise to take you back to the States if anything happened to him. He’s never done that before.”

  “Well fuck him, and fuck you. I don’t need a goddamn babysitter.” Rio kicked out at the small table beside the bed, sending bits of splintered wood flying.

  * * * *

  Pulling a handkerchief from his back pocket, Rio wiped the sweat from his forehead as he stared out of the rental car’s windshield. He’d been forced to pull off the road to empty the contents of his stomach. And no matter how many times he told himself Ghost was waiting for him, Rio couldn’t make his hand turn the ignition key again.

  What could he possibly say to Ghost after so many years? How did he feel about the man he’d loved above all others so long ago? Rio tapped his forehead on the steering wheel. “Stop being such a bitch. You’ve come this far and risked too much to turn back now.”

  With a deep breath, Rio started the engine and pulled back onto the road, the message he’d received on his cell phone once he’d landed still replaying in his mind.

  “It’s Nate. Ryan told me what happened in the jungle. I’m so sorry I pushed you for answers earlier. I just wanted to remind you how much we love you, and that we’ll be here if you need us for anything. Please come home to us. Please?”

  Rio swallowed around the lump in his throat. How long had it been since he’d heard his man’s voice sounding so unsure? Nate had become a force to be reckoned with in CattleValley, so where was this lost-sounding quality coming from?

  Pulling into the long, winding dirt path that made up the farm’s driveway, Rio couldn’t believe the changes that time had wrought. Although they had only spent brief visits at the farmhouse, Ghost had always made sure the place was well cared for in their absence. Whoever owned the property now didn’t seem to give a shit that it looked like it was about to fall to the ground.