First Priority

by Este Holland

“I’ve been trying.”

  I chuckled at his frustrated tone. “Try harder. Are you going to give up at the first obstacle?”

  “I suppose not.” He huffed. “Thanks, mate. Now about this Jonas, I called a friend in Dublin, who called a coworker in Galway. Apparently, he’s got a nasty habit of doing coke and rent boys in the back rooms of red-light clubs on Dyer Street.”

  “I knew it. I could smell it on him. Why the hell he was in Brian’s house, I—”

  “It was Devon’s fault,” Brian said, coming in the door. “The arsehole. I had him detain the man until I got there.”

  “Christ, Brian, you didn’t tie him up in the basement, did you?”

  “Garden shed.”

  Adam gasped.

  Brian put his hands out. “I’m kidding.”

  “Oh.”

  I lost it. I heard Daniel laughing through the line, too, and I pulled Adam to me and kissed his heart over his shirt. “You are perfect,” I whispered into his neck. His skin warmed as he blushed.

  Brian patted Adam, knocking him into me, not that I cared. I squeezed him in closer until he sighed and sat on my lap.

  “All right, lads,” Brian said, taking my phone and putting it on speaker. I gave it to him and wrapped my arms around my boyfriend. “Let’s figure out what we want to do.”

  Chapter 18

  What Goes Around Stays in Its Fucking Place, If It Knows What’s Good for It

  Intermission

  Brian

  I smacked Devon upside the head when I got home. “Idjit! You don’t bring fuckin’ reporters home when Truman’s about.”

  “I didn’t know he’d be here. Jaysus, Brian.”

  I grumbled under my breath. Dev looked sincere. “All right, but you’re helping me make sure he knows what’s good for him.”

  “What’s good for him? A pint and a fag?”

  “A boot up his arse if he says anything about today, or where Truman is.”

  “Fine.” Devon sulked as he led me to the lounge where he’d been plying Jonas with beer and whiskey, so he couldn’t drive home.

  “What are you planning?”

  “Get him talking while I’ll record.”

  “Blackmail? Turning into old Uncle Gerri, Bri?”

  “Shut it. This is your fault. You’re just as guilty as I am. Besides, I doubt I’ll use it if he does say anything, but he doesn’t need to know that.”

  “Right.”

  Devon went in and lifted a pint with Jonas while I set my phone to record their conversation. He was right plastered and slurring, but it was easy enough to understand him waxing poetic about snorting coke off lads’ bums. I doubted most of them were legal, but he never said.

  Fuck me. I shook my head. If I ever sent this out, the least of his troubles would be losing his job.

  I left Devon to take care of his drunken arse, which consisted of shoving a bucket next to his head after he’d dumped him on the lounger. Who the hell hit on a taken man and got pissed after a christening? Thank God Maggie’s guests were gone.

  I drove to my pub, where I’d left Truman and Adam waiting. They’d said they needed to use my Wi-Fi to get some work done. Adam was video-chatting on his laptop, and he shifted to smile at me. I glimpsed a young man on the screen with gorgeous skin that reminded me of those mudslide drinks made from Kahlua tourists loved. What was wrong with a simple pint these days?

  Great, now I sound like Da.

  He was beautiful, the man on screen, with black hair gleaming under a desk lamp, and brown eyes framed by long, inky lashes. His lips stood out the most, almost pouting, but he rolled them in as he listened to Adam as if he were self-conscious. He shouldn’t be. They made me want a taste.

  “Brian.”

  Truman chuckled when I finally looked at him.

  “He’s a ride, isn’t he?”

  “A what?”

  I shook my head. I forgot Truman didn’t know much of our slang. “Good looking.”

  “Oh.” Truman peered around Adam’s shoulder. “I suppose he is. Come over.”

  I stood behind Adam and felt my knees go weak when the man’s eyes landed on mine.

  “Fuck me,” I whispered.

  Truman smirked. “Jay, this is my cousin, Brian. Brian, Adam’s friend in LA, Jay.”

  He lifted a hand and smiled, and I was a goner.

  “Hiya.” I caught myself before I rolled my eyes. Hiya? He’d reduced me to a git in under five seconds.

