by Jessie G
It was his loyalty that would earn Juan a more lucrative job if Alaric had his way, and also why Alaric didn’t do more than press a single button on the control panel. As the appointed liaison charged with keeping the evidence secure, Juan could be held accountable for Alaric’s actions and that wasn’t a risk he was willing to take.
Instead, he focused on their original goal. Right the wrong. Help the victims. Get justice for Davin. Erasing the past wouldn’t change it, neither would carrying it around for the rest of their lives. But letting go didn’t mean doing nothing. Working this case was proof that both he and Davin were on the same page there. And part of doing something was making sure that everyone involved was held accountable.
Of the six men who actively participated in Davin’s assault, three were out of his reach and three were currently being investigated as Terence’s possible partner. Once Davin closed that case, Alaric would find a way to make the remaining two pay as well. Until then, he had a whole bar full of faces. Bystanders who did nothing to help. He didn’t know if that made them accessories and therefore punishable, or if there was a statute of limitations, but he was sure the police didn’t have the resources to build a case against every one of them.
He did.
It might not be for that particular crime, but if he dug deep enough, he was sure to find something. Then all he had to do was get the information into the hands of someone with the time, interest, and authority to go after them. Easy? No. Worth it? To him, yes.
Entering his credentials into the dashboard, he sorted out all the photos that were taken outside the bar. When Davin pulled up, he was idling at the sidewalk. After Terence had him ambushed, someone moved his car to the lot—presumably to get it out of the way. Alaric didn’t know why Terence wanted those pictures, but they provided the first clue into finding out who else was there that night.
Sending those images to his own encrypted server so he could scan them for license plates, he was just shutting the system down when his phone rang. “Miss me already, Detective?”
“All the time actually.”
As those words washed over him, Alaric knew he would eventually tell Davin about his plan. Lies and misunderstandings had come between them once, he wouldn’t let that happen again.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Davin
“I could only hope to score a buyer like this.” Luis wasn’t shy about talking to them once they said they weren’t from drug enforcement. “Terri was the white whale we all hoped to catch.”
“The white whale?”
“Yeah, it’s a Vegas term, I think. The guy with the bucks you want to help spend. But he was loyal to Durango. Trusted him to always provide the good shit and always have a lot of it. They grew up together. Durango would still be pushing pills on the corner if he hadn’t fallen in the shit with Terri.”
Switching tactics, Davin showed the photo of Simon Ferris. “Tell me about him.”
“Ferris Wheel? Always jonesing, always looking to score from whoever was around and always pissed off if you didn’t have what he wanted. Then he rolls up on me begging for smack, but I’m tapped, and he starts swinging, so I called the cops. I’m just a businessman, trying to pay my way through college, and I don’t have to take no shit from any customer.”
“You ever see these two together?”
“Hmmm, maybe seen them in the same place, but not like they were together. Terri wouldn’t get his boots dirty on the likes of Ferris. Even among the addicts, there are betters and Terri was a better. Deep pockets, always smooth, never out of control, and he was a mean fucker. If he didn’t like you, he had no shortage of followers who would make sure you knew it.”
“Did Terri have a problem with Ferris?”
“Not that I recall. It’s normal to see the same faces in the same places. Raves, parties, bonfires, shit like that. Lots of acquaintances slapping each other on the back on the way to their posse. It’s all business you see, who’s got what and who’s keeping track of the supply. Through Durango, Terri had the in. He always knew the trade routes and where the corner salesman could replenish his supply. Lots of guys wanted to shake his hand, get the inside track.”
“You got names for Terri’s followers?”
“All of them?”
“As many as you can remember.”
“I ain’t no snitch.”
“I’m looking for a rapist, Perez, who doesn’t discriminate. You have a family somewhere? People you don’t want to see hurt. Cause that’s all I got to offer you.”
“And the promise that you’re not after a big drug bust.”
“That’s not my department.”
“Yeah, fine, got a pen?”
Fifteen minutes and three pages of names later, Davin followed Sully to the car and grinned when he started laughing. “Not your department? When do you think the college educated businessman is going to realize he’s been lied to?”
“I didn’t lie. It’s not my department. If drug enforcement gets my notes, that’s not on me.”
“Whatever you say, man. Where to next?”
“Let’s head over to the 5th Street Marina and talk to Nick Carter. He’s one of Pat Jameson’s victims.”
“Shouldn’t we stick with the Ferris angle?”
The more they talked to the people Ferris hurt, the less Davin liked him for Terence’s partner. Nearly everyone described him as grasping and unstable. That would have made him more of a liability than an asset. “We should talk to all of them and this will bring us closer to the Bennett Group. You arranged lunch, remember?”
“Right. Ever heard the name Durango before?”
“No, but it sounds like someone drug enforcement is probably looking for.”
“If he’s the supply for the deep pockets, he’s probably well insulated.”
