Trusting Cade (Custos Securities Series Book 1)

by Luna, David

  When Cade went in to check on Braden after he’d turned in, he checked his bathroom and found what he was looking for: Braden’s McCade Watch on the countertop. Hoping fervently that doing this wasn’t going to fuck up their relationship, he put the last tracer on Braden’s watch and thought that if it did fuck it up, at least Braden would be alive, and in the end, that’s all that really mattered.

  Friday morning Braden and Cade arrived at the café by 5:30 a.m. Braden began his normal routine, and Cade went to the office to see what they’d gotten back from Brody. His heart rate sped up as soon as he saw a couple emails from Brody including attachments, one with the subject, “Gotcha!” He opened the first email, which showed Cade a map with the location of all of the cameras on their route that he was able to hack, and after that a link was provided. Cade read the email under it, which said: ‘I think we’ve got him, and I’m running the plates and everything else I can think of throughout the city to see what pops. The link above will show you footage from every camera I was able to get, in case you want to see everything that I saw. I’ll send another email with the clips I found.’

  The next email was the one with the “Gotcha!” subject and contained five clips, all showing a sand colored non-descript, older model Toyota Camry. There were multiple still shots attached as well, reflecting pictures of the driver, but the resolution was poor. However, the fact that they had a lead at all was fantastic. Cade headed to the kitchen and waited until Braden noticed him and took out his buds.

  “We have a lead on him, Braden. Do you have a minute to look at some photos?”

  Braden sucked in an audible breath and let it out slowly, not knowing what to feel about anything anymore. He was running on fumes and didn’t know how much longer he was going to be able to function before hitting a wall.

  Cade must have seen something on his face because he approached slowly and took Braden’s hand in his and looked into his eyes. “You can do this. I’m right here. You can handle the rest of today as well, and then you’ll have the weekend to take some time and regroup.”

  Braden shook his head and his shoulders drooped. “I’m working this weekend. I work most weekends.”

  Cade tilted his head, scrutinizing Braden. After a few seconds he used his thumb to smooth out the stress lines between Braden’s brows. “Not this weekend. I already talked to Maya. That’s what your special order for pick up is tonight, just enough to get you guys through the weekend, so you don’t have to work at all. You’re wearing yourself out with all that’s going on. I wanted you to have some time to rest. Tomorrow I have the whole day planned and Sunday we can do whatever you want. I swear, I’m not trying to manage you, I just wanted…”

  Braden raised his hand and laid his fingers over Cade’s lips to quiet him. “You planned the whole day, Saturday?”

  With Braden’s hand still covering his lips, all Cade could do was nod his head.

  Braden continued, “So, like, a real date?”

  Cade nodded his head again and a smile like none he’d ever seen spread slowly across Braden’s face. “Where are we going? Are you going to tell me?”

  Cade shook his head no and Braden smiled wider, if that were even possible. “A secret surprise first date, all day Saturday?”

  Cade’s eyes crinkled at the sides as he nodded again, his smile emerging around the edges of Braden’s fingers.

  Braden’s face grew serious again. “Are you taking care of me again, Zavier?”

  Cade’s eyes lost their crinkle as he stopped smiling, his eyes intense as he nodded slowly, unsure how Braden would react.

  Braden’s face relaxed, and he regarded Cade closely as he pulled his hand away from Cade’s mouth. “You’re very adept at knowing what I need and when I need it. I don’t know how it is that you always seem to be right. I figure you’ll just improve over time. Won’t you?”

  Cade nodded again, even though Braden no longer covered his mouth. Cade looked at Braden, really looked at him, and saw there what he needed to see: acceptance. The walls Braden had built around himself were coming down, and he was no longer fighting it. In fact, it seemed he was welcoming it, welcoming him. It was a big step. Cade lifted Braden’s hand to his lips and kissed the back of his hand. He tugged on it, and walked them to the office, still holding his hand. He had Braden sit in the chair and he stood behind him and leaned over, waking the screen so that it reflected the best picture that Brody had been able to get from all of his footage.

