by K. Sterling
“You’d better do a hell of a lot better than you did back there,” he said as he waved behind them. “You might have been more subtle if you were a tank,” he added and Quinn’s lip pushed out.
“Really? I thought I was doing so well,” he murmured.
“You were stomping about like a clydesdale,” Roman scolded and Quinn winced at Mr. Bishop sheepishly.
“You’re really quiet for someone your size,” he said and Mr. Bishop’s face was about as animated as a cinder block.
“You are not, sir,” he said.
“Come along. We’re going to be late,” Roman complained as he waved toward the warehouse up ahead. Quinn dashed to catch up with Roman then glanced nervously at Mr. Bishop.
“Does he always follow you?” He asked and Roman nodded.
“Unless he’s driving me someplace,” he said and Quinn frowned at the warehouse. It was on the far end of the train car cemetery and looked abandoned. Graffiti crawled up the walls like vines and decades of rust chewed at the bolts and seams. Roman went to one of the large sliding doors then turned his back to it and gave it two hard kicks. It began to slide and a massive, fleshy bald head protruded. Much of the head was tattooed to look as if the skin and skull were removed, leaving a disturbingly lifelike brain exposed. The face was studded with piercings in the brows, lips, cheeks and a chain ran from his nose to his ear.
“He’s expecting you,” he said then pushed the door wider. Roman waved for them to follow and Quinn hurried to keep up with him.
They made their way through a maze of crates and boxes and Quinn sniffed discreetly as he smelled burning wood. He avoided making eye contact with the sentries eyeing him threateningly as they lurked and lounged along their path. Roman nodded occasionally but he was relaxed as he strolled, one hand was pushed into his pocket as the other swung casually at his side. He led them into a clearing and Quinn’s eyes were wide as he scanned. A fire burned in a barrel in the middle of the space and a loud game of cards was being played as a man lounged on a sofa watching television. A dozen or so people sat around a large table, smoking and drinking as they laughed and threw cards and chips at each other. They were dressed in shredded denim, leather and camo and there was very little exposed skin that wasn’t covered in ink. There were a lot of face tattoos and Quinn did his best to keep his eyes on Roman but he stole quick glances at the bizarrely luxurious living room as they approached a tufted leather sofa. The area had a gentleman’s club aesthetic that was absurd in the dark, decaying warehouse. A giant oriental rug was an island of elegance in the midst of the menacing gloom. A tall, slender man reclined with his crossed boots resting on the arm of the sofa as he pointed a remote at a large flat screen TV and flipped through channels idly. He was dressed in solid black and his suit was severely cut, making him even leaner and longer as he swung his legs around and rose to his feet. He leaned to toss the remote control onto a table and his sleeve pulled and Quinn noticed his wrist was covered in tattoos.
“You didn’t mention you’d be bringing a guest,” the man said as he pushed waves of thick black hair away from his eyes. His eyes were black and penetrating and his voice was a low, grating crackle that made the hairs on Quinn’s neck stand. The game at the table stopped as everyone became alert and sized him up but Roman gestured at Quinn dismissively.
“I wasn’t planning to bring him but he’s no threat, Darius,” he promised.
“You’ve got a lot of nerve showing your face around here,” Darius said as he approached and there were several snorts from the group at the table as they went back to their game. Roman sighed wearily as his head fell.
“You hold a grudge like a woman, I swear,” he complained as he pinched the bridge of his nose
“You cheated!” Darius said as he threw his arms wide and Roman snorted as he was pulled into an embrace.
“And you’re still a sore loser,” he laughed as he slapped him on the back affectionately.
“We go months without checking on each other now?” Darius said as he leaned back and cupped Roman’s cheek. “How have you been?” He asked gently as he searched his eyes and Roman waved it off.
“I’m fine. I’m looking for someone and I’m hoping you won’t be able to help me,” he said and Quinn’s brows pulled together as he watched them. “His name is Jayce Waverly and he looks a lot like him,” Roman said as he cocked a thumb at Quinn. Darius’s eyes tightened as he studied Quinn’s face before he shook his head. He whistled and everyone stopped and turned their attention to Darius.
