In the bathroom, he did his business then splashed some water on his face. He wasn’t sure whether to go to bed or wait up for Gage. A yawn overtook him, making his mind up. He grabbed his phone to check the time. It was after midnight and there had been no second text from Gage, so Landry sent a short message saying that he was turning in, following the words with a heart emoji. He was just about to climb into bed when the buzzer from the street gate sounded. He jumped, his heart pounding, then laughed at his own reaction. It was probably someone on their way home from a bar or club, thinking it was funny to lean on the buzzer. He stood waiting for a minute or two, but then it sounded again.
“What the hell?” He wished, not for the first time, that Mr. Lao had installed an intercom rather than just a buzzer. There was no way Landry was going down and unlocking the doors without knowing who was there. He left his apartment and crossed the landing to the only window he could easily access with a view of the street. It was around the corner from the front gate but if he shouted, whoever was there should hear.
“Who is it?” he yelled.
There was no answer but then a familiar figure came into view. Even in the dim light, the blond hair was a giveaway.
“Landry, it’s me, James Ellery.”
“It’s after midnight. What are you doing here?”
“I got into a spot of bother. I’m injured and I didn’t know where else to go. I need help.”
Landry cursed. Gage would probably kill him, but he couldn’t leave James out on the street. “Go back to the gate. I’m on my way.” He grabbed his keys then made his way out to the yard and across to the gate. The rain had slowed to a drizzle, but it was cold and Landry shivered. He wasn’t wearing anything beneath his onesie.
“Why are you dressed as a panda?” Ellery asked before Landry could even open the gate.
“None of your business,” Landry snapped. “Is there anyone else around?”
Ellery glanced up and down the street. “No, no one. And hey, if you’re into the furry stuff, that’s fine. Each to his own.”
“I am not into the ‘furry stuff’, as you put it.” Landry pulled open the gate. “Get in here.”
Ellery limped into the yard and Landry quickly locked the gate. “How badly are you hurt? My first aid is sketchy, to say the least.”
“I’ll live.”
“Do you need to go to a hospital?” Landry half shoved Ellery into the hall so that he could close and lock the door.
“No hospitals. I don’t need well-meaning doctors and nurses asking questions I don’t want to answer.”
“I hope it’s not too bad, because I’m not carrying you up four flights of stairs.” Landry marched up the first flight, hoping that Ellery would be able to follow under his own steam. He was far too big to carry.
Ellery trudged slowly up the steps, his face pale and drawn. He had to stop and take a few deep breaths on each landing but they eventually made it to Landry’s apartment. Landry guided him to the couch. “Sit.”
Ellery dropped into place with a groan.
“Tell me what happened.” Landry stood facing him, hands on his hips, fully aware that it wasn’t possible to look stern while wearing a panda onesie and Cookie Monster slippers.
“Like I said, I ran into a spot of bother,” Ellery said. “I don’t suppose I could trouble you for a glass of water, could I?”
Landry stomped to the kitchen to fetch a drink. When he returned, Ellery had his shirt off. Landry stared—he couldn’t not look at smooth skin and sculpted muscle—but his gaze was soon drawn to the livid bruising down one side of Ellery’s body. He handed over the glass of water. “That looks painful.”
“I’d like to be stoic and say it isn’t, but it hurts like a bastard.”
“So did you tangle with a moving vehicle or did a person do that to you?”
“Well, strictly speaking, the damage was done by a baseball bat, but there was a person wielding it at the time.”
“Are your ribs broken?”
“No. At least I don’t think so. He only got me twice.”
“You are fairly obnoxious, but I wouldn’t go so far as to say you deserve a beating. I have some Tylenol…” Landry ran to the kitchen to fetch the tablets. “Would you like anything else?” he shouted from the kitchen.
“No… Pills would be great, but then I should be on my way.”
“Where are you going to go?” Landry asked.
“Not sure. I’ll find some anonymous hotel, then hunker down for a couple of days, I suppose. I think they’ve been following me and it’s likely they know where I’ve been staying. Don’t worry, I made sure I wasn’t followed—and what’s with all the police action around here? Avoiding the patrol cars took some doing.”
