Taking It Slow (Code of Honor Book 4)

by Reese Knightley

  “Okay. How long?”

  “For a few days. I’m going to have you call Mayer and smooth things over. Apologize and arrange a meet.”

  He wanted to pound that fucker into the pavement instead, but he knew it wasn’t the way to get the big fish.

  “You think he’ll fall for that?” Liam asked.

  Forest looked at him and Spencer answered. “The guy’s greedy. He’d sell his family for a fucking buck. I can get him to meet, but how does that get us to Coulier?”

  “We believe that Mayer meets with Coulier’s aide, Steven Moss, and delivers the money minus his cut.”

  “I never give him much money.” Spencer frowned.

  “Think bigger,” Forest said, drawing out several papers. “This is a list of people he extorts money from.”

  “Holy hell,” Isaac said, looking at the number of names on the list.

  “Yes, it’s a small fortune,” Forest said, his gaze running over Isaac. “And that’s only the ones we know about.”

  Zane scowled and took the paper from Isaac before he shoved it across the table back to Forest. “So, he carries around a big amount of cash and gives it to this Moss guy and then what?” Zane grumbled. “Deposits it into the councilman’s account?”

  “No. Of course not.” Forest frowned at Zane. “The money is laundered through several dummy companies before it’s transferred to offshore accounts.”

  “How are we going to prove that Coulier is involved then?” Spencer asked.

  “We are going to wire you and you’re going to need to convince Mayer that he takes you along when he meets Moss.”

  “The guy hates me,” Spencer pointed out.

  “That’s where Zane and Isaac come in.”

  Isaac’s eyes went wide.

  Zane scowled.

  Spencer grinned, and Liam?

  Well, his man didn’t look too happy about any of this.

  Liam

  “Are you okay with this, Colonel?” Forest asked.

  Fuck no! He wanted to growl, but nodded.

  “Then you’re in.” Forest looked mighty fucking happy.

  Forest opened the door and one of the agents entered. “This is Shane. He’ll backup Spencer at the sting.”

  “I’d rather work alone,” Spencer scowled.

  “That’s not an option. Shane will be out of sight, but on-hand with warrants. He’ll also provide any backup should you need it.”

  “That makes sense, Spencer,” he said.

  “Wait,” Spencer said, squinting at him. “What about the Bowman case?”

  “Who’s Bowman?” Forest frowned.

  “Link and Eagle are taking care of Bowman. If you’re done with Coulier and they haven’t found Bowman, then you can rejoin them,” Liam told him and then turned to Forest.

  “Bowman is our current target,” Liam said.

  “A nasty piece of work,” Spencer muttered.

  “Nastier than Councilman Coulier?”

  Spencer squinted. “Probably not. Bowman wouldn’t have the pull a councilman has.”

  Forest gave a grim smile.

  “Why don’t you have enough evidence to take this fucker down?” Zane complained.

  Forest gave Zane a frosty look. “We’ve been gathering evidence. When Spencer was arrested, we found our in. Without evidence, our case falls apart.”

  Zane grunted.

  “All right. Everyone check in with Anna to find out where she’s assigned you a room.”

  “My men can double up.”

  “That won’t be necessary,” he said. “Dinner is in the dining room at seventeen hundred hours, so don’t be late.” He stood and turned toward the door.

  Worry gnawed at his gut. Spencer had been in all kinds of missions and danger, so why this one had him in knots was beyond him. Maybe it had something to do with Spencer going in virtually alone. Sure, Zane and Isaac would be there for the first part of the setup, but after that? Spencer would be on his own with only Shane to assist.

  Liam fucking hated it and there wasn’t a fucking thing he could do about it. Pulling Fury from Bowman would make him look totally inept.

  “Hey,” Spencer said, gripping his arm.

  Liam stopped his rush down the hallway and paused.

  “What’s wrong?”

  He turned on Spencer. “What’s wrong?”

  “Sorry. Okay…” Spencer dropped his hand but didn’t back up. “Come on.” Spencer jerked his head and rather than waiting, Spencer disappeared into the master bedroom.

