by Sue Brown
“Jesse told me to get these. Said it was going to be a long day.”
“Dave, I could kiss you,” Josh said.
To give Dave credit he only muttered something about his wife not being happy before he scurried into the front seat. Cal snickered as he sat down, then slurped his coffee. Josh winked at Cal and sat down next to him.
At one in the morning, Jesse shoved papers across his desk with a snarl. “I’m going home.”
Josh opened his eyes. He could’ve sworn he was awake. “I can stay.”
Jesse stabbed his finger in Cal’s general direction. “Take him home. We’re doing nothing useful here. We can start again tomorrow morning.”
Cal had fallen asleep two hours ago. When Josh discovered Cal was hiding the fact his back was hurting, he’d used the combined efforts of Jesse, Gil and Landry to get him to take pain medication and have a rest. Josh knew there would be payback but he’d deal with that when it arrived.
Josh blew in Cal’s ear. Cal barely twitched. He blew again. “Cal, time to go home.”
“Angel?” Cal blinked at him sleepily. “Do you want a rest?”
Touched that his welfare was Cal’s first thought, Josh shook his head. “Let’s go back to your place. We’re all tired.”
“We need to keep working.”
“Tomorrow,” Jesse said.
“Josh, are you coming back to the hotel?” Gil asked.
“No, I’m going to take Cal home. I might be back later.” Josh was hoping that Cal would invite him to stay.
Gil waved and shoved Landry toward the door. “’Kay. Remember, it’s the new place.”
Jesse virtually manhandled Cal and Josh into a taxi. Cal mumbled his address before falling asleep again, snoring softly.
The cab driver looked at him, concerned. “Is he drunk? There’s a charge if I have to get the cab cleaned.”
Josh gritted his teeth. “He protected me from a car bomb yesterday, and worked all day. He’s not drunk. Just very tired and in pain.”
The driver looked visibly shocked and his attitude did a one-eighty. “The explosion by Lambeth Palace?”
“Yeah.”
“And he protected you?”
“Yeah. Is there a problem?” Josh was too fucking tired to deal with any crap.
The driver shook his head. “There’s no charge for this ride.”
“I don’t want you to get into trouble.”
“It’s my cab, and I’ve been near a car bomb before. 7/7. It ain’t pretty.” The driver switched off the overhead light and pulled into the traffic.
“No, it wasn’t.” Josh pulled Cal into his arms and relaxed. He’d give the driver a healthy tip when they got to Cal’s home. It had been a long day.
Chapter 17
Monday 28th November
A sliver of sunlight stabbed into Josh’s eyes, disturbing the vivid dream. He’d rescued Charlie from a burning building, only to discover his real identity as he gave him mouth-to-mouth, which somehow morphed into mouth-to-dick. He moaned in annoyance and tried to roll away; only to come up against a solid body. Josh opened his eyes to find Cal laying on his front, bare-assed and one arm hanging out of the bed.
Josh sat up and scratched the scruff on his chin. He contemplated taking a photo of Cal with stubble, his mouth open and a small puddle of drool on the pillow to send to Dominic – just because.
It would be mean…
Cal cracked one eye open. “If you send that to anyone I’ll kill you.”
“Too late,” Josh said, cheerfully, dropping the phone to the floor. He ignored the beep from the phone.
Cal buried his face in his pillow. “How do you want to die?”
“You could fuck me to death?”
“You’re full of helpful suggestions. Why are you so happy this morning? How much coffee have you drunk?”
“None.”
“Go drink coffee. Come back to me later.” Cal rolled over with his back to Josh.
Josh frowned at Cal’s mood. He ignored the fact that he’d been in the same frame of mind the previous morning and snuggled down against Cal’s broad back. Tenderly stroking Cal’s shoulder, and pressing wet kisses against the spray of freckles and bruises across his shoulders, Josh murmured, “Talk to me, Charlie.”
Cal sighed. “I’m being stupid.”
“Tell me.”
“Jon and Mel were part of my life for nearly twenty years.”
“And they betrayed you.”
