Our Little Nest: Book 4 of The Two Timer Series

by D. B. Watson

  “He’s damaged goods.”

  “His dents were not of his doing.”

  Miguel sat up, sitting back on his legs. “I don’t know why men gravitate to my cousin. But I do know how to fuck with him.”

  “Now, Miguel, don’t go off telling Patrick about us.”

  “You think so little of me?” Miguel climbed off the bed, dressed, and left the room without a goodbye. As he headed for the staircase, he saw Patrick approaching.

  “Cousin,” Miguel said, without malice.

  Patrick looked at his cousin and forced a small smile.

  “Retiring already? The party’s not over.”

  “I developed a headache. I’m just going to take a shower and go to bed.” Patrick moved past Miguel toward his room.

  “Sleep well, cousin,” Miguel said, returning to the party. He did a beeline to the bar and requested a bottle of wine.

  “Miguel,” said Reyes, walking up to him.

  “Reyes.”

  “Where were you? I was looking for you.”

  “I was—here and there.”

  “What are you doing with that wine?”

  “I’m going back to Yuri’s room to have fun, if you must ask.”

  “Yuri? Maybe Patrick dodged a bullet with him.”

  “Want to join us?”

  “I’ll take a pass. Davet and I are going to play video games. Thought you would like to join us.”

  “Maybe after. See ya.”

  “Adiós.”

  ****

  Yuri took a shower and reentered his room wearing only his robe. He checked his cell, seeing a message from Jamie telling him he needed him at the police station. Yuri started to get dressed when someone banged at his door. He answered, finding Patrick in a long, flowing robe, holding a wine bottle.

  “Patrick, what are you doing here?”

  Patrick barged past him. “Because of you!” Patrick responded, slurring his words.

  “I’m making you drink?”

  “Yes—you! Why are you here? Why can’t you just leave me and Adam alone!”

  “I’ve done nothing to you or Adam.”

  “You brought that viper here to seduce Adam.”

  “Patrick, I should tell you—”

  “No! I’m not going to listen to you.” Patrick turned to find the bed unmade and an unopened wine bottle sitting on the nightstand. He raised his bottle to his lips, finding it empty. Dropping it to the floor, he walked over and grabbed the other bottle. He saw a bottle opener beside it and snatched it up.

  “Don’t you think you’ve had enough?”

  Patrick ignored him as he popped the cork and brought the bottle up to his lips, tasting the dry grape. He took a long swallow that he savored before he stopped. He looked back at Yuri, who stood with his arms crossed. Patrick ignored Yuri and sat on the bed, glancing at the crumpled sheets. “Is this for my benefit?”

  “I didn’t invite you here, Patrick. You came here on your own.”

  Patrick swallowed more wine.

  Yuri stepped to him, kneeling in front of him. “Patrick, I still love you.”

  “It’s too late.”

  “Is it? Because I see you alone and your boyfriend—”

  “Fucking a whore!”

  “Jamie’s not a whore, Patrick.”

  “So, you put that country bumkin up to it?” Patrick swallowed more wine as Yuri sighed deeply.

  “Are you going to drink that whole bottle?”

  Patrick sneered at him and tried to raise the bottle to his lips before falling back on the bed and passing out.

  Yuri grabbed the bottle before it spilled onto the sheets. He rose, gazing at his drunken ex. “No matter what you say, I know you still love me. Adam will push you into my arms.”

  ****

  When Yuri left the Valdez estate, he was unaware someone was following him. He phoned his lawyer and told him to meet him at the police station. When he arrived, his lawyer stood outside the building, waiting for him.

  “Mr. Cordova, I trust, I will take Jamie home tonight?” asked Yuri, who continued up the steps with Cordova close behind.

  “Once I review the police findings, I’m sure it will only be a matter of paperwork, Mr. Jin.”

  When they walked in, they were directed to the second floor. Yuri saw Jamie walking down a hallway followed by Detective Chance.

  “Jamie,” Yuri said. Jamie rushed to Yuri, hugging him.

  “Yuri, you came!”

  “Are you all right?” Yuri asked, patting the younger man’s back. But before Jamie could speak, he broke down sobbing against Yuri’s chest. “It’s all right, Jamie, let it out.”

  “I’m so sorry, Yuri,” Jamie cried. “This is my fault.”

  “Jamie, quiet,” Yuri coaxed.

  “How so, Mr. Stewart?” asked A. J., opening the door that led to his and Artie’s office.

  Jamie sucked in a breath, not turning around, gripping Yuri’s arm for help.

  “Please come in.” A. J. waited as Yuri, not letting go of Jamie, walked into the office, followed by his lawyer.

  “He meant it metaphorically, Detective,” Mr. Cordova retorted.

