by Jenna Byrnes
She gazed back helplessly.
Jake continued, “There’s a kid in my brother’s class name of Fahey. Connor Fahey. His old man’s a Vice cop. The kid was butt buddies with the moron who died. The man who supplies me with my stuff has his name and description. My brother and I are walking away from here right now. If anyone tries to stop us, Fahey is one dead fairy.”
Wynn froze. He reached for his cell and dialed Syd’s number.
Jake wasn’t finished. “If anyone mentions our transaction here today, the kid is headed for the compost heap. Today, tomorrow or next week… Anyone comes after us, Connor Fahey goes to cold storage. You got that?”
She blinked innocently. “What the fuck are you talking about? I don’t know that kid. I don’t go to St. Seb’s. My cousin hooked me up with your brother after that party.”
“Tell your cousin, this store is closed. The next person that I don’t know who approaches me to buy something is going down, no questions asked. Now take my brother and go do your thing, you stupid little slut.” He shoved her back and she stumbled.
Brandy was thrown off-kilter, and struggled to get back on track. “Yeah, okay. I got what I wanted. Now, what do you want?”
Page shouted into his mic. “Abort! Abort! No one advances on the target. I repeat, no one advances on the target.”
Mel had grabbed Wynn’s arm and they both held their breath. No sirens. No lights. Jake Morgan turned and hurried away.
Sydney answered her cell phone. “Wynn? What’s up?”
“Syd, do you have Con?”
“No. I’m sitting out front of the school but he hasn’t come out yet. He’s late. I was just texting him.”
“Fuck!” Wynn ended the call. He wanted to storm out of the van, but knew he couldn’t risk it.
Brandy and Jesse still stood on the sidewalk. “Shall we go somewhere?” he asked excitedly.
“Fuck off, kid.” She shoved him angrily and stomped away.
“Bitch!” he yelled back, and ran in the other direction.
Wynn looked at Page. “Connor hasn’t met his mom after school yet.”
Page spoke into his mic. “Brady, Detective Fahey is coming to your car. Casually but quickly, get him to the school please.”
“Ten-four,” came the reply.
Page motioned to the cars in front of the van. “Calmly get into the black SUV and let my guy drop you off at the school doors.”
Wynn pulled his keys from his pocket and handed them to Mel. He glanced at Page one last time. “This operation is over, isn’t it? They won’t make a move with my kid in the crosshairs?”
“Negative. We have Jake and Jesse Morgan on our radar now, and they won’t get away with this. But it’s too risky to complete the sting now. We’d never put a civilian in harm’s way, especially the kid of one of our own. This operation will keep until the timing is better.”
Wynn sighed. “Thank you.” He struggled to collect himself and glanced at Mel. They exchanged a look.
“Go.” She touched his arm.
He slipped out of the van and headed to the SUV. Opening the door, he climbed into the back seat and the driver took off.
“Walk into the school building,” the other cop reminded him. “Once you get in there, you can bolt. But don’t act rushed until you get inside. We don’t know who’s watching.”
“I’ve got it. Thank you.”
They dropped him at the front door. The parking lot was clearing and he spotted Syd’s car.
She rolled down her window and stuck her head out. “Wynn? What’s going on?”
“Stay put,” he demanded, and strolled into the building.
When the doors had closed, adrenaline kicked in and he raced for Connor’s classroom.
No sign of Connor, the place was deserted. Wynn looked in room after room, hoping to find Reilly or another teacher. When he didn’t see anyone, he dialed Reilly’s cell number and walked as it rang. The call went to voicemail.
The call to Con’s cell also went to mail.
Wynn’s heart thudded like a freight train. He walked by a group of kids in the auditorium and ended up at the entrance to the library. Since he was there, he stuck his head in, and nearly wept when he spotted Con and Reilly, sitting at a table, talking.
He’s okay. Wynn tried to compose himself as he approached so his voice didn’t crack. He’s with Reilly, and he’s fine. “Hey, you two. Doesn’t anyone answer a cell phone anymore?”
“Dad!” Connor glanced up. “What are you doing here? I thought it was Mom’s day.”
