by Sue Brown
“Promise?” Josh yawned, his jaw cracked and he closed his eyes.
“I promise.”
Josh wanted to stay awake but the lure of sleep was too strong and he was out before the next breath. The next time he woke, it was dark outside and Cal was working on his laptop.
“Dan was meant to wake me when you arrived,” Josh grumbled. “I thought I was going home today?”
Cal looked over, a grin lighting up his face. “Hello, gorgeous. You didn’t want to wake up. Believe me, they tried but you were a sleeping beauty. So they’re keeping you for one more night.”
As if on cue Josh yawned again. “I feel like I could sleep for a week.”
“Nothing new there.” Cal settled Josh back on the pillows. Josh inhaled the clean scent of sweat beneath the lavender detergent of Cal’s shirt as Cal leant over him.
Josh grabbed onto his shirt, refusing to let go as Cal tried to straighten up. “You owe me an explanation. What the fuck happened?”
Cal pressed his lips together then nodded as he sat on the bed. “I’ve got to straighten. The bullet didn’t penetrate but it still hurts. What do you want to know?”
Josh glared at him even as he made space for him. “Start at the fucking beginning.”
Cal took Josh’s hand, capturing it between both of his. He looked exhausted and if Josh wasn’t determined to find out what happened he’d have pulled Cal down to lie on the bed with him. “Dominic contacted me six months ago. He was concerned that we’d been compromised.”
“Compromised? How?”
“Someone released details of an assignment to one of our competitors.”
“Be specific. We’re not spooks,” Josh huffed in annoyance. “What assignment?”
“I can’t tell you that. But it was serious. Fortunately, the rival firm came to us first because they know us well.”
“Fuck!”
Cal nodded grimly. If that information had gotten out, CDR would be finished as a security firm. They didn’t deal in cloak and dagger shit, but no client would deal with a firm that couldn’t keep their secrets secure. “We changed the plans and it was all fine.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Cal looked away and Josh understood. “You thought it might be me.” Josh snapped his fingers. “The Fairchild detail. Dominic gave it to Marlon’s team. He said we had another job to do.”
“We narrowed it down to three people who had the information for all the leaks.”
“Me, Gil and Landry. And the other job? It was a new client.” Josh struggled through the haze of medication and sleep to remember the assignment.
“That one was a fake,” Cal said. “To see if plans were leaked that time.”
“So this whole trip—?”
“We needed to get you away from the office, but Jonathan’s disappearance came as a shock.” Cal let go of Josh’s hand to run his fingers through his hair making it stick up. Josh resisted the urge to pat it back into place. “We had no idea he was part of the ring involved. We weren’t the only company being targeted.”
“There were others?”
“We’re working with the FBI now. There’s at least forty companies involved.”
Josh whistled. “You got Jesse involved to investigate us and Jonathan?”
“I got him involved as soon as Dominic told me,” Cal said. “It was him who narrowed it down to one of you three.”
“You really believed I could be a mole?” God, that hurt more than the bullet wound. Josh tried to tug his hand away but Cal wouldn’t let go.
He gave Josh a steady look, not letting Josh look away. “I prayed it wasn’t you. Everything I knew about you said it wasn’t, but I had to be sure. We brought you over to look for Jonathan. You three weren’t supposed to do anything except that.”
“So much for being friends,” Josh muttered. Cal gave him a puzzled look. “When did you realize it was Landry?”
“I suspected when you got kidnapped the first time. He was the only one without a solid alibi. But we had no proof.”
“He told me he was calling his girlfriend. I guess that was a lie.”
Cal nodded. “They’d already separated before we had our suspicions.”
“I didn’t know. Did Gil know?”
“Landry didn’t tell anyone. He kept everything to himself.”
“Fuck.” Josh tugged his hand away to rub his eyes. They felt gritty and sore. Why didn’t he tell me? I’m supposed to know these things.”
“Because he needed an alibi for all the times he vanished. I should have checked closer. We were following you—him.”
“You had a tail on me?” Josh asked, not attempting to hide his incredulity.
Cal had the grace to flush. “On all of you. That’s why we split you up all the time.”
