Playing With Fire
Page 21
“But….”
“Just be happy. That’s all you need to be. Everything else will take care of itself.” Jim rubbed small circles on his belly, and Barty realized no one else could possibly make him feel this way. “Are you crying?”
“No,” Barty lied and tried not to dry his cheeks.
“Good.”
“But what about the next case and the next bad guy? What about…?” He tried not to think about the next person who might want to hurt Jim. “What if I’m not there to watch your back?”
“You’ll be there, even when you aren’t in the room.” Jim kissed him, and Barty knew Jim would be there for him as well. That’s what his nana had told him love was: always being there for someone else, no matter what.
Barty closed his eyes and soaked in the warmth of Jim’s love, the one thing in life he’d never thought he’d have, and all it had taken was a serial shooter and Barty being willing to work with Jim and play with the gunfire that was part of his life.
Epilogue
BARTY STOOD in the formal living room, staring at the massive real tree that went nearly to the fourteen-foot ceiling. It glittered and glowed with lights and ornaments that Jim’s family had been collecting for generations.
“I don’t know if I can do this,” he said nervously.
“Your family is only coming for Christmas,” Jim said from behind him as he climbed a ladder to hang a huge wreath over the fireplace. Jim had wanted a real wreath, so they’d arranged to get it and hang it at the last minute. “This isn’t a firing squad. Besides, I’m the one who should be nervous. Your entire family and all the kids are coming here for Christmas.”
“You’ve met them before,” Barty said.
“Briefly on a few occasions, but not all of them at the same time.” Jim smiled, and Barty knew he was kidding. “The only nervous part is that you insisted that my family come as well for Christmas Eve, including my mother and father.” Jim placed the wreath on the hook and then climbed down the ladder and stepped back. “How did you get my mom and dad to agree to come anyway?”
Barty tapped the side of his head. “Psychology.”
Jim glared at him.
“Okay, guilt. I told them that you and I were talking about adopting a few children and that if they ever wanted to see their grandchildren, they needed to grow up. Your dad ground his teeth, but your mother wants more grandkids badly enough that she can’t stand it so she hushed your father and told me they’d both be there.”
Jim put his hands on his hips. “You promised her grandchildren?”
“I said that you and I have talked about adopting, which we have. I purposely didn’t give her a timetable.”
“Yeah, but now she’s going to ask me about it every time I talk to her.”
“So? At least she’s over the whole gay and being a cop things, which I never understood after catching the bad guy and becoming a sort of local hero. But who knows. People are crazy.”
“That coming from the guy who studies crazy.”
“Anyway, I didn’t lie, and your sister piled on the guilt because she said if they didn’t come, then they wouldn’t see Mindy and Meghan this Christmas since they’re spending Christmas Day with Franklin’s family, so they’re coming as well.”
“So what do we do if they don’t get along?”
“The wine chiller in the kitchen is already full. I suggest we pop open a few bottles and let the alcohol flow. Also, I have presents for everyone under the tree so we can always suggest that we open them. That should work. At least it did for Nicole and Mark when they were kids.”
“What do you mean, you got presents? You mean extra presents?”
“Well, sort of. I called Deidre, and she helped me with your family, and I got Nicole to help me.”
“I thought we were giving gifts together.”
“We are, but I got extra gifts and put our names on them. It was fun. By the way, your sister loves to shop.” He fanned himself and grinned.
Jim hugged him. “You’re a trip, you know that? I’m still trying to figure out how you went from the guy who never played to one of the most fun-loving people I know.”
“I think it was the deprivation sort of thing. Once I figured out what I was missing, I think I went a little overboard. You don’t mind, do you?”
“Not at all. I like you this way.” Jim pulled him closer and kissed him. Barty was about to suggest that they build a fire, get warm, and then really turn up the heat when the doorbell rang and the front door opened.
“Where are you guys?” Deidre called, and soon footsteps raced through the house.
“Uncle Perpy, Uncle Barty,” Meghan and Mindy called, and Barty scooped up Mindy while Jim hugged Meghan.
“I knew they’d find you first.” Deidre put down the wrapped presents under the tree. “I thought I’d bring these over, and the munchkins insisted on coming.”
Barty put Mindy down and hugged Deidre.
“I wanted to tell you that if you need any assistance getting your tenure materials together, I can help.”
“Oh, it’s all done and ready to go. They are apparently so excited about my research that they are developing a special fellowship in order to help fund it. And they loved the idea of a new area of study with economic impact, so our project is a go from their perspective. Basically, once I got that other offer, they couldn’t bend over backward far enough to give me whatever I want, and my classes have all filled up, so everything is working out.”