  Braden looked at that picture for several minutes without saying a word. Cade showed him the footage from the cameras as well, but then went back to the same picture.

  Braden shrugged his shoulder. “It could be him. I can’t be sure. He’s got a beard, and his hair is darker than it was when I was with him. He’s also got the hat and sunglasses. I can’t be sure, Zavier. I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be sorry. I knew it was a long shot. I’ve seen pics of him from around the time when you guys were together, so I knew it wasn’t going to be 100 percent, but I needed to ask.”

  “I guess we just go with the thought that it’s him, and try to track down the car, right?”

  “Right. Brody is already on it, but I just thought I’d check with you as well. He’s made a mistake, and he’ll make others. We’ll find him.”

  Nodding his head, knowing they were closer now than they ever had been, Braden got up and smiled at Cade. “Well, let me get back to it. Apparently I’ve got a hot date on Saturday. I’ve got a lot to do to make sure they have everything they need for the weekend. Can you have lunch brought in again? Whatever is fine; you know what I like.”

  Cade agreed but stipulated that Braden grab some ibuprofen for the headache he had brewing. All he got in response was a wide eyed Braden, who nodded before leaving the office. Cade grinned, amused by Braden’s response and happy that Braden recognized that he truly was getting to know him well. Sunday he’d make sure that Braden got the rest he needed, and Saturday, he’d ensure that Braden had a great time and didn’t think about work or Eric all day.

  The rest of the day went off without a hitch and Braden was happy with a short run in the evening, Cade running beside him. They ate dinner in the living room with a movie going and relaxed the rest of the night, talking and telling funny stories from their pasts. Braden asked Cade, just as they were going to bed, if he’d still be able to go to his Pilates class in the morning. Cade told him that if he wanted to go to Pilates, they would go, but that he had several things that day planned that would be active, so if it was a workout he wanted, he’d get one and he could sleep in. Braden thought sleeping in was a great idea and went to sleep looking forward to the next day.

  Braden woke up around 8 a.m. and couldn’t believe he’d slept that late. Cade, having some kind of internal Braden alarm, walked in with a fresh cup of coffee and asked him to get ready so that they could go out for breakfast. He asked Cade if they’d be gone all day and was told that they would. He hopped in the shower after testing his blood, dosing himself, then tucking his kit in his backpack. Per Cade’s request, he also packed two sets of workout clothes with him. He was ready in 20 minutes and felt good about his choice of outfit when he saw the look of desire in Cade’s eyes.

  Cade saw Braden rub his eyes. “Can you do me a favor?”

  “Sure.”

  “Can you go get your glasses? I’d like for you to be able to wear them all day, because you’re rubbing your eyes again, so they could probably use a break. However, I have something planned that will actually require your contacts, so can you pack them in your backpack to put on later?”

  Braden grinned and turned back around to get his glasses and his contact stuff. He knew better than to ask what they’d be doing that would require contacts, but he couldn’t help being excited for the day. When he stuffed his things in the backpack, Cade ushered him out the door and went down the steps, stopping in front of his Ford Edge, freshly painted, with brand new, high performance tires.

  He looke
d at Cade, eyebrows raised. “How?”

  “Doesn’t matter. What matters is that it’s done, and upgraded with a better security system and a few other safety measures. It won’t stop something like that from happening completely, but it will emit two loud horn blasts which usually sends the perp running, and it’ll signal your phone as well. Mind if I drive?”

  Braden narrowed his eyes at Cade. “Are you the type that won’t let me drive my own car when you are with me?”

  Cade admitted, “I prefer to drive, but if you really want to drive, it’s your car, so of course it’s your choice.”

  “I’m happy for you to drive. In fact, I’d prefer it.” Braden’s face scrunched up. “But hold on, upgraded security? Is that really necessary, and what did that put me back?”

  Cade opened the passenger door and helped Braden into the car. “Yes it’s necessary, and not a dime.”

