by Gerald Lopez
“Funnily enough when I think about it I don’t feel anything. Not even anger. Alex, the thing is that as much as I loved my Dad I didn’t love the farm.”
“Is that a bad thing? Kids can’t be expected to stay home once their grown.”
“You don’t understand. My ex was all about the farm and so was my nephew, but I always dreamed of traveling. That’s why I had joined the military.”
“I like to travel,” Alex said.
“I know.”
“Layton, at some point you may have to deal with your ex and your nephew so you can resolve things more.”
“Not now though. Not yet.”
“Ok, that’s fine,” Alex said.
“Alex, I’m over my ex. In fact I think you’re right. It was comfortable to be with him for a variety of reasons. Only I just realized one of those reasons wasn’t because I loved him, maybe that’s part of why it was so easy for me to leave.”
“How’s about some music and cookies?” Alex said before he laid his head on my shoulder and then turned the radio on. We spent the rest of the drive listening to the radio and munching on the cookies Hans had packed. There really wasn’t anything left to be said.
When we got into New Orleans I called Miss Lucy who told me they’d be heading to the address she’d given me. I parked in front of the Kennedy apartment and was going to turn the car off when Alex put his hand on mine.
“We have a high-end security system and there’s a security guard. Besides, nobody’s after me,” Alex said. “Not anymore. Go check on your friends and hurry back to me when the job’s done. I’ll be waiting.”
He kissed me hard on the lips and I kissed him back.
“That was to inspire you to be careful,” he said, “there will be more waiting.”
“I’m inspired. Don’t let anyone inside, just in case. Get in and wave to me from the balcony so I know all is fine.”
I looked at the rather plain stucco exterior of the small two story apartment building which had a black wrap-around iron balcony on both floors. After a few minutes I saw Alex waving from the second floor balcony. He threw me a kiss and I couldn’t help but smile.
* * * *
With the directions Alex had given me I found Miss Lucy’s address easily enough and parked around the corner from it. I had my gun in my back pocket and I was walking rapidly and quietly in my deck shoes. As I approached the one-story building I heard the sounds of a scuffle.
The door was cracked open and a crashing noise came from the other side of it. I stepped inside and was greeted by a man who grabbed my arm from the right. I twisted the arm he grabbed me with behind his back and snapped it causing him to fall down in pain. I looked around and saw Francisco hitting a man hard in the stomach. In the corner Miss Lucy used a taser on a man and Jimmy was struggling against a large obese man. I ran and jumped on the man attacking Jimmy, knocked him to the ground and then punched him in the face. Then I went after one of the two men attacking Francisco. A couple more men entered and Francisco and I each dealt with them. Another man entered and Miss Lucy used her taser on him before she closed the door.
I looked at the tasered man still on the floor and kicked him lightly to get him stirring.
“Who sent you?” I said.
There was no reaction. The man was out.
“Miss Lucy, you left no one conscious for us to question,” I said.
I saw Jimmy turn to Francisco and hug him. There was no doubt in my mind that they’d grown closer.
“If there are still people watching the house I’m gonna lead them on a wild goose chase in my car,” Miss Lucy said. “You boys wait here at least an hour to make sure the coast is clear then take off to where I told you.”
“I understand,” Francisco said.
She walked up to me and gave me a pat on the back.
“Thanks, detective,” she said. “I knew we could count on you. I’ll keep an eye out for Francisco and Jimmy and so will my associates who are further down the road. They won’t be alone.” She looked to Francisco and Jimmy. “Keep your senses about you, and your heads out of the clouds, lovebirds.”
She left and I closed the door behind her then began surveying the place. It was small and open concept with two beds, a tiny kitchen and a table with two chairs.
“Miss Lucy doesn’t think we’ll be bothered while you’re here,” Jimmy said. “I need to pee.”
He disappeared into the bathroom that was to the left of the kitchen.
Francisco walked to me and gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
“Thank you for helping us, Layton.”
“Anytime, Frankie. How’s the truck doing?”
“She handles herself well. We got into a few skirmishes on the way here, but she is fine.”
“As long as the two of you are fine, that’s all that matters.”
“We are thanks to you.”
“How’s our boy Jimmy doing?”
Francisco’s smile before he spoke said it all to me.
“Jimmy is shaken up, but we were actually enjoying ourselves before these bad guys showed up. We were touring and making love and going out at night and making love.”
“I get it,” I said. “You’re a man in love. I know the feeling.”
“Who’s the lucky guy?” Jimmy said entering the room again.
“Alex Kennedy,” I said, feeling my face go hot.
“You’re actually blushing,” Jimmy said.
“It’s the first time I’ve actually said it out loud. You know… the actual words.” I sat down on the edge of one of the beds.
“I’m happy for you,” Jimmy said.
“Let’s find something to tie these guys up with before they come to, then we can catch up some more,” I said.
Jimmy found some masking tape in the kitchen and Francisco and I dragged the two men into a corner of the room and leaned them back to back against one another.
“Good God! Miss Lucy must’ve tasered those guys at full power,” I said. “I don’t think they’ll wake up until tomorrow.”
