“Here’s my credentials. ATF special agents don’t carry badges. I thought you’d know that from TV, Mr. Columbo.” He smirked at Luca as he took the wallet and flipped it open.
Inside was a set of credentials that looked surprisingly like the ones the FBI agents on Criminal Minds carried. A picture of Kane with all the pertinent details was on display and there was clearly nothing to be fearful of. He’d been telling the truth about his omission. Luca almost laughed at the absurdity of that thought. He stared a moment more before sighing and handing the wallet back to Kane. Kane took it and returned it to the drawer.
“Are you satisfied?” he asked, coming back to the bed and sitting cross-legged in front of him. Luca couldn’t help but admire how beautiful he was as he relaxed his own body, letting go of his knees and instead, mirroring Kane’s position as he folded his legs across from him.
“So this assignment you’re working on for the ATF…” he began.
“I can’t talk about anything I’m working on other than your jewelry store robbery—which I promise we really are working on. The other job is something I have to keep to myself for now. When it’s done, I’ll tell you all about it but right now, no one can know about it other than the people I’m working with. In fact, the only people who do know why I’m posing as an LAPD detective are Kelly, two other detective friends who work there with us, two FBI friends who we’re also working with, my partner at the ATF, and our bosses. It’s complicated and extremely sensitive and I shouldn’t even be telling you this much, Luca.”
Luca frowned as a thought dawned on him. “You can get in trouble for telling me, can’t you?”
Kane nodded. “Worse than that, baby. If you said anything, even joked about it with your boss or the people you work with or your friends, people could get hurt. The case I’m working on involves a man who is a murderer, Luca. If he knew who I really was, I could get killed and he wouldn’t hesitate to hurt Kelly either. This is a very very bad man, Luca. Do you understand me, honey?”
Luca was amazed and just like that, he felt tears prickling at the back of his eyes. Kane trusted him with this, even knowing that he was putting his life on the line if Luca said anything. He nodded quickly, putting his fingers over his lips.
“I’d never say anything to anyone, Kane. I swear to God. I’d never put you or Kelly or all those other people in danger.” Luca heard the whimper in his own voice.
“Aww, come here, baby.” Kane moved quickly, uncrossing his legs and pulling Luca over to him, rolling him to his back and covering him with his own body. “I know you wouldn’t intentionally say anything. I just wanted to stress to you how important it is that this remain between us.” He stared hard at Luca before lowering his mouth and kissing him again.
Luca fell into the kiss knowing that the man was everything he ever wanted in a partner. He was strong and sexy and beautiful. He was kind and not at all the mean gruff man he’d once thought he was. He didn’t hate him at all. He’d just pushed him away so hard at first because he’d been completely confused about his own sexuality. Luca was now absolutely convinced that Kane was gay and just unwilling to admit it to himself, much less anyone else. But the fact that he’d just told him something so personal and private had Luca hopeful he’d eventually come to realize that about himself. Kane had dated women all his life, never thinking that who he really needed in his bed was a man. Maybe now he’d be honest about everything in his life, even this very private part of him. It remained to be seen but for now, Luca would take what Kane was willing to offer. If that was one more night in his bed, he’d have to settle for that. It would have to do for now.
Chapter Twenty
After their talk, Kane dragged Luca back to the kitchen to finish off the amazing pizza he’d ordered. He was pleased with how things had gone, more than pleased. At the time he’d met Luca, he’d figured he would give him his identity as LAPD detective and never have to explain anything else. He never expected to have feelings for the guy that would require it. Unfortunately, he couldn’t seem to keep his hands off Luca and even when he wasn’t touching him, his thoughts were with him.
They went back to bed after the pizza and ended up scorching the sheets once again. Kane realized he was making a big mistake but he couldn’t help himself. Getting involved with Luca was stupid and reckless but everything about the man made him crazy to get closer. He was funny, gorgeous, sexy as hell, but most of all, there was a purity of spirit Kane hadn’t ever seen with anyone he’d ever dated or slept with before. The women in his life had been beautiful and sexy but not a one of them could hold a candle to Luca when it came to honesty of heart. Kane couldn’t put his finger on it. All he did know was that Luca was special and he needed more.