  Jay’s smile widened. “Nice to meet you.”

  “Same.”

  Damn. I wonder if it’d be rude to ask Adam for a photo of Jay. I snorted and ran a hand over my face. Get ahold of yourself.

  “You okay?” Truman banged my arm.

  “Yeah.” I handed my phone with the video of Jonas to Truman, and he watched for a few minutes before sending it to himself.

  “Thanks, man. I’ll send him a little note explaining the situation.”

  “You’ll what?” I moved to sit on the corner of the desk crossing my ankles.

  “I’ll make sure he knows what he’s risking.”

  “You’ll do nothing of the sort, cuz. I’ll do it.”

  “Brian, you’ve already done enough. I can’t let you take that risk,” Truman said.

  “That’s my line. You’re the one who’d be crucified if it got out. Me?” I shrugged. “The garda would shake a finger and give me a slap on the wrist. That’s if they even looked twice.”

  Truman and I had ourselves a little stare down.

  Then Jay asked, “What’s going on?”

  “Um, I can’t really explain it right now. Sorry,” Adam said.

  I shifted toward the screen, and nearly startled when I saw Jay’s dark eyes on me. I gave him my best grin. His eyebrows twitched, and he pursed those plump lips.

  “No problem. Just be careful, whatever it is you’re up to.” Jay glared at Truman, who gave him a similar smile to mine.

  “We will. Bye,” Adam said.

  “Talk to you later.”

  Adam closed the computer, thus ending my contact with the beautiful man for good.

  Jay

  Godlike genes ran in Truman’s family, apparently. The Irish man with the short black hair, dreamy blue eyes, and deep lyrical voice made my mouth water.

  Brian.

  It was a regular sort of name in America, but imagining it said in his accent…it fit him perfectly with his muscly arms that hadn’t been bought in a gym. I spent a fun few minutes imagining him throwing me on top of various pieces of furniture.

  Brian had liked what he’d seen on screen, too. I knew when guys were checking me out. I was a bartender, after all. I got hit on constantly. The Bissou wasn’t my only job either. I worked at a gay nightclub on weekends. Always shirtless and covered in glitter. Fucking stuff got everywhere. My point was, I had game. I grinned, thinking of the look on Brian’s face when I’d smiled. I’d always been self-conscious of my big lips, but a lot of guys loved them.

  I left my apartment and ran down the stairs to the sounds of a baby crying and the overpowering scent of garlic coming from the second floor. I think it was in the air vents by now. I didn’t mind, though. I was young, taking classes, and paying my dues. It was a lot better than the last place I’d lived. Anything was better than Squatter’s Paradise, a sea of tarps and cardboard boxes beside a chemical and piss-filled creek. Not exactly an ideal living situation. I was lucky I hadn’t died of cholera or something.

  I exited the building and turned right, intent on a cold coffee. It wasn’t summer yet, but it was California. I missed Adam already. We’d quickly become writing buddies. It was so cool to find a friend who didn’t need to yammer all the time, or constantly want to go out and get smashed. Truman had better be treating him right. They’d seemed to be into something shady in Ireland. I’d kick his arrogant ass if he got that angel in trouble.

  “Alejandro.”

  My heart stopped at the voice behind me, and that name. A name I’d never want
ed to hear again. I turned slowly, afraid of what I’d see.

  Ricardo, with the flame tattoos and shaved head. His brown skin was dirty under the wife-beater he wore, his long jean shorts loosely belted around his hips. He had a tear in his boxers. Lovely.

  “You’re out of prison?” Why the hell didn’t Detective Whitmore call me?

  “Lucky me.”

  “Lucky? They’ll kill you,” I said.

  “Lucky I found you and I can hide for a few days. I need money. Give me your keys.”

  “I will not.” I took a step back, prepared to run, but his reflexes were still stellar, perhaps better from prison, and he caught my arm, fingers digging in painfully.

  “You will, you little shit, or I’ll break every bone in your hand,” Ricardo snarled. “You won’t be able to write your little books then, will you?”

  “How did you even find me?” I asked to give myself time to think.

