Stake Out... (Studs & Steel Book 5) by Heather Mar-Gerrison (2)

 

*

 

The next morning came around far too quickly. I’d just got my gun into it’s holster and was about to go outside to check the area when Denny stopped me,

Blaine?”

I looked back at him, “What?”

He sighed, “I’ve had the best time.” He said quietly, “I don’t know what you want to do when we get back, but...”

Whatever he was about to say was lost as the biggest bang I’d ever heard shattered the peaceful silence of the morning. I stood there dumbstruck as I watched Denny run towards me. He shoved me sideways as the French doors smashed to the ground. As I got back to my feet to make sure he was okay, a thrill of horror went through me as I looked into Denny’s eyes. They widened with shock and pain, and then closed as he collapsed.

I heard a loud piercing scream and realised belatedly that it was me screaming as I watched helplessly as he crashed to the ground. He was already unconscious. His face hit the floor with a bang. There was blood everywhere and I was absolutely convinced that he was dead.

On autopilot I pulled out my gun. If they’d killed my Denny, they were going to fucking die – or I was going to die trying to kill them... He was everything... my love... my life...

I crawled past him on my belly to the window. I didn’t dare stop to see if he was breathing. I was completely focused on dealing with the problem. It was easier than knowing he was dead. I didn’t want to acknowledge that I might have lost everything...

I took a quick look out. Nothing but trees, but then, as my eyes adjusted to the brightness, I noticed three of them all hunkered down together. Well, they were either very confident of their abilities to overpower us – or they were stupid enough to think they were.

I aimed and fired. There was a grunt of pain and the muffled sound of outraged voices. That was one down...

I took aim again as Lenny and Daryl started to run towards the cabin. I easily shot the pair of them, Lenny in the shoulder, Daryl, like the kid, in the leg. Although I fired another one to his hand – I didn’t fancy him picking the gun back up. None of them were going anywhere...

I walked down to them, “How many others?” I asked the first one I got to – it was Hendrix and my God he looked ill. Thank God I’d only given him a minor leg wound – that would be enough when you were as weak as he was. It was bleeding pretty badly too which was quite worrying. I was a little shocked at how young he looked – not much older than a kid. How could they be planning to ship him abroad to be someone’s rent-boy? Disgusting creatures.

“Fuck you.” He growled, squeezing his eyes shut, clearly in pain.

I shrugged, “You may as well tell me – there’s back-up on the way – you’re going down either way.”

He shook his head, “There’s only the three of us here – but they’re not alone – you need to warn Peyton McKenzie – they’ve got acquaintances everywhere and they’ll not stop until he’s dead.”

I shook my head, “What the hell have they got against Peyton?”

His lip curled, “Well, speaking personally, he killed my brother, so I won’t fucking miss him,” he spat, “well, his boyfriend did, anyway...”

I frowned. The boy had reason to dislike him I guess. It couldn’t be good to lose your brother this young – particularly when he was the only member of the family he had left – but Callum couldn’t have been any sort of role model for the boy, hell – he’d been into crystal meth and heroin probably Hendrix’s whole life. A total loser... “How old are you?” I asked him.

He sniffed, “I’m nineteen.”

I nodded, “Been in trouble with the law before?”

He shook his head, “Not really.” he muttered, “Couple of warnings for lewd behaviour in public...”

I nodded. I had a feeling. I’d never heard of Hendrix being in any sort of trouble like the rest of the clan. Colby and Harrison had reported that he was a rent-boy. Well, there were worse crimes... I looked at his leg wound, “You’re not gonna die, kid – we’ll get your leg patched up and then you’ll have to talk to us – but we can probably get you away from this lot if that’s what you want.”

He shrugged, he had a defeated look about him and that did something to me. He needed a chance at a better life... “Whatever,” he said wearily.

I sighed. “Look, I understand that you’re angry about your brother being killed – but he was going to kill a man too – a father of a little kid.”

“Yeah, maybe – but he was as queer as I am.” He said.

I shook my head, “His sexual orientation is nobody else’s business. It doesn’t define you as a person. You of all people should know that.”

He looked at me in shock, “You what? You’re a cop and you don’t care if someone’s gay?” he asked, “I thought you were all homophobes...” Obviously the cops he’d had to deal with had been – some were – which was another good reason why Denny and I had never come out...

I shook my head, “No.” I said, “Why hate someone just for being gay?” I asked reasonably, “Seems to me the only difference between a gay person and a straight person is the way they have sex – so being prejudiced is just stupid – ignorant and stupid.”

He sighed and winced as he tried to move.

“Keep still, I asked for an ambulance as well as the police.”

“I’m freezing.” He muttered. He was very pale. I hauled him to his feet, “Come with me.”

I half-dragged, half-carried him back to the cabin and lay him down on the bed. “Stay right there – or I’ll shoot you again and this time it’ll be between the eyes, got it?”

He nodded.

I turned to see how Denny was doing. He was still breathing. Thank God.

I ripped a sheet off the bed and bunched it up and pressed it against the wound at the top of his shoulder. I couldn’t tell for the amount of blood whether it was still inside him or if it gone straight through him.

Finally I could hear the sirens. The backup we’d been promised were clearly on their way. It was going to take another few minutes for them to get to us, we were quite a way up the hill and the road turned to a rough track halfway up.

Finally they got to us. “Denny? Blaine?” I heard Tate’s voice.

“In here!” I shouted back desperately, “Denny’s down – we need paramedics.”

“They’re on the way.” Tate said as he came into the room. He eyed the kid on the bed, “Oh, hello Hendrix.”

Hendrix looked back at him in surprise, “Who the fuck are you?” he asked, genuinely bemused.

Tate grinned, “I used to go by the name of Connor – rubbed shoulders with some of your cousins and your brother a few times while I was in those circles – you were just a kid at the time. What the hell are you still doing with those losers?”

Hendrix scowled, “Great, another undercover wanker.” He muttered, and then he looked him in the eye, “It wasn’t by choice, believe me – not that any of you lot would ever believe that so I don’t even know why I’m bothering to explain.” His voice cracked a little and his nose went red.

Tate chuckled, “Looks like he’s gonna be okay.” He looked at Denny, frowning in concern, “How long has he been out?”

I shook my head, “At least fifteen minutes – maybe twenty.” My heart stuttered as I realised why Tate was asking. The longer he was out, and getting colder with the freezing air coming in from outside, the lower his chances of making it.

Tate dragged the quilt off the bed, “Let’s keep him as warm as we can, huh?”

I nodded, “I’ll cuddle him.” I said, not caring if Tate or Hendrix thought it was weird that I was prepared to cuddle my blood-soaked colleague. I didn’t give a fuck. If it was the difference between him living or dying, what did it matter?

“Where are the others?”

I nodded towards the broken glass to the outside, from where I was now lying on the floor with the lifeless form of Denny in my arms, “They’re out there – one’s shot in the shoulder, the other in the leg like this one.”

Tate nodded, “Stay there,” he said, “I’ll go and round up those jokers.”

I nodded. Denny stank of blood, which was beginning to make me panic – and make me nauseous if I’m honest. I’d never been great with blood and the overwhelming smell was absolutely disgusting. He’d lost loads. If they didn’t get here soon, I wasn’t sure he’d make it.

“Don’t you dare die on me, Denny,” I whispered, “What the fuck would I do without you?”

To my surprise, his eyes flickered open and he smiled up at me, his beautiful grey eyes rolling slightly in his head and making me panic all over again, “You’ll probably be assigned a hot woman.” He croaked.

My eyes filled with tears, “I don’t want a hot woman – I want you.” I love you.

His eyes closed again, “If I don’t make it – be happy.” He whispered. “Because I’ve been the happiest I’ve ever been these last couple of weeks. I love you Blaine. I’ve always...” he passed out again.

Fuck! Where the hell were they?

He was still breathing but it was shallow and he was still losing blood. What the fuck had possessed him to jump in front of me? Love... That’s what. Because I’d have done exactly the same thing had the roles been reversed. I loved him. Simple as...

Finally the paramedics were there. I watched with my heart in my mouth as they worked on Denny. He was still unconscious. “Is he going to be okay?” I asked.

The guy working on him looked at me, giving away absolutely nothing with his expression, “God willing.” He replied.

Fuck. That didn’t help me one bit. I was an atheist through and through... “What the hell does that mean?”

He smiled at me then, which was a little more reassuring. “Well, he’s broken his nose, chipped his front teeth and he’s lost a lot of blood from the gun shot, but his wound isn’t what we would usually deem to be life-threatening. The fact that he’s lost consciousness is a concern – but his vitals look good and he’s breathing by himself – let’s just get him to hospital, huh?”

I nodded, “Can I come with him?”

He nodded, “Sure – if your guys say it’s okay.”

I looked at Tate who had just come back in through the doors. He nodded, “Sure.” He said, “Get that cut on your leg looked at while you’re there.”

I looked down in surprise, “Fuck.” I muttered. I hadn’t even realised that I’d cut my leg pretty badly on the door.

I clambered into the ambulance after Denny was lifted in on his trolley. I strapped myself into the seat. The paramedic, satisfied with Denny’s current condition turned to me, “Let’s have a look at that leg.” He said.

 

 

Chapter 20 – Still alive...

 

Denny

 

Waking up when you’ve been out of it for a while is weird. It’s even weirder when you wake up attached to a heart monitor and a drip. By far the most surreal of the whole thing was waking up to find my parents at my bedside with worried looks on their faces.

I blinked and licked my lips. My front teeth felt sharp against my tongue and I realised with a little thrill of horror that they were broken. I wasn’t in any pain with them though – that was weird too...

My mouth felt unbearably dry and I really wanted a drink. “What are you guys doing here?” I croaked, “Am I dying or something?”

Dad stood up and shook his head, “No, son.” He said, “Thanks to the quick thinking of your colleague, Blaine you’re going to be absolutely fine – you were shot in the back of your shoulder but the bullet caught a major blood vessel and that’s why you were bleeding so badly – he managed to stem the flow well enough to keep you alive before they got you here – he uh, he actually saved your life, son.”

Blaine saved my life. He really was my knight in shining armour... I smiled, “Where is he?” I tried to sit up, but pain like I’d never felt in my life shot through my shoulder blade and down the centre of my back. I slumped back down against my pillows, “Fu... crikey, that was painful.” I felt as if I was lisping with my broken teeth and my lips felt swollen and bruised. I wasn’t sure I wanted Blaine to see me in this mess...

Dad’s lips twitched as I tried to curb my language for the sake of my mother. “He’s in a room on the other side of the corridor.”

My heart almost stopped. I stared at Dad in horror, “He got hurt too?” I asked desperately, “Why? What happened to him?” He’d been fine before I lost consciousness...

“He caught his leg on the broken glass – he’s got a little damage to the muscle but he’s going to be fine. Nothing to worry about – he’s going home later. Catherine’s with him. No doubt she’ll be looking after him.” Dad chuckled.

I felt sick. Catherine? Fuck. She couldn’t take care of him better than me... And what the hell was she doing back on the scene anyway? Who had called her for fuck’s sake? “Catherine?” I couldn’t help asking the question, “Who called her?”

Mum looked at me, “I don’t know, dear.” She said, “Why? Is it a problem for her to be here? Will she be in some sort of danger?”

Not from anyone other than me, no... I shook my head, “No – it was just that I thought they’d broken up...”

Mum smiled wistfully, “Well, someone that you care for deeply getting hurt focuses the mind like nothing else can – she obviously realised that he meant a lot more to her than she thought. It happens.”

I frowned. Did it work both ways? Would he have realised the same thing? Fuck. Where the hell did that leave me?

Mum was happily jabbering on and Dad was smiling at her indulgently. Neither of them had noticed that I’d sunk into a dark mood. “I’m tired.” I snapped, “I need some sleep.”

Mum shot to her feet, “We’ll get going then sweetheart,” she leaned over and enveloping me in her familiar flowery scent she brushed her lips across my forehead, “We’ll be back to see you in the morning – you’ll hopefully be allowed home tomorrow – you can come back to our place for a few days to make sure you’re okay before you go home.”

I nodded. Too exhausted to think, “Sure, sure.” I agreed. It was only after they’d left that I realised that I’d inadvertently agreed to move back in with my parents when I left here. Fuck. What the hell had I been thinking?

I must have drifted off to sleep because it was definitely a couple of hours later when I woke up. I needed to see Blaine. Was he still here, though?

“Denny?”

I blinked. That was Blaine’s voice. Where was he?

Eventually I realised that he was hovering by the door. “Blaine.” I breathed, “Come here, you.”

He looked uncomfortable. “I’m just going.” He started, “Listen, we really need to talk.”

I nodded, “Sure – I’ll be home in a couple of days.” I started brightly.

He frowned, “You don’t understand – Catherine...”