They showered after their romp in the bedroom and then changed the rumpled sheets that looked like a war had been fought in them. They played with Dorothy and Toto and cleaned the enclosures and then finally sat side by side on the couch to watch a movie. They ended up watching Don Juan while eating popcorn. Kane was a huge fan of old movies and now that he’d met and slept with Luca, he realized why he’d been attracted to Errol Flynn when he’d first watched the film with his mom all those years ago.
Is it possible that I really am gay?
Kane put the thought out of his mind and when Luca moved the popcorn bowl and stretched out on the couch with his head on his lap, he ran his fingers though his hair until he fell asleep. He’d never had this kind of evening with a woman in his life. He was expected to pick them up, take them out and feed them, and perform all the dating niceties before getting laid. Kane had no trouble picking up women. It was the hoops he had to jump through to have sex afterward that was a drag. He’d never liked dating and though he’d slept with a ton of women in his life, he’d never felt comfortable being himself with them. With Luca, everything seemed different and it was almost… scary.
“Hey, you want me to take you home or you want to stay?” Kane asked, shaking Luca’s shoulder. Luca’s lashes fluttered open and then he lifted his head from his lap. As he sat upright on the couch beside Kane, he looked down at the blanket wrapped around his waist and then over at the TV playing the credits from the movie before looking over at Kane. His brows furrowed in the most delightful way.
“Oh, I was here for a movie,” Luca said.
Kane chuckled and pulled him close to kiss the top of his head. “You spent the day in my bed, idiot. You forgot me so fast.”
Luca looked up at him and smiled crookedly before throwing his head back and letting out a massive yawn, ending with a loud burp.
“Sorry,” Luca said, covering his mouth with his fingers. “Popcorn makes me burp.”
Kane couldn’t help but laugh. He leaned over and kissed Luca’s cheek. “So are you staying or do you want me to drive you home?” He glanced at the digital clock on TV receiver and pointed. “It’s after midnight but I’ll drive you if you want.”
Luca straightened, clutching the blanket to his body for security. “That’s a lot of driving for you. I-I… would it be okay if I stayed? I swear, Kane, I don’t want to if you don’t want me to. Last time…”
“This isn’t like last time. Last time…” Kane rubbed his hand over his face before looking back at Luca. “Last time I was a jackass. I’d like you to stay tonight.” He stood up and slid off the couch, putting out his hand. “Come on. Stay with me.”
Luca grinned up at him and instantly took his hand, letting Kane pull him to his feet. He wrapped him in his arms and kissed him thoroughly. Kissing Luca was rapidly becoming one of his favorite things.
“Come on. I have an extra toothbrush,” Kane said.
Luca slapped him on the bicep. “For the popcorn! Thank you!”
Kane shook his head and laughed, dragging Luca down the hall to his bedroom.
｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆
Kane and Luca were eating breakfast the next morning when his cell phone rang. Kane recognized Kelly’s face when it appeared as c
aller ID. He swallowed his Cheerios and picked up the phone, putting a finger over his lips as he turned to Luca. Luca nodded his understanding as he swiped the phone, connecting the call.
“Morning, partner. What’s cooking? It’s Sunday.”
“Yeah, well, Cassidy didn’t have your number so he called me. There’s been another jewelry store robbery and another development in the case. He and Mike want to meet us in Hollywood.”
Kane stood up and paced away from the table, leaving Luca at the table with his cereal. “What other development?”
“There’s a headless, handless body, and the clothing fits the description of what one of the robbers were wearing,” she said, sounding very serious.
“Okay. Text me the address and I’ll be there. Did you talk to Auerbach?”
“Yeah, that went fine. He’s going to make sure his security guards know about the increased threat so they’re ready. Did you talk to Luca?”
“Yeah. He was worried but he’s okay now.”