  Everything of importance I owned was in my backpack. It always was. I’d crash with someone until they found Ricardo and dragged him away. At least this way I’d know where he was and could avoid him. Better than running into him unprepared again.

  “Your abuela had a birthday card from you. Crazy old bat thought I was your brother.”

  Shit. My heart raced, and I clenched my hand. He wouldn’t have hurt her, not if she hadn’t recognized him. I took my keys out and pulled the apartment keys off the ring. I threw them and he caught them against his chest.

  “Four G.”

  “Money.”

  “No.”

  I spun around and ran when he yelled after me. He was too lazy to run after me, and he’d likely had no food for a while. Still, I checked over my shoulder. He wasn’t there. Thank God. I bypassed the café and kept going.

  I had money saved. I took an Uber to the bus station and got a ticket for San Francisco. I needed to see my abuela with my own eyes, and get away from my ex. I called in sick to work, and then I had nothing to do but worry as I rode the bus. I opened my laptop and tried to write.

  My FaceTime notification rang, and I smiled for the first time in hours.

  “Hey, Angel.”

  “Hey, Jay. Sorry about before. Truman and his cousin were having an important conversation.”

  I adjusted my earbuds to hear him better. “Yes. Something about the Irish police?” I raised a brow when he flushed with guilt. “Are you okay? Do you need help? I’ll kick Truman’s ass.” I heard a low laugh and winced. “Hi, Truman.”

  The star himself appeared over Adam’s shoulder and Adam blushed even more. “Hi, Jay.”

  “Is your cousin with you?” I asked, mainly to distract from my ass-kicking comment. Yeah right.

  “No. He’s a little busy blackmailing a reporter right about now.”

  “Tru!” Adam turned wide eyes on me. “He’s…not kidding.” I smiled. Adam really was an angel. His inability to lie was one of his best qualities. “But it’s not anything really bad or illegal, I swear. It’s just that he got angry when Truman kissed me. And we don’t want him spreading rumors.” His eyes rounded. “That sounds bad. Truman, maybe we shouldn’t.”

  Truman put his hands on Adam. “Don’t worry. Brian’s not going to let it get out of hand, sweetheart. I promise. He knows how to handle shit like this.”

  I raised my brows at “sweetheart” but didn’t say anything. Things were moving full steam ahead for those two.

  “What are you doing? It looks like you’re in a vehicle or something?”

  “I’m on my way to Frisco to visit my abuela. She’s not feeling well.” The lie rolled off my tongue as easily as it used to. Ricardo hadn’t been here for ten minutes, and I was already reverting to my old ways.

  Adam’s shoulders drooped. “Oh, I’m sorry. Do you need anything?”

  I smiled. “No, I’m all set. Thank you.”

  “Okay. Well, call me if you do. I hope she’s okay.”

  “Thanks. I’ll talk to you soon.”

  I hung up and turned my phone off to save the battery. I’d have to buy a charger. I’d left mine in my bedroom. Sloppy. I’d gotten too comfortable, relying on Detective Whitmore to warn me of impending danger. Well, no more. I’d be on guard once again. Alone.

  Chapter 19

  All the Way

  Truman

  “There’s something wrong with him,” Adam said as he ended the call with Jay.

  “I see that.”

  Adam turned to peer up at me. “What should I do?”

  “Do you know where his grandmother is?”

  “No. He just said Frisco.”

  He deflated, and I kissed his head.

  “Hm. What’s his full name?”

  “Jay Reyes is all I know. I don’t know if Jay stands for anything. He lives in Chad’s neighborhood, three buildings down. He takes classes at City College. He works at the hotel and a gay club. That’s all I know.”

  I nodded, already firing off an email to Daniel. “I’ll see what info I can get. It might not be much, though.”

  Adam put his arms around my waist and smashed his face into my stomach. “Thank you. You’re amazing.”

  “I know.” I laughed when he rolled his eyes.

  He gave me a hot kiss, though.

  I took us home in the boat, and Adam enjoyed the ride, though he was still worried. Brian was going to explain how things were to that reporter Jonas as soon as he woke up. I tried to talk to him again about me doing it, but he’d hear none of it.

