Chapter 20
ZEKE
I paced inside my front window, waiting for Callum to get home.
I hadn’t told him I would sit in my truck near the arena after the game, till it was clear the drama was over and he was heading back here.
Maybe he’d have felt safer knowing I was nearby.
Maybe he’d have felt it meant I didn’t trust him.
It was actually the GREC I didn’t trust to have his back.
The GREC should’ve had surveillance on the vehicle throughout the game.
What if Wayne hadn’t just dropped money in Callum’s car?
What if Smith had sent someone to wait for Callum there and intimidate him?
Hell, I should’ve been out there in the parking lot the whole time, instead of inside, watching Callum put on a goaltending clinic and still lose.
Or I could’ve asked Olivia, although she’d already put herself on the line, planting that bug because I asked her to, without official orders.
I could’ve put a dashcam in Callum’s car…
I was kicking myself now. I’d done a careful survey of the parking lot around Callum’s vehicle before and after the game, making sure there were no lurking threats, and I’d been parked a hundred feet away when he called me. And I’d still missed seeing Wayne.
About twenty minutes after I got home, Callum pulled up to his grandfather’s place and parked.
I jogged down my steps and across the lawn as he got out.
Damn, he looked good in a suit. His height emphasized the taper from his shoulders to his lean waist, and his legs looked a mile long below that ass.
Better yet was the way he smiled when he saw me coming.
“Hey.” I opened my arms, and he stepped into my hug.
“So that sucked.”
“I can imagine.” I didn’t kiss him there in plain sight, just hung on tight. “What’s next?”
Before he could answer, his grandfather opened the front door. “Callum, is that you?”
He didn’t let go of me as he turned. “Yeah.”
“Come inside. I need to talk to you.” That stern tone wasn’t what I was used to from Roy Fitzpatrick. I felt Callum tense up.
“Let me come with you,” I murmured against his ear. “You need someone on your side tonight, and frankly, I don’t want you out of my sight.”
Callum hesitated, then nodded. He kept hold of my hand as he turned. “Coming, Grandpa.”
His grandfather eyed me as we followed him in. “This is family business, son.”
“If it’s about Wayne,” I said, “he’s been making threats that include me.”
“Threats?” Roy stared at me. “Maybe we all need to talk.” He led the way into the living room and eased himself into a worn recliner.
Callum took a seat on the couch and tugged me down beside him. “What’s up, Grandpa?”
Roy looked back and forth between us. “Maybe more than I realized. I got a call from the Vancouver police five minutes ago. They said Wayne was arrested for stealing my truck, but he insisted I’d allowed him to borrow it.
Since our last names were the same, they were following up on his claim.
I told them I hadn’t reported it stolen, and they said the report was signed by Callum Fitzpatrick.
I said I’d speak with you, before coming to get him released. Did you report your uncle, Callum?”
“Grandpa, look—”
I broke in, “There’s more going on than you know, Roy. We needed a good reason to hold Wayne, and car theft was the easiest. Callum was asked to sign a theft report by the Gaming Commission so they’d have that leverage.”
“Oh.” Roy hid his face in his hands. “Damn. I take it Wayne’s in big trouble?”
Callum slid off the couch to kneel by his grandfather’s chair and laid a hand on Roy’s knee. “I’m sorry. I didn’t try to get him in trouble. He came after me.”
Roy patted Callum’s big hand with his wrinkled aging one. “I believe you. I’m not angry with you, just sad that it came to this. You do know car theft will send him back to prison to finish out his remaining four years?”
I said, “Not including whatever new charges are laid, yes. It’s possible Wayne might get reduced charges in exchange for testifying against his associates. That will be for the prosecutor and the GREC to figure out.”
Roy looked my way. “I’ll encourage him to cooperate.”
“You probably shouldn’t try to visit him. This case is still in the works, and we don’t want you to give him any information or any hope that the GREC doesn’t control.”
“Can you tell me about the case?”
I rode over Callum’s first words with, “No. We shouldn’t.” Callum turned angry eyes on me, but I went on, “When it’s over, I know Callum will want to tell you everything. But until then, we don’t want you to get involved.”
Callum scrunched his eyes shut for a moment, but his outrage faded. “Yeah, fuck, that’s true. I promise, I’ll explain later.”
“I guess I have to trust that you know what you’re doing.” Roy brightened his voice. “I’m happy to see you two together, though. Is this official?” He gestured between us. “At least, to your families?”
“Kind of?” Callum said. “I, uh, came out to my teammates and told them I have a boyfriend. So I guess I have a boyfriend?” He glanced over his shoulder at me.
