by Liz Crowe
Graeme tapped his cane while Michael received the last of the instructions from the attending physician at the hospital. She’d already spoken with the private medical team, but this was the type of last-minute detail she provided to families of torture victims.
“He needs to take his sleeping meds each night until Dr. Madison says to stop. He’ll have nightmares. Just wake him as gently as you can and stay with him until he falls back asleep. Physical therapy continues until Dr. Humphries clears him. He needs to walk every day to prevent the muscles from tightening back up. It’ll be painful, each and every time he starts to move after sitting for long periods, but his muscles will adjust.” She shot a quick glance over Michael’s shoulder. “Graeme, you already know all this.”
Turning her attention back to Michael, she said, “It’s up to you to keep him moving past the first cramps, but it’s also up to you to keep him from overdoing it. And no strenuous activities, no lifting or twisting. Other than physical therapy, his activity should be confined to slow walking. I haven’t asked your relationship. I thought at first brothers…” she trailed off, and a flush crept up her weathered cheek. She cleared her throat. “I trust you have enough influence to make sure he follows all his medical advice.”
With a wink, Michael whispered conspiratorially, “I do. He’s my lover.”
He gathered the bag of prescription medications, the release papers, and Graeme’s free arm. “Let’s go home,” he said.
Chapter Twelve
“Jo! You’re here for dinner. Your brother is being very mysterious. He said we were having company, but he wouldn’t say who. You look tired, are you okay? Where’s Carrie?”
Jolynn smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. She bent and kissed Liz on the cheek. “No, I’m not staying. I wouldn’t have intruded on your first night together, except Michael said he had a business proposition. Let’s get a drink.”
Jo poured herself a scotch, knocked it back, and poured another before looking a question at Liz.
“I’ll have what you’re having.” She noticed Jo’s hand trembled slightly on the decanter. “So, what’s wrong?”
“Carrie.”
Uh oh, relationship problems. That hardly seemed fair after all Jo had done to help get Graeme back to them.
“What’s wrong with Carrie?” Michael asked, walking in and hearing the last part of the conversation. He filled a crystal tumbler with club soda and another with scotch and came to sit beside Graeme, across from the ladies. Handing Graeme the sparkling beverage, he asked “What’s wrong, Jo?”
“Okay, I thought I might like a little bit of girl time with Liz to tell her my problems, but apparently my big brother is going to butt his way into the conversation.”
“Honey, we can go somewhere else if you want,” Liz said, giving her hand a squeeze.
“No, that’s all right. You’ll all know by Monday anyway. Carrie quit Enwright. She broke up with me, and she’s moving back to Iowa. She didn’t like the deal with Ashford. She said she didn’t like that we were in the middle of all of the guns and physical security work. Hell! That’s how we met in the first place. How was I supposed to know it bothered her?
“Anyway, she said either we both quit Enwright or she was leaving. After that there was nothing left to say but good-bye.” Jo gave a shrug of her shoulders, but Liz knew it hurt.
“I’m sorry, Jo. She had to know you wouldn’t quit, though?” Liz said.
“Oh, she did. It was just an excuse. We didn’t exactly see our relationship going the same places.” Jo smiled a genuine smile at last and looked at Michael. “The lease was in her name, bro. I moved in with her. Looks like I need to come back home for a while.”
Liz sucked in a breath at Michael’s dazzling smile. He was genuinely happy to have Jo here with him again. She loved the relationship between brother and sister; it made her wish her own family had been more normal. As the only child of divorced parents, she was usually forced to play the role of volleyball.
“The timing couldn’t be more perfect. In fact…I want you to take the casita. I’d planned to offer it to you anyway, but this is just perfect.”
“Three bedrooms all to myself? Heavenly! Thanks, Michael. I accept!”
Michael thought it was going to work. It just had to. Jo taking the casita was the first step in bringing his loved ones closer. He’d thought it might be a problem with Carrie but with Carrie gone, Jo was more than willing to come home. He also knew with Jo in the casita he could no longer offer it as a place for Graeme to stay. He prayed the gamble paid off.