  “Are you okay?” Adam came up behind me and wrapped his arms around me. I’d been standing and staring out at the bay for the better part of an hour after we got home.

  “Yeah.” I pulled him around to my front and kissed his head. “Yeah. Just thinking.”

  “I don’t want anyone to get in trouble. I don’t care if Jonas saw us kissing.”

  I winced. “While I don’t want you exposed, I have a more selfish reason for doing this.”

  Adam paused. “You don’t want your secret location to get out.”

  I nodded.

  “I understand that, but he could get in a lot of trouble. Brian,” he clarified. “Not Jonas. He can go F himself in the A.”

  “I don’t know about a lot. He’s not demanding money or anything. But you heard Brian. He’s stubborn. Listen,” I continued when Adam frowned, “I don’t know all the details, but remember when I told you people don’t mess with the McCamishes around here?”

  Adam’s brow wrinkled. “Yes.”

  “They used to be a pretty big deal in the…underworld, for lack of a better word.”

  “Underworld? What, like vampires?”

  I goosed him on the neck, and he laughed and squirmed.

  “Funny. There’s always been crime associated with the McCamish name in one form or another.”

  “Hmm. They don’t seem like criminals to me. I can’t see Maggie sneaking off in a black cap and gloves to rob from the rich.”

  I chuckled. “Don’t let the baby fool you. I’ve seen her in a few pub fights before. I think the crime has mostly died out. There might be an uncle and a few cousins in prison, but the name is still respected and feared in certain circles. And they have contacts with everyone from police, to thieves, to lawyers and judges.”

  “Wow.” Adam sighed. “You have an interesting life, Truman James.”

  Amused, I huffed. “I suppose I do. We only get one, though, don’t we?”

  Adam bit his lip around a smile. “You sound more like a local every day we’re here.”

  I laughed. “Can’t help it. Brian rubs off on me.”

  “What do you want to do now?”

  “I’d like to rub off on you.” I gave him a cheesy leer, and Adam shook his head with a groan.

  “That was terrible.”

  “But?”

  “But…I’ll race you.”

  Adam took off for the bedroom, and I sprinted after him. He shrieked when I lifted him and tossed him onto the bed. I collapsed in a fit of laughter, an
d he turned red as an apple.

  “Shut up. You cheated.”

  “Sorry. I’ve never heard a noise like that before.”

  “Ugh,” he groaned and smacked me with a pillow.

  I yanked him on top of me, figuring it might be easier for him to be in control of what we did. I don’t know why exactly—I was going off pure instinct. Adam seemed appreciative of everything I’d done so far, so why not?

  I grinned as he straddled me. It slid off my face as he leaned in to kiss me. His kisses were sweeter than mine but no less intense. Desire bloomed in my belly and expanded outward until my fingers itched to grab hold of him. I reached for his hips, setting him to gently rock on my groin.

  My cock lengthened and hardened, and he rocked harder, kissing me with more confidence. I moaned and shoved my hand up his shirt until I found his nipple. I rolled it and pinched.

  “Shit!” he cried out and chuckled. “Didn’t know that would feel so good.”

  “Mm. You have a lot of sensitive spots.”

  “Apparently.” Adam continued what he was doing and trailed his lips and tongue along my neck. He pulled at my shirt, and I lifted my torso to help him get it off. Then it was his turn to torture my nipples. They didn’t do much for me, but it was still a nice sensation, and Adam could touch me anywhere he wanted.

  When it got too hot, we shed the rest of our clothes and continued to touch and kiss, and simply feel. We were new to each other, finding favorite places to be touched.

  “I want you inside me,” Adam said against my mouth.

  I moved away to see his face. “Are you sure?”

  He bit his lip and nodded, eyes half-hooded with lust. “Please.”

  I rolled over and grabbed the condoms and lube I’d stashed in the bedside table. I got myself ready first because once I started on him, I’d have a hard time stopping for the condom. I warmed the lube, and he hummed in his throat as I pushed against his tight ring. He bore down, and I pushed my finger inside, wiggling it and making him squirm.

  “You like that?”

  “Yes.”

  I kissed his belly and his hip bone. “You are so beautiful and sweet and all mine, aren’t you?”