  Liam followed but at a slower pace. By the time he entered, Spencer was waiting impatiently. The soldier shoved the door closed and crossed his arms against his ripped chest and gave him the eye.

  The eye was somewhere between a stink eye and a dark look. Liam couldn’t be sure, but it drew a smile to his lips.

  Spencer didn’t look amused and his eye look morphed into a glare.

  “I’ve been on a hundred fucking missions.”

  Yeah, but those had been before. Before Spencer held his heart.

  “I’m worried,” he rasped through a tight throat.

  “I can tell.”

  And just like that, Spencer’s gaze became soft, a summer blue color, like a crystal clear lake that Liam wanted to dive into.

  He reached for Spencer at the same time the man came forward.

  Hands fiercely yanked at clothing while mouths fought with a ferocious kiss until they were naked. Liam backed Spencer up until his knees hit the edge of the bed and he toppled back. He followed Spencer down, pressing his thigh between the man’s legs and spread them wide. He ground his cock down on Spencer’s until the man was panting and groaning.

  “Lube?” Spencer gasped.

  Liam slapped at the nightstand and tossed condoms near their bodies. He lubed up his fingers, tossed the lube, and took Spencer’s mouth in a bone crushing kiss just as he slid one thick finger inside the man’s tight body.

  “Oh fuck,” Spencer groaned, bowing his back and panting.

  Liam added another finger to the first until Spencer was stretched and writhing on the bed.

  He fumbled rolling on a condom and then pressed the head of his throbbing dick through Spencer’s tight ring. It gripped the crown of his cock tightly and he moaned, thrusting forward until inch by fucking inch he slid all the way in.

  “Oh yeah.” Spencer tossed his head from side to side.

  Liam lifted himself up with his hands planted at either side of Spencer’s head and watched the pleasure spread over Spencer’s beautifully rugged face. His thrusts grew deeper, then he pulled to where only his crown was sheathed and stopped. It took every ounce of will he had.

  Panting, Spencer stopped tossing and stared at him with a glittering gaze through slotted lids.

  Liam smiled and slammed home. Spencer growled and dug his fingers into his hips. Liam wasted no more time on drawing this out. His release was so fucking close, his thrusts faltered.

  “Spencer,” he breathed out, his movements sporadic as he lost control completely.

  “Yes, yes.” Spencer reached between them and gripped his own dick just as hot come poured from the slit, spilling over his hand and onto his rock-hard abs.

  The sight drove Liam over the edge and he curled forward and spasmed hard, filling up the condom. Several moments later, he collapsed on top of Spencer.

  Spencer panted hard and Liam smiled. He rubbed his cheek against the man’s chest and tongued the winged tattoo before closing his eyes.

  Spencer

  Liam was still sleeping peacefully when he opened his eyes. The setting sun was just visible through the shades.

  Gently scooting down on the bed, he lifted the sheet and ducked his head beneath. Breathing in, the musky scent of Liam went straight to his dick and he moaned. Running his lips along Liam’s thigh, he tongued the slit on Liam’s limp cock before barely slipping it into his mouth. It grew beneath his attention and then Liam gasped and arched.

  He smiled around the hea
d of Liam’s hard cock before sliding it into his mouth along his tongue and to the back of his throat before doing it all over again.

  Hands reached to cup the back of his head and short nails scraped his scalp, sending goosebumps down his spine. He moaned and began sucking Liam in earnest. Going down on the man, a few needy moans escaped.

  Liam yanked back the sheet and then reached for the lube and condoms ever ready on the nightstand and tossed them beside him.

  Keeping his mouth locked on Liam’s dick, he lubed up and slid two fingers into the man’s ass, finding that bundle of nerves that would send Liam wild.

  “Spencer…” Liam groaned.

  He popped off Liam’s cock to roll a condom on his own cock before pressing the head against Liam’s hole.

  Rising up, he caught and held Liam’s eyes while he filled the man.

  The moment Spencer thrusted deep, Liam hissed out a growl and then reached down and grabbed his own dick.

