Throttled

by K. Sterling

  “It’s fine! You said you needed a few extra hours. I was just getting everything on the table,” Marco said as he took the bag then slid his hand around Wal’s cheek. “What is it?” He asked as he searched Wal’s face. Wal’s chest heaved and his jaw clenched as he struggled to hold himself together. “Hey! Talk to me and let me help you!” Marco urged as he leaned and threw the bread at the counter then pulled Wal into his arms.

  “We finally found Medford Jones,” Wal gasped against Marco’s shoulder as his hands twisted in the back of his shirt. Marco swallowed the swell of rage and sadness and held on tight to Wal as he shook and clung to him. Medford was as much a part of the neighborhood as the barbershop and the diner and everyone would feel his loss but Wal would take it personally and blame himself.

  “I’m so sorry,” Marco breathed into Wal’s hair as his arms wound around his shoulders. He felt Wal nod before he set Marco away from him. He sniffed hard as he glanced at the table then pointed his chin at it.

  “We should eat before it gets cold. I’m sure you’re hungry,” he said and Marco shook his head.

  “Not really. We don’t have to do this now,” he insisted but Wal nodded.

  “I have to try,” he said then took a deep breath and Marco groaned.

  “Wal…” He started but Wal stopped him.

  “I need something to be good today,” he replied and Marco sighed then waved at the hallway.

  “Fine. Go wash up while I take care of the bread and open a bottle of wine,” he said and he felt like absolute hell as Wal dragged himself down the hall. Marco’s appetite was gone but he’d do his best to help Wal salvage something from the day. Wal’s coat and tie were gone but he was still brittle and strained as they sat at the table.

  “Everything looks great,” he said as he let Marco prepare his plate.

  “It was the kind of day that makes you want to hang out around the stove,” Marco said as he filled their glasses and Wal hummed softly in agreement as he stared at his napkin. “Pretend it’s as good as mom’s,” Marco ordered as he gave Wal’s hand a reassuring squeeze. He released it to reach for the breadknife but Wal snatched his hand back.

  “Thank you. This is perfect,” he choked out and Marco heard and saw how exhausted he was and he could see the moment the walls caved in and Wal collapsed. “I’m sorry!” Wal gasped as he reached for Marco.

  “It’s ok!” Marco promised as Wal sobbed into the corner of his neck. Marco shushed him soothingly as he held him as tight as he could. “It’s ok,” he whispered as his hand pushed into Wal’s hair and sifted. “You know what? We don’t have to make something good happen today. It’s totally fucked and awful and we might as well accept that and just lean into it,” Marco decided.

  “What?” Wal muffled against his neck and Marco pushed out a hard breath as he leaned back and found his eyes. They were shattered and empty as they searched Marco’s.

  “Change of plans,” Marco said as he grabbed the loaf of bread and pushed it at Wal then hopped to his feet. “Don’t move,” he commanded as he took their plates and darted into the kitchen. He exchanged them for a bottle of bourbon and two glasses and swept back around the wall. “Your job, while I’m putting everything away, is to keep these glasses filled to right about…here,” Marco said he set them in front of Wal and pointed. A grateful smile tilted Wal’s lips as he looked up at him.

  “I think I can do that,” he said then grabbed the front of Marco’s shirt and pulled so he could kiss him. “I love you,” Wal whispered against Marco’s lips. “And this is good,” he added before he released him.

  “I love you too,” Marco said and kissed Wal’s forehead before he stood. Wal filled their glasses about a third of the way and they both blessed Medford’s soul before taking long, fortifying sips.

  “Fuck this day,” Wal sighed as he sat back in his chair.