My whole world imploded even before he’d finished his sentence. He was trying to tell me that he was back with his ex. I’d just been convenient. He’d been horny and I’d made myself oh, so available. God I was so stupid. “Right – Catherine’s back on the scene. I understand...”

He stepped into the room, “No – you don’t...” he started, sounding desperate.

Catherine appeared at his side, “Ready to go, Blaine?” she asked with a smile.

He closed his eyes and sighed. Finally he nodded, “I’ll be round to see you on Tuesday, Denny.” He said.

I didn’t reply. I was too busy staring at the ceiling and willing myself not to cry.

 

 

Chapter 21 – Nightmare...

 

Blaine

 

This was a fucking nightmare. I didn’t want to get back together with Catherine. It was quite possibly the worst thing that could have happened.

I didn’t even know who had told her. Time to check that.

“How did you know where I was?”

She smiled, “Tate told Maddie and she told me – obviously I shouldn’t know – what with it being highly confidential but I had to know you were okay – you still mean a lot to me, Blaine even though...” she trailed off.

“Even though we’re not together anymore,” I offered. “And the likelihood of us ever getting back together is slim to non-existent.” It was harsh but I really didn’t want to go there again.

She bit her lip and nodded.

I shook my head, “Oh, God. We really need to talk.”

She widened her eyes at me, “Is there something wrong, Blaine?” she asked, “Have you met someone else?”

I cleared my throat, “Kind of.” I mumbled, “Let’s just get inside and I’ll tell you.”

She pulled up outside my house. “Come on in.” I said, “I’ll make you a coffee.”

She helped me into the house and I lowered myself into my favourite chair. Denny and I usually squashed into the seat together when we were playing on the PlayStation. I smiled to myself. I had no idea how I couldn’t have noticed what we meant to each other before.

Catherine was looking at me with a curious look on her face, “Well, go on then, Blaine – spill. What’s going on?”

I took a deep breath. It was time to face the fact that as much as I’d identified as straight since forever. I was not straight. I was at the very least bisexual and quite likely gay. “I’m really sorry, Catherine – I don’t want this.” I waved my hand between the two of us, “I don’t want us to get back together.”

Even though I was pretty sure I’d already been pretty blunt about there being nothing between us, she stared at me as if I’d bitten her and then started to blink rather rapidly, clearly doing her best not to cry. I felt awful. “Oh, right.” She said, looking completely bewildered, “But then, what was that all about in the hospital about us belonging together...?”

It was my turn to stare at her, “Uh?” I asked. I hadn’t said any such thing, had I? “When did I say that?”

She went bright red, “Well, uh, you were just coming around from the anaesthetic...” she blushed, “Oh, God – you squeezed my hand and I thought...”

Fuck. I was such a doofus... “I’m so sorry – I must have thought you were De... I must have thought you were someone else... I wasn’t properly aware...”

She laughed and shook her head, “Christ, I’m such an idiot. I’m actually kind of glad – we’re not all that compatible when I think about it. I care a lot for you, Blaine – that’s why I came to make sure you were okay, but we’re not compatible. Not really...”

I looked up at her, “Are you sure you’re okay?” I asked.

She nodded, “I’m positive.” She said firmly. Grinning she raised her eyebrows, “So, who were you talking to, then? Whose hand did you think you were squeezing – or were you just dreaming?”

I frowned. I knew exactly who I was talking to – I just wasn’t all that sure I wanted Catherine to know. Fuck it. What the hell difference did it make to anyone? “Denny.” I whispered.

 

*

 

"So, did you two… you know?”

We were on our second bottle of wine and I’d told her all about my feelings. I hadn’t gone into any details of what we’d been up to in the cabin though. I sighed and nodded, “Yes, but…”

“Oh, my God.” she sat down heavily on the sofa and stared at me, a slightly hurt expression on her face, “Why didn’t you ever tell me you preferred men.”

“Because I didn’t.” I said helplessly, “I’ve never fancied any other guy before in my life.” It was true. The only guy I’d ever fancied... ever loved was Denny...

“But you fancy Denny?”

I nodded, “Fancy him, love him – want to spend the rest of my life with him – yeah.”

She gazed at me with a slightly goofy smile on her face, “Wow…” she breathed. “You’re really in love.”

I nodded, “I know.” And it was the most wonderful, terrifying, exciting feeling in the world. It wasn’t for sissies, this love business...

“Have you told him?” She peered at me over her glass.

I shook my head, “Haven’t had much of a chance since we’ve been back.” I said uncomfortably. I didn’t like to point out the obvious – that I’d have been able to tell him as soon as he’d come round if it hadn’t been for Tate’s wife and her big mouth...

“Well, you’re going to have to tell him – he’ll be thinking all sorts with me turning up. Tell him, Blaine – right now.” She handed me my mobile phone, “Before he has time to talk himself out of his feelings for you. Believe me – there’s no way on this earth he would have had sex with you if he didn’t have feelings for you.”

Well, I knew that already. Denny was the most loyal guy in the world – the straightest guy I knew if you know what I mean – nothing to do with being gay...

I picked up my phone and scrolled my favourites. I picked his name and let it ring until it went to voicemail. My heart sank. He wasn’t gonna answer.

No doubt he’d assumed I’d instantly gone back to my ‘normal’ life – back to Catherine. He’d have assumed that our time together in the cabin had been nothing but sex for me – when the truth was that it had been so much more. It had been my awakening... I’d fallen in love. I just hadn’t had the balls to come out and say it. I’d shown it with my kisses and my body – or at least I’d thought I had. Clearly he’d needed me to actually say the words and why wouldn’t he? It was wonderful hearing him tell me he loved me and I couldn’t wait to tell him the same.

I really had to tell him. But that wasn’t gonna be all that easy when he was going home to his parents’ house instead of his own...

 

 

Chapter 22 – Heartbreak...

 

Denny

 

The bullet in my shoulder had caused more damage than originally thought and it had given me an infection that I really didn’t need.

All I wanted to do was get back to work, back with Blaine – and to tell him that I was totally cool with us just being mates – but that I was going to have to have a different partner at work. Working so closely with someone I was in love with – someone that didn’t love me back – would be torturous and I couldn’t do it anymore. Before we’d had sex it was bad enough but now... well now it was intolerable. I couldn’t do it.

I had to get on with my life. If he wanted to pretend that he was straight and spend the rest of his life miserable and frustrated with Catherine, then he could do that. I wasn’t about to stand in his way but I wasn’t going to watch him do it. And I most certainly wasn’t going to be his fuck-buddy, because he would eventually go looking for gay sex again. He’d cheat on her and become even more frustrated with himself for being a cheat. He’d end up hating himself – and hating me for ‘making’ him feel that way. I was better off out of it...

I was still off work for the next couple of weeks to make sure everything was okay with my wound and I’d been invited out for a drink with Harley and Alfie. They were planning their stag weekend. They were going to celebrate it together – and why not? It made perfect sense with them both being guys. And they were meeting their other mates at Studs and Steel nightclub to arrange the whole thing.

I was sat at the bar with a lemon and lime – I still wasn’t allowed to drink because I was on yet another course of antibiotics. Harley was sitting on a barstool with his arms looped around Alfie’s waist, who was leaning back against him, looking totally relaxed and happy. I felt a stab of jealousy that was so powerful I could have puked.

“Everything okay, Denny?” Harley looked at me in concern.

I nodded and sighed, “I will be.” I said, “One day.” When I’m old and grey and no longer in love with Blaine... Although I wasn’t sure if I would ever not be in love with Blaine – love was love – you couldn’t control it and you couldn’t switch it off either, which was a real fucking pain...

Harley frowned at Alfie, who shrugged his shoulders and they both turned and looked at me, “Wanna talk it about it, sweetheart?” Alfie asked me.

I sighed and shrugged, “I’m not sure.”

Harley frowned, “Is it something to do with Blaine?” he asked.

I snapped my eyes to his, “Why?” I asked.

He looked steadily back at me, “Because he’s reacting to your name in exactly the way you’ve just reacted to his. What’s going on?”

I sighed and shook my head, “Absolutely nothing.” I muttered, “more’s the pity.”

Harley looked at Alfie who nodded back at him and then they both turned back to me with matching expressions – a cross between sympathy and mischief... “I invited him to come tonight, too.” Harley said.

I stared at him with my mouth open, “Seriously?” Fuck. I really didn’t know what to do about that.

He nodded, smiling encouragingly, “Just talk to him – tell him how you feel.”

I nodded. It made perfect sense.

Alfie looked over my shoulder, “Oh, look,” he said with glee, “Here he is, we’ll give you some space.”

Harley and Alfie drifted off to Alfie’s dressing room. No doubt they’d be getting up close and personal with each other any second now. I looked at Blaine.

He stared at me from where he was stood by the door for a moment before smiling nervously and making his way over.

Almost immediately that my heart leapt with hope, I was surrounded by the rest of the guys in the club – all of them were very friendly and concerned about me being shot by Lenny Roblinski, the guy who was believed to be to blame for all of the terror threats to Peyton’s businesses. I kept looking over at Blaine but he was stood apart from me and I couldn’t very well ignore River and Jodie and Simon and Buzz and all the others. Alfie and Harley had been great trying to get us some time together – but they’d clearly not tipped off the rest of them...

 

 

Chapter 23 – Explanations

 

Blaine

 

Denny was sat at the bar with a tall drink. I was relieved to see that he wasn’t drinking alcohol, not that I thought he would but I’d been the worst sort of a friend these last couple of weeks – I hadn’t even managed to pluck up the courage to go and see him again after the first time I’d been round. His dad had made so me nervous, knowing that he’d never really liked me but Denny was important to me and I’d been dying to see him.

I’d gone round two days later, following Catherine’s advice to tell him how I felt as soon as possible.

After I’d finally gotten past his dad, I made my way up the stairs and headed for Denny’s room. The house was very familiar to me, as I’d been here hundreds of times when we were kids.

I slipped into his room and whispered his name, “Denny?”

He opened his eyes and blinked a few times before he looked across and really focused on me.

I smiled, “Hi,” I said, crossing the room and reaching for his hand. I gave it a squeeze, “You scared me back there,” I said, “I thought I’d lost you.”

He chuckled and squeezed my hand back, “You don’t get rid of me that easily.” He said quietly.

I smiled.

He smiled back and looked up at me, his eyes full of some emotion I didn’t dare acknowledge. But I’d come here to explain stuff and I wasn’t going to let it lie. It was time I told him exactly how I felt about him, “I love you, Denny – you do know that, right?”

He blinked, “Uh, sure,” he said, the smile fading on his face and his eyes dimming, “And I love you too.”

I looked at him, “You didn't hear me right – I meant that I love you, love you.”

His jaw dropped slightly, “As in...?” He trailed off uncomfortably.

I sighed as my heart started to sink at the unmistakable flash of panic in his eyes at my words, “Yes, Denny,” I said as patiently as I could muster, “exactly like that,” I licked my lips nervously.

He shook his head, “But you left with Catherine.”

I sighed, “It wasn’t what it looked like.”

Denny laughed, “Sure.” He said sarcastically. He didn’t believe me.

It was time to tell it how it really was. To really lay my cards on the table and admit what he meant to me... “I want to suck your dick and get it on with you so badly sometimes that I think I’m gonna burst with all the feelings spinning around inside of me.”

He stared at me as if I really had lost the plot this time, “but...”

I put my hand up to stop him from saying anything else but he wasn’t having any of it. He really didn’t believe me. Struggling to a sitting position, he glared at me, “You left the hospital with Catherine.” He all but yelled at me, “You don’t have to try to make me feel better about everything you know, Blaine – I knew what I was getting myself into – and it’s really okay.” There were tears in his eyes and his voice cracked, “It was a bit of a fling and we’re back to reality now. I get it.” He closed his eyes, “You know the way out, don’t you?”

I didn’t know what else I could say – I’d told him how I felt and he hadn’t believed me...

I’d left his house in a bit of a daze. What the hell was I supposed to do now? I didn’t know what else I could do. When Harley asked me to go to Studs to have drinks and discuss his and Alfie’s stag weekend I’d jumped at the chance. I had to see Denny again. I had to put things right between us.

And so now I had another chance. Don’t fuck it up again, Blaine.

Cupid must have been having a lie in or something though, because nothing went my way. Almost the minute I got there, so did River and Jodie, Simon and Buzz, Buzz’s boyfriend Franz and what seemed like a million other guys – all of whom had met Denny before and had heard all about the shooting. They surrounded him in seconds. There was no way we were going to get any time alone to talk now...

Finally I managed a few minutes with him, but the music was pumping and he was beat, “I’m going home,” he said, “I’m done here.”

I nodded, “Want me to come with you?”

He shook his head, “Please stop being nice to me – you made your choice, Blaine – stick with it. I’m trying to move on – let me, please.”