“Wow, that’s impressive, Delancey. How’d you pull that off?” The amusement in her voice was thick.
“Nevermind. Text me the address.”
“Yeah, okay. They’re waiting for us.” She hung up and Kane turned around. Luca was watching him closely.
“Is everything okay?”
“There’s been another robbery but it’s not your store. Don’t worry,” he rushed to explain. There was no way in hell he was going to tell Luca about the body unless he had to.
“I know that. My employees would have called,” Luca said, standing up. He picked up their bowls and took them to the sink as Kane walked over.
“I need to drop you off at home and then meet Kelly at a crime scene,” he said.
Luca looked up and nodded. “Okay, I’m not due into work until noon and I need another shower, but it can wait till I get home.” He walked out of the kitchen and over to Kane.
Kane pulled him close and leaned down, kissing him slowly. It felt so normal to have Luca in his arms. He’d rarely had women stay over and mornings were never relaxed and lazy like this. He’d looked forward to spending the morning in bed, messing it up again so it was a little disappointing to have to let Luca go. They pulled apart reluctantly and Luca smiled up at him. He was just stunning.
“Come on, Delancey. Let’s go. You have a crime scene to get to.”
Kane reluctantly had to agree.
｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆
Kane and Kelly parked in an alley just off of Fountain in the heart of Hollywood. As they walked up to the yellow crime scene tape, they spotted Cassidy and Mike standing about twenty-five feet away. Cassidy raised his hand and beckoned them over and a patrol officer lifted the tape for them to duck under. A coroner’s van was parked nearby and there were several crime scene techs already there collecting evidence. As they walked closer, Kane immediately saw the body of a male lying in a massive puddle of blood that pooled at his neck and wrists. Kelly hadn’t been exaggerating. The head and hands had been removed. Clearly, this was the work of whoever had been dropping bodies in Boston and LA. His colleagues looked grim but they shook hands all around.
“I’m getting really sick and tired of being called in on cases involving headless corpses,” Ryan said, looking directly at Kelly. “How about you?”
“How many have you seen?” Kane asked, puzzled. He’d thought there had only been one other murder in LA.
“When I was just a rookie, there was a series of murders of gay men around LA,” Kelly said. “I was called out to one of them. Ryan and Williams were the detectives assigned to the case and there was a copycat years later doing the same thing.”
“Shit. You’re kidding,” Kane said.
“Nope,” Mike said. “Those two cases were tied together and we solved them a long time ago. You just never get used to the sight of a headless corpse, man.” He shook his head as Kane squatted outside the pool of blood to get a better look at the neck. The guy’s head had been clearly sawed off and he hoped the two bullet holes in his back would prove he died before any head cleaving happened. He stood up and faced the others.
“You told Kelly you think this guy was one of the robbers from earlier today?”
“His clothing matches the description and then there’s the getaway car,” Cassidy said, pointing to a black car Kane hadn’t noticed. It was partially hidden by the coroner’s van. They walked over to it. The car was a newer model Honda Civic with both the driver and passenger door standing open. In the passenger seat, a puddle of blood was soaking through the upholstery.
“What happened here?” Kane asked.
“The store that was robbed had just opened for the day. Diamoneaux Jewelers in West Hollywood about three blocks from here was the store that was robbed. They also have armed guards. One of them shot at the three armed suspects as they fled the store. It looks like at least one of them was hit. We’ll have to process the whole car to be sure but it looks like they turned on their own guy when he was shot and killed him then removed his head and hands to prevent identification,” Mike said.
“There were three and they were armed?” Kane asked. “That doesn’t fit the same MO as the Auerbach Jeweler’s robbery. There were only two guys armed only with sledgehammers.”
“Right but we still think they’re tied together based on the fact that they took the guy’s head and hands with them,” Cassidy said.
“So, you think that because the Boston mob was suspected to be behind the other murders and Brandon Moore is the boss out here in LA, it would make sense that he’d hire the same kind of thugs—probably Ukrainian—to commit his robberies and do other dirty work for him?” Kelly asked.
