Our Little Nest: Book 4 of The Two Timer Series

by D. B. Watson

  "Please, Detective Potter, take a seat anywhere. Can I pour you a drink?"

  "Aren't you, underage?"

  "Depends on one’s point of view."

  Adam didn’t want to argue, considering he didn’t find out about Patrick’s age until after they had sex. "Do you feel up to talking some more?"

  "What about?"

  "Your stepfather?"

  An icy chill ran up Jamie's spine at the thought of being with Seth again.

  Adam sat in a leather chair off to the side, setting his glass of water down. Before he could push the issue, Penny returned, smiling at the two men. A maid followed holding a platter. She placed the tray with a pitcher of tea, fruit, and cheese on the table. Penny took the wine bottle and the glass from Jamie's hand. Jamie didn't seem to care as he scooped up a palm-full of grapes. Without a word, the ladies left.

  Jamie wanted to change the subject about his stepfather.

  "You said you have a boyfriend, Detective Potter?"

  "I do."

  "How long have you been with him?"

  "A little over a year."

  "In all that time, has he been faithful?"

  "Yes, he has."

  "How can you be sure, when you're not with him?"

  "I trust him."

  "Does he trust you?"

  "Yes. Why do you ask?"

  "No reason, just wanted a reaction."

  "Was it what you expected?"

  Jamie doesn't respond. Instead, he returned to the bar, pouring himself a second glass of wine. He drained half the glass before sitting back down.

  "You seem to enjoy wine."

  "I don't, but Yuri wants me to have at least two glasses a day."

  "There are other ways to get the same effects."

  "Yuri wants me to do it this way."

  "Don't you get a choice?"

  Jamie changed the subject. "Are you staying for dinner?"

  "No, not tonight. I'm only to stay if Yuri is to be away."

  "Oh." His disappointment was clear to Adam.

  "Were there any other attempts on your life?"

  Jamie hesitated, considering whether he should tell Adam. Yuri never told him not to tell.

  "Two other times, Detective," said Yuri, standing by the door.

  Adam watched as Jamie stood and moved over to Yuri like an obedient child.

  "Please excuse me, Detective Potter, I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

  “Not at all,” said Adam.

  “Jamie, I need to speak to the detective alone,” Yuri said taking the glass from him.

  Jamie left the room without a word, shutting the door behind him. Yuri approached Adam, who rose from his seat. He suspected their conversation would not be about Jamie's shopping spree.

  "I asked you to protect Jamie, not investigate the attempt on his life."

  "Don't you want to prevent it from happening again?"

  "I do."

  "Well, you have a funny way of showing it."

  "Protection is all I'm paying you for."

  "Mr. Jin, he had three attempts made on him. He doesn't just need protection. He needs someone to find out who's doing this to him."

  "What are you saying, I don't care about Jamie's wellbeing?"

  "I wonder why you don't want any investigation done on the attacks."

  "Mr. Potter, you came highly recommended, so I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt. Do the job I hired you for."

  "If that's what you want."

  "That is what I want. Are we clear?"

  "We're clear, Mr. Jin."

  "You can leave now, until tomorrow."

  Yuri exited the room without a goodbye.

  Adam left the library, heading toward the Lou brothers as his beacons of freedom. Unexpectedly, Jamie stepped into his view. Adam made an abrupt halt, having to grab hold of Jamie's shoulders to stop a collision with the teen.

  Adam could smell the sweet scent of fruit in his hair, realizing he’d held him too long. He released him, taking a step back.

  "Jamie, I'm on my way home."

  "Are you coming back tomorrow?"

  "Yes."

  "Good, because I want”—Jamie glances to see if anyone was around—"you to take me shopping."

  "Again? Fine, whatever, I'll be here in the morning." Adam tried to walk around Jamie but found his wrist hostage in the younger man's hand.

  "Come back," he said before releasing him and dashing up the stairs.

  CHAPTER 13

  BOUND

  What did Yuri mean I came highly recommended? Adam pondered, leaving the Duet. Who recommended me? He needed Justin to do some more research. He tried to call him but was sent to voice mail. He remembered Justin moved from living above a gentlemen’s club into an apartment complex outside the city. A controlled apartment complex with security. Adam tried his luck and drove over. He eased up to the guarded gate and right away, two uniformed men approached his jeep.

  "Can we help you?" said one, with his hand on the nub of his nightstick.

  "I'm here to see Justin Shi.”

  "And your name?" the second requested, holding a Cherry Pad.

  "Adam Potter."

  He scanned the pad, tapping the screen only a few times, then looked back at Adam.

  "Adam Potter, you're cleared. Do you know what floor he's on?"

