For the Love of Flowers

by Kelsey Hodge

  It causes us both to burst out laughing and relaxing. He puts two fingers to his temple in a salute of understanding as I put the key in the lock and open the door.

  Chapter 18 - Wyatt

  I hear them outside while the key is turning in the lock, and I’m intrigued by the deep laugh I hear before the door opens. I’ve been working on the kitchen table when I get his text message, and I almost fall off the chair. When he had left for the coffee shop, I never thought a few later hours, he would have been bringing his brother home. The nerves hit me instantly, not knowing what to do. I send Liam a text.

  >Lorenzo bringing his brother home to meet me. Shitting myself. Please come over??

  I’m hoping for, ‘Of course, will be there as quick as I can.’ Then I remember it’s Liam. His response doesn’t help my nerves

  >Nope! You’ll be fine. It’s not like he’s the son of a gangster… Oh wait, he is.

  >Not funny, Liam. Please come, like, in an hour. Pretend it’s for work. Please!!!!

  This text message must have come across as a lot more desperate. He agrees to come over but with the condition that, if things are going well, I send a text to cancel him. I feel a little better until I hear that laugh, the key in the lock, and the sound of Lorenzo coming in. I pretend to be working, hoping to disguise my nerves. As Lorenzo walks around the corner with a figure behind him, he stops close to the table. By the way he pushes up his right eyebrow, I’ve been caught. He doesn’t say anything, yet I see the laughter in his eyes. I raise from my chair and make my way over to him, not sure if I can give him a kiss or not. I think it might be better to follow Lorenzo’s lead on this one, but when he leans over and kisses me, he whispers, “Hi,” I can’t help but smile.

  Then he looks behind him and brings his brother forward to introduce us.

  “Marco, this is my boyfriend Detective Wyatt Johnson.” Looking at me, he says, “Wyatt, this is my brother Marco.”

  I reach out my hand to shake his. As we pull are hands apart, I realize how Lorenzo introduced me. By the look on his brother’s face, it has dawned on him too, and I’m thankful Marco says something first.

  “Lorenzo, did you say Detective?”

  Without missing a beat, Lorenzo looks at me and, with a smile on his face, confirms. “Yes, this is Detective Wyatt Johnson.” The tension increases.

  He looks at Lorenzo as calm as anything and says, “Now I understand why you didn’t say anything. Dad would kill you.” He bursts out laughing. For a split second, Lorenzo and I share a look and try the fake laughing thing, but I don’t think I fool his brother for a second. I go with the distraction technique and ask if he wants a tour of the apartment. This doesn’t take long, but it’s enough time to get Marco mindful of the fact we didn’t laugh at his joke.

  “Anybody want a beer?” I ask, and Lorenzo and Marco say yes. As I head to the kitchen to grab them, I notice Lorenzo steering Marco to the couch. I can tell he has a lot on his mind, and he wants to talk to his brother about everything. I feel proud that he wants to do that with me around, but I also know he has no idea where to start. When I make my way over to them and hand them their beers, I sit in the single chair in front of the windows, almost relieved when Marco gives us the in we need.

  “How long have you been a cop?” he asks.

  “Since I was twenty-one, so nine years now,” I say.

  “You enjoy it? What division are you in?”

  “Yeah, I love it.” I look over to Lorenzo, who gives a slight nod of his head, giving me permission to tell him where I work. “I work in narcotics.”

  “Narcotics, that’s like drugs. Right?” Marco asks.

  “Marco,” I hear Lorenzo say, “that’s kinda the other reason why I wanted to bring you home to meet Wyatt, especially after what you told me in the coffee shop.” I watch as he takes a deep breath. “Dad is a dangerous man, and Wyatt is investigating him.”

  Marco looks startled for a second before he bursts out laughing, so hard that tears appear in the corner of his eyes. After a few minutes, he realizes that Lorenzo and I aren’t laughing. He stops and looks between us, almost like he’s waiting for us to say, ‘Just joking.’ Of course, that doesn’t happen, and he looks at me then.

  “He’s joking, right?” he asks me.

  “No, he’s not,” I tell him.

  “Holy shit.” His response is mild to what I would have been like.