  “Fuck this day,” Marco agreed then took another drink before he reached for the chicken Parm. “Come, my beautiful son. You are chunky and cheesy, like your father, but you’re too good for this world. I’ll see you tomorrow,” he told the dish as he cradled it. He heard a soft chuckle from Wal as he set it on the counter to finish cooling and felt a little less heartbroken. We’re going to get away from this city and Wavy T. I want to see him smile and laugh every day. Marco didn’t care how hard he had to fight and how much it cost. Wal was due for his Happily Ever After and Marco was tired of seeing him take on Wavy T and fighting for their neighborhood almost single-handedly. They were going to have a talk soon. Marco didn’t know if Wal would ever find Ciara Cole or catch the person responsible for the attack at the shop but he wasn’t going to let either of those cases or the city kill him. Marco understood why everyone was scared of Wavy T but he resented them for turning their backs on Ciara, just like they would Medford Jones, when Wal knocked on their doors to ask if they’d seen anything. They didn’t deserve Wal, if they were all going to give up and leave him to fight alone. Wal deserved to smile every day and Marco was making it his mission in life. Tomorrow.

  Marco cleared the table and put everything away while Wal kept their drinks topped off. They passed out on the couch, in their underwear, in each other’s arms, hugging a half-eaten loaf of bread. Wal cracked an eye open around sunrise and shook his head before he rolled and burrowed his face into Marco’s chest.

  “Fuck this day too,” he rumbled and Marco nodded firmly in agreement then pulled the throw blanket over their heads. Other than relocating to the bed, at some point, they barely moved until Marco woke up early the following morning. The other side of the bed was empty and he was concerned as he stumbled around the apartment but he found Wal, sitting on the kitchen floor in his boxers, eating cold chicken Parmigiana from the pan. “This is really good. I have to get ready for work soon but you should eat with me,” he said then stuck his fork into his mouth so he could reach and hunt in the drawer by his head. He found another fork and held it up and Marco shrugged as he dropped onto the floor next to him.

  “You’re incredible,” Marco said as he tilted so he could kiss his cheek and Wal shook his head.

  “It’s my job and I can’t lose anyone else because of Wavy T. I have to find a way to stop this so I know you’re safe and so I don’t have to worry they’ll take Mrs. K or one of the Tonys next,” Wal stated calmly and Marco nodded in agreement but he sighed.

  “I know but we’re going to have a talk about how you’re just one man and enough being enough, at some point,” Marco warned him and Wal ducked his head.

  “I understand. Just give me a little bit longer. Someone’s punishing people for helping me and I can’t let them get away with that. What if they went after you to punish me?” He said and his eyes were heavy as they rose to Marco’s. “Who’s going to get pulled into this next? What if it’s Mrs. K or Angelica?” He asked and Marco’s blood ran cold and he felt a rush of fear and anger. He sniffed hard as he rubbed his knuckle under his nose then nodded again.

  “If there was anyone who could take Wavy T down by himself, it’s you. Just be careful,” he said and Wal’s brows pulled together.

  “What do you mean?” He asked and Marco’s eyes swept upwards.

  “Don’t get hurt?” He said slowly and Wal’s vision became tight and focused.

  “You said I could take Wavy T down by myself,” he murmured absently as he stared at Marco and his head tilted as he processed.

  “It seems like you’ve been fighting him by yourself the whole time,” Marco said and Wal’s gaze cleared and he offered him a hard smile.

  “It does seem like that. Doesn’t it?”

  Chapter 19

  Wal hid his tight grin behind his coffee cup and his eyes scanned the station casually as he leaned against his door. Everything shifted and fit together neatly once Wal changed his perspective. How would I fuck up an investigation from the inside, if I was playing for the other team? He asked himself as he waited for his first target. Wal had to play a very tight game. He had no idea how
many people he was playing against or how high up the chain the game went. He was about to find out. Bradbury came around the corner with his donut and coffee and Wal offered him a slight nod and saluted him with his mug.

  “Wal!” Bradbury said as he stopped and set his donut on top of his mug then switched hands before reaching for Wal’s. “I thought you were on leave,” he said and Wal nodded as he shook Bradbury’s hand.

  “I am. I just wanted to stop in and take care of a few emails from my office and run down some things,” he said and Bradbury pointed.

  “I get that. I get cabin fever when I’m stuck at home too,” he said and Wal raised his brows in agreement as he sipped. He let the moment stretch until Bradbury thought the conversation was over. “Well…if you need anything,” he said and Wal started to shake his head then paused.