“Jayce Waverly,” he called loudly as he pointed at Quinn. “He looks like this toff,” he added and Quinn held very still as everyone stared. Most of the warehouse went back to minding their own business but a few people drifted closer to get a better look before they shook their heads. “No, he’s not ringing any bells. What’s your interest in him?” Darius asked as he crossed his arms over his chest. He continued to stare at Quinn, as if he was memorizing his face.
“He’s been missing for several months,” Roman explained and Darius’s eyes flickered as he stared at Quinn harder.
“Trade?” He asked and Roman’s jaw twitched before he nodded. Quinn breathed through the twisting and tightening in his stomach. “Your type?” Darius added and Roman cleared his throat softly as he nodded faintly. Darius hissed as he considered then shook his head. “I haven’t heard of anyone doing anyone like that or finding a body like him. That’s going to be your part of Town,” he said and Roman’s cheeks puffed out as he gripped Darius’s shoulder.
“It’s a good sign and I think it’ll work,” he said and Quinn tried not to look as clueless and concerned as he felt but it was hard to appear relaxed in a warehouse full of thugs as Mr. Bishop loomed behind him.
“I’ll look into it but you shouldn’t get your hopes up about Jayce. I have heard about a lot of pretty young trade getting rolled into the river by a crew out of Kensington. Pretty regularly too,” he warned and Roman hissed as he nodded and scrubbed the back of his neck.
“I considered that but the police haven’t come across his body. He hasn’t been in any morgue in the city,” he said and Quinn pulled in a slow, steady breath as he became dizzy. Mr. Bishop’s hand closed around his shoulder. It was heavy but it tightened ever so gently, reassuring and supporting Quinn. He offered Mr. Bishop a nod and pushed away the fear and anxiety.
“There’s been a lot of complaints about good trade disappearing, there aren’t enough clean, fresh looking boys. They go missing or they get pulled out of the river,” Darius said then groaned. “I’m sorry, Roman.” He looked pained as he reached for him but Roman shook his head and held up a hand.
“It’s fine,” said hoarsely then cleared his throat and offered Darius a large smile. “But you’ve been a tremendous help. I owe you,” he said as he pointed and Darius snorted.
“You already owe me, you can’t take that kind of money off of me and not give me a chance to win some of it back,” he argued and Roman shook his head.
“You remember what he taught us,” he said and gave Darius an expectant look but he wasn’t playing along as he scowled at Roman. “Get out while you’re ahead,” Roman reminded him and Darius rolled his eyes before he pulled him into another hug.
“You need to come to dinner on Sunday,” he scolded softly and gently and Roman was stiff and tensed as he stepped back.
“I’m sorry. Give everyone my apologies,” he said and Darius ducked so he could find Roman’s eyes.
“Deliver them in person, bunică asks about you every Sunday,” he added and Roman groaned.
“Tell her I’m fine. It’s just too hard right now,” he whispered pleadingly and shushed Darius as he started to argue. “Soon. I need a little more time,” he stated and Darius sighed as he patted his cheek.
“Take care of yourself and check in more often, you posh prick,” he teased as he ruffled Roman’s hair.
“I will,” he said as he pulled Darius close a
nd kissed his cheek loudly. “Tell everyone I love them,” he added then waved as he whistled loudly. Everyone at the table waved back and Roman offered Darius a cocky grin before he turned and gestured for Quinn and Mr. Bishop to lead the way out.
“Who is that and how do you know him?” Quinn whispered as he stayed close to Roman.
“We’re cousins,” he said under his breath and smiled at the bald giant at the door then offered his hand. “You’re looking fit, Tom! The diet’s working,” he said.
“I’ve been doing the paleo thing and it’s good!” Tom said and Roman nodded.
“We should look into that for Mr. Bishop,” he said as he pointed over his shoulder. “He’s been very hard on himself about his weight lately,” Roman said and Quinn heard a low rattling groan behind him.
“I hate dieting,” Mr. Bishop grumbled as they exited the warehouse and Roman held up his hands as they headed back to the bridge.
“I think you look great. I wouldn’t go with a turtle neck, personally. A V-neck would do more for the whole…you know,” Roman said as he pointed at his collar then winced as he leaned closer to Quinn. “He’s a bit challenged in the neck department,” he whispered and Quinn shook his head quickly.