“That’s how I see it.” I grinned at him, and after a moment, he smiled back.
“You told your team.” Roy patted Callum’s arm. “I’m so glad. I know how hard it’s been for you, in the closet for so long. How did it go? Tell me everything.”
Callum sat back beside me on the couch and made a story out of his coach volunteering his aunt, and the banter of his teammates. A hesitation here or there suggested he was leaving things out, but his grandfather nodded and smiled.
“I’m sorry you didn’t get a win to celebrate with,” Roy commented.
“It’ll work out.” Callum threw me a look.
“Are the two of you sleeping here or at Zeke’s tonight?” When I kind of boggled at the question, Roy shook his head. “What kind of old fogey do you take me for? A big night and something stressful going on. You’ll want to be together.”
My attic room had more privacy. I said, “I’d prefer not to leave Jos alone at night.” Which was also true.
“Of course.”
“Come on over for breakfast,” I suggested. “Jos will be gone, unless you want to eat with a grumpy tween at seven-thirty in the morning, but we’d love to hang out with you.”
“I suppose I could,” Roy said. “Lily’s opening the store. Mondays are busy, though.”
“All the more reason to fuel up,” I suggested. “I’ll make pancakes.”
“You do know how to tempt a man. Although seven-thirty is fine for me.”
“Ugh. Morning people,” Callum teased.
“Seven-thirty then,” I agreed. “I can make pancakes for Jos too. Maybe he’ll be less grumpy.”
“How’s the boy doing?” Roy asked. “I’ve missed him, haven’t seen him around lately—” He paused. “Did you tell him not to come because of Wayne?”
“Sorry. Wayne’s working with some unsavory people. I couldn’t risk it.”
“I should’ve disowned him long ago, I guess. He would look at me sometimes with my wife’s eyes.”
“I’m so sorry,” I told him. “You’re a good man and you deserve to have kids who respect you.”
“And whom I can respect. Well, I had Callum’s father and his wife, and now I have Callum.
I shouldn’t complain.” He gripped the arms of his chair and levered himself to his feet.
“Keep me in the loop with Wayne, please. And set the door alarm when you go out. I deleted Wayne’s alarm code Wednesday, and now I’m glad, if he might’ve given it to someone else even worse. ”
“I don’t think they’ll bother you,” I told him. Callum might be a different matter, but I’d have him safe at my place. “But yes, the alarm’s a good precaution. Or you could stay at my house too? I have guest rooms.”
Roy waved me off. “I like my own bed. Sleep well, you two. And congratulations, Callum. I mean that. You did a hard thing, coming out, and I’m proud of you.”
When the old man was upstairs, Callum and I checked the house, made sure the windows and back door were locked, and set the alarm on our way out. I glanced at the little red car as we passed it. “Is that money still on the seat?”
“Huh? No. GREC had me meet them on the way home and they took custody.”
“Good. One less thing to worry about.” I led the way inside, setting my own alarm. “Did you eat after the game? Do you want anything?”
“Just you.” He pushed me against the wall beside the door and kissed me.
I grabbed his arms for balance, loving the feel of his meaty biceps under my hands. Then I shifted my grip lower because even better than his arms were, ah, yes, the firm globes of his ass under those sinfully fitted suit pants. “Love you in a suit,” I muttered. “Can’t wait to get you out of it.”
“Don’t you want to suck my dick while I’m wearing the three-piece, cufflinks and a tie?” Callum teased.
“Actually.” I grabbed that tie, tugged him past the living room into the study, locked the door, and sank to my knees. “Great idea.”
The pull of leather at my hip reminded me I’d gone out armed to watch over Callum. I unbuckled my holster and set the weapon well off to the side. “Where was I? Zipper, I think.”
“We could have more light.” Callum peered down at me.
“I like this.” The drapes were open, but the window only looked out at the side of Roy’s garage.
The faint threads of moonlight caught little highlights off Callum— the shine of his shoes, a spark of auburn in his hair, the glint of stubble on the shadowed angle of his jaw.
He was a mysterious, big, formally suited figure, and yet his voice and scent said he was my Callum.
I undid his belt and left the ends hanging, then unbuttoned his waistband and slowly tugged on the zipper. Callum set his hands on my head, humming encouragement, then froze.
“What?” I asked.
“Sorry. God, can you hold that thought for a minute?”
“Bathroom?”
“Trash can.” Callum laughed. “As in, I can see Grandpa’s isn’t down by the street for pickup and I’d rather do it now than after I’m half undressed and sticky and breathing like a freight train.”
“That’s an attractive picture,” I told him. “Nothing wrong with that.”