Issac made his rounds checking the security of the house. Everything was airtight. It was really quiet. Truthfully, the Johnsons probably didn't need him anymore. Mark and Demonte had been arrested so they were safe now.
Issac checked in on Natalie who was out cold. He shut her door gently going back to Caleb's room. Caleb snored lightly. Issac took his gun off his hip and laid it on the table. He was tired. He took a seat in Caleb's chair turning it around so he could watch the pretty boy sleep.
Issac rested his eyes as he thought about how he had turned into Max Jennings, his alias, as an undercover cop. Caleb was right he did the unthinkable.
Max had tried to be gentle with Caleb when he was at the house. He would take his time to make love to him as if he was his boyfriend. Kissing him gently and at times Caleb would kiss him back as he ran his finger through his hair. As he sucked on his neck. He would ask Caleb "Do you like it when I do this?" And the boy would say "yes." Or moan in pleasure. It made Issac feel good. He felt like he was protecting him and caring for him while satisfying his need to have him.
Of course, Caleb was drugged the entire time. So were his answers even his own or just the drugs talking? It wasn't until Caleb was so drugged out that Max realized he needed to save the boy and get him treatment.
He had really fucked up and now he was trying to fix things. But could he actually fix anything. Could it be that really he was the broken one?
---------
"Good, you're awake," Issac said as he shook two ibuprofen into his hand.
"Take this to stop the headache." He said placing the pills in Caleb's hand.
"We are leaving for the fair in 30 minutes so please don't be late. The governor is waiting." Issac stated as he left Caleb's room.
Caleb frowned at Issac's behavior, he was so businesslike.
-----
Issac looked at his watch as the Governor and his wife came down the steps they were dressed business casual for the state fair's grand opening.
"You're car is ready." Issac pointed to the large SUV.
"Good morning," Natalie greeted her future in-laws. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail. She wore leggings and a turquoise tunic top.
"Where is Caleb?" Mrs. Johnson asked.
"I'm coming," Calebs said descending the stairs. His family waiting for him in the foyer.
He wore jeans and a black button-down shirt. His curly locks framed his face.
—
The state fair had a large number of people in attendance. The Governor and his family stood on stage as he greeted attendees with his speech welcoming everyone he also had political messages embedded. He spoke of his recent efforts to legalize weed and decriminalize it.
Issac's phone rang. It was detective Rucker.
"This is Issac." He answered.
"Issac." Detective Rucker spoke.
"We got a problem. Mark made bail this morning. The ADA fucked up. Mark's out on the street. I hear he's looking for you so stay low. Detective Rucker insisted. He could hear the noise in the background.
"We also sending some extra security for the governor and his family."
"Good to know," Issac said as he continued to watch Caleb and Natalie on stage. She was holding Caleb's hand.
"Where are you?" Detective Rucker asked.
"I'm at the state fair," Issac said honestly.
Det. Rucker laughed at Issac's comment. You don't seem like a fair type of guy. I hear the governors going to be there."
"I know. I'm listening to him speak." Issac said.
"What?" Detective Rucker asked. " Issac, have you been to your first session with Dr. Michael?" He asked.
"I'm getting around to it," Issac said annoyed.
"Look Issac you're on administrative leave for god sake." He said in agitation. "You can't come back until you complete the evaluation."
Issac exhaled. "I know. I know."
"Issac," Detective Rucker asked his colleague. "Why are you really at that fair? Are you harassing that kid?" His tone was serious.
"Fuck you, Rucker, I'm not harassing him. I'm protecting him. I'm a part of his security detail.
Detective Rucker almost lost it."Are you seriously trying to get fired?"
"Or ruin your career?" He yelled. "Your superior gave you specific orders. You are breaking ALL of them. You were not to have contact with him.
"I have to do this," Issac said. "You don't understand. I owe it to him to keep him safe and redeem myself."
"Issac." Detective Rucker said. " I'm going to have to report you."
"Do what you have to. I'm gonna do what I have to to keep him safe." Issac said as he hung up the phone. The governor finished his speech and the crowd clapped.
Issac went back to his duties standing behind Caleb.
"Natalie and I want to walk around," Caleb told his parents.
"Ok, we are only here for 2 hours Mrs. Johnson reminded her son. Then we are going to the TV station at two o'clock.
Caleb nodded. I won't be late. Caleb and Natalie walked around the fair. Issac followed them as they play fair games. Natalie looked at the Ferris wheel which was slowly turning.
"Let's ride it." Caleb dragged Natalie on board they took a seat in their car. Issac got in the car behind them.
Issac watched the two love birds. Natalie kissed Caleb on the cheek. She looked behind them to see Issac looking at her like he was jealous.
Natalie smirked pulling Caleb into a very passionate kiss.
Issac watched Natalie kiss Caleb. The little girl didn't know who she was playing with. She was quite annoying and he was glad she was leaving tomorrow.
Caleb broke the make-out session between Natalie and himself. He pulled back to look her in the eye.
