PureIndulgenceVSue

by VictoriaSue

  Callum shook his head ruefully. “He wants to. I’m interviewing bar staff next week. The club has suddenly got a lot busier because of the auction, and I need help, especially if I start putting on lunches, but I think he has enough going on running Indulgence. Kevin’s only interested in part-time. The online catalogue has really taken off, plus I want him to carry on at USF with his interior design.”

  “Kevin can’t take on any more hours?”

  “No, he’s the main care-giver for his mom. She’s disabled.”

  Joe was surprised. He hadn’t known that. “Callum, what does Adam do? It’s something artsy like Lee, isn’t it?”

  Callum smiled. “It was, but I think he’s changing it. Lee says Adam is quite talented, but he hasn’t got the confidence. Lee said he was thinking of being a nurse, but—”

  Joe chuckled. “He doesn’t do blood.”

  Callum shared a knowing smile. “Tell me about this Callaghan.”

  Joe grimaced. “Like I said, old school. He used to get results, but he’s a dinosaur. He’s not PC enough for the brass now, and he’s gotten far worse recently. I can’t believe he’s actually coming here.”

  “Because of the BDSM?” Joe shook his head, and Callum nodded at what Joe didn’t spell out.

  “I’ll get Kevin to stay later on the bar instead of finishing at seven, make an excuse to keep Lee and Adam out of the way. It’s an early finish tonight anyway.”

  “You have any trouble from the members?” Joe knew a few of them wouldn’t be thrilled at Callum giving out their membership details.

  Callum sighed and sat down. “Just one.”

  “Who?” Joe was surprised there was only one.

  “Kerrick. Kicked up holy hell, threatening breach of privacy, et cetera, et cetera.”

  Joe shuffled uncomfortably. “What do you know about him?”

  Callum stood and went over to the computer. “He cleared background checks, medical.” Callum bit his lip as he gazed at the screen. “Has references from both Chained, and Club Fourteen.”

  “I haven’t heard of Club Fourteen.” Joe knew Chained was in Miami.

  “It’s not been open long. Not BDSM—they do lap dancing. It’s also in Miami.”

  Joe raised his eyes at the connection. “Do the feds know?”

  “They must. They have all the members’ details. I can’t believe they’ve gone back to Miami. I mean, I thought that agent wanted to work undercover here.” Callum was clearly angry. “And the other boy went missing from Orlando, so what the hell have they gone back down there for?” Callum blew out a frustrated breath. “We’re known to be GLBT friendly. That’s one of the reasons we took half the members from Breathless. What if that makes the club a target?”

  “Let me see what I can find out from Callaghan. If he’s coming, it’s for a reason.” Joe looked at his watch. “I’ll call my brother-in-law, he’ll have Kinley’s contact details.” Joe took his cell phone out. “Callum, you have to let me do my thing tonight. I’m going to sound a jerk. If Callaghan thinks I’m gay I won’t find anything out.” Joe paused, realizing what he just said.

  Callum’s eyebrows lifted, a question and amusement reflected in his eyes.

  Joe shrugged and he got an answering grin back.

  “Joe, I will shut the club before I put Lee or any of the subs at risk. The FBI want to use the place as bait, but I won’t risk Lee.” Callum’s face hardened. “Promise me, Joe. If you find anything out, you’ll tell me.”

  “Let me see what I can find out first. We’ll talk after closing and then you can decide.” There was a knock on the office door and Daniel put his head around. “Callum, there’s a guy wanting to see you. Say’s his name’s Callaghan.”

  Joe put a hand on Callum’s arm. “Let me.” He shoved his phone back in his pocket. He would call Rodriguez after.

  Thirty minutes later Joe put his beer down. The guy really was a complete jerk. He looked at Sergeant Callaghan and kept his temper down. Out of the corner of his eye he’d seen Mateo follow Master Gabriel into the dungeon. Mateo didn’t look like a twink. He was a professional kick boxer and was quite capable of laying out every master in the club. He was, however, very submissive in private, and craved the release he got from his professional “hard guy” image.

  Joe noticed Callaghan’s jaw harden when he’d seen Mateo kneel in front of Master Gabriel. Joe was distracted for a few seconds thinking about purple shorts for some reason. Mateo wouldn’t have fit them over one of his arms. He was quite convinced the guy’s biceps were bigger than Adam’s butt.