“Really? I didn’t notice,” he said and offered Mr. Bishop and encouraging smile.
“I take after my mother,” Mr. Bishop stated in his flat, heavy tone.
“Bless her heart,” Roman murmured and Quinn shook his head as he tried to comprehend the last hour.
“Who was that and what happened in there?” He asked as he hurried ahead and jogged backwards so he could see Roman’s face.
“You know how there’s a mayor out there?” Roman said as he pointed toward the center of the city and Quinn nodded. “Darius is sort of the mayor of…this,” he said as he waved toward the field of abandoned train cars then gestured around him. “And just about everything else the real mayor is afraid of. The homeless, the gangs, the conmen, the hitmen, the petty thieves and punks, they all answer to Darius. He knows everything, especially the things the police can’t explain.”
“Everything?” Quinn asked dubiously and Roman nodded.
“Everything that matters. If Jayce was killed by some random act or murdered over something trivial, the police would already have a body and an answer, or a suspect at least. Now, if Jayce was killed during a drug deal, robbed, raped or attacked on a date… Darius would have heard about it. Unless it happened up there,” he said as he nodded toward Hyde Park. “He doesn’t get involved with politicians and aristocrats, they’re too messy and you can’t trust them.”
“Really?” Quinn asked in disbelief as he looked back at the warehouse.
“You’ve seen how they entertain themselves,” Roman said and Quinn nodded.
“True. And that’s not even the straight people,” he said and Roman snorted.
“They’re a whole different kind of twisted,” he muttered then shrugged. “Mr. Bishop and I will take you home,” he added and Quinn’s head pulled back.
“That’s it? It’s not even that late,” he said then flinched when Roman raised his hand and waved airily. He looked back and Mr. Bishop was still several paces behind them.
“I can’t think of anyplace else useful we can look tonight and we’ve made great progress,” Roman said.
“We have?”
“We have,” Roman stated and offered Quinn a brilliant grin. It made his heart race as his hopes bubbled and his hair rose. “I think you’re the perfect fit. In fact, what’s your neck size, sixteen?” He asked and Quinn blinked back at him.
“Yes… How did you know?”
“Like I said, the perfect fit. Tell me, when was the last time you were serious with a woman? Maybe serious enough to have a toothbrush at her place or a few of her things at yours?” Roman asked and Quinn shook his head.
“Not since we moved here. It took a while to get settled in, find a good job and then Jayce went missing. Why? Does my lack of game make me a better fit?” He asked and there was a choking sound from Roman.
“A good fit?” He asked squeakily. “Good Lord, let’s get you home.”
Chapter 4
“Jack. My man. You don’t actually have to touch everything,” Quinn said as he scrubbed the little boy’s palm with a wipe. Roman nodded in agreement from behind the bus stop. They paused across the street from the house in Belgravia to clean gum off Jack’s hands. Quinn looked up and smiled as a young woman pushed a stroller through the gate and joined them. “Good morning, beautiful!” Quinn said cheerfully as he stood. He leaned as she reached for him and they exchanged an alarmingly affectionate hug. She was beautiful, in a wholesome way. She had large brown eyes and her soft brown curls bounced as she laughed and walked. Her figure was decadently curvy and Roman couldn’t blame Quinn; she had a gorgeously full, round ass and ample breasts. Roman didn’t enjoy having sex with women but he could still appreciate the fact that Quinn’s little nurse friend was quite the arm-full. But she was far too short for him and he had to stoop so he could hug her.
“You always say that but you’ve yet to ask me out,” she teased and Quinn laughed softly.
“I’m working up the nerve. Here,” he said as he offered her a cup of coffee. Roman wondered why he’d purchased two. Who cares? I’ve had plenty of coffee today, he reminded his bruised feelings.
“My hero,” she replied sweetly then steered her stroller down the sidewalk. “Just to the park or do you have any errands you need to take care of first?”