“What happened when I got kidnapped?” Josh raised an eyebrow. “Was it time for a cup of tea?”
Cal scowled fiercely. “Jesse’s team screwed up.”
“No, really?”
His scowl deepened. “They followed Gil and Landry to the hotel, but they didn’t realize you weren’t with them.”
“Because I look like a huge black guy?” Cal cuffed Josh lightly and he protested. “Hey! It’s been a fun visit to London, thanks. I’ve been drugged, nearly drowned, and shot.” Josh couldn’t hold back a shiver. “I want to go home, now.”
“You’re booked on a flight tomorrow evening,” Cal said. “I’ll drive you to the airport.”
“You’re not coming back with me?” Josh was taken aback. He’d assumed Cal would return with him to Seattle.
“I’ve got to square things here.” Cal shook his head, although he looked regretful. “But I’ll be back later in the week.”
“Great,” Josh muttered. “You’ve found out who the bad guy is, now piss off, Josh.”
Cal gave Josh the look again. Josh gave it right back with interest.
“You need to go home and recover,” Cal said eventually. Josh wondered if he even realized he was gently rubbing Josh’s knuckles with the calloused pad of his thumb. “Then we’re going to have to talk.”
Josh was too angry to hold back the unguarded, “You’re a bastard,” that slipped from his lips.
Cal looked wrecked, but Josh didn’t care. He was asking Josh to give up his heart or his life. “Josh—”
Josh rolled away from him. “Just leave me alone.”
“Josh, talk to me.”
His hand was like a brand on Josh’s arm but Josh shook it off.
“I’m tired.”
Cal sighed and got to his feet. “We’ll talk before you go.”
“Whatever.”
“I love you.”
Josh was grateful Cal couldn’t see the tears rolling down Josh’s cheeks as he walked out of the room. When the door closed behind him, Josh struggled to sit up. He needed clothes and to get the hell out of the hospital. He pressed the button for the nurse. If this had been a movie Josh would have taken out the needles in his arm and made a bolt for it. In reality, Josh fainted at the sight of needles and there were insurance forms to fill out.
Life fucking sucked.
Josh faced down the doctor’s disapproval and finally escaped. Grabbing a cab, he headed back to the hotel. He hoped they still had his room. He hadn’t actually slept in the new hotel. The young girl at reception gaped at him wide-eyed as he asked for a new key. Josh knew he looked a mess, dressed in blood-stained clothing, his face bruised and his injured arm was in a sling.
“Are you all right, sir?” she asked.
“On a scale of one to ten?” He tried to wink but with a swollen eye he failed badly. “I think a four.”
“Would you like me to send up a meal to your room?”
“Are you worrying about me scaring the other guests?” The mixed emotions on her face almost made Josh laugh out loud. She would be a crap poker player. He threw her a bone. “Yeah, send me up a cheeseburger, fries and coffee.”
She gave him a wobbly smile and handed over a key
. “Have a good day, sir.”
Josh resisted the urge to roll his eyes, thanked her politely and headed for the elevators, his strength draining away with every step. He pressed the button and closed his eyes, praying he wouldn’t have to wait for long.
“You asleep, my Angel?”
“No.” Josh didn’t bother opening his eyes. Even his dick, which usually perked up at the sound of Cal’s voice, didn’t bother to stir.
“Sure about that?” His English accent rumbled in Josh’s ear.
The elevator door opened and Cal guided him inside. The elevator was empty and, as the doors closed, Cal pulled Josh against him. Josh sighed and rested his head in the crook of Cal’s neck. He’d showered and changed since he walked out of the hospital room, and Josh buried his nose against Cal’s skin to smell his distinctive scent beneath the coconut of his shower gel.
Cal plucked the keycard out of Josh’s hand and opened the door to his room. “Lie down. I’ll order dinner.”
“Already done that,” Josh mumbled. He shed his shoes and jacket, cursing as he got tangled up with the sling.
“I’ll order for me, then.” Cal gently disentangled him, stripped him of his clothes down to his briefs once more and encouraged him to get into bed.