“Yeah.” Cal huffed and rolled onto his back and turned his head to look at Josh. “But I still don’t know why.”
Josh laid a hand over Cal’s heart. “Is this really about you?”
“You think I’m making it about me when it had nothing to do with me at all?”
“How many times do we have anything to do with what our friends do?”
Cal stared up at the ceiling. “So why do all roads lead back to me?”
Josh picked his way delicately through the minefield of Cal’s thoughts. “What do you mean?”
“You said it first with your whiteboard. You put me in the middle.”
“But what have you got to do with Michaels and Adlington being involved in a gambling syndicate?”
Cal’s expression became shuttered, and Josh sat up, his gaze narrowing as he stared down at him. “What aren’t you telling me?”
“I…”
“Is it this the thing to do with my team that you said would be over by the time we went back?” Cal’s silence was enough. “All roads lead back to you—but somehow involve me?”
“No.” Cal shook his head. “I can’t tell you yet, but I know it doesn’t involve you.”
Josh pressed his lips together then nodded. “I could’ve told you that, if you’d asked.”
Cal picked up one of Josh’s hands and pressed a kiss into his palm. “I’m sorry.”
Josh huffed, slightly mollified. “When are you gonna tell me what’s going on?”
“I’m just waiting for one more piece of information then I can tell you.”
“You’d better!”
“I don’t like keeping secrets from you,” Cal said.
Josh burst out laughing and laughed even harder at Cal’s puzzled look. “Dude, your entire life is keeping secrets.”
Cal frowned then looked sheepish. “You’re right.”
“’Course I’m right. I’m always right in case you didn’t notice.” Somehow Josh found himself lying flat on his back with Cal lying on top of him.
“So fucking modest.” Cal leaned in to nuzzle a bite into Josh’s neck.
“Below the collar! Dammit, you could’ve shaved first.”
Cal studied Josh’s neck and moved down two inches. “Is this okay, princess?” he mouthed against Josh’s neck.
Josh pressed his skin into Cal’s teeth. “Better! And I’m your angel, remember?”
“How could I forget?”
“Fuck me, Cal.” Josh shuddered at the bite of pain.
“I can do that.”
Cal leaned over to his nightstand, wrenched open the drawer and threw lube and condoms onto the bed.
Josh drew him down for a kiss. Cal captured his mouth, and leaned on Josh, who welcomed the heavy weight. They took their time with the kiss, lazily dueling tongues, licking over teeth and exploring mouths as if they had nothing better to do. Eventually, Cal sighed into Josh’s mouth and went to pull away but Josh held on, wrapping his arms and legs around Cal’s solid body.
“Stay!”
“You need to breathe.”
“I need you,” Josh insisted.
Cal looked down at him, his green eyes intense and breathtaking in the morning light. “It was a good thing I stayed away from you, Joshua Andrew Cooper.”
Josh raised an eyebrow. “In what alternative universe did hiding from me for two years become a good thing, Callum David Ross?”
“I’d never have gone back out in the field if I’d met you. You’re like a drug, and I’m addicted to you. W
hy are you shaking your head now?” A touch of exasperation tinged Cal’s voice.
“Bad analogy. I’m not a drug. I’m oxygen, and you can’t live without me.”
“Uh, what’s the difference?” Cal asked.
“You can kick the drug habit. You can’t kick me.”
Cal snorted. “You’d probably kick me right back.”
“You know it.” Josh sighed and wriggled happily. “Stick that monster inside me.”
“Jesus, Angel, you’re so romantic.”
“We can do the hearts and flowers later. Now I need dick.”
“Are you sure you don’t mean Dirk?” Cal teased.
“Let’s call him,” Josh said brightly.
“Let’s not.” Cal’s voice dropped an octave.
Josh stared into his eyes. “Fuck. Me. Charlie.”
“Your wish is my command, Angel.”
Cal pushed off Josh and sat back on his heels, reaching for the lube. Josh watched him, taking in his wild hair; his dilated eyes and his mouth bruised red. He’d made Cal look like that. Cal’s thick cock leaked from the tip and Josh needed to taste it. He sat up to run his tongue around the head, reveling in the hiss above him. Cal clutched Josh’s hair. “If you don’t stop that it’s going to be over before we get started.”