“It is. She’s a little worried because you haven’t answered her texts. She’s out front.”
He glanced at the clock. “Oh, shit! I’m late.”
Reilly stood up. “I’m so sorry, Wynn. We started talking and lost track of time. Con had some trouble today, and we’ve been brainstorming ways to handle bullies. I guess neither of us turned our phones on yet, since school just got out.”
Wynn pulled Connor into his arms. “It’s okay. Everything’s okay.” He closed his eyes and squeezed them tightly to hold back the tears that threatened.
Reilly touched his arm. “Something’s not okay. What’s happened?”
“We had a bit of a problem at work, but I’m happy to say everything is fine now.”
The handsome teacher searched Wynn’s face. “Are you sure?”
Wynn drew Reilly in with his other arm. “I’m positive.” He kissed his lover on the lips then said, “Con, I should have told you this before, but Mr. O’Keefe is the man I’ve been seeing. I’m sorry I kept it from you, but there’s been so much going on.”
His son glanced up from the group hug and smiled. “Duh, Dad.”
He blinked. “You know?”
Reilly grinned. “We talked about it. He asked, and I had to tell him the truth. I promised Connor I’d never lie to him. Same goes for you, big guy.”
Wynn sighed. “Today I realized that tomorrow is not promised, so I need to tell the people I care about how I feel.” He pressed a kiss to the top of Connor’s head. “I love you, son.” He looked into Reilly’s eyes and smiled. “I love you, too. I know it’s fast, but I’ve spent too many years denying what I really wanted. I won’t do that anymore. I want you, and I want the world to know it.”
“I want you, too. I love you, Wynn. I can’t wait for the two of you to move in, and we can figure out how to be a family together.”
“We’re moving in?” Con asked, squeezed between the two men. “Will Gus be there, too?”
“Absolutely. Gus, too.” Wynn kissed Reilly again, this time more passionately.
Someone cleared their throat from the doorway, and Wynn ended the kiss. He glanced over and saw Mel and Syd watching them.
“Everything okay?” Mel asked.
“Better than okay.” Wynn wrapped an arm around each of his fellows. “Let’s get your stuff, Con. You won’t be coming back to this school. I’m sure after I’ve talked with Principal Andrews and Mr. O’Keefe, they’ll work out a way for you to take your final tests at home. Then we’ll need some recommendations of new private schools for next year.”
“I can look into that.” Reilly continued to search Wynn’s face.
When Syd reached for Connor and drew him into a hug, Wynn took the opportunity to whisper in Reilly’s ear. “Con’s life was threatened in a drug sting. He can’t stay here.”
His lover gaped, then nodded firmly. “I’ll take care of it. We’ll have some prospects by the end of the week.”
Sydney hugged Connor and looked from Wynn to Reilly. “Thank you.”
Wynn ruffled Con’s hair and smiled. “My pleasure.”
Epilogue
Wynn knocked on the door to the big house and waited.
Sydney answered. “Hello.” She turned and called, “Con! Your dad is here!” Stepping back she motioned, “Come on in.”
He took Reilly’s arm and they entered the foyer together.
Syd went to the bottom of the spiral stairca
se and yelled again, “Con!”
“Still packing! Five more minutes,” came the reply from upstairs.
She turned to Wynn and shrugged. “Kids. He’s had all day to pack, but probably started about ten minutes ago.”
“Not a problem.” Wynn glanced over as Derrick entered from the other room. “Derrick. You know Reilly O’Keefe.”
A drink in his hand, Derrick swished it around as he replied, “Apparently not as well as we thought we did.”
Syd ignored him. “Mr. O’Keefe, thank you for the school recommendations. St. John’s looks like it’s going to be a good fit. It’s closer to us, too. Unfortunately, it’s a longer drive for Wynn.”
“We’ll manage,” Wynn said. “Con seems excited about it. I believe the fresh start will do him good.”
Reilly added, “Everyone thinks he left because of the bullying, and what happened to Ben.”