“Seattle PD are diligent. Who’s they?”
Ellery gave Landry a hard look. “I’m not sure I should tell you.”
“You want these painkillers?” Landry waved the packet.
“Blackmail?”
“Normally I’m quite fond of the strong, silent type, however, on this occasion my curiosity overrules common sense.”
“Fine, but if I tell you, it goes no further.”
“I don’t keep secrets from Gage.”
“I can see that. The collar is a recent acquisition, isn’t it?”
“That’s none of your business.”
“For what it’s worth, he’s a very lucky man. It suits you. I should have liked… Never mind. I had a bit of a run in with the Japanese mob.”
“You mean the Yakuza?”
“Of course, you’re familiar with their activity. That’s who I rescued you from the other day, isn’t it?”
“More familiar than I would like to be, and yes, it was them,” Landry said, handing over the pills. “Is that why you were attacked, because you helped me?” Ellery gulped down three tablets, finishing his glass of water. Landry watched his Adam’s apple move as he swallowed.
“I’ve no idea but I’d guess so. Not sure how they could have tracked me down but they have a long reach.”
“I assume you’re not going to go out without your shirt on?”
Ellery smirked. He shrugged into his discarded clothes then stood with a wince. Landry sighed. “For fuck’s sake. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but you can stay here tonight. On the couch.”
“I couldn’t put you to that kind of trouble.”
“It would be more trouble for me if I threw you out into the night because I wouldn’t be able to sleep for worrying.”
“You’d worry about me?” Ellery grinned.
“Yes, because I’m a human being and not a complete douchebag.” Landry went to the linen closet to fetch a pillow and blanket. “You should be warm enough with these.” He laid them on the arm of the couch. “I’m going to bed. I’ll text Gage to let him know you’re here because there’s a chance he may come back in the night.”
“I consider myself warned.”
“If you stray from that couch, just remember my boyfriend carries a gun.”
“Noted.”
“The bathroom is down the hall if you want to use it. I need to sleep. It’s been one hell of the day.”
“I appreciate this,” Ellery said. “I won’t forget it.”
Landry grunted then ambled toward his bedroom. He lay on the bed with his phone, thinking how best to text Gage. He ended up writing, ‘the Brit is on the sofa, don’t shoot him.’ Less than a minute after pressing Send, the phone rang.
“Care to give me an explanation?” Gage’s tone was mild, but Landry wasn’t fooled. The irritation was evident in every word.
“He showed up here, injured. He was beaten up by the Yakuza… At least that’s what he told me. I’ve seen the damage, so someone definitely got to him and probably because he helped me out in the store the other day. He offered to leave, but I couldn’t throw him out. I told him he could sleep on the couch.”
“Your kind heart will get you into trouble one of these days.”
“As long as I’
m not in trouble with you,” Landry said.
“Not for being a good Samaritan, though I still don’t trust that Brit. You know they play the bad guys in all the best movies, don’t you?”
“That’s not a good reason for distrusting an entire nationality.”
“I like the Brits just fine, just not the good-looking ones with the hots for my boyfriend.”
“He does not!”
“How could he not?”
“He spotted my collar. He knew what it meant.”
“That doesn’t surprise me in the least. I’ll be there in an hour or so. If his ass isn’t firmly attached to the couch, I may have to shoot him, just for fun.”
“Fine, but don’t get any blood on my rug, ‘kay?”
“I’ll see you soon, sweetheart.” Gage hung up, leaving Landry with a warm feeling in his belly. He’d worry about the clash of the alpha males when it happened.
* * * *
Landry woke when Gage started fiddling with the zip on his onesie. He batted at Gage’s hands. “Whatcha doing?”
“Much as I like the furry costume, I guess you fell asleep before you undressed as you’re still on top of the covers, rather than under them. I was about to unwrap you.”
“Okay. Is the Brit still alive?”
“Don’t know. Don’t care. There was no movement from the couch, so I came straight in here.”
