by David Horne
“The Love We Found”
M/M Gay Romance
David Horne
© 2019
David Horne
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.
This book is intended for Adults (ages 18+) only. The contents may be offensive to some readers. It may contain graphic language, explicit sexual content, and adult situations. May contain scenes of unprotected sex. Please do not read this book if you are offended by content as mentioned above or if you are under the age of 18.
Please educate yourself on safe sex practices before making potentially life-changing decisions about sex in real life. If you’re not sure where to start, see here: http://www.jerrycoleauthor.com/safe-sex-resources/ (courtesy of Jerry Cole).
This story is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. Products or brand names mentioned are trademarks of their respective holders or companies. The cover uses licensed images and are shown for illustrative purposes only. Any person(s) that may be depicted on the cover are simply models.
Edition v1.00 (2019.11.04)
http://www.DavidHorneauthor.com
Special thanks to the following volunteer readers who helped with proofreading: Lenora, RB, JayBee, Jennie and those who assisted but wished to be anonymous. Thank you so much for your support.
Table of Content
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter One
“Dad!”
Andrew barely heard the shouting over the noise of the cement mixer. He turned and saw a teenaged girl with tightly braided hair standing just outside the barrier he had set up waving at him. Now that was a welcoming sight.
Signaling for one of his men to take over the cement mixer, Andrew headed over, taking over his protective glasses. He grinned at the girl as she leaned over the barrier and hugged him.
“Careful, Caitlyn! I’m covered in dust and God knows what.”
His daughter laughed.
“Come on, Dad! It brushes off. See?” She dusted down her shirt. “No harm done.”
“Your mother would say otherwise.”
Caitlyn rolled her eyes.
“I’m not telling her where I was, am I? I’m eighteen now.”
Andrew was more than aware of it. Caitlyn had been talking about leaving and coming to live with him or get an apartment close by. That had all she had talked about since turning seventeen. But Antoinette had put her foot down. She said that Caitlyn was not going anywhere while she was still at school and if she kept her grades up, then she would help put a deposit down on an apartment.
From the way things were going, Andrew doubted that his ex-wife would let Caitlyn leave even if she graduated top of the class. The woman had changed over the years. He could barely remember the sweet nineteen-year-old who had made him fall head-over-heels for. Now she was a bitter version of her former self. Andrew was pained every time he saw Antoinette, which wasn’t often.
Where had it all gone wrong?
“Dad?”
Andrew realized he had been staring at his daughter without speaking and now Caitlyn was looking at him strangely. He cleared his throat and wiped the sweat off his forehead before adjusting his hard hat.
“Sorry, love. I think I’ve been out in the sun for too long.”
“Sure.” Caitlyn drawled. “Anyway, my friends and I are having a picnic in the park across the street. We’re celebrating the end of another exam.”
“How did it go?”
“I think I got through it okay.” Caitlyn made a face. “There are a couple of questions I’m now cringing at, though. I’m sure I got them wrong.”
“Which one was it?”
“Geometry.”
Andrew laughed.
“How can geometry be so difficult? It’s all about shapes.”
“Not everyone is a math genius like you, Dad.” Caitlyn grumbled.
Andrew patted his chest.
“Thank you, little girl.”
“Dad!” Caitlyn pushed him. “Stop boasting, or your head is going to swell.”
“Too late.”
Andrew looked around. A tall, slim man in his forties was strolling toward them with a smirk. He was in a dark blue shirt with navy trousers, both fitting well to his body. A gold badge sparkled in the sun on his waistband.
“Harry. What are you doing here?”
“I finished work early. Jackson and I were going to meet at the burger van.” Harry Prewitt turned his smile to Caitlyn, his expression softening a little. “Caitlyn.”
“Hey, Harry.” Caitlyn bit her lip, a slight flush coming up on her cheeks. “How was work?”
“Same as always. What about your exam?”
“I think I got through without flunking.”
Harry’s smile widened and he affectionately tugged on her braids.
“You’ll be fine. You always are.”
Andrew frowned as he watched the interaction. Harry was his best friend from high school. Even after Andrew joined the Blackhawk Brotherhood Motorcycle Club and Harry became a police officer, the two of them remained close. They didn’t hide anything from each other, and Andrew could tell that Harry was treating Caitlyn as more than a friend’s daughter. Their interactions had changed in the last two months, and it was becoming clear that Caitlyn was responding.
He cleared his throat. Harry jumped and stepped away from Caitlyn, his face going bright red.
“Right, I... perhaps I’ll see you later, Caitlyn.”
“I’m in the park with some friends.” Caitlyn’s gaze drifted down Harry’s body. “I haven’t seen Jackson in a while. Perhaps you, Jackson and Dad could come and join us.”
“Sounds like an idea.”
“Providing Detective Prewitt doesn’t need to go back to work.” Andrew said sharply. “I presume you’re on call, Harry?”