 

 

Chapter 24 – Rejections

 

Denny

 

It was so hard to ask him to back off but I was hurt and I honestly couldn’t see what the point would be for him to try to be gay just for me. This wasn’t some romantic novel – this was my life and reality wasn’t like that. I took a deep breath, “I know you don't feel the same as I do,” How could you have sex with me and put in so much to pull the rug and go straight back to her...? “and that's really okay,” no it’s not. It’s not okay at all... “It’s not like I ever really expected you to say you'd always loved me too.” But actually a small part of me did, and God, I wished it with everything I am...

He opened his mouth to reply but I pressed on, "please don't let it be weird between us – I’ve tried staying away from you but the truth is that I need you in my life – any way at all.” I was quite aware I sounded desperate but I really didn’t care. I was tired and emotional and I probably wasn’t making much sense but I wasn’t actually as ready to throw the towel in on our friendship as I’d thought I was.

He nodded, "Okay," he said softly, "I'm sorry that you don’t think I feel the same way as you do... but for the record, I love you more than anyone or anything else in this world....”

Well, it wasn’t exactly ‘I’m in love with you too, we’ll always be together,” but it was something at least...

 

 

Blaine

 

What the fuck was wrong with me? I could have shown him – and everyone else in the club, right there and then – that I was in love with him. I’d only had to gather him into my arms and kiss his face off. Why was I so scared to admit my feelings?

I had to talk to Dad. Denny had just left the club and there was really no reason for me to hang around. Instead of heading home, I went to my parents’ place.

Dad looked up when I walked in. The smile on his face to see me made my heart ache. I was about to break him...

“Here he is.” He said, standing up and throwing his arms around me in a bear hug. “Our very own hero of the hour.”

I laughed, “Not sure about that.” I said, “Denny’s the one that took the bullet in his back, not me.”

Dad hugged me a little tighter, “Well, I shall be calling him to convey my sincere thanks to him for pushing you sideways and saving your life.” He said, “How is he?”

Disentangling myself from his embrace I flopped down onto the sofa, “He’s fine, now. Thank God. He got an infection that set him back for a few days.”

Dad nodded, sitting down next to me, “He still means a lot to you.” he said matter-of-factly.

I nodded, “He does.” I said, “I love him, Dad.”

Dad smiled, “I know you do, son.” He said, “You always have.”

I sighed and nodded. Dad probably didn’t mean it the way I did, but I had to come out sometime, “I reckon I have.” I muttered. “I tried dating girls for years – but, honestly Dad, nothing... no one compares to Denny.”

Dad frowned, “Why did you do that?” he asked, “I thought he was your boyfriend back when you were kids...” he trailed off.

I looked at him in shock, “No.” I stuttered, “I w-wanted him to be b-but then you f-found us...” I could feel my face heating up, “And it k-kind of made me realise that it was wrong – and you said it was wrong...”

Dad’s jaw dropped, “No I didn’t.” he spluttered.

I blinked, “You did. You absolutely did.”

Dad’s face fell, “Oh, my God...” he dragged his hands down his face as he looked at me and realisation dawned on him, “Oh, son,” he shook his head, “I didn’t mean it was wrong to fall in love with Denny – just that I didn’t really want you doing that sort of thing on my sofa where anyone could walk in on you. He was licking your stomach as I recall – and you were both as naked as the day you were born.” He was very red and looking incredibly uncomfortable, “But that was all I meant – well, that and I also didn’t want you to have a careless attitude towards sex and a multitude of partners.”

Oh fuck. Why the hell hadn’t we discussed this before? “I just assumed...”

Dad raised an eyebrow, “What?” he asked indignantly, “You assumed I was as much of a homophobic twat as Denny’s father? You assumed that I thought my son couldn’t possibly be a real man just because he loved another man?”

I hung my head, shamed that I’d thought my dad was as bad as Denny’s. “I don’t know...”

He squeezed my shoulder, “I’m not like Ellis Denison Senior, son. I know a real man when I see one – and you and Denny are both great guys and real men. I’m awful proud of both of you.”

I let out a long sigh and tried my best to keep my emotions in check. I failed miserably... “He thinks I don’t feel that way about him. I’ve ruined everything, Dad.” My voice cracked and I wiped away my tears hurriedly.

He chuckled, “Rubbish.” He scoffed, “Just go back and tell him the truth – and son – don’t let him talk himself out of anything. Make him listen.”

I nodded. Of course – it was so obviously the right thing to do... What the hell was I worrying about?

 

 

Chapter 25 – Moving on...

 

Denny

 

Well that was it then. It was painful, hell it was crushing but it was necessary. I was going to have to move on. This situation we were in was intolerable for both of us. I wanted something he couldn’t give me – and he wanted me to be something that I was no longer capable of. I couldn’t go back to being just friends after what we’d had together. I’d had a taste of what I was missing and I couldn’t look at him every day, knowing that he was capable of being the finest lover for me – but that he didn’t actually want me that way. I couldn’t take it. I couldn’t live with that anymore.

I’d have to look for a different job too. I’d never really wanted to join the force. If I was honest with myself, I’d only done it to be with Blaine. Everything I ever did was for Blaine. It was going to be kind of hard to step away from everything that was familiar and right. Being without him felt weird and wrong. I wasn’t happy without him – I was simply existing...

I’d concentrate on getting better and then I’d look for a new job. There was no point in doing anything else though. The idea of finding someone else to try to love, build a relationship with... well, that was just futile. It was never gonna happen. There was really only one person in my life that I loved, had ever loved and was ever going to love. I was so screwed...

 

 

Chapter 26 – All good things come to an end...

 

Hendrix

 

One month later.

 

Hendrix knew it was too good to last. Police protection? Yeah right. Like they were capable of protecting him against Lenny and the rest of the gang. It was always going to just be a matter of time. Not that it was really their fault. It was just that Hendrix had never really been any good at following orders, even when it meant his life was endangered...

“Oh, great.” Hendrix saw them coming long before they saw him. I really should have stayed in the safe house, he scolded himself. But it was too late now. He couldn’t get back there before they’d get to him.

Hendrix stood up and waited. There was no point in putting up a fight – it would just make his beating even worse. Two of Lenny’s minions walked up to him, “Get in the car.”

He nodded and climbed into the car. Lenny smiled at him evilly, “Good to have you back, kid.”

He sighed, “Good to be back, Lenny.” He said sarcastically, “I’ve missed you.” He was pushing his luck and he knew it. He also knew that Mason was going to be completely pissed off with him for fucking everything up again.

Lenny’s smile turned to a scowl, just as he knew it would sooner or later. “You’re a fucking little grass. You have nothing – you are nothing.”

Hendrix closed his eyes. He hated Lenny but he also knew that he was right. He was nothing. He was worthless. Mason would be so much better off without him in his life. He might as well be dead. What was the point in trying to be a better human being? He was never going to be able to escape them. Never.

Although, there was always hope – Daryl wasn’t going to be a problem anymore. He’d heard that Lenny had beaten him unconscious in a fit of rage and he’d died later in the hospital. Well, that was no great loss. He was a murdering bastard anyway. If only Lenny would do the decent thing and die too – the rest of the gang would just disperse...

“I’ve got a nice little job for you.” He was saying, “A nice little job.”

Great. More drug smuggling? Risking his life having sex with some guy who refused to wear a condom? So what else was new? “What do I have to do?” he asked.

“You’ll see.” Lenny said with a grin.

 

 

Chapter 27 – Unwelcome news...

 

Blaine

 

“Chief?” I poked my head around the chief’s office door, “You wanted to see me?”

He smiled and nodded, “Ah, Blaine – come in, come in.”

I went in and sat down.

“As you know, we had to break up the dream team when young Denny got injured.”

I nodded, my heart picking up at the idea that we might be reunited sooner rather than later. I missed him so much it was painful.

Chief grinned, “Well, you and Marney have been great since you’ve been teamed up and with Denny requesting that he be partnered with Adams, I just wanted to make sure you were cool with the situation – is there anything I should be worried about?”

My jaw went slack and heart about dropped through my arse, “Denny asked to be partnered with Adams?” Not me?

He nodded, looking uncomfortable at my reaction, “Well, he’s also looking into the voluntary redundancy packages we have on offer – you know with the downsizing of the operations here... I thought it was strange.”

Strange? I was fucking fuming. It wasn’t strange it was fucking madness. He hadn’t discussed any of this with me. “Have you made any decisions?”

He shook his head, a little smile on his face, “Not yet.”

“Hang fire for a day or two, will you? I’ll talk to him.” I promised, “Denny and I belong together.”

Chief grinned, “That you do.” He agreed.

 

 

Chapter 28 – Stag party...

 

Denny

 

“Hey! Denny!” Harley grinned as he walked into the locker room, “I was hoping to find you here – are you coming on Saturday night?”

I nodded, “Sure.” I agreed.

He and Alfie had been coming around to my place to see me a few times while I was recovering and now that I was pretty much healed and the physiotherapist was pleased with the progress I was making, I’d been given the all clear to go back to normal duties – I was therefore supposed to be partnered back up with Blaine but I just couldn’t do it. I’d requested to be put with Adams until they could process my redundancy and then I was out of there...

“You’ll be back on normal duties come Monday – you might as well make your last weekend of relative freedom a good one.”

I rolled my eyes and chuckled, “I guess I could...”

I really didn’t want to go back to walking the streets at all if I wasn’t going to be with Blaine, but I was so sick of the desk job. I’d also been seriously considering the way I could spend the rather attractive redundancy package on offer. I had an idea of how I could use the money for a whole new career but even doing that alone held little appeal.

Blaine had been put with a temporary replacement partner. Her name was Andrea Marney and she was a pretty girl. Just the type he usually dated. Blonde, blue eyed and she had big boobs too. I pretty much hated her...

“See you Saturday then.” Harley winked and disappeared.

Great. I’d have to go now...

 

*

 

When you want time to pass quickly it always seems to slow down. Now that I wanted Saturday to take forever, it was upon me before I could even blink.

I was stood in front of my bedroom mirror. I looked okay. My hair was messily chic and my eyebrows were perfect. I’d had my eyebrows and lashes dyed only two days before so they looked incredible and I’d got some really good lip balm that made the most of my full mouth.

I wasn’t looking to hook up with anyone but neither could I hang around waiting for Blaine forever. If I met someone, I met someone... Blaine would never be able to have an out in the open relationship with me, anyway. Sneaking around in the cabin was fine and dandy but really, I knew all along it couldn’t last. It was pathetic of me to think that it ever could.

I grabbed my phone and my car keys and headed down the stairs before I could change my mind. If I didn’t go now I’d definitely bottle it.

 

 

Chapter 29 – Sorting it out...

 

Blaine

 

I checked my appearance in the mirror. Dad poked his head around the lounge door, “Going somewhere?”

I nodded, “I’m going to Harley’s and Alfie’s stag night. Well, one of them anyway – they’re having a full on weekend of it.” I grinned. They were so damned cute together.

Dad chuckled, “Anyone else going?”

I shrugged, “Denny might be there...” I trailed off. The truth of it was that I was totally banking on it. We hadn’t seen each other to speak to properly since I’d told him I loved him more than anything in the world and he’d still taken it that I’d meant as friends. I was running out of ideas.

Dad had been right though – I really needed to tell him and leaving it, hoping that it would miraculously work itself out wasn’t really working out for me...

I couldn’t stand things the way they were. I wanted him back. I wanted him to be my partner at work and I wanted him back in my bed. I just wanted him... Fuck it all to hell. I was in love with him.

I got to Studs and Steel at around nine-thirty. The party was being held there and the place would be heaving in another hour or so once people started drifting there from the pubs. My heart lifted. Regardless of whether I made things up with Denny, I could have a dance and a drink. It wouldn’t be so bad...

I said hello to Buzz and Franz who were stood inside the door. Buzz was the bouncer and Franz was his pocket-sized boyfriend, who was as cute as a button and totally wrapped around his bear of a boyfriend. I was instantly jealous of their relationship. I wanted Denny wrapped around me like that.

I made my way through to the bar area. There was Seth, looking totally loved up with a woman behind the bar. I guessed she must be Siobhan, his girlfriend, since I’d heard quite a lot about her and I couldn’t see him being the cheating sort. She pinched his bottom, making me laugh as he almost went into orbit with surprise. She reached behind him for a bottle of beer for one of the guys and they both laughed as he whispered something in her ear. My heart stuttered. Why the fuck did everyone seem to be in love with someone who was happy to be with them, except me?

My eyes swept the crowd of men at the bar. There was River and Jodie, Simon was, as usual, alone and Thai was stood alone too. I wondered why they’d never hooked up with each other but it was really none of my business. Just because they were both gay and single didn’t make them attractive to each other – hell, I didn’t fancy either of them...

My eyes settled on a young man with dark, untidy hair. He was wearing a navy blue and white checked shirt over a tight, white tee shirt and dark navy skinny jeans. He had a pair of black trainers on his feet and one of those feet was propped back against the bar, as were his elbows as he stood flirting with the guy who had his back to me.