  Every thrust was like entering nirvana, like a fisted glove was catching him and squeezing him tight.

  “I can’t hold it!” he shouted.

  “Then don’t,” Liam agreed, yanking on his cock between them.

  Spencer’s rhythm broke and he jerked a few more times before his balls emptied into the condom. He curled forward, riding out his orgasm while he watched Liam’s fisted grip milk his own cock with a shuddering gasp. Cum spurted from Liam’s slit and spilled over his crown, covering his fingers. Liam gave a few more jerking gasps and then stilled.

  Spencer let his arms go slack and sprawled out on Liam’s cum smeared abs. Liam slid his hands down his back as he drifted.

  Fifteen minutes later, he finally rolled from Liam and tossed the condom in the bedside trash can.

  “We need to talk,” Liam rasped.

  “Yeah, I know, but I need a shower first.” He rolled from the bed and headed to the shower.

  He took his time washing and grabbed a towel from the fluffy rack to dry off. Glancing toward the doorway, it stood empty. Good, he wasn’t ready to talk about everything until he got himself together.

  He found an unopened razor and shaving cream on the sink and set about shaving his face.

  When he finished, he suddenly caught Liam’s gaze through the reflection. Wiping the shaving cream from his face, he rinsed the razor beneath the tap water and then shut the water off before he turned.

  “We need to talk about you thinking I think you’re a charity case.”

  His mouth flatlined and he stepped past Liam into the room and grabbed up his shirt.

  “Why would you say that?” Liam followed him into the room.

  “Because that’s the way you make me feel by insisting you pay for everything.”

  “I only insist I pay for everything because I can.”

  “Well, aren’t you high and fucking mighty.”

  Suddenly, everything felt like a big mistake. Just because he loved Liam, it didn’t mean he could live with him.

  “That’s not the way I meant it. That came out wrong.”

  Spencer zipped his jeans and then sat on the bed to pull on his socks.

  “I know you’re strapped for cash until you sell your mom’s house,” he said.

  Spencer glared at him. “She rented it.”

  He tried another tactic. “Please, let me spoil you.”

  “I don’t want to be spoiled.”

  “Okay, then I won’t spoil you.” Liam yanked on his clothes and paused in buttoning his shirt. “But I’m still going to pay when we go out.”

  “Why is it so important for you to pay when we go out?”

  “Because I can.”

  “Well, doesn’t that say it all.”

  “Spencer, you’re being hard headed.”

  “I won’t be bought and I won’t be kept again by any man,” he said between clenched teeth, refusing to bend at the hurt look on Liam’s face.

  “Is that what you think I’m doing?”

  “Isn’t it?”

  Liam

  “Jesus, Spencer, let me help you.”

  “No.”

  “Why not? I’m in a position to help you.”

  “I don’t want to feel like I owe you.”

  Fuck! He ran a frustrated hand through his hair.

  “Cobalt Industries gives hundreds of thousands of dollars to help people.” He didn’t dare say the word charity.

  Spencer stayed quiet.

  “I want to help you, Spencer. I can’t stand you working yourself into the fucking ground when I have the means to help you. Why can’t I help a… friend in need?” Friend? Fuck, they were so much more than that.

  “I don’t want you to think less of me.”

  “Oh, Spencer,” he breathed. “I’d never think less of you for taking a helping hand. That’s what people do for each other. They help each other. It’s part of being in a relationship, whether it’s just friends or lovers.”

  Spencer closed his eyes and Liam eased closer. “Letting me help you doesn’t make you any less of a provider. I just want to take the edge off of your finances so you can take a fucking breath. I want to give you and Wesley the world. I have so much to give. And I want to give it to you.”

  He cupped Spencer’s face. A sheen of brightness hit Spencer’s eyes and the man quickly turned his head to hide the tears, but Liam saw them. He moved his hands to Spencer’s shoulders and kept them there while the man worked out an answer.

  “I don’t know how,” Spencer said gruffly.

  “Don’t know how to what?” He frowned.

  “Take your help.” Spencer finally turned back to face him.