With a grin, he continued, “If everyone can hold off dinner for a few more minutes, I have a proposition for all of you. First, a little history. I started Enwright Securities on a shoestring, doing most of the design work and hiring new security operatives as each new job came in. It was a heady time, but I worked like a dog. When Jo came along, I thought I might take a break but instead, we just worked harder.
“This last month has been a painful lesson in love and loss. We’ve all experienced both, and I want to make some changes in my life to reflect what I’ve learned. Having Jo closer is just one of those changes. I know I’ve said I have a surprise for you all. I hope you see it as a positive development.
“I’ve decided to diversify the management at Enwright. Jo, I’ve unfairly called you my right-hand man for years, in lieu of giving you a proper title that reflects the importance of what you do for the company, for me. As of now, you are the vice president of electronic surveillance. All requests for electronic support go through you. You manage the team, design the plan, make the decisions.”
Jo leaped at him, nearly spilling his drink in the process. “Oh my God! Wait, that’s too girly. Holy fucking shit! I accept, Michael. Oh shit. Yes, I accept!” Then to his complete astonishment, she danced around the room before flouncing back in her chair with a grin.
She looked around the room, “Sorry, just needed to do a little happy dance.”
Everyone laughed.
“Good, now on to other business. Lizzie, my love, you are a very capable businesswoman, as is evidenced by your rise to VP of operations at Brooker Tech. I want to steal you away from your current employer and ask you to take on a similar position here. It won’t be easy,” he warned. “We need to reorganize into four branches. It will mean working with my attorneys, the rest of the management team, and the press. I—”
“Yes! Now stop talking, Michael, before you talk me out of it. I say yes. I don’t need any more details for now. This is exactly the type of challenge I enjoy. The bonus is I get to work with you and Jo. Yes, yes, yes.”
He glanced over at Graeme and saw he’d pulled on his cop face, the one designed to keep people from knowing what he was thinking. Michael wanted to comfort him, take the closed look from him, and see the man inside. He hoped he wasn’t overdoing things tonight by making these announcements on Graeme’s first night back. Michael pushed that worry aside for now.
“Graeme, I know it’s going to be a while before you’re ready to work full time, but I thought you would be perfect to help me work through how to set up the new branch of physical security. It would include our bodyguard services, police liaison work, and I’m adding private investigation to the official line, although we’ve done it for select clients for years. Once you’re fully ready to return to work, I’d be honored if you’d serve as the VP of that branch.
Graeme scowled. “I’m a cop, not some private security mall guard.”
Michael quickly agreed. “You are a cop, and a damn fine one. It’s why I think it’s so important to have you in this position. I need someone who thinks like a cop to direct operations like the one involving Ashford, who can work with the locals without getting shut out, who can keep our clients safe.
“You don’t have to answer about the permanent job for now. Will you let me pick your brain while you’re recovering? Help me get it organized so that I can hire someone else if you won’t take it?”
&
nbsp; Graeme’s lip twitched, and something looking suspiciously like a smile tried to break through his stern expression. “You’re a tricky little bastard, aren’t you? I’ll have to remember that. Yes, I can help. But if you farm out all these jobs to others, what in the hell will you be doing?”
Michael laughed. “I’ll retain the title of president and CEO, but I also plan to spend most of my time working in research and development. It’s where my real roots are. I’m just a geek at heart,” he said to a room full of smiles.
*****
Graeme felt gray with pain and weariness. He’d enjoyed every minute of dinner, but suddenly he was done. Before he could say a word, Michael was by his side, helping him to his feet.
“Jo, thanks for sticking around, but I think we’ve done enough planning for tonight. I need to get Graeme his meds and get him to bed. See you tomorrow.”
Michael helped him to back of the house and to an elevator he hadn’t even known existed.
“Hang on, Graeme, you’ll be in your room soon.”