Wynn nodded. “The undercover Task Force believes the pressure is off him. I’m just glad that we could yank him out so fast, and he was still able to complete the term. Now that it’s summer, everyone has a chance to cool off.”
“And he’ll be far away from those awful people.” Sydney rubbed her arms and shivered.
“Indeed. It’s not public knowledge but you can rest assured that the department hasn’t forgotten about the Morgan boys. They’ve just decided to take their time and set up a proper sting, which will include federal officials.” He smiled. “The feds don’t give two shits about small fries like the Morgans, but my department does. Eventually we’re going to nail those little bastards, and they’ll pay for what they did to Ben, Sam and Con…and all the other kids they terrorized.”
“I hope so,” Sydney agreed.
Derrick frowned. “There’s gonna be bullies at the new school, too. Especially if Connor makes a big deal about being gay.”
“He’s not going to make it a big deal,” Wynn said, “Because it’s not.”
Reilly smiled at him, then looked at Sydney. “We’re going to speak with him about that. There are things he can do, ways he can handle situations, that he doesn’t know about yet. But he will.”
She nodded.
“Damn right he will.” Wynn was fine with the new school. Syd and Derrick had arranged their own visit, but Reilly had gone with him to check the place out. As an educator, his partner knew what to look for, and thought the school seemed like an exceptional place. Their students scored very high on standardized tests, which didn’t mean much to Wynn but Reilly was enthused about it. All Wynn really knew was that having Connor safe was more important than the extra few minutes’ drive.
He turned to Syd. “Thanks for allowing Con to spend the month with us. We’re looking forward to it.”
Derrick leaned against the doorframe to the living room. “It’s only fair, since we’ll be whisking him away to Cape Cod for the month of July.”
Wynn forced himself to be nice. “I’m sure that’ll be wonderful.”
Sydney made a face. “I think Con is more excited about your dog than the Cape. He says you have a Golden Retriever?”
Reilly smiled. “Gus. He loves Con already. They’ll keep each other out of trouble.”
“We’re a little concerned about these new living arrangements,” Derrick commented.
“In what respect?” Wynn wasn’t sure he wanted to hear the answer.
“We all know Connor has been experimenting with his sexuality. Things he sees at home could really make an impression on him.”
Wynn struggled to hold his temper. “Whose home? Yours?”
“No.” Derrick sipped his drink.
“Tell me something,” Wynn said. “Do you and my ex-wife have sex in front of my son?”
“Absolutely not!”
“Then why in the fuck do you think that I would? I’m gay, I’m not a pedophile. And in case you’ve forgotten, I’m a decorated detective in the KCPD. Which means I must be smarter than I look.”
Sydney stepped in. “I’m sure that’s not what he meant, Wynn.”
“Of course it’s not.” Derrick shook his head. “It’s not the sex, I guess, but maybe the type of sex.”
Wynn hooted. “Oh, hold on there, pal! Don’t even start making distinctions about the type of sex. Because unless Syd’s proclivities have changed, I gotta tell you, she never minded a rear door invasion.”
“Wynn!” Sydney’s face reddened. “I don’t think we need to discuss this any further. We trust you to be a responsible parent. I believe Derrick was simply saying that it’ll be different for you, having Con in the house full-time.”
“Right.” Derrick tossed back the last of his drink.
A duffel bag dropped the floor from the second story, followed by another.
Connor leaned over the railing and grinned. “Hi, Dad. Hi, Reilly. One more, then I’ll be ready.” He disappeared again.
Wynn hoisted one bag and handed the other to Reilly. “We’ll take these on out, and wait for him there.” He glanced at Derrick. “Don’t worry, we won’t have sex in the car while we’re waiting.”
Sydney’s expression looked tired. “I think we’re all okay now, Wynn. Can we end this pissing match, please?”
“I didn’t start it, but I’m certainly prepared to finish it.”
She moved closer to Derrick and nudged his arm.
Derrick shrugged. “It’s cool.” Glancing at the bags, he obviously tried to change the subject. “Three bags. Geez. He travels like a girl.”
Wynn opened the door and led Reilly out. “We’ll see you, Syd.” He popped the hatch to his Explorer and they loaded the duffels in the back.