“I’m always on call.” Harry winked at Caitlyn. “But I’m always available if you need me.”
“I’ll remember that.” Caitlyn glanced at Andrew and smoothed her hands on her shorts. “Anyway, I’d better get back to my girls. Catch you later.”
“See you.”
“Bye, Caitlyn.”
Caitlyn crossed the road and into the park. From Andrew’s worksite, he could see where the picnic was being set up. Five other girls were already there, and they were spread across a picnic blanket, passing around a big soda bottle. Andrew watched as his daughter joined them and sat among them. Then he saw Harry also watching them.
“Watch it, Harry.”
“What?”
“You’re forty-two. Caitlyn’s eighteen.”
“What’s
wrong with that?” Harry looked at him with wide eyes. “That’s legal.”
“She’s also twenty-four years your junior.” Andrew pointed out. “Plus, she’s my daughter. Even if I approved of anything you did with my daughter - and I don’t mean a wham, bam, thank you ma’am thing - you wouldn’t get that past Antoinette.”
Harry laughed.
“You’re too uptight, Andrew. Caitlyn’s a beautiful girl, but I’m not that stupid. Not to my best friend. That’s just asking for trouble.”
Andrew grunted. He didn’t quite believe that.
“Just rein it in, will you? Caitlyn’s clearly finds you attractive, and your actions aren’t helping. And I don’t want to watch you drooling over my daughter.”
“I wasn’t drooling.” Harry leaned on the barrier. “Anyway, how is she out here with Antoinette watching over her like a hawk? She’s always around when the kids are out of the house.”
“I’ve no idea.”
Andrew hadn’t thought about that. Antoinette only let her children go to school and that was it. They hadn’t had any play dates or gone to parties in four years. Or seen their father in the past month as scheduled by the court. They were under Antoinette’s thumb, even Caitlyn.
“Maybe she’s going soft.” Harry offered.
Andrew snorted.
“I highly doubt it. She’s been vindictive from day one.”
“Well, you were the one who married her.”
“I know, I know.” Andrew grumbled. He wiped the dust and splatters of cement off his protective glasses. “You don’t need to keep reminding me.”
Harry grinned.
“Well, you’re just like any other guy.”
“What do you mean?”
“You got dazzled by a tough cookie who knew when to spread her legs.”
Andrew punched Harry’s shoulder.
“Ouch!”
“And don’t go saying that was assault on a cop.” Andrew put his glasses back on. “I don’t want to know what Antoinette’s going to say when she finds out Caitlyn was out here near me.”
“Well, she can go screw herself. Caitlyn’s an adult now.”
“Even then, she refuses to let Caitlyn see me on her own terms.” Andrew shook his head. “I’m going to have to go back to court.”
“You haven’t seen the kids again?”
“This is the first time I’ve seen Caitlyn in a month. We talk on the phone all the time but physically, this is the first time in five weeks.”
Harry whistled.
“Shit. She’s trying to drain you dry any way she can.”
“Pretty much.”
Andrew hadn’t thought Antoinette was a money-grubbing bitch. Clearly, he hadn’t paid much attention. She had been accepted by his biker friends and into the club. Antoinette was tough and could hold her own, and they had believed she was loyal to Andrew. That was a big thing in the Blackhawks; loyalty to everyone, including their respective spouses. Antoinette had thrown that out the window.
He hadn’t given her what she wanted, so Antoinette was trying to make Andrew bankrupt in another way. His business was thriving, and Andrew knew that pissed Antoinette off. But he wasn’t giving her any of that. It was his pride and joy and it had taken over a decade to get it to where it was. His ex-wife wasn’t taking that away.
“Hey, Andrew.” Harry swatted his arm, nodding down the street. “I can see Jackson.”
Andrew looked. And his mouth went dry. A man in his early thirties was getting out of a car further down the street. His hair was cut shorter than the last time Andrew had seen him, and he was looking stockier than before. Clearly, the guy had upped his time in the gym; his shirt looked like it had been sprayed onto his body.
Harry’s little brother had always been a source of fascination to Andrew. Their parents had defected from North Korea when Harry was a baby, and they had managed to get asylum in Sacramento. Neither had spoken any English, and Harry had grown up having to learn on the go. Forty years later, both their parents were still running a textiles business that was even more successful from Andrew’s construction company. There was no sign of the couple, who now spoke English without a trace of an accent, ever slowing down. Their work ethic had been passed on to Harry and Jackson. As a nurse, Jackson was even tougher than most of the bikers Andrew knew, and that was a feat.
“Andrew.”
Andrew jumped. Harry was frowning at him.
“What?”
“You’re such a hypocrite.”
“What are you talking about?”
Harry indicated his brother as Jackson walked up the street toward them.
“You told me to stop ‘drooling’ over your daughter. Would you mind not ‘drooling’ over my brother? At least, when I’m not in the vicinity.”
