Behind the Secrets (Behind the Lives #4)

by Marita A. Hansen

  L started shaking his head, pure embarrassment racing through him. “I’m not here to have sex, I swear, I’m your guitarist. My full name’s Llewellyn Davies, but I go by L because people think I’m female, which I am partly, although I identify as male due to growing up as one, well, that’s not entirely true,” he babbled nervously, “’cause at times I do feel like a female. It can be confusing, especially since society tries to force me to identify as one or the other, which I can’t, since I’m both.”

  Dante pulled a face. “I have no idea what you’re on about,” his eyes lowered to L’s crotch, “and if you’re not a whore, why are you half-undressed?”

  L covered his crotch. “I didn’t know you were here, I was just going to get some pants on. I left them downstairs in my suitcase.”

  Dante’s eyes remained on L’s crotch, his expression suggesting he was trying to spot his dick, which he wouldn’t, because it was shrivelling up right now, disappearing inside of L, his penis abnormally small.

  Dante’s gaze moved up to L’s chest, which was covered by L’s long hair. “If you’re a male, show me your chest then,” he said, looking like he expected to see breasts. He smiled. “Or I’ll grab your crotch.”

  L took off downstairs, calling out to Jade, his heart pounding like crazy. He ran into the lounge, panicking when he couldn’t find Jade. He turned to go back into the passage, jumping back as Dante blocked his way.

  “Is this a test?” Dante said, now looking angry. “Did Beth send you to see if I’d cheat?”

  “No, I swear I’m a man.”

  “Stop lying to me! And you can tell Beth that if she keeps mind-fucking me, then it’s over, cos I ain’t puttin’ up with anymore of her shit. It’s doin’ my head in and I’m no good to anyone if I get sent back to the loony bin.”

  L backed up into the couch as Dante moved closer. Dante lowered his head, placing his face right in front of L’s. Unable to help himself, L started shaking.

  Frowning, Dante took a step back. “I didn’t meana scare ya. Just grab your pants and leave, and tell Beth I’ll be havin’ a talk with her ’bout this.”

  The sound of a door closing made Dante glance back. L looked around Dante, spotting Jade entering the lounge with two bags of alcohol.

  Jade stopped, his eyes going between L and Dante. “What’s happening here?”

  Dante pointed at L. “Beth sent in a honey-trap to see if I’d cheat.”

  “She did no such thing. That’s Llewellyn Davies, the guitarist I told you about from Wales.”

  Dante’s head snapped around to L, his eyes running up and down him again, then settling on his hair. “Shit,” he said, his eyes widening. He reached out and touched it, lifting it up like it was something amazing. “You really a bloke?”

  L nodded, his heart racing too fast to mention he was intersex.

  Dante let go of L’s hair, then cocked his head to the side, looking like he was studying L’s features. “Are you the Llewellyn who wuz friends with my brother Ash in high school?”

  “Yes.”

  A smile lit up Dante’s face. “You’re the first male I kissed.”

  Jade started coughing.

  Dante glanced over his shoulder. “I didn’t realise he wuz a guy, so I kissed him. Unlike you, Llewellyn made me hard. Twice.”

  “Dante!” Jade shouted, his face turning an angry red.

  Dante turned back to L. “Do you still wear Cherry Chapstick?”

  L stared at him, shocked he’d remembered.

  Without waiting for an answer, Dante grabbed L’s face and kissed him, stealing his breath away. Letting go, Dante pulled back with a grin. “It is you, Cherry.”

  Jade grabbed Dante’s arm and yanked him back. “Go get dressed,” he snapped.

  “Why?” Dante said. “You like me like this.”

  “We have a guest.”

  “Well, you should be telling Cherry to get dressed too, cos at least I have pants on.”

  Jade’s angry gaze moved to L, the fire in them threatening to burn him to a cinder.

  L winced. “I left my pants in my suitcase, which is downstairs,” he said, willing himself not to look at Dante, although it was almost impossible, the man incredible-looking.

  “Then get dressed.” Jade tugged on Dante’s arm again. “You too.”