“Just to the park,” Quinn said as they walked. Jack and Annabel ran ahead and waited at the crosswalk. Quinn took a sip of his coffee then hummed loudly as he swallowed. “Jenna, I almost forgot! I tried that gratin recipe last night and it was heavenly. The kids devoured it and Mrs. Whittacombe scraped the pan clean with her tongue.”
“Excellent! I’ll have to try it,” she said as she beamed up at him and Roman rolled his eyes as he ducked into a doorway just before Quinn looked over his shoulder.
“Definitely do. How have things been in the house?” He asked and she sighed.
“I’m very sure they’re headed for divorce. I’m trying to keep the baby away from all the fighting. She doesn’t understand what they’re saying yet but I know she feels how tense things are,” Jenna said as Quinn nodded along.
“Definitely. Children are so much more dialed into feelings, they’re way more sensitive to them than we are. How’s your mum doing?” He asked and she brightened.
“So much better! Thank you for the lollipops. She said they made her day much more comfortable. I had no idea chemo could make your mouth dry like that. And the ones you found are really good, I stole a few for myself,” she confessed and Quinn grinned as he elbowed her conspiratorially.
“I always keep a few on me and in the diaper bag. I tell the kids they’re my hush money, to keep them quiet when we’re in the library or at the doctor’s office. But they’re really for me. The blueberry are my favorite,” he whispered and Jenna groaned as her shoulders sagged.
“Why are you so adorable?” She complained and Quinn made a dismissive sound as he shrugged and Roman could tell he was blushing. Good Lord, this is the dullest display of heterosexuality I’ve ever witnessed, he decided and scowled at Jenna. She gives terrible head, Quinn. I can tell. Her hair’s too neat.
“I’ll grab an extra bag while I’m out tomorrow,” Quinn said as they followed Jack into the park. “Want to sit under the trees?” He asked and Jenna nodded. Roman skirted along the edge of the park until he found the right owner and dog pair then made a pass around a garbage can for a piece of a discarded kebab. He let his hand hang at his side as he strolled close to the dog. She was a smaller mixed breed and her master was stretched out on his back, snoring loudly beneath a newspaper. Once Roman’s treat had the dog’s attention he looked around to make sure he wasn’t being watched then reached down and snagged the end of the leash. The dog popped to her feet and her t
ail wagged furiously as she followed Roman. He carefully strolled around the park, staying out of Quinn’s peripheral vision until he was behind him. Roman waved the chunk of meat at the dog to keep her quiet and distracted as Quinn spread a quilt on the grass. Jack and Annabel raced to the slides as Quinn lifted the baby out of the stroller and carefully sat.
“I think I’ll leave her here. She’s finally asleep,” Jenna said as she leaned over her stroller then looked up as Annabel shrieked as she tried to free herself from her coat. Her pigtail was tangled with a button and she was twisting and pulling at it like a savage. “You stay, I’ll get her,” she offered and Quinn nodded.
“Thanks,” he said then smiled as he leaned and watched her ass as she hurried to save Annabel from her coat.
“You’re an arse man, I see,” Roman murmured as he strolled closer and Quinn turned and hissed as he looked behind him.
“I knew you were following me!” He whispered loudly and Roman waived his hand faintly then tossed the dog the treat.
“Keep looking forward and pretend you don’t know I’m here,” Roman said then glanced at Jenna. She was carefully unwinding Annabel’s hair from around a button. “She’s…all right,” Roman murmured once Quinn relaxed. “If you’re into the whole Mary Poppins falls in love and lives happily ever blah, blah, blaaaahhhh…” He said and Quinn snorted.
“She’s nothing like Mary Poppins,” he argued and Roman chuckled.
“I was talking about you.”
“I’m not…” Quinn stopped and Roman could hear his teeth grinding. “Whatever. Jenna’s perfect. What are you doing and why do you have a dog?” He asked and Roman pulled a face and turned his back as Jenna glanced in their direction.
“Is she perfect? Or is she conveniently working across the street from the house you’ve been watching for several months?” Roman pointed out.
“She was why I changed parks but it was just to talk to her more. We have a bit of a routine now but it’s not because of Jayce. I really like her,” Quinn said as he watched her. Jenna was doing her best to brush out Annabel’s wild curls with her fingers so she could redo the pigtail.