Lost

Chapter 26

Methos walked tiredly into Joe’s, desperate for a beer. To his little shadows, it appeared the bookish young man was merely dropping in to see his friend after a rather boring day at the bookstore. At least that’s the appearance Methos was working desperately to convey. He was actually in the midst of coordinating the largest and most multi-layered attack of his entire 5000-year existence...not to mention the most crucial. The slightest misstep would result in at least one death, if not more, among those Duncan MacLeod held closest to his heart. Not to mention the dire consequences to Duncan himself. And to top it off, he was desperately trying to keep to the vow he’d given Duncan…a vow not to kill those that held him captive. All in all, the stress was taking its toll on the world’s oldest immortal.

Joe said nothing as Adam slipped into his usual barstool. He merely pulled a draft and set it in front of his friend. He had a package waiting, but decided it could wait for a bit more so that the old man could relax. And ‘old man’ definitely seemed to fit nowadays. Adam seemed to have aged a couple of decades in the last few months. At any given time the man maintained a very lean body, but lately he’d lost so much weight that most of his bones seemed to stick out of nearly translucent skin. The shadows under his eyes were deep, as were the lines on his face. Yeah, it looked like Methos was killing himself...but in the long run it probably didn’t matter. He’d just revive and continue doing what he was doing...getting Mac away from Lacasse.

Methos finished the last of his beer and Joe automatically refilled the glass. “Can I get you something to eat, Adam?”

Methos gave him a tire smile but shook his head. “Not right now, Joe. Maybe later. I think you have something for me, though.” Joe nodded and gestured to his office. The two men walked back and automatically scanned the room. It had become habit every time Joe left his office lately...scanning it for listening devices that could have been placed in his absence. Things were far too critical to become complacent over details. Putting on some Texas roadhouse blues, Joe moved to his file cabinet and retrieved the package. It had been sent by one of Amanda’s guys since she was still showing a high profile at her villa in Greece.

Methos let himself fall into the couch and leaned back to rub his eyes. Joe looked at him again.

“You okay, Adam?”

“Just tired, Joe…” His voice trailed off and then he sat forward violently with a grunt of disgust.

“What?” Joe asked as he handed over the package.

“It’s all taking too fucking long! Maybe I’m going about this all wrong…maybe there’s a better way…”

“Stop it. Stop it right now, Methos! You’re tired, hell we’re all tired, but we all agreed that this was the best way to get Mac out and still help him without heaping more guilt on him. We gotta stick with it, man!”

Methos stared at him for a moment and then sighed and nodded. He really didn’t have any other ideas but he still regretted the amount of time it was taking and he grieved for his friend.

Joe looked at him a moment longer and then leaned back in his chair. “Heard from Connor lately?”

Methos looked up from the papers and nodded. “Yeah...it’s looking good. Lacasse has pulled some of the men off Anne and Mary as well as Amanda. I think my long-distance friends are also fewer in number.”

Joe nodded, pleased that the financial strain Methos had been putting on Lacasse was being felt close to home. Reducing the numbers within his private army would make it easier and leave fewer casualties when it came time to take them out with the mercenaries Methos had hired. They were now shadowing the shadows, all under Connor’s direction, and surprisingly, still without the Watcher’s knowledge. Connor’s men were watching them, too.

“What about Robert and Gina...how’s their end coming along?” Once apprised of Duncan’s situation, the long-wedded couple had jumped at the chance to help. It was through Robert’s shadier connections that Methos was making most of the attacks on Lacasse’s business interests. Then he was passing things on to Ryan as the front to handle the face time needed with the new acquisitions. If nothing else, Ryan was getting a very thorough education in the business world...something that could only benefit him later on.

“Good. I’ve set up the latest transfer to Ryan...he’ll have to stay in the states to finalize this deal but it’s a major one...Lacasse should be reeling over it soon.” Methos gave a humorless chuckle that sent a chill down Joe’s spine. God, please don’t ever let me get on Methos’ bad side... Joe couldn’t conceive of a more ruthless...or deadly...enemy.

“How about you, Joe? Have you identified Lacasse’s people?”

Now it was Joe’s turn to chuckle. It had taken quite a bit of time, many a sleepless night and countless hours, but Joe finally found the trail of changed reports and cover-ups that pointed to a small group of folks working for Lacasse. “Yeah, I’ve got a few trusted people gathering what they need to try them for oath breaking. We won’t move until you give us the word.” Joe knew that any problems with Lacasse’s people in the Watcher organization would point directly at them, so they couldn’t move until Methos said they were ready.

Nothing else was said as Methos rifled through the stack of papers. Joe let him alone but looked up at a hissed breath. He was about to ask when a knock at the door interrupted them. It was Mike letting Joe know that one of their bartenders had called in sick.

“Okay, Mike. I’ll be right out to help.” Mike closed the door and Methos gave Joe the papers to put away. It had all looked like a lot of gobbledeegook to Joe...numbers and test results. He waited a moment as he scrutinized Methos’ face. “What is it?” he finally asked.

“Lacasse is dying.”