  “And why did Jamie need a bodyguard, Mr. Jin?” A. J. asked.

  “That is a private business matter, Detective,” Cordova answered.

  A. J. shut the door and waited as the three took a seat. He remained standing. “Actually, it’s police business now,” A. J. continued. “It’s become a murder investigation.”

  “So, shouldn’t the police get on with finding out who murdered Mr. Jin’s staff?”

  “We can’t do a proper investigation when Mr. Jin is holding back information.”

  “Detective Potter was there. Wouldn’t he be more informative?” Yuri stated.

  Everyone, except Jamie, looked at Adam, who sat with his arms crossed in front of Artie’s desk with his back to the folly.

  Adam’s thoughts were only of Patrick, relieved that he was not part of the madness for once.

  Adam wondered why Yuri threw him under the bus, considering Yuri ordered him not to get the police involved. He turned in his seat and set his eyes on Yuri, whose composure didn’t flinch.

  Adam was ready to let everything spill out, but something nagged at the back of his head, preventing him from speaking of WillowMoss.

  “We’re in the process of getting Mr. Potter’s statement,” Artie said, still not addressing Adam as a detective.

  Yuri glanced at his lawyer, who excused himself and stepped into the hallway.

  “Where’s your lawyer going?” Artie asked Yuri.

  “He’s going to handle things,” Yuri said.

  “Aren’t you concerned about the death of your assistant, Penny Bell?” A. J. asked.

  “I’m concerned about all three of my people, Detective.”

  “Then help us understand why they’re dead.”

  But before Yuri could answer, his lawyer reentered the room. “The detectives will receive a phone call from their superiors,” said the man, whose name Yuri never mentioned to them. Artie looked at the lawyer, perplexed, when A. J’s desk phone rang.

  ****

  Yuri, Jamie, and his lawyer left the police station with Adam following. Adam recalled Artie’s threats not to leave town. Adam watched as Yuri spoke to his lawyer in private, leaving Jamie standing by his car. Adam approached Jamie.

  “Wild night,” Adam said.

  “Yeah,” Jamie said in a shaky voice.

  “I don’t think Yuri will let you out of his sight anymore.”

  “You think so?”

  “I wouldn’t—if I was him,” Adam recovered. Jamie grinned at Adam’s fumble.

  “I hope we can be friends,” Jamie said.

  “I’d like that.”

  “Would your boyfriend be okay with that?”

  “Pat can be insecure, but once he knows he has nothing to worry about, he’ll warm up to you.”

  “Are you going to tell him about our kiss?”


  “I don’t remember it, so what’s there to tell?”

  “I guess you’re right.”

  “Jamie, I’m sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable.”

  Jamie glanced over at Yuri, who had his back to them. He looked at Adam and lunged at him, kissing him sincerely on the mouth. Adam hesitated before breaking their embrace. They said nothing as Adam turned and hurried to his jeep, wanting to be with Patrick more than ever, leaving Jamie tasting his lips as Yuri approached.

  ****

  Yuri drove while Jamie stared out his window. Now and then, Yuri glanced at Jamie, who avoided eye contact. Yuri gripped the steering wheel, keeping his eyes on the road.

  “They’re dead because of me,” Jamie said, giving Yuri a sideways glance.

  “Why would you say that? You didn’t kill them.”

  “But I was the reason it all happened.”

  “You’re a victim as much as anyone. Penny would have died for you.”

  “That bitch got what she deserved.” Yuri pulled to the side of the road, leaving the motor running, and flashed an icy stare at Jamie.

  “What did you say?” he snapped. Jamie, shocked by Yuri’s tone, didn’t regret what he said.

  “She told me she wanted me gone. She said it while she was dying. Penny wanted to kill me!” Jamie screeched.

  Yuri was shocked to learn that his friend, whom he trusted with his own life, would act in such a way.

  “No, Jamie—you misheard her.”

  “No, Yuri, she came across loud and clear. She hated me from the start because she wanted you all to herself. Ask Adam, he heard her confession.”

  Yuri still didn’t want to believe it, but knew Jamie had no reason to lie to him. He took a deep breath, calming down the best he could.

  “We’ll talk. . .later, when I’ve calmed down.”

  They drove in silence. Jamie knew Yuri needed to come to terms with Penny on his own, so he changed the subject.

  “You saw, didn’t you?”

  “Yes, I saw her death.”

  “No, I mean the kiss between me and Adam.”

  Yuri gave a deep chuckle at Jamie’s comment.

  “Yes, I saw it.”

  “Did he see it?”

  “Yes, Patrick viewed it.”

  “So, you slept with him?” Jamie asked, tears welling in his eyes. Yuri caught from Jamie’s tone that the thought of him sleeping with Patrick upset him.

  “No, I didn’t sleep with him.”