“Good. I don’t have much in the way of expertise when it comes to disposing of dead bodies.”
“I’m relieved to hear it.” Gage went back to dealing with the zipper, wrestling with the panda suit until Landry lay naked on the bed apart from his collar. “I think this is how you should dress all the time when we’re alone.”
Landry was still half asleep. “But I’m not dressed.”
“Exactly.”
Landry giggled before maneuvering himself beneath the comforter. “Are you going to stand there all night or get in here and fuck me?”
“I thought that collar might make you feel a bit more submissive, but that streak of brat is still strong, isn’t it?” Gage stripped, dropping his clothes where he stood.
Landry shrugged, wriggling deeper beneath the covers. “Then you’ll just have to suck it out of me, won’t you?”
“Who gives the orders around here?” Gage got into bed then rolled Landry onto his belly.
“You do, Sir.”
“Try to remember that. Get on your hands and knees.”
It was the work of a moment for Gage to glove and lube his cock. Landry shivered. He rested his forehead on crossed arms. He couldn’t wait for Gage to be inside him. Gage pushed a finger into Landry’s hole, then added another. The prep was quick and efficient. It felt good, but Landry craved Gage’s thick cock. He didn’t have to wait long.
“I don’t want to hurt you, but I’m short on patience tonight.”
“You won’t… Please…”
Gage pushed home, nudging Landry’s prostate as he did. He stilled for a few seconds and it was just enough time for Landry to get accustomed to the stretch and fullness. Landry pushed his ass back. He wanted Gage deeper. He got a slap across the butt for his trouble.
“Keep still, brat.” Gage grabbed Landry’s hips, digging his fingers in, holding him in place. He moved fast, snapping forward again and again, plunging deep into Landry’s receptive body. Hard and aching, Landry gripped the sheets, trying to remain still. It was difficult to think or even to breathe as Gage pounded Landry’s ass like it was the last time he was going to get the chance. With a final, powerful thrust, Gage came, pulling Landry back so that his ass settled against Gage’s groin, his wiry hair tickling Landry’s backside. Gage remained inside him and reached under Landry’s body to grasp his dick. A few tugs and Landry spilled over the sheet, howling through his release. They collapsed in a pile on the bed, Landry squashed beneath Gage’s weight until Gage rolled them both onto their sides. He hadn’t yet withdrawn and was still semi-hard. Landry loved that they were still connected. He didn’t want to get out of bed and managed to reach for a tissue to mop up the worst of the wet spot.
“Wanna sleep like this.”
Gage pulled the discarded comforter over them. “Fine with me. Think we woke up the Brit?” He sounded smug.
“I forgot he was even there,” Landry murmured. “But yes, I imagine we did.” He smiled. Gage pulled him even closer, wrapping Landry in a prison made from Gage’s arms.
“All mine.”
“Caveman.”
“Go to sleep, brat.”
“Yes, Sir.” Landry’s fingers strayed to his collar and he drifted into sleep touching the leather.
Chapter Fifteen
Landry awoke to the scent of frying bacon. Eyes still closed, he reached across the bed to pat the space where Gage was supposed to be. Landry’s hand met Gage’s solid bulk.
“Go back to sleep, Landry.”
“If you’re still here, he’s cooking.” Landry cranked his eyelids open. “Ellery.”
“What about him?” Gage sounded like he had gravel in his throat.
“I think he’s cooking breakfast. I can smell bacon.”
“Perhaps he’s not such a worthless piece of crap after all,” Gage muttered. “I’m hungry. Didn’t get any dinner last night, just shared a bag of chips with Sancha.” As if to demonstrate, his stomach growled.
“I’ll go investigate.” Landry grabbed sweats and an old T-shirt. Barefoot, he padded along to the kitchen where he found James Ellery cooking up a storm.
“Hey, Landry, I hope you don’t mind. I found eggs and bacon and couldn’t resist. It’s been an age since I had a decent fry up.”
“Make yourself at home.”
“Sarcasm is part of your genetic makeup, isn’t it?”
