Even so, Carson was unable to ignore the nagging voice in his head. The one that muttered about how long it has been since a guy had said nice things to him without wanting sex. He rubbed his chest, trying to lessen the tightness. “Carson.”
“Carson?”
“My name.” It had actually come out before he'd realized he was going to say it. The tightness uncoiled a little. He couldn't resist flashing the smile he knew had helped him win over coffee shop waitresses to college professors all his life. “You China, me Carson. You know, like the huge, powerful country versus the small, but prosperous and charming city.”
The smile seemed to have the same effect on China, making the big man's quirky half-smile widen into a grin that showed even, white teeth and a dimple in his one cheek.
“Carson. I always thought that was a nice name.” China said it just the way Jim had, splitting it up between the 's' and the 'o' to make it sound like 'cars-un'. “Thought I was going to have to call you Dangerous all day.”
No one had said his name like that since Jim's last phone call home months ago. The huge gapping hole that had just begun to heal after his brother's death split back open. His throat constricted and the pit of his stomach grew heavy, cold as if he'd swallow a giant snowball whole. It didn't seem right to feel good, not today.
“I'm not going to be here all day. As a matter of fact I have to leave right now.” Carson slipped around China, doing his best not to make physical contact with him. His dick had lost interest the moment he heard China say his name, but he wasn't taking any chances. His desires had to take second place to doing what was right. “Excuse me.”
Without waiting for a reply, Carson was through the kitchen doors and out of reach. He caught Mike's attention as he wove around volunteers and boxes of food, gesturing at the back door to let it be known he was leaving.
Mike frowned but nodded, concern making his eyes narrow, but he did his usual one-shoulder shrug of acceptance. Carson grabbed his yellow ski jacket off the wall and shrugged into it, pulling a brown knit cap over his blond hair that failed to capture all the wayward, pale curls. He zippered the coat as he walked out the door, taking the back steps two at a time despite the slippery, rapidly accumulating ice and snow.
Shoving his hands deep into the pockets to search for his gloves, he realized they must have fallen out back in the kitchen. He'd grab them later. Mike would know who they belonged to and keep them safe.
Head down, Carson buried his nose in his jacket’s high collar, thankful for the warm down and thick nylon to break the icy wind that had kicked up. Ice and snow crunched under his boots.
He was just past the recessed archway that lead to the tiny church cemetery when he was suddenly jerked to a halt, his back hitting the stone wall deep inside the archway hard enough to knock the air from his lungs. Stars danced before his eyes but not enough that he didn't recognize the sneering face looking down at him from far too close a distance.
“What are you doing here, Steve?” It was hard to talk with a fist jammed up against his chin. Steve's gloved hand gripped a handful of Carson's ski jacket, pulling it and Carson up until Steve's jaw practically scraped Carson's nose.
Winter wind licked at Carson's cheeks and dry lips. Icy fingers wormed under his scrunched-up jacket to numb his unprotected ribs and belly. Carson looked toward the doorway he’d just come out of but couldn’t see past the archway. No one was going to notice them from inside the church unless they walked out here into the freezing cold and the odds of that happening were slim. He’d have to deal with this alone. The rough surface of the brick behind him abraded his exposed lower back, the sharp points of mortar gouging his skin like needlepoints. Still, the sensation was more pleasant than either the sudden rising nausea in his gut or the twisted, dark look on Steve's face.
“Just passing by, Angel. Thought I'd say hello. Miss me?” Steve studied Carson's swollen eye and colorful array of bruises. “Looks like I gave you plenty to remember me by.”
It was tough but Carson managed to force the words past his clamped teeth. “You're an abusive creep, Steve.” He forced both is arms between them and pushed hard. “Let go of me.”
Startled at the sudden move, Steve changed his stance slightly to one side. It gave him more leverage on Carson's upper chest. He forced Carson higher up the wall, shoving his fist hard under Carson's chin.
Up another inch Carson wouldn't be able to stand on his own without help. He figured that was pretty much the asshole's plan. One of the first things he'd learned about the guy was Steve liked control.
“Harsh words, Angel. I don't think you gave yourself enough time to get to know me properly.” He leaned down and nudged Carson's hair working the knit cap off in the process.
Carson felt the hat roll off his shoulder then disappear. He shivered at the sudden loss of protection, feeling exposed and vulnerable to both the wind and his attacker.
“You know what, Angel? Since it's the holiday season I decided to be generous. Give you a second chance. I'm a great guy. Ask anyone.”
“Yeah, you're a real fun guy, Steve. The staff in the ED thought so, too. Now let me go.”
“Did you tell them my name?”
“Touch me again and it'll be cops I talk to not nurses.” Carson worked at keeping his tone level and firm. The asshole wasn't going to get to know how scared he really was. Steve was big. Not as big as GI Joe had been but big enough to be a problem. “Get your hands off me.”
“You ungrateful little shit!” Steve's restraining hand gripped Carson face and turned it to the wall, grinding his cheek into the brick.
Day old bruises scraped over centuries old brick and stars danced behind Carson's eyes. Enough already, asshole! He grabbed a hold of Steve's jacket with both fists and pulled his legs up, hanging from the other man's body only long enough to drive a knee into Steve's crotch. The ragged shout was as satisfying as it was explosive. If he got another round of bruises from it, it was worth it just to hear the surprise in the jerk’s voice. Should have expected it after last time, dumb fuck. Some guys never learn!
Steve curled forward, his weight partially pinning Carson to the wall, but his grip lessened enough Carson's feet were back firmly on solid ground. Before Carson could wiggle out from under him, Steve pulled back a fist and let it fly at Carson's face. All he could see was Steve’s fist and the guy’s malicious grin. Then a vise wrapped around Carson’s upper arm. His feet left the ground for real this time, his body yanked sideways. Steve screamed like a little girl when his fist hit the brick wall.
Confusion clear on his agony contorted face, Steve turned around and slumped against the bare wall. One hand clutching his groin, he cradled the other to his chest.
“You fucking little shit! You're going to regret that.”
“I'm not little and I never have regrets about taking out scum.”
Steve's feet were swept out from under him and hit the ground hard. Seconds later he was on his back looking up. Carson stood beside a man that made Steve look like a Gold Gym wannabe.
“Who are you?”
“Doesn't matter.” China's voice was soft, barely heard about the panting, partially stifled moans and the wind. Even so, it struck Carson as one of the most threatening things he'd ever heard from another human being.
“What does matter is that you just made yourself a designated target. Come near this man again you'll lose more than the temporary use of a hand.”
Steve was an obnoxious jerk. But China…China-man was deadly. Carson could actually feel the fatal intent in his words.
“Got it, ace?” The last was punctuated with a fairly gentle size 14 boot nudge to Steve's ribs.