Lizzie slid in behind them and gently slid a hand over his back while he leaned heavily against Michael.
“I’m sorry, Graeme. We did too much," Michael said "I’m just so damned relieved to have you here.”
The doors slid open, and Graeme was aware an enormous living room with floor to ceiling windows that looked out over the city lights. He had a brief impression of tasteful and expensive furnishings, but he’d be damned if he had any brain cells left to process what he was seeing. He needed to lie down. A short corridor led to a set of double doors, and Michael steered him in that direction.
“I’ve never been down here before. Where are we, Michael?” Lizzie asked.
“Home,” was all he said.
Michael opened the doors to reveal a giant bedroom. This time, Graeme’s brain did wake up enough to take note. There was a king-sized four poster bed set against one wall and a seating area with a fireplace in an alcove near the windows. All the furniture was leather and dark wood, but the room had splashes of color in the curtains, bedspread, and pillows. The flagstone floors of downstairs had given way to dark wooden floors and throw rugs. It reminded Graeme of his cabin.
“Oh my God, Michael! What have you done? The room we shared downstairs was beautiful, but this is magnificent.”
He beamed at her even as he continued to steer Graeme to the door on the left.
“Lizzie, your suite of rooms is to the right. Graeme, yours is this way. They can be accessed through the hall if you don’t want to come through this bedroom. Each suite has its own bed, bath, and closets. Of course, I’d prefer we all stay together in this room, but now you each have your own place of privacy. No strings attached, unless you want them.”
Graeme was grateful for Michael’s firm arm guiding him through the rooms. He was shocked to see it was only a slightly smaller version of the first bedroom. Tomorrow. He would look around tomorrow. He was fading fast. Michael helped him sit on the edge of the bed and knelt to remove his shoes and socks, before disappearing into the bathroom.
He heard the water running in the tub; then Michael emerged a minute later with a bottle of water and handed Graeme his pills.
“Do you feel up to a bath? The warm water will help.”
Graeme swallowed the pills and knew he had about fifteen minutes before the meds would take the pain away and maybe let him sleep for a while. He just nodded and let Michael take charge of him.
*****
Michael had forced himself to be casual about the changes in Graeme’s body. He’d remained businesslike when he’d handed Graeme a washcloth and soap.
“I’ll be right back to help you out,” he said. He’d left the room to give Graeme some privacy and to confer with Liz.
He found her waiting in the big bedroom.
She wrapped her arms around him and held him tight for a minute. “Michael, I don’t know what to say. This room, the private suite, it’s too much. It’s just too much.”
“Sweetheart, there isn’t anything I wouldn’t give you or Graeme. You know that. You’ve been here nearly a month, it’s time you had your own space. I thought the three rooms together would be better than assuming we’d all share one room or putting Graeme in a separate room. Is it okay? Do you like it? Because if not you can redec—”
It was as far as he got before she stopped his words with a kiss.
“It’s just perfect, Michael. We can talk more about it tomorrow. Is Graeme already asleep? I thought he might want a little privacy when he undressed, but I was hoping we could cuddle. Should I go in now or are you bringing him in here?” she asked.
“He’s taking a bath. Oh God, Liz, he was hurt. He still hurts.”
“He’s healing. He’s home. We can all beat the fear and pain back better, now that we’re together.”
“Yes. I know. I do believe that. It’s just hard to see what was done to him. Mostly to his legs. His ankle is badly scarred. I need to get back in there and help him out of the tub and get dressed. Then I’ll let him decide where he wants to sleep. Either way, will you stay with me in here tonight, Liz? Unless he wants you to stay in there with him, of course.”
“I wouldn’t be anywhere else. Now go take care of Graeme. I’ll wait for you.”
*****
Graeme closed his eyes, savoring the feel of the satin sheets against his skin. Michael had seemed embarrassed by them but had admitted he’d asked the physical therapist for advice and been told now that the wounds were healed, satin and silk would feel soothing to Graeme’s skin.