  “Actually. You might be able to help me out,” he said as he became serious and stepped closer. “You were one of the first people at the initial Wexler crime scene. Why didn’t you make sure it was closed off? I read reports from witnesses that kids were walking through there and poking at Donnie,” he said under his breath and kept it slightly accusatory. Bradford’s eyes got wide and he shook his head quickly.

  “No way! The techs were just showing up when I got there with Steve. Patterson was the first to show up, he said he was just around the corner, checking in with one of his regular informants,” he said quickly. It’s amazing how much clearer someone’s memory gets when they’re scared they’ll take the fall for something. Patterson? Wal shook his head and pretended to relax.

  “I won’t worry about it, then. I’m sure Patterson got it locked down as fast as he could,” he said dismissively and Bradford looked relieved as he nodded.

  “You’re probably right. I need to get back to my desk but you let me know if you need anything and tell Marco I said hello,” he said as he stepped around Wal and quickly took himself off.

  “I’ll tell him,” Wal said then went back to his coffee as everyone went about their morning. He pretended to idly scan and enjoy his coffee as he analyzed everything he knew about Patterson, every conversation they’d shared and everything Patterson touched in the Cole investigation and Marco’s attack. Wal exchanged pleasantries and chatted casually about other cases despite the hard, bitter knot of disgust and disappointment growing in his gut. How long and how many cases? There wasn’t a soul in the department who didn’t trust Patterson and Wal had a strong suspicion Dabney was involved. They’d been partners most of their careers, there was no way Dabney wouldn’t know. Wal’s heart sank as he glanced at Bill’s office. They were like brothers and it was going to kill Bill when he found out. He might know, a voice warned and Wal coughed as his throat tightened and burned. He had to acknowledge that it was a possibility. Wal couldn’t see how Bill wouldn’t know something like that was going on under his nose, especially with the three of them being best friends. Then again, it was easier to manipulate the people you knew the best. Patterson and Dabney would know exactly how to get around Bill and when he wasn’t looking. Wal would never believe Bill was capable of selling his integrity but he might turn a blind eye now and then because it was Patterson and Dabney. It didn’t make it right but it sounded a lot more like Bill. Wal felt sick as he retreated into his office and sat behind his desk. He had to follow Ciara Cole’s case, wherever it lead, and he had to do it without letting Patterson or Dabney know he was on to them. They’d expect him to keep meddling because he couldn’t leave a case alone so he could keep poking if he was careful but he couldn’t risk someone else getting hurt if he moved too quickly or made too much noise. It would end Bill’s career, when it was revealed he’d looked the other way or missed something that big, on his watch. There was nothing for it but Wal knew it would be handled quietly. Bill would probably retire on time and with his pension intact. It was just unfortunate that his name and legacy would be tarnished.

  “We protect the innocent, not our friends,” Wal reminded himself as he reached for the phone and dialed the coroner’s office. He waited through several rings before Jake Tyler answered. “It’s Walden,” he said.

  “Hey, Wal how’s it going?” He asked and it was loaded and tense. Wal shook his head and fell back in his seat.

  “Not great, Jake. But I won’t get into it right now, over the phone. I’m just in for a few hours this morning. I’m looking at Wexler’s autopsy and I’m seeing that his hands were never bagged. That’s not like your team,” he said and Tyler snorted hard.

  “No kidding,” he growled. “I saw Wanda bag the victim’s hands myself. I also saw Dabney take one of the bags off because he wanted to confirm the watch was taken,” he added and Wal snorted in exasperation.

  “Well, that’s really odd, isn’t it?” he said dryly. “I think you should let me look into that and keep your head down,” he stated clearly and firmly.

  “No problem. Keep me posted and let me know if I can help,” Tyler replied, just as clearly and firmly.

  “I’m just about to take off. I’ve made enough progress for one morning. I’ll talk to you later,” Wal stated then hung up and willed Jake to stay reliable and safe. He had one more call to make. He’d confirm Patterson or Dabney told the techs in Donnie’s apartment to let that evidence sit then he’d figure out how much Bill knew. He wasn’t going to like any answer but it felt good, knowing he’d finally got his head above water and could see land. He finally had leads he could work with, he’d follow them wherever the truth went and he’d get justice for Ciara, Marco, Medford and Donnie.