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Andre signed the last of the papers presented to him. Duncan looked down, trying to read what they were but they were shuffled and handed over too quickly to see. He’d signed some as well, or at least Sarah MacLeod Lacasse had signed them. The lawyer took all of them and shoved them in his briefcase, shooting Duncan an indecipherable look. Just what the hell were those papers? As far as Duncan knew there was nothing in Sarah’s name. And why was the lawyer so intent? Duncan hated the smarmy little man, wanting to rub that smirk into the ground. Instead he looked away and waited for Andre to tell him what he wanted next.

“Sarah, I have some business to discuss. Please wait for me in the solarium. It will only be a few minutes.” Duncan nodded his acknowledgement and then both he and Louisa left the room.

“How long before it’s finalized?” Andre looked out of the window as he thought. Leafless branches swayed against the window in the late fall winds. The sight matched his mood perfectly.

“I’ll file your will this afternoon.” Smiling, the little man wanted to brag to Monsieur Lacasse on what he’d accomplished on his behalf. “It cost quite a bit, but I was able to bypass many of the requirements...the annulment will be final once the judge reviews the documentation. No later than tomorrow afternoon, I believe.”

“Excellent. You’ve earned your bonus. Have all of the arrangements made for the wedding in two days. There will be no reception.”

“Yes, Sir, as you wish.” The unctuous little man smiled his oily little smile and departed.

Andre walked slowly to the solarium. His only goal at this point was to have Sarah lie down with him as he rested for a bit. Dismissing Louis, Andre took Sarah’s hand in his and walked upstairs to their suite. Removing his clothes down to his boxers he lay down on the bed to watch Sarah undress. “Just to your panties...yes. Now come and lie down with me.”

Duncan did as he was told and moved to lie down next to Andre. He let the big man settle in next to him, felt as he began to nuzzle along his neck and the big hands gently knead his breasts. The hot mouth moved to a hardened nipple and began to suckle. He forced down the loathing at the feel of the large hands on his body but couldn’t fight the pleasure gathering deep in his belly at the suckling. He let his mind wander as he tried to distance himself from what was happening. He wasn’t sure, but it seemed as though Andre had shrunk lately, he was losing weight. It had to be the stress.

Duncan was aware that there were problems with his businesses. But where Andre used to share parts of his life outside of the estate, lately all the details had been kept from him. Things must be going poorly if it was causing this type of stress on the big man. So be it, thought Duncan dispassionately. His only involvement was a slight bit of curiosity and concern over what this might mean for him. Perhaps it would lead to his release. He could only pray that it was so.

Andre continued to nuzzle and suck and Duncan could feel the binding tighten around him as his cock began to fill. Self-hatred surged through him at his body’s betrayal, he closed his eyes and turned his face away as he tried to distance himself Soon all thoughts of Andre’s business and other concerns slipped away as he tried to lock himself further and further behind mental walls. Eventually Andre released the nipple he’d been gently lapping and Duncan felt the strong arms tighten around him, pulling and lifting him to Andre’s other side. Andre dipped his head to continue his feast. He sucked the second leaking nipple into his mouth with a satisfied sigh.

The initial prickling pain eased as the warm suction settled into a steady rhythm. Tears gathered in Duncan’s eyes even as hormones continued to rush through his system. Torn between arousal and self-hatred Duncan continued to distance himself as he attempted to reconcile his inner turmoil. He found himself drifting further away as he refused to acknowledge what was happening. But he drifted too far and without something concrete to focus on, he was unaware of the moment when his thoughts failed to have meaning. He was unaware of the moment he began to hum.

Andre sighed. He’d briefly considered doing more than emptying Sarah’s breasts...always a soothing and delightful exercise...but realized he was truly tired and needed to sleep. His mind returned to the documentation he’d signed. He hadn’t wanted it this way, but it would work out in the end. Why he was bothering still made him wonder...but lately it seemed he needed to be sure all was taken care of. His carefully constructed world was falling to pieces, but some parts were too important to him to let fall where they will. Sarah...he’d created her and he needed to take care of her. He lapped gently at the nipple of the now soft breast. Easing his arms under her, he rolled her over him to lay on his other side, granting him access to her other breast. Kneading the firm flesh slightly he sucked the second nipple into his mouth. With a quick circle of his tongue the nipple hardened and he settled in, the soft sucking easing his tumultuous thoughts.

He had wanted something of him to last. He thought he had time. Time to father a child for them to raise together. But now there was no time...and no heirs. Despite all his money and the finest researchers, the Lacasse name would die. His hand slipped down to rub Sarah’s barren belly as long-term plans died without ever being voiced. Now all he had left was to be remembered in Sarah’s immortal memory...and the memory would be shrouded in hatred. He’d killed the possibility of anything else.

Sarah began to hum and he felt the slight movement of muscles twitching in repetitive motion. He looked up as the nipple slid out from between his slackened lips. A small laugh tore its way out of his tight throat. Seeing her empty eyes he realized that perhaps he would even be denied living on in her memory. Another sound escaped him, but this time it was a sob closely followed by another. He again dipped his head to Sarah’s breast, but this time it was to lose himself in sorrow as everything died around him.