I froze. The guy he was quite outrageously flirting with was Denny. No fucking way...

I didn’t even think about the way it looked to any of the other guys. No thought whatsoever as to what Harley and Alfie might think – whether it would ruin their party – I made a beeline for Denny and grabbed his shoulder.

He yelped with surprise – and probably pain, since it was the shoulder he’d been shot in – my bad...

Spinning him around I glowered at him, “A word.” I growled, “Outside.”

Denny stuck his chin out, “What if I don’t want to go outside?”

I grabbed his hand, “Come on.” I wheedled, “Please.”

He rolled his eyes dramatically, “Fine.” He said and followed me to the doors. “We’ll be back in a minute.” I said to Buzz as we passed them.

He put a hand up to acknowledge that he’d heard me before he clamped it back on his boyfriend’s arse and continued kissing him passionately.

Once we were outside I pulled Denny around to the back of the building.

“What?” Denny asked petulantly, “I was talking to someone.”

I nodded, “Yeah, I saw.” I grunted.

He shook his head, “You’re jealous?” he asked incredulously, “It was only Harley’s kid brother, dude – we’ve known each other forever – he’s... flirtatious – and besides – he really fancies Seth.” He snorted, “You should have seen him trying to order a drink without getting tongue tied. It was so fucking cute!”

I scowled at him, “You’re not on the market.”

He raised an eyebrow, “Excuse me?” he said incredulously, “That’s not your decision to make – you’re my friend, nothing else. And you’re straight. We had sex for a couple of weeks and then you went straight back to your ex.”

I sighed and rolled my eyes – possibly just as dramatically as Denny had done not five minutes before, “You want to learn how to listen, Denny boy.” I said.

He looked at me blankly, “Uh?”

I shrugged, “I don’t want to put a label on things... I’m not really comfortable saying that I’m homosexual because I’m not really sure what I am. But I am sure of one thing.” I paused, gazing at his beautiful face, which was currently scowling at me rather menacingly, “and that’s the way I feel about you. So before you go and get your rocks off with Harley’s younger brother, I just wanted you to know that I know exactly what I’m feeling – I’m in love with you Denny. I don’t really know when things changed from us just being mates to falling in love with you – all I know is that it did happen. I’m in love with you – and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

He stared at me for the longest time before he finally spoke and when he did I was torn between wanting to hit him and kiss him, “What?”

I smiled, “You heard me.”

With a bit of a strangled cry he threw himself into my arms, “Oh, God, Blaine. I love you too. So damned much.”

I wrapped my arms around him and pulled him into me, “Oh, God. I’ve missed you baby.” I whispered.

He lifted his face up to mine, “Missed you too,” he said with a little sigh, “Kiss me.”

I didn’t need any further encouragement. I lowered my face and captured his lips in mine. They were soft and warm and they fit perfectly against mine. No surprise there – Denny had always been my perfect fit in life...

“We should go back inside.” He murmured against my mouth after we’d been kissing each other for about ten minutes.

“Mm-hmm.” I agreed, “We should.”

Denny pulled away from me, his mouth red and looking slightly swollen from our kissing. I expect mine looked about the same. I smiled. He looked good with thoroughly kissed lips, “Come on then.” He said, planting another little kiss on my lips and making me smile, “We’ll stay for a while – but then we’re going back to yours.”

I grinned, “Mr Denison.” I said, “Are you trying to seduce me?”

He winked, “Yes, Mr Blaine,” he said, “I most certainly am.”

 

 

Chapter 30 – Where I’m meant to be...

 

Denny

 

We managed another twenty-two minutes before Blaine asked me if I was ready to go.

I nodded, “I thought you’d never ask.” I murmured, running my fingers up his leg and making the hairs on his arms stand up.

He chuckled, “You’re such a handful.” He said.

I winked, “Yeah I am – a big handful too.”

He grinned, “Oh, I know that, baby.”

Since I still wasn’t drinking, I drove us back to his place.

I stopped the car and switched off the engine. Jumping out of the passenger seat, he ran around the car and opened my door for me, “I’d have preferred to have driven you back, but at least I can escort you to my door.” He grinned at me.

I chuckled. Blaine was turning out to be the most attentive boyfriend... “Thanks.” I said, taking his offered arm. “This really isn’t necessary, though – I’m kind of a sure thing where you’re concerned.”

He smiled, “Likewise.” He said and leaned in to kiss me, right there, in front of all of the neighbouring homes. Wow. I guess he really was serious about being in love with me.

He opened the front door and ushered me inside.

Once inside, away from all of those potential prying eyes I couldn’t keep my hands off him any longer.

I pushed him up against the wall and fastened my mouth onto his. I slid my tongue into his mouth and pressing my body up flush against his.

I could feel his erection hard against my stomach. I groaned, “Oh, God. You feel amazing. I want you inside me, Blaine.”

He nodded, kissing my neck and throat and snaking his arms around my waist and pulling me into him, “Can you feel that?” he murmured, “That’s all for you, baby. All for you.”

“Oh, God,” I moaned against him, “That feels so good, Blaine – you’re so fucking hard.”

He nodded, sliding his hand down my body and cupping the bulge in my jeans, “Yeah,” he agreed with a grin, “So does that.”

I grinned back at him and then he pulled me up the stairs to his bedroom. We tumbled onto the bed together, but Blaine was totally taking charge tonight.

He rolled me over and straddled me pushing my arms above my head as he kissed and licked my neck again, “You smell amazing and you taste incredible.” He murmured, making my skin break out in goose bumps, “I could just spend all night licking you all over.”

“Have you got anything with you?” I whispered.

He pulled away and looked at me with one eyebrow raised, Do you really think I’d bring you back here if I had nothing?” he said, “I’ve got condoms, I’ve got lube – in three flavours. I’ve got toys in case you want things to get playful – and I’ve got my cuffs.” He winked.

I laughed, “Sounds like you’ve thought of everything – what toys have you got?” Suddenly I was totally intrigued. Blaine had never mentioned wanting to play with toys before...

He blushed, “Uh, I got you a couple of dildos, a butt plug and some other shit that the woman in the shop thought we could try.”

I blinked, “Fuck,” I said, “Did you say it was for you and your boyfriend?”

He nodded, “Of course I fucking did.” He said, “I’m a new man.”

Yeah, he was...

“Right,” I said, “Let’s play with the dildo...”

He looked at me blankly, “Don’t you want me inside you?”

I nodded, grinning, “Oh, yeah.” I said, “But I was thinking that I could ride you, and you could fuck yourself with the dildo at the same time.” I shrugged, “Only if you want to...?”

He grinned and nodded, “You’re full of good ideas.”

I nodded, “Oh, yeah I am.” I said.

He grinned, “We need to be naked.”

We quickly shed our clothes and then he knelt between my spread legs and ran his hands up my inner thighs, sending shivers through my body and little electrical impulses right to my groin. Stopping just short of my balls and leaving me in a state of gloriously agonising anticipation, he licked his lips really slowly and grinned again, “I’ve really got a taste for you tonight – so I’m going to start by licking you – all over.” His voice was gravelly with emotion.

I closed my eyes, “Oh, God.” I groaned. “You are the sexiest man on the planet.”

 He lowered his face and nuzzled my balls and then, just as promised, he started licking me all over. Working his way down, his tongue fluttered around my hole and then back up again, sucking in first one ball and then the other, then he sucked my cock deep into his mouth as his fingers found my hole and he started to finger me gently. Eventually, when my cock was as hard as steel and dying for some action, he’d worked his way all the way back to my face. His face was inches away from mine, “Now I’m going to kiss you.” He said, “And you’re going to kiss me back and then I’m gonna get that dildo and you can fuck me with it and then I’m gonna fuck you.”

I nodded, “Okay.” I whispered.

His mouth came crashing down on mine, showing me that he wasn’t quite as in control of himself as he sounded.

He licked into my mouth, exploring and tasting me, “Denny.” He whispered, as he trailed kisses all over my face and neck, “I love you so much. We’re perfect together.”

“We are.” I agreed as I watched him kiss all down my stomach until he’d gotten back to my cock, “I’m totally where I’m meant to be.” Watching myself disappearing into his mouth was almost enough to have me coming and we hadn’t even gotten started yet. I watched, fascinated as his lips engulfed my cock.

Uncontrollable pleasure began to build and erupt inside me. Electrical pulses shot down my spine and straight to my balls, making them tingle. There was no way I wasn’t gonna come with the way he was sucking and slurping around my cock as if it was the most delicious thing he’d ever tasted. I was so close to coming and completely unable to stop him from what he was doing… “Babe – you’ve gotta stop,” I panted, “I’m gonna come and we haven’t....”

He put his hand up. Clearly he wasn’t going to stop. Oh, fuck that was such a fucking turn on. He wanted me to come in his mouth. He was totally into it, his eyes closed, one hand working my cock and sucking me deeply into his mouth. “Gonna come,” I panted, “Gonna come.” It felt so damned good and watching him taking me right down his throat was too much for me. He looked up at me, his eyes dark with passion, his beautiful lips around my cock, his cheeks flushed. I’d never seen anything so beautiful in my life. I gripped onto the headboard as my orgasm hit me with force.

Blaine didn’t stop, sucking and swallowing all the way through my orgasm, never breaking eye contact with me. He carried on licking and sucking until I could hardly bear it. “Please,” I whispered, “Please stop I can’t... I can’t...”

Finally, he stopped, slipping off my cock with a bit of a messy slurp. He smiled at me as he wiped his mouth, “You are so fucking awesome.” He whispered, “That was great.”

He leaned in to me for a kiss. I could taste myself in his mouth, fuelling my desire for him. I reached down and stroked his hard cock, “You have to let me do the same for you now,” I murmured in his mouth.

He nodded and crawled up the bed, straddling my chest he eased his cock into my mouth gently, I sucked and licked him, getting used to the size before he started to thrust a little. I could taste his tangy pre-come already and his breathing had quickened. It was a heady feeling knowing that I was totally in control of making him come and I knew he was getting close. I pulled back a little to take a breath of air. Once Blaine started coming, I wasn’t going to let him pull out and I knew I wouldn’t breathe again before he’d finished. I sucked him in as deeply as I could without gagging. He felt utterly perfect in my mouth, slick and smooth and as hard as steel, “Oh, God.” I heard him gasp, as he fell forwards slightly and braced himself against the headboard, his hands over mine, “I’m coming.”

The first jet of come hit me in the back of the throat. It always took me by surprise and I always gagged a little before gaining control and swallowing.

He slowed his thrusts as I milked him through his orgasm. Finally he pulled away from me and sat astride me.

I let go of the headboard and manoeuvred us so that we were lying together, facing each other, “That was amazing,” I said before he leaned in and captured my mouth in his. Pulling away he gazed into my eyes, “You are where you’re meant to be,” he said, smiling at me lovingly, “Right where you’re meant to be – with me.” I smiled back at him and leaned back in. We kissed for what seemed like hours...

 

 

Chapter 31 – Good old-fashioned policing...

 

Blaine

 

“Hey guys, listen up.”

Colby and Harrison walked in, smug looks on their faces because they’d finally solved a massive part of the second case they’d ever been given. I was kind of pleased for the pair of them but at the same time, I couldn’t help the feeling that they never actually managed to do it on their own. We helped them out a whole lot and yet never seemed to get any of the credit. Maybe I was just being over sensitive.

Denny high fived the pair of them, “Well done, guys.” He beamed at them. My heart melted. He was such a great guy – and much more generous than I was...

We were taking the morning brief this morning, thankfully for the last time, since Harley had been on his honeymoon with Alfie and today they were flying back in.

Since they’d been away, things had been quite eventful – it was sometimes like that – a few things coming together all at once. Between the four of us, we’d managed to put away a few more than first seemed to be involved in the stake-out we’d been put on, although Lenny Roblinski had jumped bail and was on the run again. Worryingly, Hendrix McCarthy had disappeared as well, which made me wonder if the two were together; well, wondering wasn’t really the right word. I was convinced he was with him – the safe house had been horribly close to where he lived. The gang were bound to have found Hendrix and taken him with him – he was Lenny’s insurance policy... and it was now a real concern. Daryl Roblinski was dead following a fight with his brother – and, according to one of our sources, the argument had been about Hendrix.

Daryl apparently hadn’t been fully briefed on what the ‘shipment’ contained. He’d been as horrified as we were when he realised that Hendrix was going to be joining them and argued with Lenny about it. They fought and Lenny had lost it completely, battering him with a baseball bat. He’d died later in the hospital – so now Lenny was also wanted for murder. It wasn’t a surprise to any of us – he’d murdered before but we’d never had enough evidence to make it stick – well, we did now... And it was almost certain from the accounts we’d collected from their various acquaintances who were now a little more ready to talk since the empire seemed to be crumbling, that it had been Lenny who was behind pretty much everything since Callum had been killed. The problem we had was that we had nothing to link the two together. What the hell had Lenny got to do with Peyton? Who was the link?