  “Zavier…”

  “Braden, maybe we can chat about this later? Right now, I’d like to get started on our date and I don’t want it to begin with you in a bad mood. Please.”

  Sighing in resignation, Braden agreed with one stipulation. “We’ll discuss this tomorrow. Deal?”

  “Deal.”

  The rest of the day was like no other date Braden had ever had. Cade was such a gentleman the whole day. He opened doors for him, including the car door, every single time. He either held Braden’s hand, fingers entwined, or guided him where he wanted him to go using a gentle hand on Braden’s lower back. Braden had never been treated with such respect, had never felt so courted. That’s what it kind of felt like, almost like Cade was actually courting him. He felt silly for even thinking something so fanciful, so old fashioned, but every time he caught Cade’s eyes, he realized that Cade was doing everything he could to show Braden a good time but also to ensure he felt safe.

  He couldn’t believe everything that Cade had planned. Their breakfast, one of the best he’d ever had, was at Hollywood Café, down on the wharf. From there Cade took him to the House of Air, a trampoline park in an old airplane hangar, which he apparently rented out for them, because they were the only two people there. They bounced, flipped, and played dodgeball until they were laughing like crazy and sweating like pigs, and Braden realized about halfway through that this was why he needed to keep his contacts on. When they were both exhausted and getting hungry, they showered quickly and got ready for lunch. Braden wore his glasses, which he was happy to notice pleased Cade to no end, because he kept sneaking glances at them.

  From there, they gorged at The Italian Homemade Company, and Braden ate the best lasagna he’d ever eaten. They gave each other bites of their meals. He felt cherished and cared for and it was such a wonderful feeling, one he didn’t think he’d actually ever felt in a relationship.

  “Cade, so far this day has been so wonderful. I’ve had so much fun and felt so relaxed and at ease with you all day that I just want to thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. The day isn’t even close to being over.”

  After lunch they ventured to the California Academy of Sciences, where they checked out the planetarium and the aquarium and then on to the earthquake simulator. After that, they stopped in at a local coffee shop and grabbed some coffee. In addition to Cade’s own coffee, he ordered two more cups of black coffee, several pastries and picked up some creamers and sugars, putting everything in a carton. As they walked out of the shop, Braden was about to ask what was going on, when Cade whispered to him, “Can you stand where I can see you, just up a few feet by the newspaper dispensers?”

  Braden tilted his head in question, but saw the seriousness of Cade’s face so he decided the questions could wait. He walked over to where Cade asked him to wait, and turned back to see Cade squatting down by a couple of homeless guys that he was ashamed to say, he hadn’t even noticed. Braden realized that Cade kept him in his sights while he set the carton down, shook each of their hands and handed them the coffees and the bag of pastries and had a short conversation with them. Cade dug into one of his cargo pants pockets, pulled out a roll of quarters, broke it, and handed both men some of them. He also pulled out his wallet and extracted what looked to Braden like two Walmart gift cards and handed them to the men, one of which Braden could see was close to tears, his hand shaking as he took the proffered gift card. He also handed the men what looked like business cards and pointed to a number he had written on the back.

  Braden watched as Cade stuffed the remainder of the quarters in his cargo pocket, grabbed his own coffee, and made to get up. He was surprised when both of the men got up as well, one of them struggling and receiving help from his friend. He shook hands with them both and Braden could hear Cade say, “Thank you both for your service.” At that point Braden felt a few of his own tears fall as he watched both of the men salute Cade, and Cade in turn, saluted them.

  Cade headed toward Braden, who wiped his tears away just in time to hide the fact he’d been crying. Braden turned as he approached and felt Cade’s hand on his lower back, guiding him. Braden’s mind was spinning, but in that whirling dervish of thoughts, one thing was clear: he’d just tripped and fallen head over heels in love with Zavier McCade.

  Neither of them said anything at all as they climbed into Braden’s car and drove to their next destination. Cade reached across the middle console and clasped Braden’s hand in his. Braden squeezed Cade’s hand, pulled it to his mouth and kissed it, before returning their hands to his lap. A little while longer, they pulled into the parking lot of Planet Granite, and Braden smiled over at Cade. “Our second set of workout clothes?”