“I wasn’t drooling over him.”
But Andrew could feel his face getting warm. He cleared his throat as Harry raised his eyebrows.
“Seriously, I wasn’t.”
Harry grunted. Then he turned away and walked toward Jackson, greeting his baby brother with a hug. Andrew turned his back on them and took a deep breath. He needed to get a grip on himself. Even during his marriage, Andrew had found Jackson attractive. The young man was gorgeous, and Andrew found himself hanging around whenever Jackson had come down from Spokane to visit his family. Now he was permanently back in Sacramento, it was getting more intense.
The intensity of his feelings toward a man didn’t unnerve him. It was the fact it was directed at Jackson.
“Andrew?”
Andrew turned. Harry and Jackson had reached the barrier, both of them watching him curiously. Andrew cleared his throat.
“Sorry, I was just checking on the progress.” He spoke a little too quickly, which made him flinch. “Can’t have anyone slacking.”
“I’m sure.” Jackson looked toward the half-built house. “Is that bit on the right supposed to be a different color to the rest of the house?”
“It’s what was wanted in the specifications.” Andrew shoved his hands into his pockets. “The client wanted it this color. Nothing to do with us, we do things to order.”
“I see.” Jackson grunted. “Strange client you’ve got.”
“And who also happens to be the vice president of the Blackhawks, so I can’t really argue with him on something that isn’t aesthetically pleasing.”
“Fair point.” Jackson indicated the burger van across the street. “How long until you clock out? Harry and I are going to get something to eat.”
Andrew could see Harry watching him with a smirk. He cleared his throat and looked at Jackson, who was giving him a smile that had arousal building in Andrew’s gut.
“Sorry, rain check on that.” Why did that sound like he was turning down a date? “Once I’ve sorted things here, I’m going to have something with Caitlyn.”
“She’s here?”
“In the park. I haven’t seen her in a while, so we’re going to grab a bite.”
Jackson raised his eyebrows.
“Your ex is still being a bitch?”
“Yep. Haven’t seen them in a month.”
Jackson’s smile had faded. He audibly gulped and looked away. Now Andrew was on the alert. He knew Jackson well enough to know that something was wrong.
“Jackson?”
“I’m not sure if I should tell you. Your ex-wife has taken your name off next of kin and told us not to contact you on anything.”
“What?” Andrew hadn’t known about this. And what was he talking about? He gripped the barrier. “Jackson, what aren’t you telling me?”
Jackson said nothing. Harry shook his head.
“Jackson, you can’t say something like that and not tell him. If this is about Andrew’s children, you have to tell him.”
“Confidentiality…”
“Screw confidentiality.” Andrew growled. “I was always there. And I want to know if my kids are okay.”
Now Jackson looked like he had been backed into a co
rner. He rubbed his hands over his face with a heavy sigh.
“Charlie and Billy have been to the emergency room six times in the last month. According to Antoinette, they just keep hurting themselves. The doctors tried to talk to the boys, but both refuse to say anything, merely mumbling that they fell over.” Jackson looked pained. “I had to help set Charlie’s arm last week. He also had a concussion and had to stay in overnight.”
Andrew felt like he was in a dream world. He had had no idea about this at all. And Billy had spoken to him on the phone twice in the last two weeks. He had not said a word about any of this.
Not getting a straight answer out of Charlie was one thing - the kid was only five - but Billy was fifteen. Surely, he would tell the doctors what was going on. And yet he hadn’t.
A cold sensation came over Andrew. Antoinette was abusing their children. Was that the reason she wouldn’t let them see him? Was she afraid the kids would tell him everything?
“Sorry, Andrew.” Jackson looked like he didn’t want to be there. “I didn’t realize. I thought you knew.”
Andrew gritted his teeth. His hands were gripping tightly onto the barrier. He took a deep breath.
“Next time one of my kids ends up in the ER, tell me. I don’t care what confidentiality this breaks, you tell me. This shouldn’t have been kept from me.”
Jackson nodded. Then there came screaming. Andrew looked toward the park, and he saw Caitlyn’s group had been approached by seven girls. The teenagers were all on their feet and Caitlyn was shouting at one of the girls, a petite girl with long blonde hair. The newcomers had moved into a circle around the group, squaring up to Caitlyn’s friends.
Andrew recognized the signs. They were getting jumped. He vaulted the barrier and ran across the road, dodging cars as they honked their horns at him, narrowly missing him.
“Andrew!”
Andrew ignored the shouts and charged into the park. He waved his arms at the group.
“Hey! Back off now! Get away from them!”
That was when he saw the knife. And Andrew’s heart stopped as the girl lunged, stabbing Caitlyn in the stomach. Caitlyn screamed and clutched at her stomach as the girl stabbed her again and again. Andrew broke into a run, reaching the group as the attacker pulled away and ran off in the other direction.