  “But there’s more too,” Lorenzo says to him. I then sit for the next thirty minutes while he tells Marco everything, including his role in the family. Even though I’ve heard it already, it still hurts. By the time Lorenzo finishes explaining how we met and how he lied, Marco is physically shaken by it all. His complexion has taken on a greyish tinge, and he doesn’t look at all well.

  “You seriously had no idea?” Marco asks, looking over to me.

  “None. My partner figured it out. I then confronted him,” I say. I realize I hadn’t thought about Liam since Lorenzo told Marco everything. When I pick up my phone to text Liam to not come over, I notice it’s too late; he’ll be here any minute.

  “The night he confronted me was the same night I came out to Mom and Dad. When I told him everything, Wyatt walked out on me. I had no idea if he would come back. That’s when I knew he was meant to be in my life. Changes had to be made.”

  As we go over that night, I notice that Lorenzo hasn’t spoken about the attack and how he believes their dad is behind it all. Why is he protecting this piece of information, especially as we’ve already told him about the hits he has put on people? Somehow, the truth must come out. Marco needs to understand how evil his dad is. I need to figure out how to get that tidbit out into the open. I’m distracted from my thought by a knock on the front door. I’m relieved that Liam has arrived, but Lorenzo looks worried.

  “It’s Liam. I kinda invited him for moral support. You know, just in case…” I say, pointing to Marco.

  Lorenzo rolls his eyes and says, “Good God.” I get up to let Liam in.

  “So, he hasn’t killed you then?” Liam says as I open the door.

  “You aren’t funny,” I state, opening the door wider to let him in but stop him from walking into the living area. “He actually is a nice guy, but I think you know that. Plus, judging by his reaction tonight, he has no idea about his dad.”

  “I had a feeling that was the case when he came to the station,” Liam states.

  I nod my head in the direction of the living area, and we make our way over to Lorenzo and Marco. For a split second, I think I see Liam stumble a little when as he spots Marco on the couch but brush it off as my imagination. Why on earth would he be stumbling over a guy? Liam was as straight as they come. Lorenzo and Marco look up as we make our way over to them. The shocked smile that lights up Marco’s face is almost breathtaking and puts some color back into his cheeks. That smile will fade in about a minute when he connects the dots and realizes Liam is my partner.

  “Detective Smith, what are you doing here?” Marco asks, still ignorant. I decide it’s time for some more truths.

  “Marco, this is my best friend and partner on the force, Detective Liam Smith.”

  The penny drops. “But you’re the detective who came to talk to me when I reported Lorenzo missing. So, you’re not with missing persons?”

  Again, something passes over Liam’s face for literally a split second before it’s gone. It appears so quickly, I cannot figure out what emotion it is, and Lorenzo and Marco miss it entirely. I think the reason I spotted it is because we’ve been best friends for a very long time. I’ll have to sit and find out what the hell is going on with him. For now, my main priority is keeping Lorenzo safe and by the looks of things, Marco too.

  “No, I’m not with missing persons. Wyatt wasn’t lying. I’m his partner in the narcotics division,” Liam tells him.

  “Okay, so I’m even more confused. Why, in that case, did you come and take my statement?” he asks us.

  “I’ll explain,” I tell Liam
. “The day you came to the station, the sergeant at the front desk recognized the Lorenzo in the photo you brought, so he called us to come down. Anyway, we told him we would take over, and I sent Liam to take your statement. I didn’t want to risk a meeting.”

  “So, my report was never filed,” Marco says aloud.

  “No, it wasn’t,” I reply. “I came home and told Lorenzo that you had been to the station. We talked, and that was when he sent you the text.”

  “But why did you withhold your number?” Marco asks Lorenzo, confused.

  “That was down to me. You have to understand that I need to keep him safe, and I knew nothing about you, and after the robbery…” I say. I don’t miss the grateful look on Lorenzo’s face when he hears me call it a robbery. Even though Marco should know about the attack, Lorenzo’s reaction eases my conscience somewhat, until Liam pipes up.

  “You mean the attack, right?”

  Both my and Lorenzo’s head snap up, and we look at each other. I can tell we’re both hoping Marco hasn’t heard him, but luck isn’t on our side.

  “You mean the robbery, right? The one that landed Lorenzo in the hospital.”

