In Fear of Three Little Words

Ya'll remember in one of the reviews my story being compared to watching a car cr Ge Get ready for a multi-car pileup, folks.


Chapter 36


Kurt pushed through the crowded Bayville Mall, finally finished with his Christmas shopping. Only one present had kept him from that goal, a leather jacket, chocolate brown and hip length for Logan, a special order that had kept him on pins and needles just hoping it came in before Christmas. Now he had his prize, already gift wrapped and ready for presentation when he and Logan had some time alone together.

Kurt intended to show Logan that Christmas wasn’t a time for being alone, but for celebrating love even if one of them hadn’t yet admitted his feelings. He smiled at the thought of he and Logan spending the Christmas holiday together, knowing that Logan was uncomfortable with the idea, used to going off alone in a melancholy funk. But Logan had succumbed to Kurt’s begging, throwing up his hands and admitting defeat in the face of Kurt’s enthusiasm for the holiday.

Christmas lights and festive music filled the mall, reminding everyone there were only two shopping days left till Christmas.

Juggling his package, Kurt buttoned his coat closed, pulled on gloves and headed back to his vehicle. The wind was brisk and bitter cold, the clouds in the afternoon sky threatening to drop snow or something uglier like sleet.

Pushing the remote button on his key ring, the SUV beeped twice. He put his package in the back seat and shut the door then pulled his cell phone from his coat pocket to call Logan to say he was on his way home so Logan wouldn’t worry.

“Hey, kid,” a familiar voice said behind him.

Kurt turned, the familiar voice attached to a familiar face. Kurt gasped. A fist rammed into his cheekbone. The blow drove Kurt sideways, slamming his head into the car next to his as he fell. Everything whirled, his vision darkening until empty blackness gripped his mind and took him down.

****************

“Red, have you seen Kurt?” Logan asked. He was trying to squelch a panic response, but something felt wrong inside and his instincts screamed, raising his hackles.

“No, not since....” Jean looked at her watch. “Maybe one. He said something about having a package to pick up at the mall.”

“Yeah, but that was hours ago. How long does it take to pick up a package?”

“Maybe he had some other errands to run.” She was trying for a positive attitude, but a frof cof concern creased between her eyebrows.

“Hmmm. Maybe.” But Logan doubted it.

“Let me see if I can find him.” Jean touched her temples with her fingers, eyes closing for possibly thirty seconds. She let out a sigh and opened her eyes. “That’s strange. He’s not close enough for me to contact. I’m sorry, Logan. Do you think there’s a problem?”

“I don’t know yet.”

“Have you tried Kurt’s cell phone?” Kitty asked, hearing the end of the discussion.

“Cell phone. Right.” He whirled back to the phone and punched in Kurt’s number, glad Kurt’s parents had sent it to him for Christmas. “It rang and rang again. “Come on, elf. Answer the phone.” Finally, he heard Kurt’s voice, asking him to leave a message. “Where the hell are you, elf? Call as soon as you get this.” He slammed down the receiver and issued a low growl.

“Logan,” Charles said, rolling up next to him. “What is it?”

“Kurt’s been gone a long time. Maybe I’m over reactin’, but I don’t think so, Doc. I’ve got a bad feelin’ about this. I’m goin’ to the mall and see if I can track him.”

Charles touched his arm. “That may be a good idea. He should have been back long ago and in these times, we can’t be too careful. Do you want anyone else to go with you?”

“I don’t care who comes, but I’m goin’ now.” He stalked away and grabbed up his coat.

Charles glanced around. “Jean.”

“I’m on it, Professor.”

“I’ll go too,” Kitty offered.

The girls ran to get coats and followed Logan out to the garage, catching him just before he roared away in his Jeep.

Logan cursed the short days of December, his gaze flicking to the sun already dipping low.

“Was there any place else Kurt mentioned he was going besides the mall? More Christmas shopping maybe?” Jean asked.

“He told me he’d finished his shopping last week except for one present on back order. I guess that’s the one he went to pick up,” Kitty replied, starting to sound nervous. “If he’s okay, I’m going to kill him.”

“If he’s okay, then my senses have gone completely haywire,” Logan muttered. He took the roads at a daring speed, dodging and ducking through traffic like a race car driver.

Jean gasped a few times, but Kitty sat forward, eyes bright with exhilaration. Kurt was a speed demon himself, but nobody beat Kitty’s record.

Kurt. Dammit, sweetheart. Where are you? You’re making me crazy here. Just be safe, elf and I’ll take you out someplace nice, get a hotel room and we can fuck each other’s brains out.

The Bayville Mall came into view and Logan whipped into the parking lot and started cruising the isles, searching for Kurt’s dark blue Honda.

“Come on. Come on. Come on,” Logan chanted through gritted teeth.

“There!” Kitty yelled, pointing.

Logan zipped up behind the SUV and slammed the Jeep into park. He ripped off his seatbelt and leapt from the vehicle, already sniffing, eyes scanning, uncaring of the strange looks from people passing by.

Something lying near the driver’s side door just under the vehicle caught Logan’s eye. He crouched and picked up Kurt’s cell phone and his keys. They were lucky nobody had driven away with the vehicle.

Two scents caught his attention simultaneously. A small puddle of blood had frozen on the pavement...Kurt’s blood. He’d know that scent anywhere. The other was so familiar it made Logan’s stomach roll with nausea.

Through gritted teeth Logan let out a snarl.

“What is it, Logan?” Jean asked beside him.

Logan’s head spun, his rage climbing...and his terror for Kurt as well. “Sabertooth,” he growled.

“Oh my god,” she gasped.

“Hey, the windshield is shattered,” Kitty yelled from the front. “But I’ve got something.” She grabbed an envelope from under the wiper blade and brought it to Logan. “It’s address to you.”
Logan took the envelope from Kitty’s shaking hand and stared at it. His name was printed in large block letters, bold and black. He swallowed hard, trying to control his breathing, but it came out ragged. Finally, he ripped it open and unfolded the single white piece of paper.

As you can see, Logan, I’ve made a new ally.
Your little blue boyfriend is mine now...and also Victor Creed’s.
I’m certain he’s going to enjoy playing with your little demon as much as you did.

Logan shook, his fury and fear wrapping around him. It exploded out of him with a snarl of rage, but there was no where for his rage to go. And the thought that if he’d just killed the man when he’d had a chance, this would never have happened.

Sabertooth and Trask. Kurt didn’t stand a chance.

Both girls were beside him, trying to calm him, but Logan didn’t want to be calmed. He wanted to hunt. He wanted to kill. He wanted to find his mate whom he hadn’t protected.

He sniffed the air, trying to track Kurt’s scent, the scent that fed his needs and desires, the scent that summed up all he wanted in life. And the scent mixed with Sabertooth’s, sending Logan into another snarl of rage. Logan roared again, roared his defeat and his defiance.

“Damn you, Trask! You’re a dead man this time. I swear it!”