Jimmy brought Francisco and I a couple of cold sodas then after getting one for himself he sat in the chair next to Francisco. I was sitting on the bed again just looking at the two of them.
“What?” Jimmy said.
“It’s just funny,” I said. “The last time I saw you Jimmy, you looked like a nervous virgin out on his first date. Now you look totally in love”
Francisco laughed. “He is great but we both know he was not a virgin. As for the rest of it—”
“I’m completely in love with Francisco,” Jimmy said. “Not that our time together wasn’t great, Layton, but you know what I mean.”
“Yes I do,” I said.
We talked some more until forty-five minutes had passed and then I stood and put my hand on Francisco’s shoulder.
“So far so good here,” I said, “but I wouldn’t count on that to last when we step out the door. How close is the truck?”
“It is at the end of the street where it is more public,” Francisco said.
“When we leave here, you two head straight for the truck and don’t look back,” I said. “We may have to fight our way there, but both of you just keep moving forward. Let me handle the rear.”
With his eyebrows raised mischievously Francisco shot me a look and I laughed. “No time for that, boys. Anyone that needs to do so better go ahead and use the facilities.”
Francisco headed toward the bathroom and Jimmy walked over and gave me a big hug and kiss.
“Thanks, Layton. Good luck with things between you and Alex. When you come to get the truck maybe we can all have dinner together.”
“Sounds good,” I said.
Francisco walked back in and patted my shoulder. “Will you be okay on your own Layton?” He said.
“I’ve got powerful motivation to keep me safe,” I said. “Alex is waiting for me.”
“Oh, well then an army would not have a chance against you,” Francisco said
.
* * * *
We hadn’t gotten far down the street before a couple of men came at us from the shadows. Francisco did just as I said. He gave the man in front of him a swift kick to the gut and kept walking forward while making sure Jimmy did the same. I had the man who’d come after me in a headlock. Another man came out from an alley to my right and tried to grab me from behind. I head butted him hard and he fell to the ground. The first man got loose from me and ran down the road and into an alley. I didn’t bother with him but looked toward where Jimmy and Francisco had been. A sound I knew well filled the air. It was my truck starting up and peeling rubber.
The first man popped up again from the alley but this time with friends who started running my way. There was a screech of tires on the street and I saw my truck speeding forward onto the sidewalk and toward the men in front of me who ran out of it’s way. I ran ahead toward the Jag and waved to Francisco and Jimmy who waved to me as I passed them. God I loved those two!
* * * *
Before I went back to Alex’s place I made sure I wasn’t followed. As Alex had told me earlier, there was secure private parking which was connected to his apartment by a rear courtyard. The courtyard was well lit and featured cobblestones and a large fountain. I made my way to the back entrance with only two thoughts on my mind. One was the idea of finally being able to take a much needed shower and the second thought involved something else I might not need but was definitely thinking about.
Chapter 14
My Rewards
The security guard let me inside the building and I found myself in a surprisingly large and formal entry room which also opened to the street in front. On top of shiny wood floors were immense, fancy area rugs. Anchoring the space was a wide, floating, formal staircase. The bannisters were intricately carved and rich looking. Overhead was a shimmering crystal chandelier.
“It’s impressive when you first see it all, isn’t it,” the white haired, bearded security man said.
“Oh, yeah,” I said. “Makes me feel underdressed.”
“Don’t worry about that, the folks here are pretty casual.”
“How many apartments are there in this place?”
“Just the two. One on this floor and the one on the second. Both owned by the Kennedy family. This one here on the bottom is used for guests.”
I looked at him, confused.
“Oh, I didn’t mean you. Mr. Alex said you’d be staying upstairs in the family apartment, Mr. Shayne.”
“How do you know I really am Mr. Shayne?” I said, my guard up.
“I’m ex military too, Mr. Shayne. I had Alex show me your picture when he told me about you. He said he’d given you the code to get into the parking space and courtyard. But someone could’ve gotten that off you, that’s why I asked to see a picture.”
“Was it a decent picture of me? And you can call me Layton.”
“Don’t worry, you were dressed. I’ve been to his gallery show so I know he specializes in nudes. If he’s got any of you, he didn’t show them to me. And I’m Russ, if you need any backup or anything while you’re here.”
“Thanks, Russ. It’s good to know we’ve got someone around should we need help. Good-night.”
“You have a good one, Layton. Oh, the actual apartments are just as mind blowing as this downstairs area so be prepared.”
“Thanks,” I said, then started up the stairs.
* * * *
The Kennedy family seemed to take security seriously enough, which was good. At the top of the stairs was an imposing set of double doors. I tried the knob then walked inside. I was happy for Russ’s warning because otherwise my jaw would’ve been on the floor. In front of me was a large room with the same type of shiny wood floors as downstairs, more ornate Persian rugs and a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows which looked out over the wide balcony which had a view of the city. The thing that took my breath away was the high ceiling which I wasn’t expecting. There were two green, upholstered sofas in the room facing each other, one arm chair, and several tables arranged in front of a stone fireplace. An open kitchen was at the end of the room between two hallways. There was a note on the wall to the side of the hallway on the left. I was nervous until on closer inspection I noticed the note was from Alex to me. He’d written telling me to use the shower at the end of this hallway. I walked on the pale blue runner to the end of the hall, passing three rooms with closed doors.