  “’Kay, ’kay, bossy-boots man.” Dante blew L a kiss like Kara had. “Bye, bye, gorgeous,” he said, then turned and headed out of the lounge, taking the stairs three at a time.

  L stared after him in shock, still stunned by the kiss.

  “What the hell are you doing?” Jade snapped, pulling L’s attention back to him. “I told you he was my boyfriend, yet the first opportunity you get, you’re kissing him.”

  “I didn’t kiss him, he kissed me.”

  Jade pointed at L’s legs. “You’re not wearing any pants.”

  “I told you I left them down here.” L moved to his suitcase, searching through it for a clean pair. He found some and quickly pulled them on. “I’m sorry, Jade,” he said, zipping them up. “I didn’t mean to upset you. You know I don’t kiss people.”

  Jade dropped his glare, guilt replacing it. “Yeah, I’m sorry too. It’s just that Dante’s a sex addict and seeing him standing over you with the both of you half-undressed...” He breathed out. “I thought you two had had sex.”

  L shook his head. “I don’t have sex, you know that.”

  Jade smiled sadly. “True, but my brain stops working when Dante’s around. Now, let me make it up to you by getting you a nice sherry.”

  As Jade went to get the glasses, L touched his lips, Dante’s kiss making him feel good, like it had the first time.

  6

  Saul

  Saul raised a hand to knock on Beth’s door, then lowered it, knowing he was going to make matters worse by speaking to her. He wished Sarah hadn’t been busy, otherwise he would’ve gotten her to deal with Beth. He turned, chastising himself for coming, especially after what he’d done to her. He was just grateful she hadn’t laid any charges against him, and there was no way he was pushing his luck, which meant that Sarah needed to cover for him once she’d finished her duties.

  He headed for his car, stopping as a dark Holden pulled up across from Beth’s small house. His eyes narrowed as the driver’s window wound down, the man behind the wheel saluting him. He instantly recognised Morris—the thug Ant had mentioned. Morris was a big bruiser with a face that even a mother couldn’t love. He had a shaved head, a few gold teeth, and a nose that had been broken so many times it was amazing he could breathe through it.

  Saul went to go to Morris, wanting to lay down the law, because there was no way he was allowing the violent prick to go anywhere near Beth. Like his cousin, Big Mack, Morris had no qualms with hitting women, the bastard having recently gotten out of prison for domestic violence.

  Saul stopped in midstride at the sound of Beth’s door opening. He turned, finding Beth’s cousin standing in the doorway, holding a bag, looking like she was on her way out. Josie was dressed in a miniskirt and a tight tank top, with big, stylised lips printed across it. Her own lips were painted a shiny red, while her eyes were rimmed with a smoky grey liner, giving her a sex kitten look.

  A smile spread across her face, her hazel eyes lighting up. “Hello! What are you doin’ here?” she said, smoothing her hair down. It was a red brown, with long wavy curls, which cascaded over her pale shoulders, her tank top’s straps spaghetti thin.

  “I ... I was going to talk to Beth about the Torres case,” Saul said, again regretting coming.

  “Sorry, she’s at an appointment, but I can text her to come home.” Josie pulled out a bright pink phone from her bag.

  Not wanting that, Saul strode up to her and placed a hand over hers. “No, that’s fine, it’s not urgent. You don’t even have to tell her I was here.”

  Josie inhaled sharply at his touch.

  Saul removed his hand. “I’ll get another officer to come over when she’s
back.”

  “Why bother? You’re already here.” Josie gave him a flirty smile. “I’ll keep you company while you wait for her.” She ran a hand down his arm, batting her eyelashes at him.

  “Weren’t you just leaving?” Saul said, the woman as subtle as a sledgehammer.

  “I wuz only gonna meet up with some friends at the pub.” Her smile widened. “Actually, why don’t you come along? Afterwards, we can come back here and you can have that chat with Beth. She’ll be a while, so there’s no rush.”

  “I can’t go to the pub; I’m on the job.”

  “No worries, by the time we get there it’ll be almost evening.”

  “I—”

  “Will come with me.” She locked the front door and hooked her arm through his. “Cos you really look like you needa have some fun.” She squeezed his bicep. “You’re wound up tighter than a spring. I’ll have you loosened up by the end of the night.”