Josh tried to push Cal away although he’d got at least forty pounds on Josh and, as tired as he was, it was like trying to move a mountain. “I’m going to be asleep before dinner arrives anyway.”
“I’ll wake you up. Now shut up and close your eyes.”
Josh huffed loudly, but the lure of sleep was too addictive to avoid. The last thing he heard was Cal ordering more food from room service and then he was sinking into darkness, comforted by the thought that Cal couldn’t stay away from him.
Josh stirred at the sound of voices. Huffing at being disturbed, he buried himself in the pillows but Cal pressed a kiss to his temple.
“Wakey wakey, my Angel. Time to eat.”
“Not hungry.” Josh was too tired to open his eyes. “Eat later.”
Cal laughed and then Josh smelled something close to his nose and forced one eye open a crack to see him standing beside the bed, holding a large plate. “Dinner time, sunshine.” Cal put the plate on the nightstand to help Josh wriggle into a sitting position, then placed the plate in Josh’s lap. “Careful.”
“Coffee?” Although the food looked awesome, Josh needed coffee more than anything else.
“I changed the order to green tea. It’s not good for you to be drinking coffee this late,” Cal said, then broke into a belly laugh at Josh’s expression. “The coffee’s here. Don’t panic.”
“Bastard!”
“Certified,” he agreed and handed Josh a cup, who inhaled deeply, appreciating the bitter aroma. Cal shook his head. “I swear you have a monogamous relationship with coffee.”
Josh slurped half the cup before holding it out for a refill. “We’ve been married for years.”
“How can I compete?”
“Do you want to?” Josh asked, his tone snide.
Cal flinched a flash of pain in his eyes before the shutters came down.
Josh cursed as Cal stepped back. “Cal…”
“I’ll leave you to it,” Cal said. “Eat your dinner.”
He turned to leave but Josh’d had enough. He was still hopped up on pain meds and his coordination was shot to shit, but Josh lunged forward to grab Cal’s arm, forgetting about his dinner. Fries, burger, buns and sauce went flying, along with the hot coffee—most of which landed on Cal. Even in Josh’s stoned condition, he still appreciated the high note Cal reached as he felt the burn.
Cal’s shocked expression should have been funny—hell, it was funny—but as Josh knelt on the rumpled duvet, not caring if he mashed the food under his knees, he was only concerned that Cal was walking away from him again, and he had to stop him. “Shit, I’m sorry, dude. Are you all right?”
“I… shit, that’s hot!” Cal pulled his shirt over his head, except he didn’t undo the buttons and the fabric got tangled around his ears.
Josh scrambled off the bed and tried to assist Cal, although as he could only use one arm, he wasn’t sure if he hindered more than he helped. But eventually Cal managed to undo enough buttons to pull the shirt over his head, scattering fries in the process. Cal dropped the shirt to the floor and looked over his shoulder.
“Let me check you’re not burned,” Josh said, reaching out to him. He tried not to feel hurt as Cal flinched away from him.
“I’m fine,” Cal insisted.
“Stand still!”
Josh carefully traced his fingers over Cal’s muscles, working his way down Cal’s back, looking for red marks. The low light in the hotel room made his inspection difficult but Josh angled Cal to get a better view. He had a large dressing just below the ribcage where the bullet had clipped him. “Thank God Michaels was a crap shot.”
Cal gasped as Josh brushed over a sensitive spot. “Are you examining me or just using this as an excuse to grope me?”
“Yes.” Josh flattened his palm against Cal’s warm chest and laid his uninjured cheek against Cal’s back. He closed his eyes, needing the closeness of this moment. “Don’t go. Don’t walk out on me again today.”
Cal placed his hand over Josh’s and exhaled slowly. “I’ll stay… for now.”
Josh turned back to the bed, gasped and started laughing. “Oh fuck.”
The bed, and the floor around it, was a disaster zone of fries, burger and salad with a rain of coffee. Cal followed Josh’s gaze and chuckled.
“We’ll get another room.”
“Ryan won’t like paying out for a second room,” Josh said. “He’s gonna have my hide.”
Cal smiled at him. “I’ve got an in with the boss. You’ll be fine—this time.”