Peyton had been questioned over and over – as a witness of course – but he had absolutely no idea either.

“Maybe it’s Brendan.” Colby murmured, “Maybe he’s the link...”

I scratched my head, “Maybe.” I agreed, “But until the guy wakes up – if he wakes up – we’re screwed.”

Harrison nodded, “I think we need to find Hendrix – he probably knows the most – you know he was a rent-boy for Lenny don’t you? Lenny was his pimp. He’s probably still controlling his every move.”

I nodded, I did know that was the general consensus of opinion of people who frequented the bars and clubs that he did and from what we’d heard over the bugging devices, it certainly added up to the same thing, “So that’s definite?” I asked, “Someone actually talked?”

Harrison grinned and nodded, “We talked to the right people, I guess – while you two holidayed in the peaks – we went searching out everyone in the community.”

I nodded, grinning at him, “Good, old-fashioned police work. I’m impressed.”

Colby and Harrison gave each other a high five. I grinned, “So, who did you speak to?”

A kid called Mason Black. Nice guy – wanted to save Hendrix from his shitty life and refused to believe that he was dead.” At my questioning look he elaborated, “Hendrix said some weird stuff the last time they talked to each other, making Mason believe that he was going to attempt to take his own life – but when we went to investigate his disappearance, there was no sign of him – but the trail of blood definitely hinted at something more sinister. Someone had either removed the body – or had saved him – obviously the latter turned out to be the case.” I nodded. Obviously – since he was in the house with Lenny and Daryl – and looking like death warmed up. “So, anyway, Mason told us that he and Hendrix were in a relationship for a short time – Hendrix told him that it couldn’t go anywhere whilst ever he was under the control of his cousin and they broke up.”

“So what does this have to do with Brendan?”

“Brendan was always down at Studs – we all assumed he was there picking up guys – but that wasn’t the case at all – he was actually there keeping an eye on his son – Hendrix.”

My jaw dropped. His son? “Brendan is Hendrix’s dad?” Fuck me! I really hadn’t seen that coming... “No way... How?”

Denny smiled at me, “I’m sure we all know how, mate.” He said, “Maybe he hasn’t always identified as a gay man.”

I nodded, “Yeah, course.” I felt my face heating up.

Harrison nodded, “It is hard to believe, isn’t it – but yes, Hendrix and Callum’s mother had an affair with Brendan a long time ago when I guess he was still undecided about which team he batted for – the result of course being Hendrix.”

I was still trying to process it all. “And the mother was killed, right?”

Colby nodded, “Yeah, a while ago – when Hendrix was about twelve, she was killed in a car accident.”

“Was it an accident?” Unlikely when that lot were involved...

They both shrugged, “It was her husband’s cousin driving the car that hit hers...”

“As in, Lenny?” My blood ran cold. He’d murdered his cousin’s wife?

Harrison nodded grimly. “He was done for dangerous driving and manslaughter but he only got six years and was out within four. Henry McCarthy went into a bit of a decline once she’d gone and started drinking heavily. That was attributed to his early death and Callum, who was only coming up to seventeen was kind of left to try to bring up Hendrix by himself. The family were financially stable thanks to Henry’s business, but no one knew that Callum was up to his eyes in dodgy drug deals – or that he was taking as many of the drugs as he was selling. Poor Hendrix kind of slipped through the net of social services getting involved. Henry died of a massive heart attack while he was away working abroad and Callum lost the plot completely.”

The poor kid. He could have had such a better life. “We need to find him.” I said, “Lenny’s crazy – he could have already murdered him – but while there’s a chance...”

Denny nodded, “You’re right, mate.” He said, “We need to do a little more of that good old-fashioned police work that Harrison and Colby have been doing.”

Lenny was a slippery customer. He was excellent at lurking in the shadows but we needed to find him – before he decided to strike again – and I was more than certain that we’d find Hendrix with him. What state we’d find him in was another thing entirely. I didn’t really want to think about that...

We were fairly sure now that it was Lenny behind the bomb scares. The bomb scares themselves weren’t too much to be concerned about. We were always thorough when we went to check out the premises. The concern was that one day he would up his game and would try shooting Peyton, or one of his friends or relatives. Why he was so bothered about Peyton was a bit of a mystery. There’d been no love lost between Callum and Lenny, we were sure... So why?

Peyton took the security of his family and his friends seriously and they now had security guards at Studs and Steel, Diamonds and Lace and his most recent venture, Riva, a tapas bar, which had a different band playing upstairs in the evenings. It was a low-key place and few people knew that Peyton owned it since it was completely different to anything he’d ever done before.

Everyone settled down and I read over my notes – notes that Denny had painstakingly put together with me the night before – notes that hadn’t contained anything about Colby and Harrison’s findings, which were phenomenal.

“Okay – we need police presence in the high street today – there’s been a massive increase in pick-pockets. Probably due to the time of year – so can I have two volunteers for the beat today?” I looked up. Andrea Marney and her new partner, a young guy called Mark Johnson glanced at each other and nodded. Andrea smiled at me, “Me and Mark can do that, sir.” She said.

I grinned. ‘Sir’ sounded very strange to my ears, “Thanks Marney.” I winked at her.

Denny winked at me from the back of the room, distracting me for a second. I cleared my throat, “Colby.” I looked at Jason Colby, “I need you and Harrison to follow up a couple of leads for us today since you’re now between cases – there’s been sightings at the railway station of a group of youths causing a nuisance – can you firstly clear the area and then check the backgrounds of them – make sure they’re not involved in anything any more sinister.”

He looked across at Harrison with his eyebrows raised. Harrison nodded, “Sure, thing, boss.” He said.

I smiled. The rest of the brief was the usual sort of crap that we dealt with on a daily basis.

Soon enough, all the rest of the staff filtered out of the office and it was just Denny and I.

“So, what are we doing today?” he asked.

I pulled a face, “Well, just as we’ve been doing for the last two weeks, we’ve gotta cover Harley’s duties.”

Denny grinned, “Does that mean hanging around at restaurants and nightclubs, because dude – you know I can dance with you all night long.”

I grinned, “I’d like to say that yes, it does – but as you know, it’s a little more involved than that – we do, however have to drop in at Studs tonight – just to check in with Rob that everything is okay.”

He nodded, “Cool.”

 

*

 

I was glad that we’d be back on our own job tomorrow, although I couldn’t deny, I had quite enjoyed the last couple of weeks.

We pulled up in the Studs and Steel car park. I looked across the top of the car at Denny. He looked so fucking gorgeous in his uniform. He grinned back at me, “Ready?” he asked.

I nodded, “Sure – after you.”

Denny rolled his eyes and started walking just ahead of me, “This is just so you can check out my backside, isn’t it?” he asked with a laugh.

“You know me far too well.” I chuckled.

We showed our badges to Buzz on the door. He grinned and nodded, “Hi guys.” He said, “Go on through, “Rob’s helping out at the bar tonight since Seth’s got the night off.” He chuckled, “He says he’s gonna extend the bar right down the side of the club and get a team together – it’s only because he can’t work as fast as Seth does.”

I chuckled. Seth really was incredible behind that bar. He rarely had any help and he managed it brilliantly. It was only noticeably busy when he wasn’t around.

Rob looked up as we walked in. He looked a little harassed.

Denny grinned, “Hey, Rob.” He said, “Need a hand?”

He rolled his eyes, “Do I?” he asked, “I haven’t the faintest idea how Seth does it!”

River appeared at that moment. “Move over old guy.” He said, bumping his hip against Rob’s, “I’ve got this covered.” He winked at me. I chuckled. I knew River was quite capable of running the bar in Seth’s absence because he’d been a barman at his local pub before he got his gig dancing here. I’d gotten chatting to him over the last few weeks of dropping by to keep up a police presence. It made the punters feel safer knowing we were around.

Rob smiled at him, “Cheeky little bugger.” He said affectionately, “Can I leave you in charge, then?”

River nodded, “Go and have your meeting,” he said, “Jodie’ll be along in a minute and he can help me.”

Rob heaved a sigh of relief and led us across the dance floor to the back of the club where the office door was concealed in the mirrored wall.

 

*

 

Thankfully, the bomb scares had stopped during the last couple of weeks, but we were still taking the safety and security of Peyton’s empire seriously – and even though Rob now had the majority share of the place, it was still well known to belong to Peyton – he had the notoriety which had gone in his favour for a while before the gang decided to come after their boy for doing too good on the right side of the law... We chatted about a few other things – asked Rob if he could shed any light on the connection between Brendan, who was still showing little sign of waking up, and Lenny. He had absolutely no idea of course – and why would he? No one else did.

We made our way back to the car and got in.

“Ready to go home?” I smiled at Denny.

He grinned back at me, “I’m always ready to go home with you, baby.” He murmured, “It’s my favourite time of day.”

I smiled, “me too,” I said, “have I told you today that I love you?”

He pretended to consider my question before grinning widely, “Yes, you have.” He said, “Nineteen times at least.”

We both chuckled.

We were just turning into the end of our street, since we’d decided to move in together, Denny and I had both sold our own places and had bought a lovely little house a little further out of the city and it took a while to get there from the Studs nightclub.

My mobile phone started to ring, “Can you get that?”

Denny reached for my phone, “It’s Harley.” He grinned at me, “Christ he only landed yesterday! He’s always on the job, that one.”

I chuckled as he connected the call, “Hey, Harley – how was the honeymoon?”

I waited for the inevitable banter that started when Denny and Harley were chatting but it never happened. Instead, Denny looked at me in utter horror. He put the phone on speaker-phone.

“Denny? Oh, thank God I’ve gotten hold of you – are you with Blaine?”

“Yeah, course I am,” Denny replied, flashing me a loving smile. “What’s up?”

“Can you guys get yourselves over to the hospital, we’re needed – all of us.”

Denny frowned. I looked back at him helplessly, “What?” I mouthed.

He shrugged, “What’s going on, mate?” he asked.

“Seth’s been hurt really badly. He’s badly burned. And, oh, God... Siobhan’s dead. Thankfully Will’s okay – can you guys call Peyton...?”

Denny hung up the phone with shaking fingers. We stared at each other. Fuck. They were still out there, we were all still in danger...

Turning the car around we headed for the hospital. Siobhan was dead. Seth was badly hurt – how badly we had no idea but the love of his life had gone... What the hell was he gonna do now?

“I love you.” I blurted out to Denny.

He reached across and took my hand in his, “I love you too, Blaine.” He said, smiling at me and making his crinkle up in the corners just as they always had, “Always have – and I always will.”

 

 

Chapter 32 – Accident!

 

Hendrix

 

“Get in the car.”

Hendrix gritted his teeth and got in. He wasn’t going to show his fear even if he was shitting himself. Lenny was a sick nutter and he knew that the likelihood of surviving this car ride was slim. He’d heard Lenny planning to take out some more of Peyton’s people and he had the awful feeling that he was going to same way...

He pulled on his seatbelt. If there was any chance of living, he was going to take it. He needed to see Mason again, if only to tell him he loved him.

“This reminds me a little of when I killed your mother.” Lenny said softly, a hint of danger in his voice.

Hendrix’s heart went still. “That was an accident.” He whispered, although he’d long thought it might have been anything but.

Memories of being told that his beloved mother had been killed in a freak car accident bombarded him. The pain that he’d shut down for so long, back with a breathtaking vengeance. He wanted to kill Lenny for all the pain and suffering he’d put him, his dad and his brother through – and for what?

“Why did you do it?” he asked, “What had she ever done to you?”

Lenny peered at him as if he was surprised that he had to ask, “Because she cheated on my cousin.”

“But he’d forgiven her – he treated me as his own – it had nothing to do with you.”

“Brendan Holloway is your dad – not Henry. And once I find a way past the security guards at St Nicholas’s hospital – I’ll kill him too.”

It wasn’t news to him that Brendan was actually his biological father. His parents had told him that he wasn’t his father’s real son when he was young. And he’d met Brendan in Studs and Steel and he’d told him that he was his real dad too. Lenny thought he knew everything, but he didn’t... “Why now?”

He laughed manically, “Because then I’ll have gotten rid of all of the rot in the family and I can start again.”

Fuck. He really was completely delusional...

Lenny sped along the streets. He clearly knew where he was going and who he was looking for.

Hendrix finally realised who he was going after when he saw the expensive four wheel drive vehicle pulling onto the road and start towards them from a side street. Peyton’s ex-girlfriend, Siobhan. What the fuck did he still have against Peyton? The guy had gotten out of the slums years ago when he was still a kid... “No Lenny!” he shouted. “She’s got a kid.” Oh, God, NO!

He laughed, “Not for long.” He said, “Say goodbye to the world, little fella – I hope the next life is better to you.”