Josh took one sneaky lick then lay back, deliberately licking his lips. It wasn’t hard to see Cal was on the edge of his control and he spread his legs wider, anxious to get Cal’s fingers working his magic. He didn’t have to wait long before Cal pressed two fingers inside him. Josh closed his eyes, reveling in the penetration, gasping as Cal brushed his prostate. “Fuck!”
“Now!” Cal growled.
Josh’s channel closed around emptiness as Cal withdrew his fingers. He moaned in disappointment only to be filled a moment later, thicker and wider. Cal didn’t force his way in, taking his time until they were both covered in a layer of sweat and only just holding on when Cal finally rested against Josh’s ass.
Desperate to come, Josh flailed out and grasped Cal’s biceps. “I need you to move.”
“I can do that,” Cal said, his voice rasping.
But Cal took his time, each swivel and pump of his hips driving Josh to the edge and then bringing him back again. Josh wanted to watch Cal, to imprint him in his memory but his traitorous eyes kept closing as his climax approached. He held back, determined to make this moment last, but when Cal bent over and kissed him, he was done. He came, crying out into Cal’s mouth. Cal gently fucked him through his orgasm, and then chased his own, his shuddering climax triggering endless pleasure for Josh.
Once more Josh took Cal’s weight until the need to breathe won out and he shoved him to one side. He reached out for a T-shirt to wipe his stomach, then gently clean Cal.
“Hey, that’s my T-shirt,” Cal protested.
“You’ve got another one. All mine are back at the hotel.”
Cal grumbled but he didn’t say anything else and as Josh snuggled down next to him, Cal pulled him into his arms.
“What time is it?” Cal asked after a few minutes.
“About eight-thirty.”
“We’ve got to get up soon.”
“Soon,” Josh agreed. But soon didn’t have to be now. Cal muttered something incoherent and held Josh tighter.
Josh was getting dressed when Gil called.
“Hey, Josh. Have you heard from Landry?”
“Not this morning. Is he okay?” Josh sat down to pull on his shoes.
“He’s not in his room and his bed doesn’t look like it’s been slept in. We had a drink at the bar last night, but I went out with Kora after.”
“What the fuck? It was the middle of the night. Perhaps he found himself a date?” As soon as the words left his lips Josh dismissed them. Landry was not a cheat. Lisa meant too much to him. “I’ll call Dominic and get a track on his phone. You call Jesse and let him know. No, Cal can do that. You get the CCTV from the hotel.”
“Thanks Josh. I thought I might be over-reacting.” Gil sounded relieved.
“Who cares if we are,” Josh said. “It’s not the first attack on the team. Call me back once you’ve got the footage. If the hotel causes a fuss I’ll sic DCI Walters on ’em.”
“Will do.”
Josh cursed as he threw the phone on the bed.
“What’s happened?” Cal asked as he pulled a T-shirt over his head.
“Landry’s not at the hotel and he didn’t sleep in his bed.”
Cal reached for his phone. “I’ll call Jesse.”
“And I’ll call Dominic.”
Dominic answered immediately. “What’s up?”
Usually Josh would’ve made a sarcastic comment about Dominic not sleeping, but now he cut to the chase.
“Need a trace on Landry’s phone. He’s missing.” Josh could hear Cal giving details to Jesse, as Dominic barked at someone.
“Done. I’ll get back to you. Does Jesse—?”
“Cal’s talking to Jesse and Gil is pulling CCTV from the hotel.”
Dominic grunted. “Have you spoken to Lisa?”
“Not yet. He could be on a date.” Josh rubbed his eyes. The relaxed feelings from being fucked into the mattress had vanished.
“If this was Gil I’d agree, but Landry?”
“That’s what we thought,” Josh said.
“Landry’s phone is off.”
“Where was the last ping?”
“At the hotel. He made a call at 2.00 a.m. Bette’s tracing the number.”
“I’m going to talk to Cal and Gil. If you get anything on the number, call me back.”