“Yeah, but if he and Terence were tight, could he be K?” Sully didn’t answer as he pulled out into traffic and got them back on the road, so Davin kept talking. “His name hasn’t come up on the lists Juan’s been sending over, but we’ll mention it at lunch. I’m sure those fancy computers can do a search of all that data.”
“You don’t sound optimistic.”
“Luis said Durango and Terence grew up together, and that Durango became the hot shot dealer he is because of Terence’s trust in him. If this guy was the guy, I wouldn’t have been the first. Terence was well into his drug habit by the time I entered Ric’s life.”
“Is that so far-fetched? You’re tied up in the idea that this started out of a need to hurt you and Ric and then he developed a taste for it. But what if he had the taste for it before then and already had his partner?”
“You’re forgetting how clear the entry in that diary is, Sully. How clear Terence makes it that he found his soul mate that night. I’m not saying he didn’t have a taste for it before, I just don’t think he had his scapegoat until then.”
They managed three more stops before heading to lunch, but none of them seemed worth their time. As they pulled into the lot, Davin directed him to the secured parking and pulled out his identification. When the guard at the gate gave him a friendly smile and waved them in, he directed Sully to his new parking spot.
“You have a spot?”
“Perks of sleeping with the boss.” The closest doors led directly to the Alaric’s offices and the conference room he’d set aside for Juan, and Davin headed in that direction.
“Good afternoon, Detective.” Another security guard was seated at a desk when they entered and nodded when he put his thumb on the print scanner. “Mr. Bennett notified us that you’d be arriving with your partner and has provided temporary credentials for him.”
Sully looked a little surprised when he had to scan his thumb print and wait for the machine to confirm his identity. “He has my prints?”
“They are on file with the MPD, Detective,” the guard answered before Davin could.
“You have ties to the MPD fingerprint system?”
“Much of
the work done here at Bennett Group is highly classified and our clients take security very seriously. Having access to identify every person who enters our building is only one way we can ensure that classified status.” Delia spoke as she approached, smiling to soften her words as she offered her hand to Sully. “I’m Delia, Mr. Bennett’s PA.”
“What’s a PA?”
“His bodyguard.” She offered him a toothy smile before turning to Davin. “Detective Monroe, it’s good to see you again.”
“Delia.” Davin inclined his head and gestured for her to lead the way. “Is Ric in with Juan?”
“He’ll be in shortly. Miss Bethany came in a little while ago. Apparently, there’s been some trouble at the university.”
Davin caught the quick frown she tried to hide and asked, “Are they in his office?”
“Yes, I’ll be happy to take your partner over to the...”
Davin was already walking away and didn’t stop until he was in Alaric’s office. He didn’t bother to knock either, just pushed in one of the double doors and found Beth sobbing in his arms. “What the hell happened?”
Bethany turned that tear-streaked face to him and sobbed, “The University kicked me out!”
Crossing the office, Davin barely braced as she launched herself in his arms and he sought out Alaric over her head. “What’s going on?”
“The fucking press!” As quickly as she jumped him, Bethany exploded out of his arms and threw her hands in the air. “They’re staked out near the house, my apartment, the University... everywhere! They said we were harboring a criminal and protecting his partner. My boyfriend won’t take my calls and my friends are afraid to be seen with me. This investigation has ruined our lives!”
“Beth, take a deep breath.” Alaric met Davin’s glare with one of his own and warned, “Don’t look at me like that, Detective. This is the first I am hearing about it too.”
“I told Mom and Dad to tell you! To call this whole thing off before we lose everything.”
“Beth, look at me,” Alaric all but growled the command. “Call this off? Then what happens when you or one of your friends is attacked? You’re not thinking straight anymore.”
“I know, I know! It’s just… It’s never going to end, Ric! No one will ever look at us the same way again. I hate Terence. I hate him! I don’t care that he was my brother, he was a sick bastard and I hate him so much.”
“It will end, Beth,” Davin cut in. He wanted to say that he was getting justice for all of them, her included, but he didn’t think that would calm her down. As it was, her tears were killing him. “It will be over when I catch his partner and put him behind bars for the rest of his life. Then you’ll have your life back, I swear. You just have to give me a little time.”
“I know I’m being selfish, but the university asked me to take a hiatus,” she whispered, looking at Alaric.
“That’s not going to happen.” Alaric looked both angry and unimpressed. “I’ll talk to them.”
Beth dragged in a shaky breath and turned toward Davin. “Can you really catch this guy?”
“Yes, I can.”
Nodding, she picked up her purse and headed for the door. “I’m going to stay with Mom and Dad until this is over.”
“Beth…”
“No!” She pulled away when Davin reached for her. “I shouldn’t have come here like this and made your job harder. I’ll be safe at the house, okay? You just…just end this, Dav. For all of us.”
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Alaric
“We haven’t considered her,” Davin said into the silence. “Everything we’ve done since Terence died and we totally overlooked how all this would affect her.”
“You’re right.” But isn’t that what they had parents for? They put on a great show of support and always had words of encouragement, but their way of handling crisis was to hunker down in their mansion, throw money at it, or just leave it to someone else. To him.