  Cade grinned a devilish grin, nodded his head, and grabbed their backpacks from the back of the car. Cade went to the front counter and asked for the manager, letting the young lady know he had an appointment. They waited several minutes, during which time the woman handed both of them waivers, and Cade explained, “We’re gonna rock climb, as you probably already figured out, but in order for us to be able to do it, we have to sign these waivers.”

  As they were signing, a man approached Cade. “Zavier McCade?”

  Cade shook hands with the man, who introduced himself as well. Cade turned to Braden. “This is Braden, I’ll be giving him the training myself, after you test me.”

  Braden, a bit confused, shook hands with the manager, who then walked to the desk and asked the young lady for a different set of forms, which only Cade signed. He then walked them to the locker room and let them know he’d meet them right outside of the room when they were ready. Braden looked up at Cade, as they were going into the locker room. “What was that about?”

  “Well, if you’ve never climbed before, they make you take a beginner’s class, but if you’re a good climber you have to test yourself out of that beginner’s class. I called ahead of time to make an appointment with the manager, so that I could essentially teach the beginner’s class to you, once he tested me on their hardest climb, so that’s what we’re doing first before we climb together.”

  From there, they both changed into their workout gear and went out to meet the manager. They walked through a maze of climbing apparatus and ended up in front of an extremely tall wall, with multicolored small handholds and footholds attached all the way to the top in a haphazard way. He watched Cade suit up in what the manager told him was called belaying gear. Cade nodded at the manager, who’d been scrutinizing his actions, and then he was up. Braden had no other way to describe Cade’s ascent to the top except to call him a spider monkey. He was on the ground, and then he leaped up, grabbed onto one of those tiny bumps on the wall, and then proceeded to climb quickly to the top. He was impressed, but then he heard the manager mutter, “Holy shit,” under his breath, and he went from impressed to awestruck.

  Once Cade was back on the ground, the manager asked, “So Mr. McCade, do you do this for a living?”

  Cade answered evasively. “I used to do quite a bit of it, as part of my job.

  The manager nodded. “Well, you’re defi
nitely skilled enough to teach your friend. If you ever need a job, let me know.”

  Cade laughed and nodded, telling him thanks, but turning his attention on Braden. Cade got him situated in his own gear, gave him the lesson he needed, and they spent several hours climbing and bouldering. It was exhilarating to Braden, learning more about Cade, but also learning something new and physical that he could enjoy. At the end of their time at the gym, Braden’s fingers were tender and his legs were a little shaky. He was happy, and knew in the morning he’d be sore, but in a good way.

  They got showered and changed again and by the time they got outside to the car, it was getting dark. When they got to their next destination, The Mission's Foreign Cinema Restaurant, Braden got so excited he turned in his seat to face Cade. “I’ve wanted to come to this place forever, I’ve just never made it here.”

  “How does The Maltese Falcon and dinner in the private mezzanine sound?”

  “It sounds wonderful, Zavier. Like everything else today, just perfect.”

  They ate amazing food in a cozy private mezzanine overlooking the covered outdoor courtyard with the movie playing on the wall across the courtyard. Braden sat in the curve of Cade’s arm and they held hands and whispered to each other. More than once, Braden felt Cade’s lips on his hair and sighed in contentment, enjoying the gentle caresses.

  He’d never in his life had a day like it. Even if the date was broken up into individual dates, he could honestly say that each and every separate event of the day was special in its own way. They’d laughed, Braden had cried, they’d gotten sweaty and acted like kids, they’d held hands and hugged each other, they’d whispered to each other and shared intense gazes. He knew that Cade was doing all that he could to show that he cared for him. He also knew that Cade was making use of what precious little free time they had while in the midst of chaos and stress and for that and everything else today, Braden was so grateful. Blushing at his own thoughts, he realized that he hoped he’d be able to thank Cade properly later that night, for everything he did and would continue to do.