He swerved across the road into the path of the car, skidding and slamming the passenger side of the car into driver’s side of the oncoming vehicle. Hendrix braced himself for the impact. The airbag exploded in his face, dazing him. He vaguely registered Lenny getting out – so that bastard was okay then. A vague thought went through his mind that maybe Lenny was like his favourite childhood character off the TV, Captain Scarlet... although Captain Scarlet was a good guy... the other one then, Captain Black...

He tried to move his legs but they were trapped. Fuck. That was all he needed. He looked down and his heart stuttered in his chest. His legs looked in pretty fucking bad shape, “Oh, God,” he groaned, feeling suddenly nauseous at the sight of all that blood, “I’m totally fucked.”

 

*

 

“Caucasian male, suffering a concussion from a blow to his head; his legs are trapped in the wreckage and he’s losing blood. The fire’s out and the vehicle has been made safe but we need to cut him free pretty quickly or we might not be able to save his legs.”

Hendrix was drifting in an out of consciousness and became vaguely aware that he was being tended to. Holy shit. What had that guy just said? He was going to lose his legs? Hendrix tried to scream out but nothing was working. He was trapped inside his head. What the hell? He passed out again.

Minutes passed – or it could have been hours. Hendrix had no idea. His surroundings were completely different though. He was in hospital, definitely, and he wasn’t in any pain. He turned his head slightly, that would be due to the drip he was attached to, then. Did that mean they’d been able to save him? He wondered about the occupants of the other car. He could remember smoke and flames. He shuddered. It was a woman and her child in there...

Trying to stop himself from panicking that the police might want to try to blame him for what happened, he looked down at his legs. It looked like he still had legs. He tried to move but he couldn’t move anything. He wanted to scream again but he clamped his mouth shut. He wouldn’t show weakness, he wouldn’t.

He wondered if they’d caught up with Lenny yet. Had they arrested him? Or had he slipped through the net again? Was he still biding his time to finish off Peyton? To finish off him... That had been his plan this evening after all. He certainly hadn’t meant for him to live to tell the tale – and drop him in it.

Hendrix let out a long breath. He knew he was on borrowed time. Lenny would make damned sure he didn’t talk – and that meant certain death.

 

 

Chapter 33 – Visiting Seth

 

Denny

 

Blaine had called Peyton as soon as we got to the hospital. We hurried inside and asked after Seth.

To no one’s surprise, the rest of the guys from Studs were already there, along with a very white-faced Peyton and Kody.

We made our way over to Harley and Alfie who were stood nearby, “What’s going on?” I asked.

Harley sighed, “Seth’s in intensive care – he was really badly burned in the accident and he’s probably gonna need skin grafts. Siobhan didn’t make it – I think I already told you that...”

Alfie wrapped his arms around his new husband as his voice cracked and he allowed himself to be comforted.

“Were you there?” Blaine asked gently, “Did you have to attend?”

He nodded, “And I had my kid brother with me – he’s fucking traumatised...”

Oh God. It was ‘take your child to work’ day – and Harley loved his brother Joel and wanted to help him decide on his future – so he’d taken him. It was supposed to be a treat, not a lasting nightmare. “How much did he see?”

Harley turned tortured eyes on us, “Everything.” He croaked, “He saw everything – he’s just standing outside Seth’s room waiting for him to come around. He’s terrified that he’s gonna die...”

Alfie nodded, “He’s got a bit of a crush on him.” he added helpfully, “So he’s understandably a little upset.”

I nodded, A little upset, though? Waiting outside the intensive care unit for news about someone he didn’t even know was beyond a little upset. It was as Harley had said – traumatised – and that wasn’t really very healthy... “Do you think we should go and find him?” I asked.

Alfie nodded, “I guess we should.” He said, “At least Will’s okay.”

Oh, thank God. I hadn’t liked to ask when I’d seen Peyton looking so sad. But he’d always been really fond of Siobhan. It would be like losing a best friend, I guessed. We set off towards the intensive care unit.

Joel was stood exactly where Alfie had said he was. He was staring at the floor, a look of shock on his face.

“Joel?” Harley approached him.

He turned at the sound of his brother’s voice. “Oh, God, Harley.” He burst into tears, “What if he doesn’t pull through?”

Fury shot through me, “We have to find that bastard.” I growled, “We find him and we charge him – with murder.”

Blaine nodded, “Come on,” he said, “Let’s go and get some sleep. We can’t do anything right now, it’s four in the morning – but first thing tomorrow – we’ll organise the manhunt.”

 

 

Chapter 34 – Questioning...

 

Hendrix

 

“So, Hendrix, how are you feeling today?” the police officer was far too jovial and Hendrix really wasn’t feeling it.

He rolled his eyes. How the fuck did the stupid bastard think he felt? His legs were smashed to pieces, and he could still be faced with them being amputated if they didn’t improve in the next forty-eight hours. He had no idea if Lenny had been arrested or not. Maybe it was time to ask. “What do you want from me?”

The officer grinned again, “A few answers to our questions.”

Hendrix nodded, “Ask away, I’ve got no secrets and I’m loyal to no one.” No one except Mason, anyway...

The officer nodded and lowered himself into the chair next to him, “Lenny Roblinski – he’s your uncle, right?”

Hendrix shook his head, “No, he was my dad’s cousin – so he’s my second cousin.”

“And you dad is...?”

He rolled his eyes, like they didn’t already know all this...? “Henry McCarthy – Master Builder – he died a couple of years ago of a massive heart attack while he was working away in the US.”

The officer, who had introduced himself as DC Harrison nodded, “Ah, yeah – I remember that.”

“And Callum, my brother – was killed by one of your lot a couple of years back at Studs and Steel nightclub.”

He nodded again, “That’s right.” He said, “So what’s your story, I wonder – why were you in a car that was involved in a fatal accident the other night?”

Fatal? Oh, God. Who died? Not the child, please not the child? He looked up at DC Harrison, “Who died?” he asked.

“Peyton McKenzie’s ex-girlfriend, Siobhan – but you’d have known about that, I assume?”

Hendrix sighed, “Look, if you’re here to pin this on me as some sort of murder charge, you’ve got the wrong guy. I was in the passenger seat, Lenny Roblinski was trying to kill two birds with one stone – he meant to kill me at the same time as he was getting revenge on Peyton McKenzie.”

DC Harrison frowned, “Why?”

Hendrix took a deep breath. He’d almost lost his life for the second time in as many weeks. He’d had enough. He wanted out... “I have absolutely no idea what his beef was with Peyton McKenzie – other than the fact that he was friends with Brendan, maybe?” he shrugged helplessly. He really couldn’t see any sort of connection. “I was his rent-boy. He found out that I’d been saving my money to escape. He knew Brendan had given me money – so maybe that’s why he had him shot. I don’t know. He got his brother to steal all of my money... I tried to fake my own death – and I nearly fucking managed it too because I fucked it up. Daryl found me and saved my life – but only to deliver me back to Lenny...”

DC Harrison nodded, writing something down in his notes, “And you’d be prepared to put all of this in a statement.”

Hendrix nodded and sighed, “I will – but I want you to guarantee my safety for doing so. I was planning on leaving here with...” He bit his lip. “I was leaving.”

DC Harrison nodded and smiled, “With Mason?” he offered.

Hendrix sucked in a breath, “How did you know about Mason?”

He smiled, “He reported you as a missing person.” He said, “It was pretty obvious that you hadn’t chosen to leave the safe house when your jacket was still hanging up and your mobile phone was left charging. With Daryl dead and Lenny also going off radar we didn’t know if we were investigating a missing person case or a murder. Mason was beside himself...”

Hendrix nodded, his heart squeezing painfully in his chest at the pain he’d put Mason through. “So what are you doing about Lenny? He’s a pimp – and he’s killed people. My mother, his own brother... and he was trying to kill me.”

DC Harrison nodded, “It’s just a matter of time.” He said, “We’ll get him – and we’ll get you away from here and as safe as we can. We can’t promise that you’ll be one hundred per cent safe. You have to help us too, you know? Going out and wandering around where people can find you isn’t exactly the smartest move – but if you’ll help us put him away and anyone else in cahoots with him – we’ll do what we can for you.”

He nodded, “I want out of all the shit. I want to leave with Mason – if he’ll still have me.”

DC Harrison smiled, “I can’t see that being a problem.” He said with a wink.

 

 

Chapter 35 – Result...

 

Denny

 

“Tate said they’d arrested Roblinski. They’ve got loads on him – thanks to the account of Hendrix McCarthy – and once the rest of his acquaintances knew that Hendrix had talked, they all squealed – dropping pretty much the entire gang in the shit – and a load of their clients too.”

Colby grinned and nodded, “Yeah.” He agreed, “You guys did a brilliant job of bugging their house – with all the recordings we’ve got everything they said and we’ve got confessions off most of them – looks like Lenny was the ringleader of the whole operation – all the rest were terrified of him. He definitely attempted to kill his cousin in the crash – and was clearly out to do as much damage as possible to Siobhan’s car too – how Hendrix, Seth and William survived that crash was nothing short of a miracle.”

“Poor Seth.” I murmured, “And poor William.”

Colby looked at Harrison and they both nodded grimly, “It’ll be difficult for them.” He said.

Difficult? Seth would never be the same again. His skin grafts had gone really well and they were hopeful that a lot of his burns weren’t quite as serious as they’d first thought. The damage to his leg was actually more of a concern for them than the burns now. He’d likely be left with a limp – still, he was still here. He might not actually appreciate that for a while since the love of his life wasn’t. He’d worshipped the ground she walked on...

“So what was Lenny’s beef with Peyton?”

Colby shrugged, “I think it was because he was friendly with Brendan – Lenny fucking hated Brendan – and hated that Brendan had also got out of the gang and was leading a better life because of it.” He scratched his chin. “From what Harrison and I could make out from those who would talk – and we’ll be able to ask Brendan soon – he’s awake now and by all accounts, he’s pretty lucid.”

 “Oh, my God.” I shook my head, “So he really wasn’t avenging the death of his cousin or anything – he was working alone and just hated Peyton because of Brendan?” There was surely more to it than that? So many unnecessary deaths... Siobhan...

Colby shrugged, “Sure looks that way. Total and utter lunatic.”

“How long do you reckon we’ll get him sent down for?”

He shrugged, “Hopefully six to ten years – maybe. It’s not as if he isn’t a repeat offender – and we have Hendrix’s statement that he confessed to killing his mother – if he tells us the same thing – and let’s face it – he seems pretty proud of everything he’s done so far...”

Blaine frowned, “Some do-gooder will want to put it down to diminished responsibility.”

I nodded, “Well, we’ll have to hope that once he’s tested, they’ll still have him locked up in a secure hospital instead.”

He nodded, “As long as he’s off the streets, it doesn’t much matter. Hendrix needs to be able to rebuild his life.”

Wasn’t that the truth? The poor kid had been to hell and back these last few years. His whole family destroyed.

“Just got a call from Fletch. Brendan’s out of the woods.” Harrison piped up, “He’s talking and he remembers who shot him too.”

We all raised our eyebrows, “Who?”

“Daryl.”

“Daryl?” Fuck me – what the hell was wrong with them all?

He nodded, “Yeah, apparently he’d been sent by Lenny to kill him so that Hendrix had no one. He wanted him isolated so he could just own him – and then he was going to sell him to the highest bidder.”

Oh, my God. Thank God we’d got him behind bars. The twisted bastard was punishing a kid for the sins of the rest of the family. Anyone could see that Hendrix was a bright kid with a bright future if only he could get away from his family. Maybe now he’d have the chance. “So, who’s hotfooting it over to St Nicholas’s hospital to interview him?”

Colby grinned, “I think we should leave it to you and Blaine.”

 

*

 

Blaine

 

Brendan looked quite bright eyed for someone who’d only just come out of a coma – but to be fair to the guy, I’d never seen anyone else who had, so...

“Good afternoon, Brendan.” I said, “My name’s DC Blaine and this is DC Denison, we’re from the Hanleigh and District Police department and we’ve just got some questions we’d like answering in connection with the recent arrest of Mr Lenny Roblinski.”

He nodded, “Sure.” He said, “I’ve already been talking to your colleague, DC Fletcher.”

I nodded, “Yeah,” I said, “I know that but we were involved in the case a little more deeply and we’re trying to keep Hendrix McCarthy out of any further trouble.”

He went white, “Hendrix?” he asked, leaning forward, “Is he okay?”

I nodded, “He’s going to be in and out of hospital for treatment to his legs and he’s going to need extensive physiotherapy according to his consultant but yes, long term, he should be able to lead a perfectly normal life.”

He flopped his head back against his pillows, “Oh, thank God...”

“So, what’s your account of the whole thing, then?”

“Fuck. Where do I start?” he murmured, “Right, I think this all started when I was around fifteen...”

