“Clearly. There’s more wood in here than in the New Forest.”
“Huh?”
“It’s in Hampshire.”
“The only British forest I’ve heard of is Sherwood.”
“Which isn’t as big as the movies would have you believe. Who’s your favorite Robin Hood? Please don’t say the Disney fox.”
Landry huffed. “Michael Praed. Why am I even discussing this with you?”
“Nice choice and because I’d like us to be friends.”
“Please get to the point. One coffee only buys you so much of my patience.”
“Jewelry specialists are the least likely channel for international thieves to distribute stolen items because the honest ones will be alert to suspect pieces and the dishonest ones are on the authorities’ radars. Much easier to slip something to an unsuspecting mark.”
“Mr. Lao isn’t an idiot,” Landry said. “He’s careful. You’re welcome to take a look at what we have on display, though the police have already been here so you’d be wasting your time.”
“I’ve already looked.”
“Of course you have.” Landry scowled. “I don’t get it. Why all the interest? Like I said, we’ve had pictures come through from the cops before, stolen goods from break-ins usually. Wouldn’t professionals sell direct to unscrupulous collectors?”
“Not in this case.”
“This case?”
“I’m telling you too much… A few weeks ago, a collection of antique jewelry, paintings and porcelain belonging to the family of a 1940s film star was stolen from an exhibition in Tokyo. The company I work for insured the collection, which was worth several million dollars. One piece, a sculpture, showed up in London two weeks ago. A painting was found in Berne the week before. Intelligence is that the rest of the collection has been smuggled into the US and disappeared.”
“Intelligence or rumor?”
“A bit of both. We think the thieves are desperate to get rid of the goods. They’ll either surface or be gone forever—to the unscrupulous private buyers you mentioned.”
“And that wouldn’t be good for your commission.”
“Well I do like to treat my dates in style.”
“Lucky them.”
“Could be lucky you…that’s if you’re feeling adventurous.”
“You don’t know when to give up, do you?”
James smiled, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “Never.”
Landry held back a shiver. There was no doubt that James was gorgeous but there was something about him that made Landry nervous. He suspected that beneath the suave exterior lurked something far more dangerous. That did have some appeal. Landry wasn’t averse to an occasional walk on the wild side.
“I think we’re done here. I have your card if I see or hear anything suspicious.” The bell over the shop door jangled and it opened to emit a gaggle of pink-haired ladies. “I need to get back to work.”
“Timing is everything.” James grabbed Landry’s hand then held it to his lips, kissing it softly. “Until we meet again. Feel free to use my number any time.”
“I…” Landry pulled his hand away, though not as quickly as he should have. He rubbed at the back of it, trying to come up with a suitably scathing retort, but he wasn’t thinking straight and when he looked up, James Ellery had gone.
Chapter Nine
By the end of the day, Landry was exhausted and the nagging headache he’d started out with remained. He heaved the security shutter into place, cursing the persistent shower that had started the instant he walked outside. He fumbled with the padlock, grazing his knuckles on the shutter as it finally clicked shut.
“Ow.” He sucked the back of his hand, gagging at the metallic taste of blood. Feeling a bit nauseous, he staggered around the corner to the back gate, which was ajar. “Could have sworn I closed it.” He shrugged. “Wind must have blown it open.” He cursed his keys and the lock, getting wetter the longer he took, but managed to secure the gate. Turning, he headed across the yard, but froze when he spotted a figure sheltering in the doorway.
“Don’t panic. It’s me.”
“Gage!” Landry’s pounding heart slowed. “You scared me.”
“Good, that was the idea. I could have been anyone and you could have trapped yourself in here with a mugger. I don’t suppose you locked this door behind you when you came out here either, did you?” He nudged it with his ass, pushing it open. “Thought not.”
Landry scuffed the toe of his sneaker against the concrete. “Sorry. I wanted to be quick because of the rain.”
“Get inside. You have water dripping off your nose.”
