by Cate Ashwood
“Yeah,” Ford said. “I just want to go home.”
Jack stood and walked to his door, then motioned out into the main room. Officer Fleck appeared in the doorway a moment later.
“Fleck, can you please take these two home, and don’t leave until there’s another uniform there to relieve you. I’ll arrange for someone to be there as soon as possible.”
“No problem,” Fleck said.
“Great. And Ford, I’ll be in touch soon to let you know what happens with Greene.”
“Thanks, Jack. I appreciate that.”
Nash stood, pulling Ford with him. “Thanks, Detective.”
Jack cocked half a smile in return.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
WHEN NASH walked into the police station, Ford had never been so happy to see anyone in his life. He nearly wept with joy and relief that Nash had come. A small part of him was terrified that even if the cops called, Nash would choose to let Ford go.
But he was there, looking disheveled and worried, and Ford had never seen him look better. He wanted to stand and throw himself into Nash’s arms, begging for forgiveness and to please love him forever. But that was a little dramatic, even for Ford.
So he waited until they got home.
Officer Fleck parked in the loading zone outside Nash’s building and followed them in.
Knowing that Fleck would be right outside made Ford feel safer, and knowing he would be inside with Nash made him feel most secure of all. The idea that Nash still wanted him, and wanted him to be in his apartment, made Ford feel like he was glowing as they rode the elevator to the seventh floor. Nash’s hand wrapped tightly around his, and that simple connection was everything.
They stepped out of the elevator when it opened and into the hall, Nash digging around for his keys with his other hand, Officer Fleck right behind them.
After doing a sweep of the apartment, Fleck declared it all clear and let them know he’d be right outside in the hallway just in case. Ford and Nash went inside, closing the door firmly behind them. Nash dead bolted it as well as chaining it before turning back to Ford and pulling him into his arms.
“I know it was only one day, but I missed you,” Ford breathed against Nash’s neck.
“I missed you too.”
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry I fucked this all up.”
“You didn’t,” Nash said, leading Ford farther into the apartment. They sat on the sofa, close enough to touch but facing each other. “You caught me off guard. I was feeling exposed after the night before, and I lost my temper. I should never have let you walk out of this apartment. I knew better than to let you go, but I was angry and hurt that you felt that way at all. I was only thinking about myself and how I was feeling.”
“It’s taking some mental adjustments to convince myself you don’t hate me.”
Nash sighed. “I told you before. I love you. It’s fast, and I know you have things you need to work through, but you freaking out doesn’t change the way I feel about you.”
“I’m sorry. You’re right, though, it was a freak-out. I didn’t mean anything I said. You’re nothing like Peter, and the shitty reasons I came up with for not being with you were weak excuses. I was scared.”
“I know, baby.” Nash cupped Ford’s cheek, pulling him forward until their foreheads touched.
“I’m still scared.” Ford’s admission was barely more than a whisper.
“You don’t have to be. I’m not going to hurt you.”
Nash closed the last of the space between them, bringing their mouths together in a kiss that reached all the way into Ford’s soul. Lips teased and their tongues slid together, slowly and sweetly. It made Ford’s chest ache with how perfect it was. He didn’t deserve to be loved like this. Nash was so much better than he was, but he wouldn’t run again.
Ford broke the kiss, pulling back far enough to be able to look at Nash’s face.
“I love you too,” he said.
The smile Nash gave him in response cracked his heart right open.
“Stay with me?” Nash asked.
The words were familiar. He’d said the same thing only a few weeks before, but this time when he asked, Ford knew he was asking for so much more. He didn’t hesitate. “Yes.”
“I’m never letting you go again. You know that, right? You’re mine and I’m yours.”
“I know. I’m yours,” Ford repeated.
The press of Nash’s lips was more insistent this time, and Ford opened for him without hesitation. Sliding his hands along Nash’s waist, Ford pulled him on top, Nash’s body covering his as he lay on the couch. The weight was exactly what he needed. He couldn’t believe he’d ever thought about giving this up.
The kisses grew more heated, and their bodies moved together, unable to keep still as both their erections grew. They ground their hips together, Ford swallowing the sound of Nash’s moan as he bucked his hips up.
“Fuck, I missed this… missed you,” Ford said.
Nash kissed him harder, the heat and love pushing away any thoughts of loss, and Ford had never been surer of anything in his life. He belonged with this man. Right in Nash’s arms was where he was meant to be.
“Need you,” Nash said.
Ford rolled out from underneath Nash and slid off the sofa, his knees hitting the plush area rug that covered the hardwood. He pushed Nash’s shirt up and kissed the happy trail beneath his belly button. Nash’s hands went immediately to Ford’s hair, fingers running through, not pulling but tangling gently, caressing him. He leaned into the touch as he unbuttoned Nash’s pants and pulled them open to reveal his erection, straining against the soft cotton of his briefs.
Ford pulled them down, grinning as Nash’s cock sprang free, precome pearling at the tip. He leaned forward and licked, swirling his tongue around the head before he sucked the tip into his mouth.