  He went to pull free, but stopped, his gaze moving to the thug in the car. Morris’s eyes were locked onto Josie, the man licking his lips.

  Saul tightened his grip on Josie. “Okay, you’ve convinced me,” he said, wanting the woman away from the house.

  She bounced on her heels. “Then it’s a date!” she squealed, sounding like a teenager.

  He led her to his car. “How old are you?”

  “It’s rude to ask a lady that.” She pulled free and climbed into the front passenger seat.

  He leaned his forearms on the car’s roof and peered down at her. “We’re not leaving until you tell me.”

  “I’m twenty-one. Why? How old didja think I wuz?”

  “Early twenties.”

  “Then why didja ask?”

  “I was being careful. Some teenagers look older than they are.”

  “Well, you have no worries with me.” She clicked on her seatbelt. “How old are you?”

  “Old.”

  “I’ll be the judge of that, so spit it out.”

  “I’m thirty-eight.”

  “That’s not old.” She pulled her door shut, not giving him a chance to reply.

  He walked around the back of the car, feeling like a dirty old man taking her out, but then again, it wasn’t a date—it was work.

  His eyes moved back to Morris, who was making a cock-sucking motion at him. Saul jerked his thumb for the man to leave. Smiling, Morris leaned back in his seat, looking like he was in for the long haul.

  “Saul!” Josie called out.

  Saul walked around to the driver’s side and opened the door. “What time will Beth be home? I have to call another officer to speak with her,” he said, needing to arrange for Beth to be protected.

  “I told ja, you can talk to her when we get back.”

  “I’d still prefer to know the time.”

  “Around seven.”

  “Okay, just wait a moment while I call a friend.”

  “Don’t take too long, cos I’m gonna give you a wild night, baby.”

  “I’m sure you will.” He turned and went to the boot of the car. Keeping an eye on the thug, he dialled Sarah’s number, knowing she would get someone over fast.

  As soon as Sarah answered, Saul gave her a quick rundown of the situation.

  “I’ve finished up quicker than expected,” she said. “So, I can come over now.”

  “Bring your partner.”

  “I thought you were supposed to partner up with me tonight.”

  “I don’t know how long I’ll be at the pub, and I don’t want you dealing with Morris on your own.” He glanced back to make sure Josie wasn’t listening. Not seeing her, he continued, “He’s a woman basher.”

  “You know I’m more than capable of taking care of myself. If he tries anything, he’ll be seeing stars.”

  “Don’t underestimate him. Ant originally hired him as an underground MMA fighter. He rarely lost a fight; he even bit a man’s nose off in one match.”

  “Christ! Okay, I’ll ask Liam to come. See you later.” She hung up.

  Saul pocketed his phone and hopped into the driver’s side.

  Smiling, Josie placed a hand on his lap. “I forgot to thank you for saving my cousins from those horrible men.”

  “It was nothing.” Saul fired up the engine and backed out.

  “It wuzn’t nuthin’, you’re a hero.” She squeezed his leg.

  Not feeling like one, Saul swung the car around and drove past Morris.

  Josie ran her hand up his leg, stopping close to his crotch. “You’re lucky that Beth wuzn’t home, cos I’m much more fun than her. All she cares ’bout nowadays is her man-whore of a boyfriend.”

  “I’m only interested in Beth in regards to the case.”

  “Don’t play me, there’s sumpthin’ goin’ on between you two, I know it.” She tapped her head. “I can sense these things, but if you know what’s good for you, stay away from her. She’s not worth your time, cos she’s a cheat. Whereas me,” she ran her hand over his cock, “I’m a one-man kind of girl,” she said, giving it a squeeze.

  Inhaling sharply, he slammed his foot on the brake. Josie jerked forward, letting go of his cock.

  He breathed out. “Don’t do that again.”

  “Sorry,” she replied. “I thought you might like it.”

  “Not that hard and definitely not while I’m driving. Also, ask before you touch,” he said, his mind going to Beth. He hadn’t asked her, had just taken what he’d wanted.