Landry sighed. He didn’t want Gage to be angry with him. He knew he should have been more careful about security but he was tired, hungry and just wanted to collapse on the couch. He trudged inside where Gage took his keys then locked the door before shoving him against the wall for a long, slow kiss.
“I’m not angry, I want you to be safe.”
“Sorry.” Landry fought to hold back tears. His lower lip wobbled.
“Hey…it’s okay.” Gage tilted Landry’s chin and his expression was so concerned Landry sobbed.
“I didn’t mean to…but I’ve been on my own all day and it was busy and I didn’t get a lunch break and forgot to order food and I only got two coffees and one was delivered by that British guy.” His voice trailed off into a wail. “I’m so tired and this is only the first day Mr. Lao is away. I never realized how much he did around the place. There’s so much to remember.” He sniffled.
“I brought Chinese food.” Gage held up an arm to display the bag dangling from his wrist.
“Can I marry you and have your babies?” Landry thrust his head into the bag, breathing in the savory aromas.
Gage shook his head. “I’m not eating in the hall. Let’s go upstairs, shall we?”
The prospect of food gave Landry renewed energy and he bounced up the stairs, scrubbing the tears from his face as he went. “Are you gonna get called out again tonight or can you stay? I’m not sure I can stand the disappointment two nights in a row—a boy could develop a complex.” Landry retrieved plates and forks from the kitchen. “I’m hopeless with chopsticks and way too hungry to deal with one grain of rice at a time. What did you get?”
Gage unloaded the cartons onto Landry’s small dining table. “A mixture because I didn’t know what you’d prefer. There’s sesame chicken, moo shu pork, shrimp with cashews, crispy beef in garlic, mixed vegetables and fried rice.”
“Okay, that’s my dinner. What are you having?” Landry opened all the cartons then started loading his plate with food. “This smells so good.”
“There’s plenty for both of us, piglet, and yes, I can stay. There’s always a chance I’ll get a call but that’s the job.”
“Can you tell me what happened last night, or is it confidential?” Instead of sitting at the table, Landry lugged his plate over to the couch. Comfort food demanded comfortable seating. Gage came to sit next to him.
“We got a tip-off about stolen goods being moved. I spent four cold, boring hours watching a warehouse in a not-so-great part of town.”
“And that was it?” Landry spoke around a mouthful of rice.
“We got the bad guys. Can’t really say anything else.”
“Wow! So it was worth it in the end?”
“Sure. It paid off. More often than not, nothing happens.”
Landry rested his head on Gage’s shoulder. “I’m glad you’re here.”
“Yeah, me too…but do you think you could switch sides?” Gage’s face was pale and drawn.
“Oh my God, you’re hurt! What the hell…why didn’t you tell me?” Landry dumped his half-empty plate on the coffee table. “Show me. Right now, buster.”
Gage sighed. “Can’t we finish eating first?”
“No!”
Gage had hardly put his plate down before Landry attacked his shirt buttons. “You just want to get my clothes off. Let me.” G
age eased out of his shirt, revealing a large dressing covering most of his shoulder and biceps.
Landry petted Gage’s chest. “What’s under the dressing?”
“Bullet wound.”
“What the fuck!” Landry yelled. “Why didn’t you call me or, at the very least, tell me right away when you got here tonight?”
“It’s just a scrape. Bullet dug a groove in my shoulder, that’s all. The bad guy missed me. Can I put my shirt back on now?”
“No.” Landry pouted. “Let’s call it payback for you not letting on you were hurt. Besides, I like your chest.” He planted a kiss on one hard pec.
“I thought you were starving?” Gage reached for his plate.
“I am.” Landry grabbed his too but kept glancing at Gage’s arm while he ate. “Does it hurt?”
“Yes.”
“Have you had any pain medication?”
“I don’t like taking drugs.”
“You’re an idiot.”
“Have you been comparing notes with my partner, Sancha?”
“She sounds like the kind of woman I’d get on with. You want seconds?”
Gage shook his head so Landry filled his own plate again. “Thank you for bringing all this. I couldn’t face going out for food tonight so I was contemplating an omelet. You’re still an idiot. I can’t believe you got yourself shot!”