  “How the fuck do you stand looking at that sort of thing?” Callaghan dropped his empty glass down on the bar top with some force.

  Joe made a noncommittal sound and tried really hard not to grind his teeth.

  “So,” Callaghan pressed on. “Private security, eh? You should have stayed in Miami, Halloran. You would have been up for Lieutenant soon.”

  Joe shrugged. “Bad divorce. Expensive.” He would go for that.

  Callaghan chuckled sympathetically and leaned in toward Joe. “Powers that be are making a fuss over this. That’s why I’m here.” He nudged Joe conspiratorially. “Personally I think its natural selection. Get rid of the little fuckers.”

  Joe swallowed disgust and hid his fisted hands. He was seconds away from laying the little shit out on the bar, information be damned. He caught Kevin’s alarmed look too—Callaghan wasn’t exactly quiet.

  A glass banged down on the bar, and Joe looked into a pair of dark gray eyes. Shit. Damon fucking Kerrick, that’s all I need.

  “So, what brings you here, sir?” Joe managed to ground out the last word and hoped Callaghan didn’t detect his reluctance in using it.

  “Well, couldn’t let the feds have all the fun. Have a daughter up here I can visit with. This started in Miami.”

  Joe suddenly knew what Callaghan was doing. He’d heard there was a lot of reshuffling going on down there. He was either protecting his job or he was after promotion, and he no doubt thought this case would help.

  Callaghan clapped Joe on the back. “I thought I’d have an unofficial look-see, especially when I heard my buddy Halloran was here.” He leaned in again. “We’ll keep the brass happy. Look good in front of the feds. If I get what I want, I’ll have a place for you.”

  It was on the tip of Joe’s tongue to tell Callaghan where he could shove his place, but then he remembered his promise to Callum, and the fact that the feds weren’t here. “Do you have any reason to think Pure would be targeted?”

  Callaghan lifted the glass of his fresh beer and fixed Joe with a knowing look. Shit, Joe was right, he did know something.

  “What the fuck?” Callaghan’s face changed as he looked at something past Joe’s shoulder. Joe held his breath as he saw a giggling Lee high five Kevin and slide behind the bar. It was one of those moments that Joe wanted to disappear, wished he could start the day over again. Joe knew he had to turn around. He knew from Callaghan’s horrified face what he was going to see.

  Adam.

  Joe fixed his glass in a death grip and looked over his shoulder. He prayed to whatever gods were listening that Adam would be still in his jeans. But even as he did, he knew his luck had just run out...run out and fled screaming from the room.

  “Sir?”

  In an abstract way, Joe felt like someone else was living in his body. Someone else was appreciating the tight black silk shorts, the newly added pink beads in his nipple rings and the very fetching pink streak in his hair that matched so perfectly. Someone else’s eyes raked upwards and settled on the stunning black kohl around the glittering green eyes and the faint trace of clear lip gloss on the best pair of lips he had ever tasted. Adam sank to his knees as Joe turned.

  Fuck. Joe’s world had become a live action train wreck.

  “Adam.” He deliberately didn’t say “boy”, hoped Adam would take the hint quietly, glanced around desperately for Callum.<
br />
  “What the fuck are you wearing?” Callaghan jumped up. Adam flinched and raised alarmed eyes to Joe. “Fuck, Joe, you got dirty little faggots lusting after you now?” Callaghan laughed out loud as if the whole thing was ridiculous. “Tell him to get lost.” He nodded towards Callie and Helen, who had just walked in. “Now that’s a nice piece of ass.”

  Joe opened his mouth, but the words dried up. If he said anything at all to Callaghan, he wouldn’t get any information out of him. Trying to ignore the pained and confused look on Adam’s face, he tried again. “Adam, I think Callum wants you. You shouldn’t be here.”

  Adam’s eyes rounded, and he got to his feet quickly. Lee shot back around to the front of the bar, confusion and indignation written all over his face as well. “Joe? He—”

  “Oh my God, there’s two of them,” Callaghan complained. “Fuck, Joe, let’s take these drinks somewhere else.”

  Lee pulled at Adam’s hand, trying to get him to leave with him. Joe stared at Adam, willed him to understand, pleaded with his eyes for Adam to know he had no choice.