He talked for about half an hour. Denny was the better note taker between the two of us, so I questioned and probed him for more information when he seemed to want to be evasive and we got him to agree to come down to the station to make a full statement when he was feeling up to it.

He nodded, “How’s my boy doing?” he asked.

“Hendrix?” I asked.

He nodded, looking worried. I smiled, “He’s doing okay. He’s been through a lot – and he’ll probably need a shitload of therapy as well as his physiotherapy.”

He nodded, “I’ll pay for anything he needs.” He said, “I’d really like to get to know him better – and to actually be family.”

I smiled, “I think he’d like that too – since you’re actually all he has left.”

He nodded. “Thanks for finding him – and for saving his life.”

 

 

Chapter 36 – New beginnings...

 

Denny

 

The case was almost over and I felt like I was doing the right thing – and at the right time. We were walking back to the car and I really needed to tell Blaine what I was planning. “I’m leaving the force, Blaine.”

Blaine sighed and nodded, “I had a feeling you were gonna say that. I knew you weren’t happy.” He mumbled, “And I don’t blame you.”

I sighed, “It won’t change anything between us.” I said, “My heart’s just not into fighting crime anymore – I’ve lost belief in goodness always winning. It doesn’t. Look at Seth...”

Blaine wiped his hands down his face, “I understand.” He said, “I’ve been thinking about the future too...”

I waited but he shook his head and sighed, “I’m not sure what to do – when are you leaving?”

“I have to work my notice of a month.”

He nodded, “Okay.” He said, “Let’s make the most of it.”

I grinned, “Sure.” I agreed.

 

 

Three months later

 

Blaine

 

“Where are we going?”

Denny giggled, “Can’t you guess?” he asked.

I shook my head, “You’ve blindfolded me, dude.” I reminded him a little sarcastically.

His voice went a little husky, “Yeah, I have.” He murmured, “And I’ve got my handcuffs in my bag too.”

“Stop it.” I groaned, “I was never into kinky stuff before I got myself involved with you.”

He chuckled softly, “And you never knew you liked it, either.” He retorted, “But you love every kinky second of sex with me.”

I nodded. It was true. I did love every second of every minute of every day with him and I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him too.

Denny pulled up. The tyres crunched on the ground. Ah, that sound reminded me of being at the cabin with him earlier in the year. Did he have some sort of dirty weekend planned for us?

I got out with him guiding me and then he pulled me forward. “Ready?” he asked.

I shrugged and nodded, “I guess.” I agreed.

He took off my blindfold with a bit of a flourish, “Ta-dah!” he exclaimed.

I blinked in the brightness of the day and then turned to him with a puzzled frown, “We’re at the cabin,” I deadpanned, “Where you got shot and made me shit myself and think my life was over.”

He nodded looking like a kid at Christmas. The excitement in him had him almost vibrating with it, “What?” I asked. Seriously? This place really didn’t have any magic about it for me anymore... Although it was where we totally found each other again. Maybe I could see the benefits of being here again after all...

He nodded to the sold sign.

My heart sank. “Oh, man.” I whined. “Someone bought it?”

He turned to me and grinned, nodding his head; his eyes were bright and he was just about bouncing on the spot. “Yeah, they did,” he crowed, “ I bought it – for us.”

I just stared at him for a moment as his words sank into my rather slow-to-catch-on brain, “You did?” I asked, with my mouth hanging open, “How?”

He grinned, “Well, along with my redundancy package, I also got paid quite a lot of compensation for getting shot and almost dying.” He said with a shrug, “And I knew how much you loved this place and I love it too – and I really think with a bit of hard work and a bit of luck – that I can make my investment really work.”

I nodded slowly, “I applied for voluntary redundancy too.” I murmured, “Fancy a business partner?”

His smile was like the sun coming out from behind a cloud. He nodded, his eyes filling with tears. “Is the ocean wet? Of course I want you as my partner. I would like that very much.” He said, “But you don’t have to do that...”

I shook my head, “I want to.” I said, “I’ve already told the chief that I can’t carry on doing the job without you at my side...”

Denny’s eyes filled with tears. He grabbed my hands in his, “Oh, God, Blaine.” He said, “We’re going to have so much fun making this into a retreat.”

I nodded. It could totally be the best retreat in England... “Let’s do it.” I said, “Let’s spend the rest of our lives making people who deserve it, happy.”

He smiled, “Bring it on.”

“We could really sell the idea of this place to the RSPB.” I murmured, “They’ll all be coming to find the dusky thrush.”

He chuckled, “I was thinking it might be better if we joined forces with a dating agency – you know, like that ‘First Dates’ program on TV.”

I nodded, “Oh, my God, Denny – you’re a genius.”

He grinned, “Yeah, I am.” He said, “Your genius.”

 

 

The End

 

 

 

Thank you for reading Stake-Out. If you enjoyed this book, I would be grateful if you could help others enjoy it too. Please help other readers find it by recommending it to your friends and/or discussion groups. Please tell other readers why you liked it by reviewing it. Your help is greatly appreciated.

 

 

 

Coming Soon

 

Simon... Spellbound

 

 

Prologue

 

Bailey

 

What the hell was I doing here? It might have been a classy place but this guy was a total creep. I really had to get out of here. I stood up and picked up my jacket.

He looked up with a puzzled frown as I stood up. “Hey,” he scowled at me and grabbed my arm as I made to leave, “Where do you think you’re going? We only just got here.”

I shrugged, “I have something better to do.” I said truthfully – even though it would only mean watching Netflix alone in my room, “I’m going home.”

He shook his head, “Nuh-uh,” he said, “You’re not going anywhere. I was told on good authority that you were a sure thing.”

Rude. I looked at him with a raised eyebrow, “And who told you that?” I asked.

“I believe she said she was your sister.” He grinned at me but it was really more of a snarl. In that split second moment all I felt for my foster sister was absolute hatred... But no. He had to be exaggerating. She was a bitch but she wasn’t all that bad… not deep down. Taking a deep, calming breath I decided that I was prepared to give her the benefit of the doubt and to believe that she meant well and was trying to set me up with a new guy to make me feel better following my utterly disastrous relationship with Joss – after all, I was a better person than that… So why was there still that nagging feeling that I couldn’t let go of that she’d totally set me up with this creepazoid? I made a mental note to give her a piece of my mind when I got back…

“Laura?” I scoffed, “Are you actually serious?” Would she really be so crass? Actually yes, she totally would. Laura was my foster sister and we were definitely not what you could call close anymore – it hadn’t always been that way – when we were little we got on great guns... It was just lately that she’d started to totally resent me being around…

I shook my head as he continued to grin at me in that predatory way – I was no one’s bitch… “Well, she was mistaken – and she’s not my sister anyway, dickhead; she’s only my foster sister and we don’t really get along. I’m guessing she thought this was some kind of joke, so I’ll apologise on her behalf and I’ll be on my way.”

His grip on my arm got tighter and his expression turned to one of anger. Well, that was just great, wasn’t it? I could see that I was going to have to show him that being gay didn’t mean being a pansy as so many people seemed to labour under the misapprehension of… “Let go of my arm, dude.” I said in a warning voice.

“Hey!” Another voice to my left shouted, making us both jump. I turned to find the most gorgeous guy I’d ever had the pleasure of seeing stood in front of me and Dickhead, looking heartily annoyed, “You heard him,” he snarled, “Let go of my friend’s arm.”

I was about to open my mouth and tell him quite indignantly that I was not apprehending Dickhead at all when Dickhead spoke and I realised that Gorgeous was actually speaking to him.

“Your friend?” Dickhead sneered, looking him up and down as if he were a cockroach or something equally as horrible.

Gorgeous took a step closer, “That’s what I just said, isn’t it?”  He asked sarcastically.

Dickhead dropped my arm and snorted, “He was a crap date anyway,” he muttered and walked away.

I turned towards Gorgeous, “Thanks.” I said awkwardly, “I was handling it – but thanks for the support.”

He just smiled and nodded, “Glad to be of help.” He said sticking his hand out, “My name’s Simon,”

I grinned and took his hand in mine. It was warm and slightly roughened making me wonder what he did for a living. “Bailey.” I said, “It’s uh, it’s really nice to meet you.”

Simon nodded, “Likewise.” He said looking at me with unguarded interest, “Do you really have somewhere you have to be, or would you like to stay for a drink?”

I grinned. Being hit on by someone that looked like him was rare – and very welcome… “A drink sounds pretty good actually.” I agreed.

 

 

Chapter I – Wading in…

 

Simon

 

Sitting in my booth at the club my cousin owned and nursing my glass of cola just to be doing something rather than being at home on my night off where it was becoming more than unbearable to be, I couldn’t help overhearing a conversation going on in the booth right next to me.

Some guy was having a drink with another guy – but the arsehole of the two of them seemed to be under the impression that the other one wanted to go home with him – and that really wasn’t what it sounded like to me…

“Let go of my arm dude.”

That was it. I’d heard enough… I shot out of my seat and rounded the corner, “You heard him.” I snarled, “Let go of my friend’s arm.” I’d acted on instinct and well before I’d even had a good look at the aggressor. I wasn’t unduly worried – being a rugby player I was pretty well built and strong enough to take on pretty much anyone – that said, I wasn’t a street-fighter kind of guy and I wouldn’t dream of carrying a knife – but I knew nothing of this guy... At this point I still hadn’t even looked at the guy being manhandled – as much as I knew, he might have been able to totally take care of himself for as much notice I’d taken before wading in. It was a terrible weakness of mine...

I decided to check at that moment and I’m not gonna lie to you, my knees about buckled when he looked around at me with a slightly surprised look on his beautiful face. Holy fucking shit, Date Guy was the most beautiful guy I’d ever laid eyes on – and since he was on a date with another guy – I was guessing that he must also be gay…

The bully left as he looked up, and up again (six feet five – what can I say? I’m huge) and Date Guy smiled up at me, “Thanks.” He said, “I was handling it – but thanks anyway.”

I smiled back at him, my heart in my mouth. He had dark wavy hair and dark brown eyes that I swear were made up with mascara and a little guy liner – something I’d only used when I was staying over at a friend’s house or when Mum and Dad were away on business. They would totally freak if they saw me wearing anything other than jeans and a tee shirt and make up was definitely not an option at him – it was something they would never accept in a million years.

Date Guy was looking at me with open interest but I had no idea what I was going to do now that I’d charged in and helped – I was utterly crap at the whole chatting up thing. I’d never come out to anyone in the family other than my brother, Buzz, and I was terrified of anyone ever finding out. Still, there was something about this particular guy that I couldn’t help being drawn to. I stuck my hand out – I know, I know – I’m way too formal and old before my time… “Glad to be of help,” I said, “My name is Simon.”

His answering smile made my heart beat even faster. He grabbed my offered hand and pumped it, “I’m Bailey.” He said, “It’s really nice to meet you.”

 

 

Chapter II – Knight in shining armour?

 

Bailey

 

I got home a couple of hours later – with Simon’s phone number and a promise that he’d call if I didn’t.

Rich, my foster dad was still up when I got in. He looked up from his laptop, “Hey Bailey.” He said with a grin, “Good night?”

I shrugged, “I’ve had better,” I said, “…And worse.”  I added as I recalled Simon and his incredible body and cute face. Damn, he was everything I’d dreamt of in a boyfriend…

He frowned, “Wasn’t this a friend of Laura’s?” he asked.

I shrugged, “Yeah, well…”

He shook his head, frowning at me, “What happened?” he growled.

“He wasn’t a nice guy.” I said shortly, “Let’s just leave it at that, shall we?”

Rich’s frown became a scowl, “Do you need me to have a word with her?”

I shook my head, “I dealt with it – he won’t be bothering me again.” Thanks to Simon…

Rich raised an eyebrow, a small smile on his face, “So if it didn’t work out with him – where have you been until this time?”

I couldn’t stop the wide smile from breaking out across my face, “Well, as it happens, I met this other guy…”

Rich nodded, his smile growing as he looked at me hopefully, “And?”

I sighed; he might have been the most beautiful guy on the planet but he was so deeply buried in the closet he’d have to dig his way out, “I uh, I don’t think he’s out.” Understatement of the century…

Rich sighed along with me, “Then keep looking,” He said shortly, “You’ve nothing to be ashamed of and that’s the way he’ll make you feel if you allow it.”

I shook my head, “No, I don’t think he will – we exchanged numbers – I’m hopeful, Rich.”

Rich nodded, “Well, just so long as he doesn’t try to pull you back into the closet with him, son.” He muttered.

I smiled, “He won’t.” I said, “I’m out and proud.”

Rich smiled at me fondly, “Yeah, you always were.” He said, “Even when you first came to stay with us, you brought one prize possession with you – your fairy princess bike – it was too small for you and really needed throwing out but you wouldn’t have any other – and you came home all excited from your first day of school saying you’d met the most perfect boy and that you were going to marry him, just as soon as you were both all grown up.” He chuckled.

