Surviving the Apocalypse Box Set

Chapter 4-1

Chapter 4

Way to show what a good companion you are in a crisis, Adam castigated himself. He was mortified by how he’d lost control earlier, when he’d thought Lyncoln was going to shut him out of the mall, the only safe haven he could think of in his state of panic.

The weight of their situation had engulfed him while he’d been in the bathroom, and he’d almost vomited. He hadn’t told Lyncoln the second call he’d made to his parents’ cell phones had failed entirely. He wanted to think it was because the cell towers were affected, but he was terrified to think they’d been caught in the blast from the missile that could have struck Hawaii or the surrounding islands.

He was ashamed of himself. Lyncoln had lost his father when he was fourteen. Adam was an adult. He should be dealing with it better.

Lyncoln’s deep, steady breathing indicated he’d fallen asleep. Adam breathed deeply himself and shifted, trying to get comfortable on the hard, narrow bunk. Its thin mattress, nothing like his custom mattress at home, helped, but not much. He wished Lyncoln was beside him.

He’d seen Lyncoln when he’d first toured the mall a few years before. Lyncoln was a tall man with blond hair and green eyes, and Adam had been drawn to the young worker’s shaggy good looks. He’d always had a preference for blue-collar lovers who would cheerfully top him and accept nothing more than he was willing to give. Lyncoln would have fit the bill perfectly, an easy-tempered young man from what Adam had seen, competent in the grasp of his job, and satisfied with his lot in life. Adam was certain he could turn over the reins of their lovemaking and not have to worry about being hurt.

Adam’s own plans for the little city of Laurel Hill started with renovating and expanding the Laurel Hill Mall. It brought in jobs not only in construction but in retail as well, and the influx of workers had boosted the economy. His father had agreed, but on the provision he consider marrying Morrison Dupuis. Once he realized “consider marrying” actually meant “proposing to Morrison and marrying him in a tasteful yet elaborate ceremony suitable to their position in society,” Adam gave up all hope of possibly dating Lyncoln Ryland.

Morrison was eight years his junior and had just finished attending a well-known out-of-state college—well-known more for its partying than its academic credentials. However, Morrison’s family was well-to-do and had the political connections Adam’s family would need to proceed with bringing Laurel Hill back from the brink of decay.

The thing was, Morrison had a tendency to be rough. The first time they’d kissed, Morrison had actually bitten at Adam’s mouth and split his lip. In addition, he’d gripped Adam’s arms so tightly he’d left bruises on them.

Shortly before his parents left for their cruise to Hawaii, he’d talked to his father about it, touching his sore mouth.

“I don’t want you hurt, my boy,” Dad had said, although his disappointment was obvious. “If you can’t find it in you to care about him, then of course I won’t pressure you.”

Adam had sighed. He knew that tone of voice. “I’ll talk to him about it. Perhaps he was just too enthusiastic.”

Dad had grinned and patted his shoulder, his relief equally obvious, and the next day, Adam had driven his parents to the port and waved them off.

He still hadn’t found the opportunity to talk to Morrison by the time the night of the gala at the opera house had rolled around. Or perhaps he’d just been avoiding the situation, telling himself he’d been too involved with the renovation of the mall. Adam promised himself he’d do it on the drive home afterward.

The entire evening had been a disaster, starting with having to pick up the young man his parents suggested would make a perfect addition to the family.

He’d driven his BMW to the mansion where Morrison lived with his parents, and Adam let him chatter on about the gala, which was to raise money for a new children’s hospital.

“Everyone who’s anyone will be there.” And Morrison went on to name every politician who lived in the surrounding area and a good many who didn’t but who were coming as a favor to his father. “Oh, and Mother and Father said to be sure to thank you. They’re delighted you invited them to join us in your box.”

What had possessed him to make the offer? The older couple was smug and overbearing and condescended to everyone they perceived to be below them in social status.

Well, if he got things straightened out with Morrison, Adam would be marrying him and not his parents. Determinedly, he pushed any sort of relationship with Lyncoln from his mind.

The gala had been winding down when the head of the venue’s security came out to make an announcement. Under the harsh glare of the lights, his face had been pale and the line of his mouth grim.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we’ve just received word that the possibility of missiles being launched at the United States has become very real, and we are now at war. Please don’t panic—”

But of course his last words were too late. The room was inundated with screams as people bolted from the building to where their cars sat in the parking lot. Adam grabbed Morrison’s arm. “Wait. The mall is the closest—”

“Go to the mall in a situation like this? Are you insane?” Morrison yanked his arm free, and shoved Adam away from him, causing him to stagger backward as he tried to keep his footing. Morrison seemed to forget all about him as he rushed with his parents to their Rolls Royce.

Adam’s car was some distance away, and by the time he reached it, it was almost impossible to find Morrison and his parents. Adam did try to keep them in view, as he’d told Lyncoln, but there had been too many cars, and once the power grid went down, it was just too dark to spot one Rolls Royce amid all the others. The parking lot had become a disaster area, with cars ramming into one another, their occupants screaming in terror and in pain.

Adam managed to get safely out of the parking lot, and then he took his own advice and drove west toward the mall, using a little known side road. He’d never been so scared and had to clench his sphincters to keep from soiling himself. At any moment he expected the sky to light up as the missiles fell, and he had to consciously keep his foot light on the gas pedal. It wouldn’t do him any good if he sent his BMW crashing into a tree or a fire hydrant.

The drive seemed to take forever, but he’d finally arrived at the mall. It had been in total darkness, and he’d whimpered. Oh God, what am I going to do if Lyncoln has already gone home? Adam knew his address, but he’d never be able to find it without any light to help him pick out the house number. But then he’d seen the figure hovering outside the mall’s entrance.

Lyncoln had been there to let him in.