  Liam smiled. “You just need to say yes. Then we can discuss what it will take to get you and keep you out of the red.”

  After a moment of hesitation, Spencer said, “I’ll think about it.”

  Liam let out a long breath. At least Spencer hadn’t said a flat out no.

  “I want to ask you something. You can tell me hell no, but I’m hoping you’ll say yes.”

  “What?” Spencer eyed him warily.

  “Move in with me and bring Wesley. There’s a high school down the street that Adam and Jessica go to that Wesley can get into easily. Anna and Mrs. Walters are here at all times to care for him.”

  Spencer turned and squeezed the sink.

  Sensing Spencer was on the verge of turning him down, Liam rushed to say something more.

  “As a partner or roommate,” Liam said and swallowed, his throat suddenly dry. “Either, I don’t care.”

  “No. I can’t. I’m sorry.”

  He took a step back. Before revealing how much Spencer had crushed his world, he turned and walked toward the bedroom door.

  He’d played his hand too soon.

  “Liam?”

  “Yeah?” He turned around.

  “I still love you,” Spencer said solemnly.

  He mustered up a smile. He knew in his heart this wasn’t over.

  Someday, he’d ask Spencer again, but right now Spencer wanted to take things slow.

  He’d do whatever it took to keep Spencer from running too far, he vowed silently before leaving the room.

  Watching Spencer leave his home the next morning along with Forest, Zane, Isaac, and the other FBI agents was one of the hardest things he’d ever done.

  “Colonel?”

  He turned and found both Maddox and River and mustered up a smile. The pair had been on his doorstep first thing that morning.

  “Okay, so, you two better report to the base,” he said, walking back toward his office. As he suspected they would, they followed him instead of leaving.

  Just as he sat in his chair, the front gate phone rang.

  “Jason?” He punched the speaker button.

  “CPS is here, sir.”

  He stared at the phone as if he could make the call disappear.

  “Let them in,” he said through clenched teeth and stood.

  Making his way back down the hallway with his two silen
t shadows, he found Anna opening the door.

  “I need to speak with Liam Cobalt,” a man in a dark suit said. Behind him stood two more men dressed similarly.

  “How can I help you?” he growled, stepping closer.

  “I’m here to pick up one,” the man glanced at his clipboard, “Wesley Turner.”

  “Wesley’s brother has custody of him. He’s only stepped out for a minute,” he lied.

  “I understand, but we need to take Wesley into custody.”

  “How did you even know Wesley was here?”

  “Mr. Turner left this address in case of an emergency.”

  That was news to him and he wondered if the guy was lying or had Spencer really put his address for emergencies? He wanted to lie and tell them Wesley wasn’t there and to get off his fucking lawn.

  “Why do you need to take him into custody?” he growled.

  “We need to determine if Wesley’s brother is fit to retain custody after the shooting at the house.”

  “Are you fucking kidding me?” he snapped, stepping closer. “Spencer had nothing to do with the shooting at the house.”

  River, who was typically the cool one, laid a hand on his arm. It brought him to his senses.

  “We have the papers.” The man refused to back up and held out the papers.

  Liam snatched them up and browsed over the legal language settling on the signature of a Peter Brinkmann, head of Los Angeles CPS ordering the retrieval of Wesley Turner.

  He pulled out his phone and dialed the number on the form.

  “This is Colonel Liam Cobalt. I need to speak to Peter Brinkmann,” he demanded, holding the agent’s gaze as he spoke into the phone.

  “Colonel, Peter Brinkmann here, what can I do for you?”

  “Did you sign a CPS form to retrieve Wesley Turner from my residence?”

  “I did.” Brinkmann sighed. “It came from the top. I’m sorry.”

  Liam didn’t respond; he hit the call end button and squeezed the phone.

  “Anna?” he clipped out.

  “Yes?”

  “Go get Wesley.” Jesus fucking Christ, could anything more happen to this family?

  He stood waiting for Wesley, who came walking down the hallway. Wesley’s eyes were so wide with fear that Liam wanted to kill something.