The groan that Nash let out was guttural as he slipped into Ford’s mouth, all the way back to his throat. The grip Nash had on his hair tightened as Ford began to suck, pulling off almost all the way before sliding his lips back down, letting the crown of Nash’s cock slide against the corrugated flesh at the roof of his mouth.
Ford quickened the pace, bringing Nash right to the edge. Ford could feel Nash’s cock hardening even more against his tongue, and the gasping breaths told him he was moments away from the precipice.
“Stop,” Nash commanded, pulling Ford off him and to his feet. He kissed him hard, tongue thrusting into Ford’s mouth. Ford moaned, and Nash’s tight grip on him was the only thing keeping him vertical as Nash pushed him backward toward the bedroom.
“Need to be inside you. I wanna be inside you when I come,” he said, turning Ford in his arms to face forward. As they walked, Nash’s fingers tugged frantically at Ford’s clothes, stripping his shirt over his head and tearing open his pants. By the time they reached the bedroom, there was a trail of clothing behind them, and they were both completely naked.
Nash picked Ford up and tossed him onto the bed, where he landed with a small bounce. He watched Nash yank open the drawer on the bedside table and grab the lube, then fling it onto the bed next to Ford.
Nash forced Ford’s knees wide, opening him, then covering Ford’s body with his own. He slid his cock against Ford’s, fist wrapped around the hard ridges, providing enough friction to make Ford’s eyes roll back.
“So good,” Ford gasped, his eyes closed, head fallen back against the pillows. He heard the snick of the bottle and a moment later felt Nash’s fingers at his entrance, pushing gently but insistently inside. Nash’s hands moved in concert, intensifying Ford’s need and making him feel completely out of control.
Until now that feeling would have terrified him, but with Nash, it felt completely freeing. Nash gave him the ability to fly.
Ford gathered in that feeling, letting it wash over him, and basked in the weightiness of the love he felt. The events of the last few days seemed as though they’d happened decades earlier, fading into dis
tant memories. Nash was the only vivid image in Ford’s mind.
Curling his fingers forward, Nash hit the place inside Ford that made his toes curl and his blood pump even faster. Heat rolled through him, and he needed Nash. Now.
Unable to form the words, Ford tugged at him, and Nash knew. He removed his fingers and slicked his cock, thrusting all at once inside Ford. Ford gasped, and his stomach contracted. He brought his mouth to the curve of Nash’s shoulder, murmuring nonsense words against his skin as he began to move.
Deep inside Ford, Nash’s cock dragged at all the right places, hitting every nerve, making him want to fly apart. He was filled, physically and emotionally, every neuron saturated with vivid sensation.
Nash thrust harder, the bed shaking and both their bodies rising and falling as they moved, rushing together toward completion. Ford’s hips rolled to the same rhythm Nash’s did, his cock sliding along the ridges of Nash’s stomach.
He was going to come apart, breaking into a million pieces in Nash’s arms, and still Nash fucked him harder.
Ford cried out, Nash’s name an oath on his lips as he came, spilling come between them and riding the waves of pleasure as Nash followed him over, his own orgasm making him stutter and still.
The sound of ragged breaths was the only noise in the room as they recovered, sensation dying away until all that was left were two bodies, replete and satiated.
“I love you,” Ford repeated, loving the sound of the words more and more each time he said them.
“I love you too,” Nash echoed, pressing a soft kiss to Ford’s temple.
Nash pulled out and cleaned them up before gathering Ford into his arms. Ford closed his eyes, feeling safe and cared for, and within minutes, he was asleep.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
“I’M MAKING coffee. You want some?” Nash called from the kitchen.
“Be right there,” Ford called, his voice sleepy.
They’d barely slept the night before, making up for their fight three separate times. Nash was grateful to have Ford back with him, where he belonged.
He padded out of the bedroom a moment later, a pair of Nash’s sweats, far too big, slung low on his hips. His hair was tousled, and Nash thought maybe makeup number four was imminent.
“You want to go get all your stuff today?” Nash asked. He couldn’t wait to have Ford moved in permanently. He’d never lived with anyone before, but being away from Ford had sucked. He couldn’t wait to make it official.
A knock at the door interrupted Ford before he could answer.
Nash walked over and pulled it open to see Jack standing there.
“Detective, come on in,” Nash said, stepping to the side for Jack to enter.
“Hi, Jack,” Ford said, smiling wide. “Where’s your partner?”
“We’re off duty today. I wanted to stop by and see how you were doing.”
“I’m doing better. Took a few hours for the shock to wear off, and my head still hurts a little, but I’ll survive.”
“I’m glad to hear it,” Jack said.
“Did you get anything from Greene?” Nash asked.
“He wouldn’t talk, but we got enough from searching his place to put him away forever.”
“He’s the one that’s been killing those kids?”
“Looks that way. The search historyon his computer alone was disturbing, but we also found pictures and videos on his hard drive of the boys. There are images of torture and rape, and Greene is the star in all of them. He’s a sick fuck, and I’m going to make sure he never sees the light of day again.”
“I’m still having a hard time believing it was him behind all those murders. He seems so… inept,” Ford said.