The bathroom was pure luxury. When I took off my shoes, my bare feet felt cool on the grey slate tiles. There was a separate enclosed toilet which I used before stripping down and looking in the gold framed mirror over the glass bowl sink. No bruises from the fighting, that was good. I stepped into the frameless glass shower which looked like a car wash inside. It took me a while to figure out the controls but soon a rain shower head from above was rinsing me with water as water jets went on all around me. This is pure Heaven, I thought, and just what my body needed. There were definite advantages to having money and this shower was one of those advantages. I allowed my body to relax and just enjoy the experience, making sure to get myself squeaky clean. When I exited the shower I dried myself off with a plush towel that had been left by the sink, for me I assumed.
When I was done, I wrapped the towel around my waist and brushed my hair back with my hand. The temptation to go out on the balcony a moment was too great and I figured poor Alex must’ve fallen asleep waiting for me. I discovered that what I thought was a window in the living room was actually a french door and after opening it I walked outside. It felt nice on the balcony and I leaned against the rail and looked out over the street making sure no one had followed me. I felt fairly safe here since the people controlling the blue light in Shelby seemed more interested in protecting Alex and I assumed the whole Kennedy family. And, and then I heard that damned noise again.
I tugged at the front of my towel when I heard the sound of the camera again.
“Should I let the towel drop, boss, I know you prefer me nude,” I said without turning around. I knew his footsteps already. I know my people and the sounds the camera made gave him away.
His arms were around my waist making sure my towel was still on tight.
“Welcome home soldier,” Alex said as he slid under me and kissed me.
I kissed him back softly.
“You taste good,” I said running my tongue along his lips.
“I just had some more of the cookies Hans made. He must’ve packed us his whole supply of them. There’s still some left that we can take to our room.”
“Our room?” I said.
“No questions. I’m still the boss, remember.”
He took me by the hand and led me back into the house and to the kitchen where he stopped and opened the goody box. Taking a cookie out he put it in my mouth and shut the box again before tucking it under his arm. We then walked hand in hand down the hall I hadn’t been in.
“I left my clothes in the other bathroom. I didn’t know where I’d be staying.”
He hushed me before kissing me again. I slipped a hand under his white terry cloth robe and felt his skin. He felt warm and as my tongue explore his mouth my hand explored his smooth ass. Alex pushed me away gently and with a smile before he opened a door to the left.
“Wow,” I said, not even pretending to be unimpressed. The area was lit by scattered votive candles. There was a small sitting area to the left of the room and a high, canopied bed to the right. The wall behind it was old brick. In front of me were closed floor to ceiling plantation shutters painted white. All the furniture and bed coverings were done in white fabrics and colors, except for the wood trims which were stained in richer hues.“This is fantastic, Alex.”
“This is nothing, yet.”
We turned left into a bathroom that was straight out of a magazine. The open room was the definition of a spa bath and it too was lit by votives. Like the bedroom, it was done all in white with white counter tops, white tiled floor, and in the center of the roo
m a big white square tub. The tub was filled so high that the water went over the side into a narrow overflow area. It faced floor to ceiling glass French doors that were open wide. Alex walked me to the tub and then removed my towel. I climbed in and leaned back. The warm water went up to my chest right below my neck. After putting the goody box on the floor by my side, safe from the water, Alex put another cookie in my mouth then walked to the other end of the tub. He began massaging my foot which I had leaning on the tub’s edge. Then he started kissing it.
“This is a nice, deep tub,” I said. “Man, that feels good, Alex.”
Now this was Heaven. Closing my eyes I chewed on the last bit of almond cookie while just enjoying Alex’s nimble hands massaging first my feet then my legs. He’d just made his way to my crotch when I leaned forward and pulled him into the tub on top of me. As we kissed I untied his now wet robe and threw it on the floor on the opposite side of the goody box. Our bodies were becoming entangled in one another and it felt incredible beyond words. I could honestly say to myself that I’d never in my life wanted anyone more than Alex. My hands explored the area between his legs and he followed suit. There was no denying our attraction to one another was real in every sense.
Alex reached over the side toward the goody box and looked my way.
“I’m hungry for something else, big boy,” I said before lifting him forward so I could easily munch on him instead of another cookie. “Mmm, you taste much better than any goodies in that box.
No matter how much oral exploring we did, the two of us couldn’t stay away from each other’s mouths for long. He was a good kisser and that was my favorite thing to do. Alex nibbled on my neck and ear, making me groan.
“You okay, Layton?”
“More than,” I said. “You hit a spot I’d never realized was an erogenous zone on me.”
Alex smiled and I couldn’t resist kissing him and chewing hard on his neck and ears. He giggled then helped me out of the tub and began drying me off starting at my feet and working his way up. Taking the towel he handed me I dried him off paying special attention to his ass and balls. I’d decided I had enough and in one move picked him up, flung him over my shoulder, and walked to the bed. After I pulled back the heavy comforter and sheets I gently laid him on the bed and climbed in on top of him. We rolled around kissing and fondling one another.