“I didn’t…never mind.” Gage closed his eyes. “It was a long night and an even longer day.”
“We make quite a pair,” Landry said. “How much sleep have you had?”
“Uh, three hours, I think.”
“You wanna go to bed?” Landry scooped up both plates and took them to the kitchen. Gage followed.
“Bed sounds really good. I’m too tired to think carnal thoughts, though.”
“Me too. You can hold me, though, right? I really need a cuddle.”
“That I can do.”
Landry grabbed Gage’s hand then led him to the bedroom, a cozy riot of color, soft pillows and throws. “I’m gonna go clean my teeth and wash up a bit. I have a spare toothbrush somewhere. I’ll dig it out for you.”
“Thanks, I’d appreciate that. Much as I love Chinese food, I don’t want to be tasting it for the rest of the night.”
Landry scurried to the bathroom, took the quickest shower in the history of the world then brushed his teeth. He hoped Gage would be able to manage a few kisses before he lost consciousness. Landry offered a wry smile to his reflection in the mirror over the sink. Life sure gets in the way sometimes. He found a spare toothbrush and a package of disposable razors in case Gage wanted to shave. He kind of hoped not. Gage’s stubble against his skin was hot as hell. Naked, he ambled back to the bedroom where he found Gage, stretched out on the bed.
“Are you still awake?”
“I am now.” Gage leered.
“There didn’t seem much point in getting dressed again after my shower and I always sleep naked,” Landry said. “Unless you prefer I put on some jammies?”
“No!”
Landry grinned at the urgency in Gage’s voice.
“What’s with the audience?” Gage gestured at the shelf holding Landry’s lucky cat collection.
“I’ve been collecting them since I was a kid. They’re all rejects. I like the bright colors and they’re supposed to be lucky.”
“It could be worse, I suppose,” Gage said. “You could collect plushies.”
“There’s nothing wrong with plushies!” Landry felt the need to defend soft toys. “I left some supplies in the bathroom for you.”
“Cool. I had a shower before I came over but didn’t think to bring an overnight bag. I didn’t want to assume, I suppose.”
“When it comes to having you in my bed, you can be as presumptuous as you like.”
Grinning, Gage swung his legs off the bed. He stood, then stalked toward Landry. Landry sank his teeth into his bottom lip, lowering his eyes.
“I don’t believe you suddenly got shy, sweetheart.” Gage wrapped Landry in his arms. He stroked Landry’s back, letting his hand come to rest on the swell of Landry’s ass. “This will be mine. Is mine.”
Landry snuggled against Gage’s bare chest. “Soon, I hope.”
“Warm the bed up for me.” Gage gave Landry’s ass a soft slap. “I won’t be long.” He left for the bathroom and Landry immediately felt cold. He scrambled beneath the covers, half hard despite his fatigue. The prospect of a night tucked against Gage’s strong body gave him the shivers. Maybe in the morning there would be time for more.
* * * *
Despite Landry’s hopes for early morning fun times, the alarm on Gage’s phone went off at stupid o’clock. Landry only awoke fully when Gage tried to extricate himself from under Landry’s body. Sometime in the night, he had decided to use Gage as a mattress.
“Go back to sleep, it’s early. Sorry.”
“Do you always start work in the middle of the night?” Landry mumbled.
“I need to go home for fresh clothes before I go into the station. It’ll take a while and Sancha does not appreciate tardiness.”
“Sounds like a scary lady.” Landry yawned.
“Like you wouldn’t believe.”
“I can get up, make you coffee.”
“No, I’ll grab something at the drive-through. Sleep. You need it.”
“Will you be back tonight?” Landry tried not to sound too needy.
“I hope so, but I can’t promise. Where’s my shirt?”
“You left it on the couch. Bring an overnight bag this time.”
Gage bent over Landry then gave him a gentle kiss. “Have a good day.”
“Wait, you’ll need keys to get out.” Landry groped in the drawer of his nightstand. “Take the spare set then you can let yourself in any time.”