  Jamie turned to Yuri, hoping he was telling the truth.

  “You didn’t?”

  “I changed my mind. My concern is for you. I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  “Now, I need to get you someplace safe. We can’t go back to the hotel, so I’ve decided to get you out of town. My jet will be ready once we get to the airport.”

  “We’re leaving? But didn’t the detectives say not to leave town?”

  “My lawyer will deal with them. And no, you’re leaving.”

  “I don’t want to go alone.”

  “I have to handle things here before I can join you.”

  “Where am I going?”

  “You’ll know when you get there. But don’t worry, I have people waiting to take care of you until I arrive.”

  “Okay.”

  Yuri pulled back onto the road when a vehicle with no headlights, driving at top speed slammed into them from behind.

  CHAPTER 40

  VISit

  After moving overseas to Japan, Patrick had put his focus on his studies and excelled in his grades and accomplishments. He managed to do that for a year before he started to feel the ping of solitude. The only friends he managed to gain were study partners, and even they were too busy with studying to want to go out and travel around the city. Patrick decided to explore the city himself, finding the excitement of being unchaperoned exhilarating. He managed to avoid his guardians by telling them he’d be at the library for most of the day. He left his backpack with a classmate and headed out to explore.

  He visited shops, tasting fruit crepes, ramen, tempura, and his favorite, hibachi steak. He shopped in high-end clothing stores, buying a few things, and ended his day trip at a coffee bar for an espresso. The place was crowded as he ordered his drink and searched for a seat. He was about the give up when someone spoke to him.

  “You’re welcome to sit here,” said a persuasive man who locked eyes with Patrick’s. Exquisite black hair hung across one shoulder, every strand in place as his haunting, crescent eyes scanned Patrick like a predator.

  Patrick was surprised the man spoke to him in perfect English. “Thank you.” Patrick sat with his drink, placing his bag at his feet when the man stood up, fixing his coat to leave. Patrick wasn’t expecting him the go right away and felt a sting of disappointment as he looked down.

  “Or you can come with me?”

  That was all Patrick needed to hear when he looked up at the man, who smiled back.

  ****

  Patrick shifted onto his back, opening his eyes to darkness. Once his vision adjusted, he noticed he was in bed. Dizziness swirled in his head as a dry, sticky taste lingered in his mouth. Patrick lifted his head, only for it to drop back down. He rolled to his side, rising onto his elbow.

  “When did I fall asleep?” he murmured. A scan of the room, and Patrick realized he wasn’t in his bedroom. He sat straight up, unaware of whose room he was in, pushing the blanket off. Patrick became mindful that he was naked. He tried to climb off the bed when his foot touched a smooth object that rolled. He found his footing and reached down, picking up a toppled, empty wine bottle. He placed the bottle on the side table and turned on the light. After his sore eyes adjusted, he saw another empty wine bottle was on the bed. Patrick looked for his clothes but didn’t find them on the floor, on the furniture, or in the wardrobe.

  He grabbed the sheet from the bed and wrapped it around his body, seeing something fall to the floor. Patrick recognized it as a business card. He picked it up; his mouth dropped open when he saw Yuri Jin’s name.

  Patrick dropped the card and hurried out of the room. Right away, he saw that he was in the hallway to his room three doors away. He entered his bedroom and wrenched the sheet from his body, letting it crumple to the floor before turning on the lights.

  “This can’t be happening. I need to remember how I got in his room.” Patrick sat on a quilted, plush chaise, pulling his legs to his chest. “Okay, I remember leaving the party early and taking a shower.” His cell phone rang, scaring him. He looked around and located it on his nightstand.

  He moved to it—Yuri’s name flashed as the caller ID. His feeling of panic shifted to anger when he snatched the cell up and answered.

  “What the fuck, Yuri?” Patrick said with a quiver in his voice.

  “You’re awake. I assumed you would sleep through the night,” Yuri said, driving in his car, his cell plugged into the Bluetooth.

  “Liar. Why would you call me on my cell when you knew where you left me?”

  “Just took a chance.”

  “What did you do to me?”

  “You’re a big boy, Patrick. You need to take responsibility for your own actions.”

  “You got me drunk.”

  “No, you got you drunk. You came to my room with a bottle of wine and you drank the bottle I had on my night stand.”

  “Then what?”

  “I’ll let you figure that out. I’m just calling to tell you Adam and Jamie did nothing with each other.”

  “How do you know that?”

  “I kept watching it.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “Because you kept avoiding me during the party. Then you got drunk and came to my room to yell at me. I allowed you to chastise me while you continued to drink. What happened after—was your idea.”

  “I was drunk. You should have stopped me.”

  “You were persistent.”

  “Damnit, Yuri! Did we have sex?” His voi
ce dropped to a whimper.