Can We Really Get Away

Chapter 4

Iago stood in front of Gonzalo, determined to intimidate his ex-boyfriend enough to get honest answers. “Did you want the police to follow you? Is this about your jealousy of Max? Because if you think Max’s return to Barcelona had anything to do with the real reasons I broke up with you then you’re wrong.”

Gonzalo approached Iago, gently brushing his hand over Iago’s cheek. As he stepped back, Iago noticed the grimace on Max’s face. He was impressed with his partner’s silence. If someone touched Max like that he would have... enough thinking about Max, at the moment this was about Gonzalo and his foolish, desperate actions.

“Tell us why you think you may not have been careful enough when you got on the airplane.”

“You really want to know? Fine. For some reason when the police went looking for you they came to me first. I nearly laughed. They thought I was hiding you, protecting you.” Gonzalo bit the side of his thumbnail. “I would have -- I would have taken care of you if you would have let me.”

Iago moved to Max’s side, wrapped his arm around his lover’s waist and pulled him close, to reassure him that this was Gonzalo’s dream, not his. When he felt Max return the gesture, holding him equally as tight, Iago had no doubt that Max knew Gonzalo’s words were wishful thinking.

“After I left Beni’s apartment,” Gonzalo continued, “I went back home, to our place. But, I was alone and it felt wrong. I’m not sure if I wanted you to fill the apartment or for me to leave because it was too empty, but I knew I had to get out. You were gone, and yet I couldn’t stop thinking about you.”

Closing his eyes, Iago lowered his head but said nothing, nor did he make any move to leave Max’s side. Max began to rub Iago’s back as Gonzalo revealed his story.

“It killed me that Beni had said he’d say good-bye for me and hadn’t. Thinking about it, I realize now you were probably at the airport already, or on your way there when I’d asked. I lost my one last chance to see you. We weren’t together for long, Iago, but it was long enough for me to hurt when you left. I thought we could be friends, but it was too soon. Seeing you care more about Max’s declaration to stand by you than the fact you were going to prison for three years really shook me.”

“But why do you think you weren’t cautious when you came here? You still haven’t given us an answer.” Iago tried to force his voice to remain calm despite his building anxiety.

“Us? You two are such a close couple that you speak for one another already. Iago, did you ever love me?” Gonzalo waved his hands and clarified his question. “I know you love me, but were you ever in love with me? Did you ever feel as much for me as you did for Max?”

Iago pressed the heels of his hands to his eyelids. He felt Max thread his fingers in his hair and the touch helped center him, gave him the strength to answer Gonzalo honestly. Dropping his hands to his sides, he took a step closer to Gonzalo and looked him in the eye. “I have never loved, and will never love, anyone the way I love Max. From the moment I kissed him for the first time I knew he was the one for me. We were still practically kids back then. I’m sorry, Gonzalo; I wish for your sake it wasn’t the truth, but it is and I don’t want to fight it.”

Max stood alongside Iago and cupped his chin, turning his head so he could gently press their lips together. “I love you the same way, Iago. I won’t fight it ever again, either.”

“I see how things are.” Gonzalo’s voice got the lovers’ attention and they refocused on him. He stood, holding his suitcase. “To answer your question, I noticed Sergi, that policeman who used to date Max’s mother, watching me get into the taxi when I left for the airport. I don’t think he had me followed, but I can’t be certain.”

Iago made his way to a chair at the dining table, resting his head in his hands.

“Max, if you’ll direct me to a local hotel I’d appreciate it.”

“You know, Gonzalo, I have so many things I want to say to you right now, but for Iago’s sake I’ll keep my mouth shut and just tell you to walk about four streets down and you’ll see a boarding house on your right. It’s very clean and the food is good. I stayed there when I first arrived here. You can tell the owner you’re a friend of mine. He’ll take care of you.”

“Thank you.” Gonzalo made his way to the door of the apartment and Max followed.

Before he stepped out, Max grabbed Gonzalo’s shirt to stop him. “If I find out you sabotaged the beginning of Iago’s and my new life together in Mozambique and caused us to have to go on the run, it won’t be Iago the police will be looking for. It’ll be me for killing you.” Gonzalo’s eyes widened. “Don’t think this is an idle threat. I’ve offered to do as much for Iago in the past, and I won’t hesitate to protect him for the rest of our lives.”

Wisely, Gonzalo didn’t respond and left the apartment.

After Max locked the door behind him, Iago stood up taking Max in his arms, clinging tightly to the only man he ever really loved. “You’re amazing.”

“I’d do anything for you.” Max had become even stronger and more determined since Clara’s death. Although he still remembered the sweet boy he first fell in love with, this Max was a strong man he would hate to be separated from.

“Max, I may have to flee. I don’t want to get you wrapped up in this mess.”

“I already am, and you won’t get away from me that easily. If we have to spend the rest of our lives on the run, so be it.”

“I love you, Max.”

The two kissed, unwilling to break apart and needing the security of each other’s touch.

“We’ll need some good advice and maybe a little help.”

Max looked at Iago, a smile spreading across his face. “I know just the people to help us. They won’t say a word and they care about my happiness.”

Iago thought for a moment. “You mean...”

“Let’s go pay a visit to Rob and Kevin.”

“Can we trust them?”

“They once saved my life; they’ll take care of me.”

“What do you mean, saved your life?” Iago couldn’t hide his sudden overwhelming concern for Max.

“I’ll explain on the way.”


[TBC]

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