“Yes, though it has adapted and mutated over time. How long till I get bacon?”
“As soon as you tell me how many eggs you want.”
“One for me, two for Gage. Over easy.”
“Five minutes. Go lever the ape—I mean Gage—out of bed. Though I imagine he needs all the rest he can get after the amount of exercise he got last night.”
“Protein for breakfast is good. He needs his stamina.” Landry couldn’t help wiggling his butt as he marched back to the bedroom. Gage was pulling on his jeans over a black jock, the elastic framing the perfection that was his ass. Landry licked his lips, sighing when denim covered all that deliciousness.
“Well, a night’s sleep didn’t make him any less of an asshole,” he said.
“Why don’t you take a quick shower, while Mr. Ellery and I get to know each other?” Gage’s smile was wolfish.
“No breaking my dishes. I only have so many plates.”
“I can play nice. Wait.” Gage removed the leather collar from Landry’s neck and replaced it with his St. Christopher. “A temporary solution—you should still consider it my collar.”
Landry fingered the medallion, still warm from Gage’s skin. “Thank you.” He gave Gage a kiss then sloped off to the bathroom, hoping that he didn’t come out to too much devastation. He washed and dressed in super quick time and when he was done, to his utter shock, he found Gage and Ellery sitting at his tiny dining table, conversing like grown-ups. His plate of food, still nice and hot, was waiting for him. He sat with Gage to one side and Ellery opposite him.
“Okay, so which one of you had a personality transplant while I was in the shower?”
“Have a bit of faith,” Ellery said. “We have come to a mutually agreeable diplomatic solution. Conversation is limited to the weather, bacon and sightseeing in Seattle.”
Gage nodded. “I was just about to tell James about the Fremont market.”
Landry crunched on a mouthful of bacon. “Oh, that’s so cool. It has loads of one-of-a-kind and vintage things, handicrafts, antiques—and you get to see stuff from new designers and artists. There are loads of street food vendors as well.”
“Sounds like some of the European fairs,” James said.
“I wouldn’t know. I’ve never been to Europe.” Landry squirted extra ketchup onto his plate. “There’s Pike Place too, that’s another market, and you should go up the Space Needle of course, the Museum of Pop Culture is great, and somewhere I haven’t been but would love to go is the Chihuly Garden and Glass—another museum. It has this huge, one-hundred-foot-long sculpture suspended from the ceiling. It’s all red, orange and yellow. I’ve only seen pictures, though.”
“I’m not sure how long I’ll be here,” James said. “But those all sound like places I should look up.”
For a few minutes, the conversation stalled while they chomped on their bacon and eggs. James and Gage finished first then Landry pushed his plate away last. “That was great. Food always tastes better when I don’t have to cook it myself.”
“Well, considering your usual idea of breakfast is a bowl of cereal or to send me next door to the café for pastries…” Gage rolled his eyes.
“It’s not often I’m up early enough to eat this much before I have to start work,” Landry said. “I like my bed too much.” He gave Gage a sultry glance.
James cleared his throat. “And on that note, I think I’ve taken advantage of your hospitality for too long.”
“Landry, could you give us a minute, please?” Gage’s request was an order in disguise.
Landry considered complaining about being sent away like a child but decided against it. He went to clean his teeth and finish getting ready to open the store. When he got back, Gage and James were in the kitchen cleaning up.
“Still friends then,” Landry observed.
“I’ve asked James to stay for the day,” Gage said. “I can’t be here with you and I don’t want you alone in the store.”
“And I’ve agreed.” James winked. “Though I have been warned that if I even look at you wrong, parts of my anatomy that I’m quite fond of will be detached from my body then pickled.”
“You two are unbelievable,” Landry exclaimed. “I don’t need a babysitter!”
“Yes, you do.” Gage and James spoke in unison, then shared a conspiratorial grin.
“I give up. So long as someone keeps me in coffee and snacks, I don’t care. Don’t get in my way.” Landry glared at James. “I wouldn’t want a heavy piece of furniture to fall on you by accident.”
The Lucky Cat Page 15