“That’s so wonderful,” Deidre said happily and then turned to where her daughters were playing. “We better get going, girls. Tell your uncles good-bye and that we’ll see them the day after tomorrow for Christmas Eve.” She turned to Jim. “Are you cooking?”
“I am,” Barty said. “I studied up on a lot of holiday dishes, talked to both mothers, figured both yours and mine were crazy, so I came up with my own menu, and everyone is going to love it.”
“Okay….”
Jim broke into peals of laughter. “He’s kidding. The dinner is being catered. I figured it was safest. But Barty is making the dessert himself.”
“Good. I know it’s going to be a wonderful time.” Deidre hugged them both and then took each of the girls by the hand and led them out of the house.
“Are you really prepared for all this?” Jim asked.
It was Barty’s turn to laugh. “We met because I helped you catch a serial shooter, and then I shot the guy after he hit me and was going to shoot you. I think after all that, we can get through a day with all our family.” Barty moved once again into the circle of Jim’s arms. “Why don’t you go lock the doors and set the alarm, and I’ll feed the little princess.” Who at that moment decided she wanted to sleep on the presents under the tree. “Then we can go on up to our room, and I’ll show you just how much I appreciate what you’re doing.”
Barty kissed him, and then Jim dashed away like he was a little kid ready to open his presents on Christmas morning. The lights went off one by one in the house, and Penelope jumped down from the present she had commandeered and hurried toward the kitchen. Clearly Jim was feeding her.
“You know,” Jim said when he returned, the lights off except for the tree. “I think I’m more excited for this Christmas than I have been in a long time.” Jim hugged him, and they stood in the middle of the room, looking at the tree. “I got the best present ever this year.”
“How do you know? Did you peek?” Deidre had told him that Jim was a huge snoop when it came to presents, and he’d gone to extra effort to hide the ones he’d gotten for Jim.
“No. You’re the best present ever.” Jim turned him and kissed him right there.
“I love you too,” Barty said, and then Jim took him by the hand and they left the room, Jim turning out the tree before leading him upstairs.
More from Dirk Greyson
Life in the big city wasn’t what Mackenzie “Mack” Redford expected, and now he’s come home to Hartwick County, South Dakota, to
serve as sheriff.
Brantley Calderone is looking for a new life. After leaving New York and buying a ranch, he’s settling in and getting used to living at a different pace—until he finds a dead woman on his porch and himself the prime suspect in her murder.
Mack and Brantley quickly realize several things: someone is trying to frame Brantley; he is no longer safe alone on his ranch; and there’s a definite attraction developing between them, one that only increases when Mack offers to let Brantley stay in his home. But as their romance escalates, so does the killer. They’ll have to stay one step ahead and figure out who wants Brantley dead before it’s too late. Only then can they start the life they’re both seeking—together.
Day and Knight: Book One
As former NSA, Dayton (Day) Ingram has national security chops and now works as a technical analyst for Scorpion. He longs for fieldwork, and scuttling an attack gives him his chance. He’s smart, multilingual, and a technological wizard. But his opportunity comes with a hitch—a partner, Knighton (Knight), who is a real mystery. Despite countless hours of research, Day can find nothing on the agent, including his first name!
Former Marine Knight crawled into a bottle after losing his family. After drying out, he’s offered one last chance: along with Day, stop a terrorist threat from the Yucatan. To get there without drawing suspicion, Day and Knight board a gay cruise, where the deeply closeted Day and equally closeted Knight must pose as a couple. Tensions run high as Knight communicates very little and Day bristles at Knight’s heavy-handed need for control.
But after drinking too much, Day and Knight wake up in bed. Together. As they near their destination, they must learn to trust and rely on each other to infiltrate the terrorist camp and neutralize the plot aimed at the US’s technological infrastructure, if they hope to have a life after the mission. One that might include each other.
Sequel to Day and Knight
Day and Knight: Book Two
Dayton “Day” Ingram is recovering from an injury suffered in Mexico—and from his failed relationship with fellow Scorpion agent, Knight. While researching an old government document, Day realizes he might be holding the key to finding an artistic masterpiece lost since WWII.
But the Russians are looking for it too, and have a team in place in Eastern Europe hunting it down. Day and Knight are brought back together when they are charged with getting to the painting first.
Knight wants to leave Mexico and everything that happened there behind, and return to the life he had—except it wasn’t much of a life. When he’s partnered up with Day, keeping his distance proves to be challenging. But Day is as stubborn as Knight and isn’t willing to let him walk away.
