Ice and Ash

Too familiar. Leo's mind raced, the pieces clicking into place. "The resort. The murder I witnessed. It was about the story, wasn't it? The one I was working on."

Asher nodded grimly. "Doyle was hired muscle. A fixer. Someone paid him to silence you before you could expose them."

"But who?" Leo's voice rose. "Who would do that? And why send him after me even after the resort?"

"Because you saw him," Asher said. "You could ID him. And the people who hired him couldn't risk that."

Leo's head spun. He'd known the story was dangerous, but he hadn't realized just how deep the rot went. "We need to get this to the authorities. Expose them, whoever they are."

"It's not that simple." Asher's voice was tight. He turned away, his shoulders hunched. "There's more, Leo. About Doyle."

Leo's heart stuttered. "What do you mean?"

Asher was silent for a long moment, his back to Leo. When he finally spoke, his voice was raw. "He was my brother-in-law. My sister's husband."

Leo's breath left him in a rush. "Your... what?"

Asher turned, his eyes haunted. "Sarah's husband. The one who got her killed."

The world tilted. Leo stared at Asher, his mind reeling. "I don't understand. I thought she was killed in a gang shooting."

"She was." Asher's voice was hollow. "But Doyle was the reason she was there. He was mixed up with the gangs, running guns. Sarah found out. She was going to the police the night she died."

Leo's stomach churned. "He got her killed. And then he just... walked away?"

"He covered his tracks. Made it look like she was in the wrong place at the wrong time." Asher's fists clenched. "I knew he was dirty. I just couldn't prove it."

Leo pushed to his feet, crossing to Asher's side. "Asher... God, I'm sorry. I had no idea."

Asher flinched away. "Don't. I don't want your pity."

"It's not pity," Leo said softly. He reached out, his hand coming to rest on Asher's arm. "It's understanding. You've been hunting him all these years. And now he's dead."

Asher's eyes met his, the pain in them staggering. "He's dead, but the people who hired him are still out there. And they're not going to stop until you're silenced for good."

Leo's blood ran cold, but he held Asher's gaze. "Then we stop them first. Together."

A flicker of surprise crossed Asher's face, followed by something warm and fierce. He covered Leo's hand with his own, his fingers tight. "Together," he echoed.

Leo’s heart hammered against his ribs as he followed Asher through the dense woods, their boots crunching on the snow-crusted ground. The radio call had come in an hour ago – Doyle’s employer had been spotted at an abandoned logging camp ten clicks north. Now they moved like shadows through the pines, breath frosting in the frigid air.

Asher held up a fist, bringing Leo up short. Ahead, the rusted skeleton of a crane loomed against the gray sky, the camp’s dilapidated buildings huddled around its base. Asher’s jaw tightened as he scanned the perimeter, his grip tight on his service weapon. “There,” he murmured, nodding toward a sagging equipment shed. “Movement.”

Leo squinted, spotting the flicker of a silhouette through the grimy window. His pulse spiked. “You think it’s him? The one who hired Doyle?”

“Only one way to find out.” Asher’s voice was grim. He glanced at Leo, his eyes fierce. “Stay behind me. If things go sideways, you run like hell. Understand?”

Leo’s throat tightened, but he nodded. “Just be careful.”

Asher’s mouth quirked, a ghost of a smile. “Always.” He started forward, his steps silent on the packed snow.

They’d closed half the distance when a voice rang out, sharp and cold. “That’s far enough, Agent Cole.”

Asher froze, his gun snapping up. Leo’s heart lurched as a figure emerged from the shed – tall, broad-shouldered, a hunting rifle cradled in his hands. Not the employer, Leo realized with a sick jolt. A hired gun. A new one.

“Drop your weapon,” Asher barked. “FBI. You’re under arrest.”

The man laughed, a harsh, grating sound. “I don’t think so.” He raised the rifle, the barrel centered on Asher’s chest. “The boss sends his regards.”

Leo reacted without thinking. He surged forward, slamming into Asher’s side as the rifle cracked. The bullet whined past them, splintering the bark on a nearby pine. Asher stumbled, catching himself on one knee. “Leo, goddammit!”

“Sorry.” Leo’s voice shook. He hauled Asher to his feet, his hand tight on the agent’s arm. “I’m not losing you now.”

Asher’s eyes blazed, his grip crushing on Leo’s wrist. “Then let’s end this.” He lunged sideways, dragging Leo with him behind the rusted hulk of a bulldozer.