  “Sorry,” Josie said again. “I didn’t meana upset you.”

  He resumed driving. “I’m fine, just don’t do it again.”

  She slumped in her seat. “Then take me home.”

  He glanced at her. “What about the pub?”

  “It’ll be full of my slapper friends, who will swarm all over you like ants on honey if they think you’re not interested in me.”

  “Who said I’m not interested?” he asked, knowing he couldn’t take her home with Morris hanging around.

  She sat up straight. “You like me?”

  “Yeah, you seem nice enough.”

  “No, I mean, do you like like me?”

  He glanced at her again, wondering whether the woman had low self esteem. “If you’re asking if I think you’re attractive, yes you are.”

  Grinning, she placed her hand on his leg again. He looked down at it. She whipped her hand back. “Sorry, I lose all sense when I’m with hot men, and you’re totally drool-worthy. I can’t believe I’m even sittin’ next to you; it’s like sittin’ next to The Rock. Do ya know you look a bit like him? Are you Samoan or Tongan?”

  “Half Samoan and half Irish.”

  “I’m half Irish too!” She bounced in her seat. “Though, you totally don’t look Irish, not even an itsy bit.” She touched his cheek. “You have a lovely complexion, like caramel. It makes me wanna lick your face to see if you taste like it.” She giggled. “I’m joking of course, well, sort of, cos I really do wanna lick you all over. You’re totally scrumptious-looking. Hope you don’t mind me sayin’ it. Actually, why would you? It’s totally a compliment, like a major one, cos I’ve only ever wanted to lick one other guy and he turned out to be a nasty ho bag. Actually, I would’ve licked his brother too, cos Ash looks just like Dante.”

  Saul laughed, now finding Josie amusing.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “You’re cute as a button.”

  She scowled. “I’m not cute, I’m sexy.” She cupped her tits. “Cute is a B cup and I’m totally a double-D.”

  He laughed again.

  “Stop laughing at me! I’m bein’ serious.”

  He patted her lap. “Calm down, you’re the first one to make me laugh in a long time. Take it as a compliment.”

  Her scowl dropped. “Really?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then my job tonight is to make you laugh more than you ever have before.” All of a sudden, her head snapped around, her eyes locking onto something. She pointed at the windscreen. “McDonalds!” Her eyes sh
ot to him. “Can we have some?”

  “Sure,” he said, again thinking she was acting more like a teenager than a twenty-something. She bounced in her seat, clapping her hands, proving his point.

  “I wanna Big Mac with no onions,” she said, “cos onions stink and I wanna kiss you. I also wanna strawberry shake as well as a sundae; make that strawberry too... Ooh, ooh, ooh, and we hafta get some fries with loads of tomato sauce, cos I love tomato sauce. Fries are yuck without it...”

  Saul laughed again, for once forgetting about work.

  7

  Beth

  Beth went to turn into her parents’ driveway, but instead planted her foot on the brake as a car roared past her, doing well over the speed limit. Shaking her head, she eased her foot off the brake and moved forward, parking behind her mother’s station wagon. She got out of the car and headed past the old wrecks on the lawn. When her father wasn’t fixing other people’s cars, he was usually outside, restoring the ones he bought from the wreckers. Unfortunately of late, he didn’t get much time to work on them, since he was out almost every weekend searching for her oldest brother, who had gone missing two months ago. All she could do was pray that Naf was safe, and that he was just taking time out after his girlfriend betrayed him.

  Willing herself to believe that, she walked up the steps to the front door of her parents’ brick and tile house. She opened the door, calling out, “Mum!”

  “She got called into work,” Corey said.

  Beth’s eyes moved to her seventeen-year-old brother. Corey was sitting on the couch with his feet resting on a stool; one of them broken and encased in a black moon boot.

  “But her car’s out front,” Beth said.

  “Someone picked her up a couple of hours ago, cos they needed her to help patch up some dumb-arse prisoners, who thought it would be fun to bash each other’s brains in. She’s s’posed to be back soon.”

  “I wish she would quit that horrible job,” Beth said, walking over to Corey. Her mum worked as a prison nurse a few days a week, along with some on-call work.