“If you’re sure.” Josh managed to convey his doubt, because their accountant held CDR between his golden fingers. Even Dominic didn’t take on Ryan.
“I’m sure.” Cal’s tone was dominant and yeah, despite being tired, in pain and still slightly stoned, Josh and his dick responded on cue.
Seemingly unaware of the boner Josh sported, Cal manhandled him into a robe, then one of the armchairs and took charge. Within fifteen minutes, Josh was in a new bed, and his belongings were settled in an upgraded room. Food was ordered and, more importantly from Josh’s point of view, more coffee was on the way. Cal had apologized for the mess, blaming the mishap on Josh’s injuries and tipped handsomely to have the room cleaned. Josh had snorted at Cal’s explanation, but he subsided as Cal glared at him.
“Why do I always get blamed?” Josh grumbled when the explanations were complete and Cal sat on the bed again, handing him another mug of coffee.
“It was that or rampant sex,” Cal said. “And the way you’re looking they might have thought I beat you up for fun.”
“So you were just saving your own skin? Making yourself look good at my expense?” Josh grumbled.
Cal winked at him over the rim of his mug. Josh muttered under his breath, but Cal offered him more coffee and he shut up.
By the time Josh had picked at some food he was beat. Cal gave him a knowing look, and removed the plate from his lap, “Before you give a repeat performance.”
Josh opened his mouth to protest but that turned into a yawn.
“Do you need more pain meds?”
Talking about it seemed to alert Josh’s body to the fact that parts of him did hurt now, and he meekly agreed that he might need some pills. So meekly that Cal looked at him suspiciously, but all Josh wanted was sleep and Cal, or Cal and sleep. He took the pills that Cal handed him and asked Cal to lie down with him. Cal gave one nod, stripped off his shoes and jeans and got into bed. He reached up to switch off the light and spooned around Josh, his hand resting over Josh’s heart.
“We should talk,” Josh whispered in the darkness.
“Not now,” Cal rumbled. “We’ll talk again when the time is right.”
“But—”
“Sleep now, my Angel.” Cal kissed the nape of Josh’s neck. “Sleep.”
Josh wanted to argue but this time the meds dragged him under before he had the chance to argue.
Chapter 21
Wednesday 30th November
Still half-asleep, Josh rolled over without thinking and moaned as he jogged his injured arm. “Goddammit. Sorry, Cal.” Cal didn’t respond. Josh cracked open one eye, expecting to see Cal on the other side of the bed, but he was the only occupant. “What the hell?”
Josh sat up, and then wished he hadn’t as his head pounded out a fandango. He took a moment to recover then spied a note on the pillow beside him. Had the traitorous bastard really left him in his hour of need?
Morning, my Angel.
Sorry for leaving. Called into the office. Didn’t want to wake you.
There’s coffee on the table.
DCI Walters is going to call you later to get your statement. Stay there!
I love you.
Charlie
Cal loved him? Cal loved him. Josh smoothed a thumb over the words. “The cool boy loves me,” he whispered. And he loved Cal. Now he just needed to tell him.
Josh poured himself a cup of coffee and took a sip, pulling a face as he realized it was tepid. He called down to room service, ordered fresh coffee and pastries then slumped back on the bed wondering what to do next.
In the end he dozed after his breakfast until he was disturbed by the phone.
“Mr. Cooper?”
Josh heard the cool tones of DCI Walters.
“Yes. Cal said you’d call.”
“How are you feeling?” She didn’t sound as he if she was that interested in his answer. “We need to take your statement before you leave.”
“I’m not doing anything now. As long you don’t sent Dirk.”
She chuckled. “I’m not mean enough to inflict Dirk Brenner on an injured man, but don’t tell my coppers. They’ll think I’m going soft.”
Josh said goodbye and, at a loss for anything to do, he switched on the TV. He settled on a cop show set in a village where impossibly well-spoken people died in their impossibly pretty cottages. There were no guns and no car chases, but the cop in charge drank a lot of beer. Josh thought about ordering a beer but that would’ve involved moving. Spaced out on pain meds, he almost understood what the Brits were saying—almost.