  Chapter 20

  The water stopped running in the bathroom and Marco’s nerves fizzed wildly and he stifled a giddy squeal. Wal snuck into the bathroom while he was clearing the table and the longer he spent in the bathroom, the more Marco’s heart raced. Marco crashed onto the bed and his legs kicked excitedly when Wal hit the two hour mark. Marco knew he wouldn’t be too much longer.

  “I get to fuck Wal tonight!” Marco sang very quietly under his breath as he shimmied out of his sweatpants and reached for his sketchbook. His fingertips tapped anxiously against the cover as he did his best to maintain his composure but he was so fucking hard and ready. And bareback. He groaned as he bit his knuckle. He’d done that once. His first time. They were both virgins and it went wrong in every way possible and was over so quickly, it didn’t really count. After that, Marco jumped right up to college guys and his mother put the fear of AIDS and the clap into him, so he always insisted on condoms. She was a nurse and stayed on his case about using protection and getting tested. It was never a big deal and Marco never cared before but it was staggering, how turned on he got when he thought about being that close to Wal.

  The world was full of mysteries and there would always be crimes for Wal to solve. Wal studied textbooks because he wanted to know how everything worked so he could save the world. For Marco, Wal was the real mystery and a puzzle he needed to solve. The world was full of thieves and murderers but there was just one Jack Walden and Marco wanted to learn everything about how he worked so he could save him.

  “And fuck him!” Marco whispered gleefully. He knew it would feel amazing. It always did. But Marco was aroused and overwhelmed at the intimacy of it. He yearned for each new revelation and glimpse into Wal’s heart and his past. And Marco wanted to see Wal give up control and let go. Of course, the two plus hours in the bathroom were very much about control. Wal was hyper fastidious because he’d lived in terrible conditions and often had lice as a child but he took fastidious to a whole new level when he was in the mood to bottom. Marco had a feeling the ritual of grooming himself from head to toe and inside out helped settle Wal’s nerves. He loved procedures and rituals and found comfort in them. Wal was only squeamish about ass play when he was receiving. Which made sense to Marco once he connected it to Wal’s inability to accept gifts. He’d craved love and attention his whole life but he didn’t understand what to do, how to react, when he received either. Marco understood that bottoming made
Wal feel vulnerable and self-conscious so he was happy to let him take the lead. And Marco was absolutely fine with being on top only once or twice a month because he would lose his mind if he had to wait for two hours, more than once or twice a month. I’m going to break him tonight, Marco decided. He could see that Wal was pacing, from the shadows under the door. It was adorable and maddening. He understood why Wal was nervous but the anticipation was finally getting to Marco. He was just about to ask if everything was all right when the door swung open and Wal emerged in a cloud of soap and toothpaste scented steam. Marco looked up nonchalantly and offered Wal a relaxed smile then went back to his book.

  “Everything ok?” He asked. Wal nodded tightly and his eyes were focused on the carpet as he strode through the room like an Olympic diver on his way to the ladder. He stopped and swiftly pushed his boxers down his legs and Marco bit down on his lips to keep from laughing as Wal flipped back the covers and dove beneath them. He pulled them up to his chin and Marco quickly shut his book and turned off the lamp. Marco slid beneath the covers and Wal immediately rolled toward him and reached for his hand. Wal could never ask for anything, when it came to sex. He referred to sex as it or that and preferred to take whatever he needed. But he was tentative and coy as he pulled Marco’s hand around his body and over his ass. Marco growled encouragingly as he cupped a firm, round cheek and rolled Wal onto his back. “It drives me crazy when you do that. Show me or tell me and I’ll do whatever you want,” he murmured against Wal’s lips as he settled over him, on his elbow. Wal shifted restlessly beneath him and pushed Marco’s hand between his legs and into the cleft of his ass. Marco’s fingers trailed over his tight, puckered hole and Wal nodded frantically. Wal’s hand swatted at the bedside table until he found the lube and it slid down the mattress a moment later. “Slow down,” Marco crooned as his fingers strummed over Wal’s flinching hole and he felt him shiver.