Free Dom of Ages by K.C. Wells & Parker Williams

racing the whole time as I negotiated the familiar route. By the time I reached the park entrance and switched off the engine, I was frantic.
    What have you done, Jarod?
    I pushed open the gate and ran along the driveway toward the boating lake and the small hill where the folly was situated. My heart pounded and my stomach clenched when I saw a figure lying on the ground. I raced up the hill and fell to my knees beside him. Jarod’s eyes were closed. I nearly threw up when I saw the blood caked on his wrists. Then I caught sight of a penknife, its silvery blade bloodied. Shock thrummed through me. Oh, fucking hell.
    “Jarod?” I said softly as I pulled him up. His skin was ghostly pale, his breathing shallow. I hefted him, dead weight in my arms. There was nothing for it but to hoist him onto my shoulder in a fireman’s lift. I struggled down the hill and back along the path to the gate, Jarod growing heavier with each step. I held on to him tightly. He was mine, and I’d be damned if I would lose him.
    I struggled to unlock the car and then got him into the seat. I buckled him in and hurried to the driver’s side. When I slammed my door, he stirred and his eyes fluttered open. He looked dazed, uncertain.
    “Why did you do that?” I snapped, then held my hand up. “I’m sorry. Are you all right?” The car engine roared into life once more, and I backed out of the driveway.
    He nodded, then choked out, “I’m sorry.” Tears streamed down his cheeks as he continued to babble apologies, his arms crossing over his chest, his wrists held up.
    “We’ll talk later. After I take you to the hospital.” I shifted into a higher gear and headed through Blakeley toward the city center.
    His hand flashed out, grabbing my wrist. “No hospital, please!”
    “You’ve got to be kidding. You need medical attention.”
    “Please, Sir,” he said weakly. His head fell back against the rest. “I… I don’t want anyone else seeing what… what I did. Is there anyone you can take me to?”
    I thought quickly. “Maybe.” I pulled over to the curb and got out my phone. I scrolled through my contacts and pressed Call, hoping Will was still an early riser who liked to jog first thing in the morning. I waited for the call to connect, my gaze fixed on Jarod.
    “Wow. Don’t tell me you want to join me for my morning run,” Will said with a wry chuckle.
    I didn’t waste any time. “Will, I need help. There’s been… an accident.”
    “Where are you?” His manner changed instantly. “Can you get to me or shall I come to you?”
    “I’m about fifteen minutes from your surgery, in the car.” One glance at Jarod brought me little relief. His breathing was still labored, his skin far too pale. I hoped it would be enough time.
    “I’ll meet you there and open up, ready for you.” With that, he was gone. I pulled out into the road.
    Jarod turned his head toward me. “Who… is Will?” he croaked.
    “He’s a friend of mine. We used to run together, before I got my present job and my working hours changed. He also happens to be a GP.” What I didn’t mention was that he’d also been a member of a BDSM club that I used to frequent. That was how we’d first met.
    “Oh.” Jarod fell silent. I drove in silence, focused on the sound of his breathing. Thankfully it seemed to grow less erratic. By the time we arrived at Will’s surgery, I had to nudge Jarod’s shoulder to awaken him.
    “We’re here.”
    Jarod blinked and looked around him. “Is that Will?”
    I saw Will walking briskly toward the car, his expression serious. “Yeah. He’s a good man, okay?”
    Jarod gave a single nod. Will peered in through the passenger car window, and his eyes widened. He yanked open the door and helped Jarod out of the car, his arm around Jarod’s waist. Will’s gaze met mine, and I knew the questions would come later. Will guided Jarod to the front door of the surgery, and I hurried ahead to hold it open. Once inside, Will