Gage took them, a strange expression on his face. “It’s the first time anyone’s ever given me keys to their place.”
Landry gave him a lazy smile. He pushed the covers down to his knees, revealing his rigid erection. He took a firm hold of his warm shaft. “If you’ve got them, you won’t forget me.”
“I’ve never met a sub more in need of discipline than you. You’ve already forgotten the rule about not touching yourself without my permission.”
“I can be forgetful,” Landry said, tugging on his dick.
“And I can be cruel. I’ll be sure to pack a flogger in my overnight bag if I get back tonight. You’re getting off light… If I didn’t have to go…”
Landry ran his tongue across his lower lip. “Have a good day. No getting shot again.”
“I’ll try not to. Dammit…” Gage grabbed Landry, rolling him onto his front. He gave his backside six hard spanks. “Something to remember me by while you’re working today and not touching yourself. Be good.”
Landry moaned into his pillow. Heat spread across his skin. He stuck his ass in the air, hoping for more, but the click of his apartment door told him he’d have to wait.
* * * *
The morning in the shop passed quickly but Landry did get time to call Basim at the diner and get some lunch sent down so he could eat while he closed for an hour. By early afternoon, the customers had cleared and he had a few moments to relax. He decided to sort through the crate Mr. Lao’s nephew had left two nights before. He dragged it into the shop so that it sat behind the cash desk and wasn’t cluttering up the aisles. Once he’d ripped off the packing tape that held the box closed, he could see that everything inside had been individually wrapped in newspaper. It wasn’t much protection and he hoped that nothing had been damaged in transit.
It was kind of fun discovering the contents of each package. The first thing he unwrapped proved to be a gorgeous ginger jar complete with lid. Landry guessed it dated from around 1930 and was a lovely example, decorated with butterflies and scrolling flowers and foliage. It measured about seven inches tall, and the same in diameter. He couldn’t spot any dings, damage or restoration so it was in great condition and he co
uld see why Mr. Lao would have picked it out. He put it carefully on the counter and unwrapped the next object. He laughed at the pair of comical hardwood figures depicting two water buffalo, which were lying down and each had a boy climbing on its back. The expressions of the buffalo were brilliantly captured. He guessed that the inset eyes were glass and the teeth appeared to be made from bone. Landry couldn’t guess their age because he didn’t think Mr. Lao had had anything similar in the shop recently. He went on to unwrap an eighteenth-century painting of a pair of quails, a large soapstone sculpture of two parakeets and an ornate clock, topped with a gilt Chinese dragon. There were also two jade necklaces, several vases in varying condition and a silver bonbon dish. His favorite item was a nineteenth-century lacquered sewing box decorated with Chinese court scenes, the wood a beautiful mellow color.
Landry thought everything would sell really quickly once Mr. Lao was able to price it. In the meantime, Landry would have to move it onto storage shelves in the small back room where they kept stock awaiting display. He sifted through loose newspaper in the bottom of the box and found he had missed one item. “Oh, oh wow!” It proved to be what he thought was a maneki neko, a lucky cat made from porcelain, but one of its ears was chipped. It had a really cute expression. It was very different from the small collection of lucky cats in Landry’s bedroom, and he remembered Mr. Lao giving him a lesson in the differences between Japanese and Chinese versions. This one was Japanese and he wondered why it had been in the box when everything else was exclusively Chinese. Because it was damaged, he decided to take it up to his apartment later. Perhaps it would bring him some luck—though he’d have to return it if Mr. Lao thought it had value.
It took Landry a while to move everything to the storage closet and clear up the box and paper, by which time more customers had come into the store and he had to get back to work. He was helping a regular decide between oak or pine for a blanket box when he spotted the car parked on the other side of the street. It was raining again and getting dark, so he couldn’t identify the model, but it was a black sedan with tinted windows. What had caught his eye, he realized as it happened again, was the orange glow of a lit cigarette as a smoker in the car inhaled. It seemed strange that someone would be smoking without cracking the window a bit. It was also unusual for an occupied car to be parked there at all.
The Lucky Cat Page 9