“Turn over, Graeme,” Michael said, nudging him with a knee to the hip.
Graeme turned onto his stomach and wondered what Michael had in planned. Several things came to mind, all of which involved strenuous activity and as such were strictly forbidden.
“You do remember that I’m supposed to take it easy, don’t you?”
Lizzie laughed, and it was a definitely naughty sound. “Get your mind out of the gutter, Kennedy. The therapist told Michael it would feel good if we rubbed a little vitamin E oil on your legs. Don’t expect treatment like this all the time, though. In fact, I think you’ll be perfectly healthy soon enough, so I want it known that I get to be the next one for the massage treatment. By the way, I took a peek at your medical record. I see you’re clean. So are we. Since I’m on the pill, we can go condom-free from now on.”
“Oh God.” He half laughed and half moaned as the oil was massaged into his sensitive skin by two pairs of hands. Hands that started at his feet and worked their way up to his calves. One pair large, the other small, gentle hands with a firm touch, hands that stroked him with love.
The bed shifted as Michael knelt between his legs while Lizzie moved to rub his shoulders. She worked at his neck and back, finding the knots and loosening them. Michael kept working on his thighs, moving up until he was massaging Graeme’s ass. He felt the warm drizzle of oil between the cheeks of his ass, then Michael was sliding a finger in the crevice, while the other hand reach under him to cup his balls.
A finger pressed against his anus, pushing lightly, spreading the oil, and he opened his legs even further, inviting the touch. God, his cock was hard as a rock. It had been a long time since someone had touched him there, and he was tight. Michael was gentle, his finger pushed, and Graeme forced himself to relax. Michael worked him carefully, adding a second finger, spreading him, fucking him with his hand.
Graeme lifted his head to find Lizzie kneeling by his shoulders, still gentling him with her touch.
“Touch yourself, Lizzie, then let me taste,” he told her.
She came up on her knees near his face, spreading her pussy lips, making sure Graeme could see. She slipped inside with a moan and took her time, sliding her fingers in and out. When she spread her own juices and rubbed her clit, both men moaned. She brought the creamy fingers to his mouth, and he sucked greedily.
Michael leaned over him, bare chest against bare back. “You’ll have to follow the
doctor’s orders, no strenuous activity. Let us do all the work.” He groaned long and low when Michael slipped his fingers out, leaving him empty and ready to explode.
“Turn over,” Michael said, then helped him to do just that. On his back, his cock pulsed with need, and Michael didn’t make him wait, swallowing Graeme with one deep stroke.
“Touch me,” Lizzie said.
His fingers found her pussy, and he spread her cream before slipping a finger inside. His thumb found her clit and he rubbed as he pumped. Her moans let him know just how close she was to coming. He rubbed faster.
Michael’s mouth was hot and wet, the strokes short and firm, and Graeme knew he couldn’t last much longer. When Michael slipped a finger back inside his ass, Graeme exploded. His orgasm rocked through him, sweeping up everything in its path, pushing every bad thing away. He felt Liz clench around his finger, pulsing in time to his own thrusts against Michael’s mouth.
Home.
Epilogue
“You’re officially released. I’m sorry I don’t have better news about your ankle. It will always be sore and although you can walk just fine, don’t expect to win many races. The limitation is enough to keep you from returning to full duty on most police forces, but I expect up where you are they may make an exception. Good luck,” Dr. Humphries said, putting his hand out.
Graeme offered his in return. “Don’t worry, Doc. You did fine, and I don’t think I’ll be going back. I’ve got all I need right here.”
He left the medical center with a definite sense of relief. It was time to put that chapter behind him now. Behind all of them.
He slid in the sleek, black company Tahoe and grinned at the new leather smell. He knew it was part of Michael’s planned seduction of him. Not in the bedroom; that seduction had gone ass backward a long time ago. He grinned at that thought, and of having Michael’s hard cock up his ass last night. It had been a first for them. Afterward they had all three collapsed into each other’s arms, trembling at the intimacy.