  "No, I don't." He tapped at the pad again and his partner entered their well-lit office with glass windows. He returned holding a paper that he handed to Adam.

  "This has his floor, apartment number, and directions. You should have no problem locating Mr. Shi."

  "Um, thank you."

  "You’re welcome, sir."

  Adam drove on, down a winding road, and came upon the complex with parking off to the side.

  He entered the building and was amazed by the splendor. Adam understood when Justin told him his parents wanted him safer. Justin this place is a bit over the top, Adam thought. A cherry blossom tree grew in the middle of the lobby accented with plush, high-end furniture, and a Japanese garden with a working bamboo fountain. He wondered what the apartments held.

  Adam rode the elevator that played a generic pop song to the 4th floor. Stepping out, he was greeted again with more flora and décor. The labeled doors had gold-plated numbers. Adam found Justin's dwelling. Number 69 caused Adam to roll his eyes.

  He knocked once, then twice, and paused before raising his hand again. The door swung open, revealing an annoyed man with tousled hair wearing only jeans and holding a whip with nine braids dangling carelessly in his hand.

  Adam sized up the masculine brute with messy grayish hair. Adam could tell he had snatched something off his head before answering the door. As for the weapon, Adam realized he was interrupting a private moment.

  "What do you want?" he snapped, scrutinizing Adam.

  This couldn't be Justin's apartment, Adam thought. Adam was about to apologize for intruding but before the words escaped his lips, he spotted a bound Justin. He wore nothing but the corded ropes that held his wrist. His legs spread, with each ankle tied to the legs of the couch and a gag ball in his mouth. The image of Cain Rollins popped into Adam’s head. He remembered Justin had lived with the killer. He and his partner, Jay Marcel, stalked Patrick and killed his then-boyfriend, Gavin Martin. Rollins kidnapped Justin to use as a ransom for Patrick. Adam managed to save them both only for Rollins to chase him and Patrick down by driving a police car through a graveyard.

  Adam was astonished by what happened next. His fist struck something hard as he rushed toward his helpless assistant. Justin looked more perplexed than relieved. Adam freed him from his gag and bindings.

  "Justin, are you all right? Did he hurt you?"

  "Boss, you're making a mistake!"

  "What are you talking about he was—" Then, it struck him. Adam had seen and done too many crazy things in his life not to grasp this as two men playing S&M. He turned and looked at the unconscious man lying on his side. The whip, now out of his hand lay
beside him. He looked at Justin. "I guess I should have called first."

  "Yeah, but that's OK," Justin smirked, glancing at the guy. “His husband will have a lot of questions for him tomorrow morning about his busted lip.” Justin imagined him pissing his pants, trying to explain. "How's your hand?"

  Adam surveyed his knuckles that a moment ago connected with hard bone.

  "It’s OK." Adam stood and started for the door.

  "Um, Boss?"

  Adam turned, remembering Justin's nude body displayed before him. His smooth, creamy skin riddled with streaks from the whip stretched from his chest to his firm thighs. His erect cock rested on his stomach as his confined balls were held prisoner by a silver cock-ring.

  Justin couldn't let Adam question his loyalty to Patrick. He wanted Adam to come to him free from guilt. Justin grabbed an afghan that lay beside him and covered his lower half. "You came here for something?" Justin asked.

  "Y-yes, I need you to look up some names for me." Adam removed his notepad and flipped through to the page he needed. Instead of placing the notebook into Justin's outstretched hand, he placed it on a table near the door.

  "Could you get those back to me as soon as—well—" Adam glanced at the limp man.

  "No problem Boss. I'm here to serve."

  Adam nodded and stepped around the body on the floor. He approached the open door when he glanced back at his beautiful assistant.

  "You know, I thought this place would be bigger."

  "Oh, it is. This is just the sitting room. The rest of the apartment is in through those stained-glass doors; I have a bi-level. I'd show you around but—"

  "Maybe some other time."

  "You can bring Patrick." Justin wanted to bite his tongue off for suggesting that.

  Adam grinned at the invite but became serious. "Will you be all right?"

  Justin glimpsed at his playmate, smiling, then back at Adam.

  "I'll see you at the office tomorrow, for our breakfast?"

  "You bet."

  "Goodnight, Adam.”

  "Goodnight, Justin."

  The door closed, and Justin knew why Adam struck his date. He alleged he was in danger like he was with Cain Rollins. He flipped the afghan off, seeing it land close to the man, whose name escaped him. He rested his head back, replaying his boss's eyes running all over his body. He grasped his hard-on and closed his eyes to the outside world. The heat of his hunger for Adam amplified inside him as he grew closer to eruption.