  Marco looks at all of us in turn; he knows something isn’t right. When Liam abruptly stands, glaring at the pair of us, Marco is about to find out the truth behind Lorenzo’s recent hospital visit. There’s no way I can stop Liam from talking without drawing more suspicion. I sit there and hope everything will work out.

  “No, I mean the attack,” he says to Marco then looks at me and Lorenzo. “You didn’t tell him.”

  Marco is now agitated, staring at all three of us. “Tell me what?” he growls through gritted teeth.

  “Lorenzo was attacked, but they made it to look like a robbery. We believe that your dad organized it. After Lorenzo came out to them.”

  I see the color drain from Marco’s face, and he sinks further into his seat as the full understanding of what we told him hits him. “Holy fucking shit, I don’t believe it. How and why would Dad do that? To think, I was about to come out to them too.”

  Holy shit, did Marco say he’s gay too? Lorenzo nods his head in confirmation, and I can’t believe it. I utter the words I never thought I would. “At the moment, it’s probably not a good idea to come out.” I’ve always been an advocate that when you feel ready, you should come out. That’s what Marco is feeling now, inspired by what Lorenzo did, but his situation is so different to everyone else’s.

  “Marco, has Dad said anything to you about the business since I left?” Lorenzo asks, and I’m confused with where he’s going.

  “No, nothing. I’ve heard him mumbling that this isn’t right, and that someone is lying, but he stops whenever I’m close. So, I have no idea who he’s talking about. Why?”

  “I would have thought with one son out of the way, he would start working on the other to become heir. He never told you about the business before to avoid any in-fighting between us. I’m surprised he hasn’t started now.”

  “But I don’t want to be part of the business. Now, I don’t even want to be a part of the family. If he tries to force me to join, I’ll walk away completely. I don’t want to be involved in drugs or murder or anything else, for that matter,” Marco says.

  “Believe me, I understand,” Lorenzo replies. “It’s why I walked away. This isn’t a life I wanted. I want my flowers and Wyatt. To get that life, without having to look over my shoulder all the time, Dad needs to be sent down.” He pauses for a second before saying, “So, I’m helping Wyatt with the investigation.”

  The scared look on Marco’s face pleases me in a warped way; it means he understands what would happen to Lorenzo if Alfredo ever found out that some of the information we have, came from his own son.

  “Is that safe or even wise?” he asks.

  “In one word, no. If Dad finds out that I’ve talked, I’m a dead man, regardless of being his son. He has to be stopped; too many innocent people are getting hurt because of him.”

  “I have no idea how I’ll be able to look him in the eye after this.”

  Before Lorenzo can answer him, I pipe up, “Sorry to say, but you’ll have to try. This is a lot to ask, but it’ll keep you and Lorenzo safe.” Marco nods his head in solemn agreement, knowing what I’m saying is true.

  “You might have to spend less time at Mom and Dad’s. If possible, learn to do your own laundry,” Lorenzo says teasingly, and this joke seems to lighten the mood as we all laugh. The atmosphere begins at last to relax. I fetch more beers from the fridge. I hadn’t noticed that at some point, we had all finished our original bottles. Poor Liam hasn’t had any. While I’m in the kitchen, I hear Marco ask about the florist and if anyone is looking after it while he was in the hospital. Lorenzo confirms that no one has been there, but then I hear the words, it sends a cold shiver down my spine, and worry fills my soul. “I was going in today for a few hours but thought meeting you was more important. I’m going back tomorrow. My flowers, not to mention my customers, need me.” Yet all I can think is that I need him more.

  After a couple more hours, Marco and Liam eventually leave, and after hearing that Lorenzo is going back to the shop, I’m relieved they’re gone. I’ve wanted to be with Lorenzo alone since he made the announcement. I feel the strange need to hold him. We’re on the couch. I’m in the corner leaning back, and Lorenzo is between my legs, his back against my chest.

  “I forgot that you were going back to the shop today. You sure that’s wise?” I say to the back of his head.

  “It’s only to check my orders and tidy up. A few hours at most,” Lorenzo replies, but when he sees the look on my face, he adds, “If I feel tired, I promise to come home.”