Cassidy and Mike nodded. “Yeah, that’s exactly it,” Mike said, “but once the coroner gets done and CSI has a chance to comb through all the evidence, I guess we’ll know more.”
“Moore didn’t call you guys?” Cassidy asked.
Kane shook his head. “No and I expected we’d have heard something by now. Maybe he didn’t buy into our story after all.”
“Okay, well, let us know. Meanwhile, maybe we can get a rush DNA back on the victim so we’ll know more,” Kelly said.
“Yeah, we’ll definitely ask. Hopefully, it won’t be an issue. This case is top priority,” Cassidy said.
“Did you guys get a chance to check out any of the fences you know?” Kane asked.
Mike nodded. “It’s a long list. We made it about halfway through yesterday with no luck. Moore has to be pawning this stuff somewhere in order to raise quick cash.”
Kane looked over at Kelly. “What do you say we go pay Mr. Moore a visit at the pub? Feel him out and see what he knows?”
Kelly nodded. “That’s a good idea.”
“Okay,” Kane said, turning to Cassidy and Mike. “By the way, why didn’t Hollywood take the lead on this?”
“The first headless corpse was found in Santa Monica which is our jurisdiction, so they called us as soon as this body turned up this morning,” Cassidy said.
“And I immediately said, wow, another headless dude. Oh great joy,” Mike said, rolling his eyes.
Kane chuckled and exchanged handshakes with everyone. “Okay, guys. We’ll call you if we learn anything and meanwhile, keep us in the loop.”
“We’ll do that,” Cassidy said.
Kane and Kelly headed to their car, passing by the corpse one last time. The sight was chilling and Kane decided he was really glad he was a federal agent. At the ATF, they rarely saw anything this horrible. They got into Kane’s car. He’d picked Kelly up at the station before going out to meet Mike and Cassidy at the crime scene.
“I’m curious,” Kelly said as Kane drove.
He glanced over. “What?”
“Well, I told you that I talked to Auerbach but you never told me how it went with Luca. Did you talk to him?”
Kane couldn’t help but smile as he remembered the feel of Luca’s body underneath him as he fucked him relentlessly the nigh
t before. Or the way it had felt to have his trust after he told him he was actually a federal agent. It was amazing to be looked at like he was the most important person in the world to him. His mother and sister always made him feel like that but to have a lover who couldn’t get enough of him was an incredible feeling. He’d never had that before.
“Oh, my God. Do you realize you’re actually smiling right now?” Kelly interrupted his thoughts and he shot her a glance, trying to wipe the expression from his features, only too late. “You are! You are smiling, Delancey,” she said, keeping up the pressure like the detective she was.
“Drop it, Murphy,” Kane growled.
She laughed. “I take it you did talk to him. I guess it was more than talking, Kane.” When he turned back to look at her, she giggled and batted her eyelashes. “Tell me, why were you so late picking me up at the station this morning? I’m sure that will be an interesting conversation.”
“He met me at the station yesterday and we talked and one thing led to another and… shit, well, I guess you know the rest,” he admitted gruffly. He wasn’t really bothered having to tell her the truth. She was easy to talk to and he knew she’d never judge the fact that he was sleeping with Luca. That was, unless he ended up hurting him and that seemed not to be a factor at the moment. He wanted to see more of Luca and he knew his partner liked him. Besides, it felt good to tell someone about Luca.
He was still conflicted about seeing a man but Luca was such a good person, Kelly would understand more than anyone else he confided in. Hell, his own mother had wanted him to talk to her priest. He already knew how that conversation was going to go if things ever got serious. Right now though, he didn’t want anything to change. He wanted to keep seeing Luca if he could. Being with him felt too good and that part had nothing at all to do with the amazing sex.
“You spent the night with him,” Kelly surmised.
Kane sighed deeply. “Yeah, I did.”
Stay with Me (The WITSEC series Book 1) Page 28