Sydney stepped out and closed the door behind her. “Thank you, Wynn, for everything. If there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s that Connor is safe when he’s with you. And he’s very much loved, no matter what his choices are. I’ve never doubted that.”
“You’ll never have to.” He reached out and squeezed her hand. “Enjoy some time to yourself. You deserve it.”
She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, then went back inside, closing the door behind her.
Wynn raised his eyebrows at Reilly. “Women. Go figure.”
Reilly shook his head. “The thing I know for sure is that it’ll take us the whole damn month to undo all the damage that A-hole has done to the poor kid. ‘Travels like a girl.’ What a shithead.”
Grinning, Wynn sat on the back of the car and pulled Reilly between his knees. He looked at the house furtively then pressed a kiss to his man’s lips. “Maybe we should have sex while we’re waiting.”
Reilly grinned back and cast his own glance at the house. He returned the kiss and added a touch of tongue. When they finally parted to breathe, he ran a hand through Wynn’s hair. “I love you.”
“I love you, too. And don’t worry about Con. He’s got a good head on his shoulders. I think we can handle the deprogramming.”
His lover kissed him once more. “Baby, together, I think we can handle anything.”
Coming Soon from Pride Publishing:
Marked Men: Acceptable Behavior
Jenna Byrnes
Released 29th December 2015
Excerpt
Chapter One
“Ouch, that hurts!” The child jerked his arm away and looked up with an irritated expression on his face.
Doctor Travis Nelson released his grip on the boy and ruffled the youngster’s hair. “Sorry, champ. Looks like you have a broken arm.” He turned to the child’s mother. “The X-ray shows it’s a slight fracture, but it’ll heal better in a cast. I’m going to have the nurse call over to the orthopedics office and see when they can work you in. We’ll give you the films to hand carry. Hang tight here for a few minutes.”
“Thank you.” The relieved woman smiled at him gratefully, then batted her eyelashes. “I really appreciate it. The other moms on the playground were right. You’re the best.” She crinkled her nose.
“Don’t mention it.” He opened the door and motioned for his
nurse to follow him out. Travis looked at the boy one more time. “Sit tight here for a bit, Jason. Nurse Izzie will be back with some instructions for your mom, and we’ll see if she can’t find a toy for you.”
“Thank you.” The child offered a small smile in return.
Travis pulled the door closed behind his nurse, Isabelle.
Izzie made a note on the paper chart then grinned up at him. “Four out of five moms on the playground recommend Dr. Travis to heal their child’s boo-boos.”
He blinked at her, a serious expression on his face. “Only four out of five? What happened to the fifth one?”
“She’s gay.” Izzie shrugged. “Can’t win ’em all.”
He laughed. “Yeah, well, maybe if we put the word out that I am, too, I wouldn’t feel like I had to take you along for protection every room I went into.”
“Nah.” She shook her head. “We might lose too much business. Let the moms keep their fantasies. It’s our job security.”
“Whatever. Get Jason an appointment with the ortho guys, will you, please? Copies of the X-rays for his mom to take along. And a toy.”
Izzie scanned her notes. “Ortho, X-rays, toy. Check. Janel’s in room two with your next patient.”
“Check.” He smiled at her and went to the next exam room, pausing to wash his hands just before he entered. He grabbed the chart and examined it quickly. Levi Madison was a six-year-old male with fever, ear drainage and loss of appetite. Ear infection. The nurse had pegged it. He just needed to confirm the diagnosis.
He opened the door and went in. A thin boy with curly blond hair sat on the exam table. “Hi, Levi. I’m Dr. Travis. I hear you’re not feeling well today.”
The boy shook his head.
“Well, we’re going to have a look and see if we can’t get you fixed right up.” He turned to the chairs next to the table and was surprised to see a man rather than a woman accompanying the child.
And what a man! He sported the same curly blond hair as the child, just long enough to cover his ears and collar. His eyes were clear blue, and there was a small tuft of hair below his bottom lip. A soul patch. Travis tried not to focus on the lips, but they were as pink and perfect as any he’d ever seen.