“’Kay.”
Josh disconnected the call and Cal handed him a mug. “Thanks. What did Jesse say?”
“He’s sent Rick and Dave over to the hotel.” Cal sat down next to Josh. “Any trace on Landry’s phone?”
“No, it’s switched off, but he took a call at two in the morning.” Josh looked around for his notebook, finding it on the chest of drawers. He started to make a timeline, silently praying to Farrah that Landry had just decided totally out of character to chase a piece of tail. “Can you drive me to the hotel?”
“We can order a cab.”
Josh squinted at Cal. “Don’t you have a car?”
Cal flushed and looked away. “I’ve got a car but I lost my license.”
Josh blinked. “You did?”
“Too many points on it… I like driving fast,” Cal said defensively. “I’ve got another three months before I get my license back.”
“At least it’s not too long. I’ve got to go to the bathroom.” Doing his best to hide his face, Josh walked into the bathroom and shut the door before he started to laugh.
“I can hear you!” Cal snapped, banging the door with his fist.
“So… sorry.” Josh hung onto the edge of the sink, laughing uncontrollably. He knew in part it was tinged with a little hysteria from worry about Landry, but Cal was the last person he’d ever thought was a speed-fiend.
As Josh emerged from the bathroom, Cal looked daggers at him. Josh went up to him and gave him a kiss by way of an apology. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have laughed.” Cal huffed and turned away, but Josh manhandled him into his arms. “I should’ve asked before why we were driven everywhere.”
“You don’t drive,” Cal said.
Josh gave an awkward shrug, not letting go of Cal. “Never wanted to learn.”
“So cab or tube?”
“Let’s take the tube.” Josh patted Cal’s arm and stepped back. “I could do with the fresh air. I’ll call Gil to let him know we’re on our way.”
Cal grabbed his keys and jacket. “I’ll lock up.”
Josh spoke to Gil for a few minutes to tell him their plans. He tried to keep his voice as calm as possible. They both acknowledged it could all be a big fuss about nothing, and Landry would come strolling into the hotel in a few minutes wondering what the hell the fuss was about.
“If that happens I’m gonna fucking
kill him,” Gil grunted.
“But Landry never does this,” Josh said quietly. “I do. You do. Not Landry.”
“He’s the responsible one,” Gil agreed.
“So even if we’re over-reacting, at least we can shout at him for scaring the crap out of us.”
“Get here soon,” Gil begged.
Gil never begged. Never.
“I’m on my way.” Josh said, and looked over at Cal. “Change of plan. We’re taking a cab.”
“Why?”
“Gil needs me.”
Cal nodded and picked up his phone. “I’ll book one now.”
Josh tried Landry’s number. He knew it was off but he had to make the attempt, just in case. It went straight to voicemail.
“The cab’ll be in here in five,” Cal said. He wrapped his arms around Josh. “I promise you we’ll find him.”
Alive or dead?
Josh didn’t say it out loud but from the way Cal squeezed him he understood.
Chapter 18
Monday 28th November
Josh leapt out of the taxi and into the hotel, leaving Cal behind to pay the driver. As soon as he ran into the foyer, he spotted Gil, Rick and Dave sitting on a small group of sofas.
“Landry?” Josh said before he’d even reached them.
Rick shook his head. Gil looked at Josh, his face wracked with tension. “Nothing yet.”
Josh sat down next to him and took his hand. Usually Gil would bitch about Josh being touchy-feely but now he hung onto Josh like he was a lifeline. “Dominic’s tracing his movements.”
“He called me,” Gil said.
Cal reached them and bent to squeeze Gil’s shoulder before sitting next to Josh. Josh noticed Gil wince but he didn’t say anything. Cal didn’t know about Gil’s injured shoulder. “Jesse’s on his way.”
Gil groaned. “Christ, I’m sorry. We’ve got a case to deal with.”
Rick frowned at Gil and told him to shut up—or words to that effect. “Landry’s part of our team. Of course we’re going to look for him.”
Gil managed a small smile at the bald-headed operative. “Thank you.” Rick winked at him.