  CHAPTER 14

  DINNeR

  Adam had to do some errands. He drove back through a charming neighborhood that had trees lining both sides of the street when something caught his eye, making him pull over.

  A yard sale was going on in front of a two-story house with a wraparound porch, double doors, and connected garage. Adam climbed out and noticed several people browsing and buying dishes, TVs, furniture. He also saw a for sale sign for the house.

  “Adam? Adam Potter?” said a pregnant female walking up to him.

  Megan Sutter. An old colleague from the police force who was also from the same training academy class as Adam. While he went on to become a detective, Megan pursued a career in forensics.

  “Megan?” he replied, seeing her holding the hand of a little boy no older than two, and expecting another baby soon.

  “Wow, Adam, you look great. When did you get back in town?” she asked, hugging him.

  “Not that long ago,” he replied as they parted.

  “Are you back on the force?”

  “No, I run a detective agency now.”

  “Good for you. I heard you and A. J. broke up.”

  “Yeah. I’m with someone new now.”

  “I’m sorry about you and A. J.”

  “I’m not.”

  “So, you think this one is the one?”

  “He could be.”

  “Well, he must be something for you to be house hunting.”

  “House hunting? Oh, no, I only stopped because of the yard sale.”

  “Oh, too bad, this would have been a steal.”

  “Why?”

  “Well, I found a new position that pays more, but it’s in another state. With having little Mikey here, we could use the money to settle in our new home until I have this one”—she patted her belly—"in three months.”

  “Well, I wish you all the luck.”

  “Why don’t you come in and have a look around, Adam?”

  “Megan, I told you I’m not looking to buy.”

  “Then there’s no reason for you not to look around. Besides, I want to introduce you to Evan.”

  Megan grabbed his arm and tugged. Adam knew she was showing him more than her mate, but went along. They entered the house and a man approached, holding price signs for the sale outside. Megan released Adam’s arm and walked up to the man, kissing him. Right away, the toddler grabbed the man’s leg, wanting his father to pick him up.

  “Adam, this is Evan, my husband. Evan, this is Adam Potter. Adam and I were in the academy together.”

  Evan picked his son up and stepped to Adam, holding out his hand.

  “Nice to meet you, Adam. Megan told me how you helped her get through the academy.”

  “We encouraged each other.”

  “I wanted you at the wedding, but A. J. said you’d already left town,” Megan said.

  “Yeah, I had to work some things out.”

  “So, you’re interested in the house?” asked Evan.

  Megan cut in before Adam could reply. “He claims to be here for the yard sale. I wanted to give him a tour.”

  “Well, you give him the tour, and I’ll take this little guy outside and hang up these signs. Enjoy the tour, Adam.”

  “Thanks,” Adam replied, watching Evan leave with his son. “You have a beautiful family, Megan.”

  “Ever think about having one of your own?”

  “I do.”

  “Well, it’s not for the meek. Come on, let’s start in the living room.” Adam followed her down the hall and to the right. “This is the living room.”

  The warm, inviting room reminded Adam of the home his parents made for him and his brothers. He envisioned him and Patrick cuddling on the couch.

  She led him down the hallway. She opened two sliding doors to reveal the dining room.

  Adam liked the paneled French doors along the walls that brought in warm lighting to the hardwood floor.

  “Now down here is the gourmet kitchen,” said Megan. “We finished with the remodeling a month ago. So, everything here is still new.”

  “And you’re leaving this?”

  “Can’t say no to an opportunity.”

  Adam walked around the room. A picture frame window was over the double sink. An There was an island with a marble top and a dry sink, high-end appliances. Adam saw himself showing Patrick how to cook. Another room connected, revealing a breakfast nook with a view of the garden.

  “There’s a garden?” Adam asked.

  “Private garden. And an in-ground pool,” said Megan.

  “Complete privacy?”

  “Absolute. There’s a back staircase that leads upstairs over here. There’s another door that leads to the garage and the side of the house. Come on, I’ll show you the private office.”

  The office was small but fit, with a desk and a two-seater couch. Adam could keep the bleak world he had to deal with separate from his home life with Patrick, who worried about him. Megan took Adam upstairs. She showed him the bedroom with two walk-in closets and a private bathroom with a separate shower and bathtub. Down the hall were a second bathroom and a guest bedroom. She walked him to a door at the end of the hall.

  “This door leads to the attic that is the length of the house, so there’s lots of storage room up there. I forgot to show you that there’s a basement; it’s also the length of the house. You can get there through the kitchen.” They went back downstairs to the kitchen. Megan gave Adam a glass of lemonade. “I made this for the sale.” Ad
am drank down the sweet beverage, his mind lost in thought. “So, what do you think?”