  This puts some of my worries at ease, but this will be the first time he’ll be out of the house since the attack. I hope his dad isn’t watching the shop or something. I cannot keep him locked in the apartment forever. But I have a feeling that tomorrow will be a long day, so I suggest an early night. “Let’s get to bed.” Lorenzo stretches in my lap and agrees.

  We make our way to the bedroom and get ready in silence, but this is normal behavior for us. It feels nice that we’ve already fallen back into our routine. Both of us in sleep shorts and a t-shirt. I climb into bed and open my arms to invite Lorenzo in. He crawls over to me with such a look in his eyes, I feel myself getting hard. He lies in the crook of my arm and places his head on my chest. I wrap my arm around him, pulling him closer into me, and kiss the top of his head. I feel him tracing circles on my chest with his fingers, and it makes me smile.

  “That tickles,” I tell him, and he looks up at me. He puts his head back on my chest, and the circling motion stops. He’s now stroking my stomach, and with each stroke, I feel his hand moving lower, until I feel him running his fingers up the side of my cock, causing the cotton of my shorts to rub deliciously against my hardening length. He strokes back up my stomach, but on the downward stroke, he moves his hand under the waistband of my shorts and takes hold of my hard cock in his hand. I feel his thumb on the head as he massages the drop of pre-cum around my head. It feels amazing.

  “Thought we were coming to bed?” I ask as he readjusts his hands that have started pumping my cock. “Oh God, that feels good.”

  He looks up at me. “I can stop if you want,” he says, still pumping and applying the right amount of pressure to my make body come alive

  “Hell no,” I manage to get out before I lose all train of thought. I then close my eyes and fall into the pleasure of Lorenzo’s hand on me. I’m aware of the bed shifting and the pressure on my cock easing. Then I feel my shorts moving down my legs until they’re pulled off. The pressure is back on my cock, and that thumbing runs over the head again. The bed shifts again and this time, I crack an eye open to see that Lorenzo has gotten off the bed and is standing on the side, completely naked. My cock twitches with approval.

  “Like what you see?” he says as he licks his lips and walks around the bed, stopping at my feet.

&
nbsp; “What do you think?” I reply as I stroke my cock while looking at him.

  “Someone has way too many clothes on,” he says to me, and he climbs onto the edge of the bed and pushes my legs apart, kneeling between. He looks at me, not doing anything, almost like he’s waiting for me. The lack of touch is killing me, so I lean up and pull him to me, crashing our lips together in demanding a kiss. He takes that opportunity to pull my t-shirt off, breaking the kiss. He places a hand on my chest and gently pushes me back down onto the bed. He strokes my chest again, up and down.

  “Touch me please,” I beg, but all this does is cause the stroking to stop. I feel him leaning on my chest, then the kissing starts. Gentle feather-light kisses that follow the same route as the stroking. He takes his time tonight, and the sensations are overwhelming. “Lorenzo, please.” I hear the pleading in my voice.

  “Good things come to those who wait,” he replies, kissing his way back up my chest. This time, he takes a nipple into his mouth, sucks it, and pulls it with his teeth. I arch my back as the pleasure runs down my spine. He lets go of my nipple, starting his journey back down my body, and pushes my head into the pillow, trying to elevate my frustration. I hear Lorenzo chuckle, loving what he’s doing to me. Only when I think he’ll continue the torture by starting his journey back up my chest, I feel his tongue licking the side of my cock, enclosing his lips around the head and sucking up the pre-cum before he slides my cock entirely in his mouth. “Grab the lube,” he says, and I know what his plan is. I don’t bottom very often, purely because it’s Lorenzo favorite position, so I can’t wait. His mouth engulfs my cock, so I try to open the bedside drawer with my hand. I get the drawer open and fish my hand around until I feel the bottle. I grab it and quickly pass it to Lorenzo. Without bothering to close the drawer, I pull my arm back to my side, grabbing the bedsheet underneath me.

  Lorenzo pushes my legs up and places them onto his shoulders, exposing my hole. I hear him open the cap and squeeze the bottle. Even though I know it’s coming, I jump at the coldness of the lube on my hole. He spreads a generous amount around, pushing a little into me. I hear him squeeze the bottle again; he’s covering his fingers.