"What's gotten into you?" He asked as she never kissed him like that before. She always said she didn't want it to lead to them breaking their promise of no sex until marriage.
"Nothing." Natalie smiled. "You're just so sexy. I couldn't resist."
Caleb smiled but he could see something in her eyes. "What's up, babe." Caleb smiled wrapping His arm around her as they looked out on the horizon the view of the fair was beautiful.
Natalie took a deep breath. "Look I don't want you to feel like I'm attacking you but I get a weird vibe from Issac. When you two are in the same room there is this energy. The way he looks at you. She said looking at Caleb trying to read his face.
Caleb wondered if he should explain the whole situation to Natalie. Would that be weird? Would she be horrified? Caleb didn't feel completely comfortable explaining it all to her. He didn't want her to think less of him like he wasn't even a man anymore.
"Natalie there's nothing going on. Issac was responsible for getting me back to you all so he probably has this hero complex that you feel. He's overprotective or something. Caleb chuckled trying to make her assumptions seem ridiculous.
Natalie nodded not feeling any better as she studied Caleb's face.
They got off of the Ferris wheel Caleb held Natalie's hand as they went off in search of food.
They ate all of the festival foods, funnel cake, corn dogs, and deep-fried Oreos.
" I want some French fries or deep-fried chips," Caleb said.
"You two have eaten so much and you're still hungry?" Issac asked.
"Yes." Caleb said smiling. " and you haven't eaten anything all day. He said concerned.
"I'm a meat and potatoes type of guy." He said as he followed Caleb and Natalie.
" There is a burger stall this way," Caleb said pointing. He leads Natalie and Issac toward the booth. The smell of freshly grilled burgers was mouth-watering.
At the stall, Caleb ordered Max a double cheeseburger and cheese fries.
"I don't want cheese fries," Max said to Caleb.
" They're not for you..." Caleb explained. "They're for me.
Max took a seat on the bails of hay that had been stacked up like a bench so that people could sit. He continued to scan the crowds having an uneasy feeling.
Caleb stood in front of him blocking his view.
"One double cheeseburger with grilled onions, Mayo, ketchup & no lettuce. He said holding the wrapped burger in his hand as he held his hand out for Max to take it.
"Thanks, " he said taking the burger and unwrapping it. Caleb also held a small fry container filled with cheese fries. He watched as Max devoured the burgers. The juice of the burger ran down Max's lips which he licked with his tongue. Max was just so rough in Caleb's eyes. The man even ate savagely. The way he ate that burger was unintentionally sexual in nature. Caleb couldn't help but watch Max's lips. They were wet from the burger. Caleb swallowed his fries trying not to be slightly turned on.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Max asked Caleb who was still standing.
"Nothing," Caleb said stinking his fork in his fries. He took a seat next to Max and begin eating his fries.
"Where is Natalie?" Max asked realizing she wasn't there.
"Oh she went to the restroom," Caleb said as if it wasn't an issue.
"What?" Max said standing up. "You should have told me. You guys can't wander off." He reminded him.
"She's fine. Caleb said unbothered. "It's fine we're all fine...sit down."
Max exhaled at Caleb's foolishness. Caleb pulled on his arm. "Sit."
The bathrooms are over there he pointed 100 yards away.
Max sat back down and resumed eating his food. He needed the burger. He was actually starving.
"Max," Calebs called to him softly.
"That's not my name." He reminded Caleb
"I need you to stop being weird," he said. "This thing we have." Caleb thought about his next words. "Let it go." He asked Max.
"This thing?" Max questioned.
"Look I'm not going to argue with you," he emphasized. "My girlfriend is questioning me, my sexuality, and you." Caleb tried to explain but Max only chuckled. He threw his burger on the ground as the food didn't matter at this moment and quite frankly he'd lost his appetite.
"This isn't funny," Caleb said frustrated.
"Caleb just tell her the truth," Max said as he wiped his mouth with a napkin. "She loves you right? Max said.
"I'm not telling her anything," Caleb said his tone changed becoming serious and threatening.
"You're just gonna have to behave when she's around."
"Or what?" Max challenged Caleb arching his eyebrow as he licked his lips. "Hm?" Max asked as he gently caressed Caleb's face.
Caleb pushed Max's hand away.
"Max," Caleb whined. "Please."
"The thing is," Max said leaning in so that he could whisper in Caleb's ear.
" You're driving me fucking crazy," Max said, his breath on Caleb's neck. "I give zero fucks about your little girlfriend and can't wait until she leaves. He said pulling Caleb close to him.
"I never meant to hurt you pretty boy but you can't deny that there is... this thing between us. He whispered. "I feel it and I know you do to or you wouldn't be taunting me." Max pulled away so that he could look into Caleb's eyes.
"But I'll try to behave for your girlfriend." Max smiled standing up. Speaking of which where was the little bitch?
Caleb exhaled feeling worked up from Max's words.
Natalie had seen the exchange between Caleb and Issac. There was something there. She hadn't thought Caleb was bisexual but there was definitely a possibility.