Bullets pinged off the metal, the sniper’s shots going wide. Asher popped up, squeezing off two quick rounds. The sniper ducked back, buying them a moment’s respite.

“He’s got the high ground,” Asher spat, checking his magazine. “We’re sitting ducks out here.”

Leo’s mind raced, his gaze landing on the crane overhead. The cable snaked down from the boom, its hook dangling just above the bulldozer’s blade. “Not necessarily.” He pointed. “Can you hit that?”

Asher followed his gaze, a slow grin spreading across his face. “Watch me.” He took aim, his breath steadying. The shot cracked, the bullet shearing through the cable.

The hook plummeted, crashing into the bulldozer’s blade with a deafening clang. The sniper startled, his head whipping around. Asher moved in a blur, vaulting over the blade and charging across the open ground.

Leo was right behind him, his heart in his throat. The sniper spotted them too late, his rifle swinging around. Asher slammed into him, tackling him to the ground. The rifle flew from his hands, skittering across the snow.

They grappled in the dirt, fists and elbows flying. Leo scooped up the rifle, his hands shaking as he chambered a round. “Freeze! FBI!”

The sniper stilled, Asher’s forearm pressed to his windpipe. Asher wrenched the man’s arms behind his back, snapping cuffs into place. “It’s over, asshole,” he growled. “Who’s your boss? Who hired you?”

The sniper spat blood, his eyes burning with hate. “Go to hell.”

Asher’s fist cocked back, but Leo caught his wrist. “Asher. Don’t.” He held the agent’s gaze, his voice low. “We’ll find another way.”

Asher’s jaw worked, his eyes flicking between Leo and the sniper. Slowly, he lowered his fist, his shoulders relaxing a fraction. “You’re right.” He hauled the sniper to his feet, shoving him toward the trees. “We’ll let the feds extract it from him. One way or another, he’ll talk.”

Leo’s breath left him in a rush, relief flooding his veins. They’d done it. Together. He fell into step beside Asher, the rifle heavy in his hands. “What now?”

“Now?” Asher glanced at him, a flicker of warmth in his eyes. “Now we go home.”

Later, Leo watched the city skyline shrink in the rearview mirror, Asher’s hand warm and solid on his thigh. The safe house was a cabin on a lake, miles from anywhere, the air crisp and clean after weeks of smog and sirens. Inside, Asher’s fingers were gentle as he cleaned the scrapes on Leo’s knuckles, his touch lingering.

“You scared me back there,” he murmured, his thumb brushing over Leo’s wrist. “When you jumped in front of that bullet.”

Leo’s breath hitched, the memory still raw. “I couldn’t just stand there. I couldn’t lose you.”

Asher’s eyes lifted to his, dark and fierce. “You won’t.” He set the cloth aside, his hands coming up to frame Leo’s face. “I’m not going anywhere. Not without you.”

Leo’s heart swelled, warmth spreading through his chest. He turned his head, pressing a kiss to Asher’s palm. “Promise?”

“Always.” Asher’s lips curved, a soft smile that reached all the way to his eyes. He leaned in, his mouth brushing over Leo’s in a kiss that was sweet and slow and full of tomorrow.

They ended up tangled on the couch, Leo’s head pillowed on Asher’s chest. The fire crackled in the hearth, the only sound in the quiet room. For the first time in years, Leo’s mind was still, the restless buzz of the story silenced. There would be other leads to chase, other wrongs to right. But for now, in this moment, there was only Asher. Only the steady beat of his heart under Leo’s ear, the warmth of his skin, the promise of a shared future stretching out before them.

“You know,” Leo murmured, his fingers tracing the seam of Asher’s shirt. “I never did get to thank you. For saving my life. Twice.”

Asher’s laugh rumbled in his chest. “We’re even, remember? You saved mine right back.” His hand covered Leo’s, his thumb stroking over Leo’s knuckles. “But I wouldn’t mind collecting interest.”

Leo’s pulse skipped, his body stirring. “Is that so?” He pushed himself up, straddling Asher’s lap. “And what exactly did you have in mind, Agent Cole?”

Asher’s eyes darkened, his hands sliding down to grip Leo’s hips. “I can think of a few things.” He rolled up, claiming Leo’s mouth in a kiss that burned all the way to Leo’s toes. “Let me show you.”

They made love slowly, tenderly, the firelight painting their skin in gold. And later, much later, when Leo drifted off in Asher’s arms, it was with the certainty that he’d finally found the story that mattered. The one that would last.