“He’s a psychopath,” Jack explained. “He’s not who you think he is. Until about seven years ago, Hugh Greene didn’t exist. He has a whole other identity, criminal contacts. His real name is Hesperos Giannopoulos. As far as we can tell, he moved here illegally from Greece and took his new identity.”
“Why become a hospital administrator?” Ford asked.
“My best guess is that he thought that’s where he could blend in best. He was studying to be a doctor in Greece but was never licensed after incidents with several patients were discovered. He’s deranged, and he’s been fostering those deranged fantasies for far too long. But we got him, and he’s never going to hurt anyone again.”
Ford nodded. “Have you found the connection to the hotel?”
“Not yet. There’s a forensic accountant going through all his accounts. There are some that are located at financial institutions overseas, and those are taking a little longer to gain access to, but even with the evidence we have now, it’s enough that he’ll be serving multiple life sentences in a maximum-security facility.”
“That’s not good enough,” Nash growled. “How is that justice? He gets to live out the rest of his life after ending the lives of so many kids. It doesn’t seem right.”
“I know. Trust me, there are a million punishments that would be more fitting, but we have to trust the justice system, even if it sometimes seems unfair,” Jack said.
“As long as he can’t hurt anyone else.”
“He won’t. I have to admit I’m looking forward to closing this case and moving on.” Jack sighed. He sounded tired. “I’ll let you two enjoy the rest of your day. I wanted to check in and make sure you were all right.”
“Thanks for coming by,” Nash said.
“Of course. It’s my job… but even if it wasn’t, I wanted to make sure you were both doing okay.”
A shrill sound came from Jack’s pocket. He dug around and pulled out his phone. “Excuse me a moment.”
He turned, and Nash could hear the muffled voice on the other end. Jack’s expression became serious. “I’ll be right there.” He hung up.
“I have to go,” Jack said, shoving his phone back into his pocket.
“Everything okay?” Ford asked.
“Greene is dead.”
“What? How is that possible?” Nash asked, shock coloring his voice.
“Someone got to him… I don’t know how. He was murdered in his cell. He bled out on the floor, the same symbol carved into his chest.”
Nash felt the dread set in deep.
Jack scrubbed a hand over his face. “This isn’t over.”
Epilogue
THE LINE through the disposable cell phone was marred with static as Darrel Marsh listened to it ringing on the other end.
“Greene’s taken care of, boss,” he said when the line opened up.
“Good. That’s very good. And no one saw?”
“No. I disabled the security cameras before I went in and shot him with enough warfarin to take down a man three times his size and made sure the cuts were deep. He bled out in no time at all.”
“Greene was a liability from the beginning. I should have learned not to let emotions guide business decisions. I will not make the same mistake again. I’m very pleased he’s no longer a problem, Darrel. You’ve done well.”
Darrel soaked in the praise as he crossed the street, away from his squad car toward the community center.
“Thank you, sir. I am glad to be of service.”
“Wonderful. I’m hoping you’re able to find me a few new boys before the end of the week. I have several new clients with… very particular tastes.”
“That shouldn’t be a problem. Is there anything specific I should be looking for?”
“Young” came the reply.
Darrel peered down the block as a boy, maybe twelve or thirteen, walked toward him. His clothes were soiled, and his hair was weeks past needing a trim. It was starting to rain, and the boy had no jacket. No one had taken care of this child in a long time. There were no parents waiting for him to return from school. No one would miss him if he just disappeared….
“Blond would work?” Darrel asked.
“Perfect.”
Darrel hung up the phone and squared his shoulders, making sure
his badge was visible and level as he walked toward the boy.
“Do you need some help?”
“You can help me?” the boy asked, looking up at him with wide blue eyes and tentative hope etched in his innocent expression.
A slow smile spread across Darrel’s face. “Of course. Come with me.”
More from Cate Ashwood
Zero Hour: Book One
For paramedic Adam Carson, his world is lights and sirens and saving lives. Pressures at work keep him firmly in the closet, and life is too busy to contend with the complications that come with dating and relationships. When a familiar face from his past turns up where he least expects it, Adam starts to question whether or not there is room in his life for those complications.
The last person forensic pathologist Sam McKenna expects to see at pub night is Adam, the guy who made his life hell in high school. The attraction is instant, but Adam isn’t gay and Sam has no interest in pursuing him. Still, the leftover animosity from their teenage years isn’t enough to extinguish the lust growing between them. After both are called to the scene of a horrific murder, Adam admits he’s not as straight as he led Sam to believe and they seek comfort and distraction in each other’s arms. One night becomes many as the murder investigation intensifies, but when Adam is faced with losing Sam, he is forced to make a choice: to break his silence, or to give up everything for the job he loves.
Charlie has one passion in life: dancing. It’s his salvation when it feels like the world is swallowing him whole. When his mom secretly secures him a spot in the summer intensive at the Free Rein Dance Company in New York, he is thrilled. He knows that once the summer ends, he’ll have to return to Beacon to get a job and help support his family, but for those two months, he can spread his wings.