"So what should we do next?" She asked Caleb hugging him as if she hadn't seen a thing.
Caleb looked at his watch. "Actually we need to be heading back to find mom and dad. We are supposed to be heading to the TV station he's doing an interview.
As they were about to walk towards the entrance gunfire erupted on the fairground.
People began running as complete chaos erupted.
Issac stood up to guard the situation
"Man you can't go that way." A guy warned Issac. They got guns.
"Who?" Issac asked.
"I don't know it's a group of them." He said running off.
This was not good. Issac grabbed Calebs and Natalie "Stay low and follow me." He said. They quickly moved using the stalls as cover. People were running like wild animals stampeding.
Max ushered Caleb and Natalie to the side of an empty food stall. Issac pushed the door open
"Get in here." He pushed Natalie inside. Caleb followed.
Issac took his gun from his holder. He took the safety off and cocked the gun.
"Stay here," he said to both Caleb and Natalie.
"Don't leave us." Caleb protested "You can't go out there."
"This is my job," Issac said calmly. "Besides I have a feeling they're looking for us... which is why you two need to stay put. I'll come back to get you."
Issac closed the stall door gun in his hand his moved low to the ground.
He didn't see anyone but he did see a dead body.
He heard more gunfire and move in that direction.
He saw men with high-power rifles running around the fairgrounds.
"Find the son" he heard one of the men say.
"Fuck." Issac whispered. He pulled out his phone calling 911. He explained the situation to the dispatch. "Please send backup and be advised, the men are armed and dangerous with high-powered rifles. I'm special agent Issac Smith badge number 5679872.
Max hung up the phone. He pulled his gun from his holster when he felt cold steel on his head
"Drop your fucking weapon or I put a bullet in your head." The masculine male voice said.
Max dropped his weapon without hesitation.
"Turn around slowly." The voice instructed.
Max turned around. There were two guys standing in front of him. The one holding the gun was shorter and fat. He had brown skin and was bald. He was dressed in all black.
The mans standing next to him was taller abs slim. He looked young maybe no older than 21.
Max took a deep breath not knowing what would happen.
"Who the fuck are you?" The skinny guy asked.
"Um," Max said trying to think of a lie.
"Never mind that, you seen the governor's son?" The fat guy asked.
"Max shook his head no. "I don't even know who that is."
"What's yo name?" The fat guy said inquisitively. He still had his gun on max. I think I saw you before.
"I don't think s-" Max tried to say but was interrupted by the skinny male's radio.
"All teams report back to base." The voice on the radio repeated. " We have what we need be advised police are en route.
"Let's go." The slimmer male said. "Fuck him."
He said as he began to walk off.
The heavier male lowered his gun walking in the same direction as his colleague.
Max quickly grabbed his gun as the heavier male stopped. "I know you." He said. "You're Ma-"
Before he was able to say Max's name Max fired two rounds into the man's head. The younger male looked at Max before running.
Max ran after him. The kid was fast. He closed in the gap tackling the kid to the ground.
"Wait, man." The kid said in fear. "I don't have a gun you ain't gotta kill me."
Max wasn't going to kill the kid but he didn't know that.
"Where are your team taking the governor son.?"
Back to our boss."
"Whose your boss?" Max asked.
"Mark Kade." The kid said in fear.
Mark had made bail and he was getting revenge.
Max pistol-whipped the kid knocking him out.
He heard a voice scream his name. He knew that voice. It was Caleb.
"Max." He screamed running through the brush of the woodlands on the Eastern side of the fairgrounds. Blood on his lip from being hit.
"Caleb," Max yelled following the direction of Caleb's voice.
"I'm here." He said in desperation he was almost to the opening when one of the men grabbed his arm.
"Why you gotta be so difficult?"
The guy asked as he struggled with Caleb.
Caleb fought back. He pushed the man away from him. As the man regained his stance he rushed towards Caleb but gunfire made the man fall to the ground. Caleb looked to his right seeing Max pointing his gun.
"Caleb ran over to Max grateful to see him.
"Are you ok?" Max asked.
"Yes I'm fine," Caleb reassured him.
"Where Natalie?" He asked concerned.
"I don't know," Caleb said fearfully.
"Let me get you to safety then I'll get her," Max said leading Caleb to safety. They carefully trudge through the fairground making their way to the entrance. The police finally showed up and began releasing units into the fair.
The governor and his wife were surrounded by police and security.
"Caleb." Mrs. Johnson said reaching for her son. She noticed his bloodied lip.
"I'm ok." He said as she hugged him.
"Caleb," Natalie called as the police officer brought her to the secure location.
Caleb hugged Natalie. " Natalie touched Caleb's face relief washing over her. She has witnessed the men dragging him off. She couldn't do anything except watch.
"I'm happy you're safe I was so scared." She cried.
Max was relieved the girl was actually still alive.
The police and other agencies decide to take the family home. Two more men were put on rotation at the mansion.
Everything was quiet and safe for now...