Their assignment leads them through Germany and Austria with agents hot on their tail—agents willing to do whatever it takes to get to the masterpiece first. If Day and Knight can live long enough to find the painting, they might also discover something even more precious—each other.
Yellowstone Wolves: Book One
When alpha shifter Mikael Volokov is called to witness a challenge, he learns the evil and power-hungry Anton Gregor will stop at nothing to attain victory. Knowing he will need alliances to keep his pack together, Mikael requests a congress with the nearby Evergreen pack and meets Denton Arguson, Evergreen alpha, to ask for his help. Fate has a strange twist for both of them, though, and Mikael and Denton soon realize they’re destined mates.
Denton resists the pull between them—he has his own pack and his own responsibilities. But Mikael isn’t willing to give up. The Mother has promised Mikael his mate, told him he must fight for him, and that only together can they defeat the coming darkness. When Anton casts his sights on Denton’s pack, attacks and sabotage follow, pulling Denton and Mikael together to defeat a common enemy. But Anton’s threats sow seeds of destruction enough to break any bond, and the mates’ determination to challenge the darkness may be their only saving grace.
Sequel to Challenge the Darkness
Yellowstone Wolves: Book Two
Fredrik is back from college and trying to stay out of his power-hungry brother’s way, until his brother takes a prisoner for his pleasure. Unable to tolerate his family’s cruelty, Fredrik overcomes his fear to help her escape back to her pack. There, he meets Christopher, and their instant attraction tells him Christopher is the one. However, since the threat of his brother remains, Fredrik is reluctant to pursue a relationship.
Christopher is still figuring out his place in the pack and has been living on his own to avoid making waves with his brother, Mikael. Now he’s met his soulmate, and he’ll do anything to take care of his love, including rejoining the pack.
With coaxing, Fredrik accepts his feelings, and Christopher’s pack gives him the home he’s never had. But Fredrick soon realizes he should keep running. His brother is on his tail and will stop at nothing to obtain the power he craves, especially when he realizes the source of the power could be Fredrik himself.
Readers love Dirk Greyson
Flight or Fight
“I recommend this to those who love a good murder mystery, who love digging nuggets of truth out of murky waters, who adore characters that have got spark, and endings that are perfect.”
—MM Good Book Reviews
“Dirk Greyson brings us a well plotted murder mystery with non-stop suspense and action.”
—The Novel Approach
Dawn and Dusk
“This is a must read for any that love romance that’s worked for, mystery and suspense, and two men that love hard, sex hard, and carry guns.”
—House Millar
“I really enjoy this series.”
—The Blogger Girls
Darkness Threatening
“…a worthy follow-up and a fabulous HEA…”
—Prism Book Alliance
DIRK is very much an outside kind of man. He loves travel and seeing new things. Dirk worked in corporate America for way too long and now spends his days writing, gardening, and taking care of the home he shares with his partner of more than two decades. He has a master’s degree and all the other accessories that go with a corporate job. But he is most proud of the stories he tells and the life he’s built. Dirk lives in Pennsylvania in a century-old home and is blessed with an amazing circle of friends.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/dirkgreyson
E-mail: dirkgreyson@comcast.net
By Dirk Greyson
An Assassin’s Holiday
Flight or Fight
Playing With Fire
DAY AND KNIGHT
Day and Knight
Sun and Shadow
Dawn and Dusk
YELLOWSTONE WOLVES
Challenge the Darkness
Darkness Threatening
Published by DREAMSPINNER PRESS
www.dreamspinnerpress.com
Published by
DREAMSPINNER PRESS
5032 Capital Circle SW, Suite 2, PMB# 279, Tallahassee, FL 32305-7886 USA
www.dreamspinnerpress.com
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of author imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Playing With Fire
© 2016 Dirk Greyson.
Cover Art
© 2016 L.C. Chase.
http://www.lcchase.com
Cover content is for illustrative purposes only and any person depicted on the cover is a model.
All rights reserved. This book is licensed to the original purchaser only. Duplication or distribution via any means is illegal and a violation of international copyright law, subject to criminal prosecution and upon conviction, fines, and/or imprisonment. Any eBook format cannot be legally loaned or given to others. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information sto
rage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the Publisher, except where permitted by law. To request permission and all other inquiries, contact Dreamspinner Press, 5032 Capital Circle SW, Suite 2, PMB# 279, Tallahassee, FL 32305-7886, USA, or www.dreamspinnerpress.com.
ISBN: 978-1-63477-909-8
Digital ISBN: 978-1-63477-910-4
Library of Congress Control Number: 2016913021
Published November 2016
v. 1.0
Printed in the United States of America