  Adam just stared back. He seemed frozen, as if he couldn’t believe Joe wasn’t saying anything. “Joe?” Adam licked his lips carefully. “Do you want me to go?”

  Adam bit his lip delicately. Joe saw his green eyes shimmer as hurt filled them. Adam bled the lost and wounded expression straight into Joe. Joe’s throat filled and he swallowed. He had to say something, anything, to make it right. Adam turned at Lee’s insistence. The look of hatred that Lee threw him bounced right off Joe. He was too busy getting flailed by the glazed agony in Adam’s eyes.

  “Adam, a word.” Joe grabbed Adam from Lee and marched him towards one of the booths. He stopped and turned, hating the hurt shining in Adam’s eyes like a beacon.

  “Y-you said I was important to you.” Adam’s words stabbed Joe in the gut.

  “Adam, I have no choice. This isn’t what it seems.” Joe ran a despairing hand through his hair.

  “No Joe.” Adam stood straighter and stared him down. “I think it’s exactly what it seems.” He shrugged one shoulder. “I should have known better. You’re so ashamed of me you can’t even look at me when your cop buddies are here?”

  “Adam—”

  “Joe? Something I should know?”

  Shit. Callaghan had crept up on him. Callum will tell them both. Adam will understand why I had to do this. Joe turned and plastered a smile on his face. “Come on, Sarge. You know me.”

  Callaghan leaned into Joe and didn’t even try to whisper. “Then get rid of the little fuckers and let’s go somewhere quiet so we can plan what we’re going to do.”

  Joe hesitated.

  Callaghan quirked an amused eyebrow. “Shit, Joe, don’t tell me you’ve joined the faggot brigade?”

  Joe shook his head, had to physically wrest his eyes from Adam’s agonized look. “We can go use the office.” Joe managed to get his legs to work, concentrate on putting one foot in front of the other, when all he wanted to do was to tell Callum to hell with any plan to win over this redneck detective, to sweep Adam up and kiss the hurt away in those eyes—the hurt he had put there.

  “Hell, I might understand why the killer would want to do the world a favor, but can’t let people take matters into their own hands.” Callaghan sounded almost jovial. Sick bastard.

  Joe took one last look at Adam’s white face as he stumbled away with Lee, and led Callaghan to Callum’s office. Callum was just coming out as they walked to the door.

  Joe turned. “Callum Harker, owner of Pure. Sergeant Callaghan.” Callum shook the sergeant’s hand.

  “My office is free if you need it.” Callum waved to the space behind him and walked away.

  “Doesn’t say much, does he?”

  If Joe hadn’t had been so worried about Adam, he’d have laughed. He nearly told Callaghan that Callum was gay just to see his horrified look as he realized he’d shaken hands with a faggot.

  Joe sat and got straight to the point. “Do you have information to indicate Pure is being targeted?”

  Callaghan shook his head. “No, except that it’s an obvious possibility. The reason I am here is because there’s another boy gone missing in Orlando.”

  Joe was stunned. He’d driven Joe to say all that to Adam, and the fucker didn’t know anything else? Joe had to choke the bile down in his throat.

  He stood up; he had to get to Adam now. “We know about the kid in Orlando.” One more word and he’d rip Callaghan’s head off.

  “If he follows the timing of the others, he’s already trying for the next one.” Callaghan leaned forward. “You know I’m doing you a huge favor letting you in on this. I want a good team forming. There’s a new task force being set up for the whole of Florida, and I want it.” He appraised Joe. “I need a good number two. Means a substantial pay rise.” He grinned. “Also means you get away from this shit.”

  Joe ignored him. He wanted him out now.

  Callaghan also stood up. “I’ve seen the members list from the feds, obviously, but didn’t take a copy. You think you could let me have it?”

  Joe knew he was lying as soon as he said it. Then, he knew what Callaghan was doing. He was fighting to keep his job. The new task force was probably shit, and he was praying he could get some info before the feds came back.

  “I can get you a copy.” Joe brought his phone out. “Send me your email.” Joe would make sure the email got delayed.

  “So, you think we’ve got any potential perps on your list?”

  Joe opened his mouth in denial, then the thought of Damon Kerrick slid in.