“You’ve been focused on me.”
“Damn right I have.” Alaric wouldn’t apologize for that. The only time he felt like he was doing the right thing was when he was focused on Davin, then and now.
“We both know Claire and Dante aren’t good at protecting themselves, much less either of you. It’s a nice idea to think they’d step up for Beth, but they’re probably as overwhelmed as she is.” Approaching slowly, Davin offered a small smile. “You can’t fault them when you’ve always been so good at slaying their dragons.”
He absolutely could fault them for putting him in that position long before he was old enough to handle such responsibility, then expecting it every time since. “Can’t you give me five minutes to be angry at them?”
“If you want, sure. Personally, I think there are better ways to spend five minutes.”
That had Alaric looking at him, his gaze sharp and predatory. “Detective, unless you’re willing to bend over my desk and put that ass in the air, I suggest you not tease.”
Under his heated gaze, Davin walked over to the desk, piled all the paper and clutter onto the matching hutch, then placed his palms on the surface as if checking its durability. Clearly satisfied that it wouldn’t crumble beneath them, he opened his belt and button fly, then let his pants and briefs fall to the floor. In challenge, Davin quirked an eyebrow, bent at the waist and rested across the smooth mahogany surface. “Who said I was teasing?”
Closing the distance, Alaric placed a hand on that upturned ass, his fingers stroking between the cheeks. The sight of Davin offering himself wiped everything else out of his mind and made him instantly hard. “There are a hundred things I want to do to you and none of them take only five minutes.”
“I only need one.”
“What do you need?”
“Your cock in my ass.”
The breath left Alaric in a rush. “Don’t move.”
He rooted around in the bathroom until he found a bottle of lotion and a couple of towels. It wasn’t ideal, but it would do in a pinch. Then he walked back toward his desk where Davin waited. Under any other circumstance, he would have taken the time to tease and edge his daring lover until they were both crazy with the need for release. The required patience was beyond him today and all that was left was his need for Davin.
Without a word, he took his place behind Davin, dropped his pants and slicked his cock, then lined himself up. In response, Davin pushed back, inviting him to take what had already been so willingly offered. They both sucked in a sharp breath when he rocked forward, pressing through as Davin pushed out, welcoming his invasion until he was balls deep. Alaric stopped there, absorbing the moment into his soul, and letting it heal him. If they had the time, he would have stayed there until the world felt normal again.
“Ric.”
“Hmm?”
“Move…please, Ric.”
How many times had he pictured Davin bent over this desk? It was almost surreal to have him there now and he just wanted to savor the moment. When Davin tried to twist around, Alaric pinned him with a hand at the back of his neck. Only then did he move, pounding into Davin like his life depended on it. Davin gripped the sides of the desk and buffeted every thrust, never once trying to shake off the hand that held him.
“Harder… So close… Ric.”
Beneath them, the desk rocked under the force of his thrusts. “Not yet. Not yet.”
“Please. Please, Ric.”
“No!” Alaric didn’t know how he held out. Knowing he had Davin pinned, fucking him raw while he begged to come, was the hottest thing ever. Yet he wanted more, wanted the hot clutch of those muscles around his cock forever, while Davin begged.
“I need you, Ric. I need to feel you come in my ass. Please, Ric.”
“Shut up.” The words fired him up, just as Davin knew they would.
“Fill me up, Ric, please.”
“Bastard,” he ground out as the orgasm rolled through him. “Now…now!”
Davin exploded with him, and Alaric barel
y remembered to grab one of the towels to catch it. Then he leaned down to press his forehead to Davin’s back and tried to remember how to breathe.
“Ric?” He loved the breathless way Davin said his name, but was he laughing? “I think we wrinkled your suit.”
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Davin
“Durango?” Alaric rolled the name on his tongue as he took the plate Davin filled for him from the small feast Marguerite had ordered. They had joined Sully and Montoya without acknowledging their curious looks and dove right into the meeting. “It’s not familiar, who is he?”
“From our intel, we believe he was Terence’s supplier and that they grew up together.”
“A street name maybe? It’s not a family name I’m familiar with, nor one I recall from school and it’s not like he would have brought his drug dealer home to meet the family. Is he a suspect?”
“I don’t know,” Davin admitted. “But an exclusive buy/sell relationship would take a lot of trust, so I don’t want to take him off the list.”
“Then there’s Simon Ferris,” Sully interjected. “Ferris Wheel on the street. He got popped for a bodega robbery and the vic remembers the partner wearing a gold watch and dress shoes.”
Though he didn’t want to disregard one of Sully’s feelings, that just wasn’t enough to convince Davin. “And we agreed those could be knock-offs. Remember, Luis Perez said they were never seen together.”
“But he did say they were often in the same place,” Sully volleyed back. “Think about that. If I had a partner I was also setting up as a scapegoat, why would I broadcast our connection?”