  “There is someone, isn’t there?” Callaghan zeroed in on Joe’s expression. “Come on, Halloran, your gut doesn’t usually let you down.”

  Joe chewed his lip in silence. “I have no gut reaction to this guy except I’m not particularly fond of him, but...he’s the only Dom who strongly objected to Callum giving out members’ personal details. There could be a million reasons for that, all innocent. You know that, Sarge.” He didn’t want his personal resentment of Kerrick bidding for Adam to color any opinion of the guy.

  Callaghan nodded. “Won’t hurt to check him out. Point him out when you send me the list.”

  He allowed Joe to escort him out. Joe shut the door with a bang and glanced at Daniel. The guy was sipping a coffee. It was a fairly slow Sunday afternoon. “Daniel, do you keep a member list with identification up here?”

  Daniel looked up. “No, but with the new members it would be a good idea.”

  “I’ll get it sorted for you. No one comes in unless they are approved. Guests have to be authorized by me or Callum.”

  Daniel nodded in response to Joe.

  Now that Joe had gotten rid of the bigoted asshole he could go find Adam, find him and see if he’d done irreparable damage. Shit. He’d seen Adam’s face, he would be lucky if he could get him to listen to him long enough to explain. Joe headed for the bar area.

  Chapter 12

  Joe walked straight up to the bar. Lee was serving, and Callum was stood furiously tapping out a message on his phone.

  “Where’s Adam?”

  Callum looked up. “We don’t know. Lee said he ran right out after he had talked to you, and he’s not answering his cell phone. I’m trying a text.” He nodded to Lee. “Lee told me what went down. I told Lee you were doing it for me, and they were supposed to stay upstairs away from all this shit. Joe, I’m so sorry. I got caught up on a phone call.” He looked at Lee, who was pouring a Coke for Callie. “Kevin couldn’t stay and I was in the office.”

  Joe reached over the bar and picked his keys up from the hook. “He’ll be on foot. It’s not like he’s going to get far.”

  “He may have called a cab.” Callum looked worried. “I’m sorry, Joe, I shouldn’t have put you in this position.” Lee sidled up to Callum and put a hand on his arm. His worried face mirrored in Callum’s.

  “Joe, you’ll find hi
m, won’t you? He was...” Lee trailed off, but Joe knew what he was saying. He’d seen the look in Adam’s eyes, and it killed him he had put it there, no matter his reasons at the time. “I tried to get him to wait until Callum could take him. I think he was going to go to his apartment. He needs to know you didn’t mean it.” Lee bit his lip.

  “I’ll find him.” Joe gave Callum a determined glance and headed for his truck. He kept his eyes peeled all the way to Adam’s apartment. Logic told him if he had set off walking, Joe would have caught up with him twenty minutes ago. He must have caught a cab. He was going to spank Adam’s ass when he caught up with him for running off like this.

  No you’re not. The little voice inside Joe laughed at him. He was going to grovel, get on his knees and beg forgiveness. Then he was going to move Adam into his apartment permanently. To hell with everything. Joe wanted Adam more than he wanted his next breath, and he would spend every day of the rest of his life showing him that. Then, and only then, there may be spankings involved. Joe smiled to himself. If he was really lucky, Adam might forgive him enough to wear the black satin shorts.

  Joe pulled in the parking lot at the 7-Eleven. Adam’s yellow mini was still parked there, listing slightly. Shit, with everything that had been going on he’d forgotten the spare was crap. Joe eyed the tire. It was so flat the rims were nearly touching the asphalt. He locked the truck and looked at the fire escape. Then he looked at the little store. He noticed the buckets dotted outside were stuffed full of flowers.

  Should he? Did gay men like that stuff? Or was that strictly a women-only deal? He had no clue. He walked around the back of the store and at the last second caught sight of some bright pink flowers. He had no idea what they were, but shit, they were exactly the color of the streak Adam had in his hair earlier. Joe diverted to the shop and came out clutching a bunch. He suddenly had the urge to undo the first two buttons on his shirt—it felt like it was strangling him. His hand dropped when he realized they were already undone.

  Joe forced all thoughts of imminent doom down and took the stairs two at a time. He was a dick. There would have been a way of letting Adam know what he was doing without Callaghan catching on.