I chuckled along with him, “Nathan Matthews.” I said, “Great guy and damn, he’s still beautiful.”

Rich laughed with me, “Beautiful,” he agreed, “But sadly, straight as a die.”

I nodded, “Yeah, well,” I shrugged, a big grin all over my face, “can’t win ‘em all – he still loves me.”

Dad grinned and nodded, “But not as much as he loves his wife.” He reminded me with a wink.

It was true, Nathan and Sophie had dated since they were sixteen and had gotten married a year ago after five years of dating. As his best friend, I was his best man even though most people probably thought I’d have been better suited as a bridesmaid...

I was blessed with good friends that accepted me for being the way I was without thinking there was something wrong with me. It made me wonder what sort of a life Simon had, to be so reluctant to be out…

 

 

You can read Hendrix and Mason’s love story in the Studs & Steel Novella, Dangerous Love...

 

Coming soon

 

Prologue

 

Hendrix

 

“Let yourself off the hook for the night, Hendrix.” Brendan said, smiling at me.

I gave him a watery smile back. “Yeah, right.” I scoffed, “And get beaten black and blue when I go back tonight with half the money Lenny’s expecting? No thanks.”

Brendan whipped out his wallet at the speed of light, “I know I can’t tell you how to live your life. I never stepped up when you were born and I have no rights over you – but you’re still my flesh and blood – and I don’t want you living like this. You’ve got brains, Hendrix. Use them – get the fuck out of this city and make a new life far away from here.”

I nodded, “I will. That’s what my plan is. But I can’t take your money, man...”

He thrust a wad of twenty pound notes in my hand, “Call it a loan, then.” He said with a wink, “You can pay me back when you make your first million, okay?” He got up to leave.

I grinned. Sometimes I really wished things had been different and that Brendan had been my dad growing up. There was nothing wrong with Henry – the guy who raised me as his own – apart from dying on me when I needed him the most and only months after Mum was killed in an accident. Oh, yeah – as fucked up lives went – mine was right up there...

But I decided that for once, I was going to let myself off the hook. I was going to dance – and let loose a little. I’d got a pocketful of money thanks to Brendan’s generosity and I was going to have a drink and a little fun that didn’t involve blowjobs and hand jobs for money... I said goodbye to Brendan who was heading home and I headed for the bar. I wasn’t going home at all tonight if I could help it – it was so lonely there.

“Hi.”

I glanced to my right and found myself nose to nose with an incredibly attractive young guy around my age. “Oh, hi.” I nodded to him.

“Fancy a drink? My treat.” He said.

I frowned. Fuck did he recognise me from a previous hook up or worse – had he been a client of mine?

“No thanks.” I said sharply, “I can pay my own way.”

He blinked and looked a little hurt, “Okay, Jeez.” He murmured, “I was just...”

“What?” I snapped, “Looking for a fucking freebie?”

He stared at me with a completely confused look, “Uh?”

I felt my face heating up. He was a regular guy, hitting on another regular guy... that was all this was. Only I wasn’t a regular guy. I was trailer-trash. I was a prostitute. I was so far beneath him with his beautiful skin and his beautifully made up eyes and his clean clothes and his delicious scent that I could smell from here it was pitiful... “I’m sorry.” I said, “Just chat up someone worth your effort, mate.” I’m scum...

He smiled, “That’s what I was doing.” He said.

Oh, God... Why me? Why today when I have no commitments? This wasn’t the way it was supposed to go down... I was getting out of here, not meeting someone that would make me want to stay. Don’t be nice to me. Don’t...

But he was nice to me – and I did stay. For far too long...

 

 

Chapter I

 

Mason

 

I’d seen the cute guy with the big blue eyes and the cropped blonde hair way before he spotted me. He was chatting to another guy, about fifteen or sixteen years older than him maybe – who looked really quite similar now that I came to think about it. Maybe they were related... or not... Whatever. I didn’t care about him being related to the guy – I was just kind of fascinated with him. He was very attractive. He was of medium height and build – not too big, not too small. Perfect, a little voice in the back of my mind piped up.

The excitement in my stomach as he headed away from the older guy and approached the bar was hard to contain. I had to speak to him. I had to...

I blurted out the first thing I could thing of – which thankfully was actually appropriate to the situation. I offered to buy him a drink but he wasn’t exactly what you’d call approachable. He looked at me suspiciously and told me in no uncertain terms that he really wasn’t interested. But I didn’t believe him. A flicker of interest in his eyes belied his words.

Still, it was time to tread carefully, “Jeez, I was just...”

He snapped something about me wanting a freebie, which was a bit weird since I’d offered him a drink and I looking at him in confusion.

He sighed and apologised, “I’m sorry.” he said, “Just chat up someone worth your effort, mate.”

Ahh, A mystery man with a murky past. He thought he was saving me from my bad self... I smiled, “That’s what I was doing.” I said.

And now he looked panicked but his eyes were still gazing at me with longing. And I felt that pull. It really was love at first sight... This was the one I’d been looking for my whole life. Someone who needed me as much as I needed him. It was like magic...

Of course when magic comes along in your life – it’s laced with a little of the black magic too – and he sure as hell had his very own evil wizard in his life – his cousin, Lenny Roblinski. I’d heard of the Roblinskis and the McCarthys come to that – but I had no idea that the beautiful guy sitting at the bar was the younger brother of the guy who’d been shot, right here in the club, a couple of years ago until he started talking to me.

“Hang on a minute,” I frowned at him as I took a sip of my cocktail through the fancy straw, “your cousin is Lenny Roblinski?” Fuck. That guy was supposedly a pimp...

He shrugged and nodded, “Someone’s gotta be related to him,” he muttered, “Guess I just got really fucking unlucky.”

I nodded, “And so your brother was...?”

He raised his massive blue eyes to mine and nodded again, “Yeah.” He said, “We weren’t really what you’d call close – what with him only having a relationship with heroin and crystal meth in the end but he was still a buffer, you know...?” he went red. Clearly thinking he’d said too much he changed the subject, “So, what do you do?”

I smiled shyly at him. I really wasn’t one for talking about myself. I’d always kind of thought that I had nothing to tell anyone worth listening to, “Well, I live up at Northcote farm on the east side.

He nodded, “Oh, yeah.” He said, “I know the place.”

I rolled my eyes, “Mum wants me to take over the running of the place when she retires...” But I wanted more... I wanted to go places. Travel the world, get my degree in art and be an artist...

Hendrix (I know – who has a name like that? So fucking cool) looked at me with interest, “Oh, wow.” He murmured, “What sort of farm is it?”

I blinked, “Well, you know – we do potatoes and carrots and swedes and beetroots – we supply the markets and we have a couple of lines of the ‘posh’ veg in the supermarket in the town. Cavalo Nero and Pak Choi among others.”

His eyes widened, “Oh, wow.” He breathed, “That sounds amazing.”

Amazing? It was hard work and pretty damned boring as far as I was concerned. But I guess I’d grown up with it. He was looking at it with fresh eyes – and through a pair of (very heavily tinted) rose-tinted glasses... I shrugged, “Yeah, I guess it’s pretty cool – but getting up at five in the morning soon starts to piss you off.” I grinned. It was no joke getting up that early to go around the farm checking everything before heading off to college.

It had been nice when we were kids. My sister was two years older than me and she’d left for university two years ago. She was doing really well and she really didn’t want to come back for anything more than a visit these days, having met the man of her dreams.

Sadly, Dad died a year ago – leaving us financially quite well off – but still with the working farm to manage between me and Mum.

Mum was passionate about the place but I really wasn’t. My passions lay in the beauty of the place. I couldn’t deny that. I could spend hours sitting in the fields, sketching the landscape and watching the birds in the trees and the hedgerows going about their business. It was an idyllic place to grow up but it wasn’t really where I wanted to spend the rest of my life – just me and Mum. I wanted to spread my wings and fly. And meet the man of my dreams... But hello! I think I just had...

He was looking back at me with a little smile on that gorgeous rose-bud mouth of his. I really wanted to kiss those beautiful lips. They were so red in his pale face. He was like a model. All golden haired and massive blue eyes. He looked like a doll. “Yeah,” he agreed, “I can see how that could become a little wearing. I’m usually just getting in at that time.”

I chuckled, “Party animal.” I joked.

He sighed and shook his head, “Well, not really.” He muttered, “I’m just trying to survive.”

I frowned, “Want to come back to the farm?” I offered, “I could show you around?” It was lame but hell, what else did I have to offer?

I was convinced he’d tell me to fuck off but he didn’t. He nodded his head, “I’d love that.” He said enthusiastically, scrambling off his barstool. “Now?”

His eyes were sparkling and he suddenly looked like a little kid at Christmas. My heart melted, “Sure.” I agreed. I reached for his hand but he snatched it away from me, “Not in here.” He muttered. “I’ll go to the bathroom – you head out and wait for me.”

I blinked, “Oh, okay...”

He nodded and disappeared to the bathroom.

I headed for the doors. Buzz looked at me in surprise, “Going already, mate?” he asked.

I shrugged and nodded, “early start tomorrow.” I said.

He nodded, “Say hi to your Mum for me.”

I nodded and grinned. Mum was quite well known around the community. She did farmers markets on the first Saturday of every month in the town square and I helped her out for most of them. Buzz was a regular customer along with his cute little boyfriend and Mum adored the pair of them. She often told me I should look for a guy like Buzz. But there was only one Buzz and he already had his happy ever after...

Well, now I might have found mine – but there were things about my mystery man that I needed to figure out before I allowed myself to fall in love...Ahh, who the hell was I kidding? I was halfway there already.

 

 

 

Short Stories by Heather Mar-Gerrison

 

 

Friends

Zoe’s First Date with Fate

Save The Last Dance (Dance #1)

Can We Dance (Dance #2)

Inevitable…

Seven

Something Stupid

Maybe Never…

Kiss The Boy (Boy Next Door #1)

Are We Good...? (Boy Next Door #2)

Equal Measures (Boy Next Door #3)

Some Kind of Paradise (Boy Next Door #4)

Without You... (Boy Next Door #5)

Looking for Trouble (Boy Next Door #6)

Best Boyfriend Ever... (Boy Next Door #7)

Racing Hearts... (Boy Next Door #8)

I need a little time... (Boy Next Door #9)

 

What If... I Belonged to You? (What If? #1)

 

 

Coming Soon

 

What If... I want commitment? (What If #2)

What If... I Remember? (What If? #3)

 

 

Contemporary Romance by

Heather Mar-Gerrison

 

The One That Got Away

If I Can’t Have You

Like No Other

Summer Break (Summer Break series #1)

Too Easy to Pretend

Operation Boyfriend (Operation Boyfriend #1)

All Kinds of Trouble (Operation Boyfriend #2)

The Trouble with Tyler (Operation Boyfriend #3)

What Happens with Vegas (Operation Boyfriend #4)

 

True… Love (Riverside #1)

Tomas… Enchanted (Riverside #2)

Tatum… Undercover (Riverside #3)

Toby… Captivated (Riverside #4)

Trey… Unbelievable (Riverside #5)

Sam… Distracted (Riverside #6)

 

Peyton... Protected (Studs & Steel #1)

River... Redeemed (Studs & Steel #2)

Alfie... Abused (Studs & Steel #3)

Buzz... Bedazzled (Studs & Steel #4)

 

Looking out for Lorenzo

(A Studs & Steel Novella)

A Shoulder To Cry On

(A Studs & Steel Novella)

 

Coming Soon

 

 

Emilio… Enraptured (Riverside #7)

Riverside… The Weddings (Riverside #8)

 

 

Simon... Spellbound (Studs & Steel #6)

Seth... Saved (Studs & Steel #7)

Thai... Troubled (Studs & Steel #8)

 

Dangerous Love (A Studs & Steel Novella)

 

Summer Dreams (Summer Break #2)

Clean Break (Summer Break #3)

 

When Deanna Met Lincoln (Operation Boyfriend #5)

Misunderstood… Theo’s Fight For Love (Operation Boyfriend #6)

 

 

 

Heather also writes historical romance eBooks

 

The Duchess of Chittenden (Duchess #1)

Highway to Society (Duchess #2)

The Real Duke of Circhester (Brunswick #1)

Philip Brunswick is getting married (Brunswick #2)

 

Coming Soon

 

Matilda’s Escape (Brunswick #3)

An Unlikely Hero

The Lady and the Blacksmith

Rosy’s leap year

Gabriella’s unexpected proposal

The Other Son… (Duchess #3)

 

 

Check out my blog at https://www.heathermar-gerrison.blogspot.com for news of my upcoming books.

Follow me on Twitter: @hmgwriting

Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heather.margerrison.5

Follow me on Pinterest: https://uk.pinterest.com/heathemg

 

 

About the Author

 

I live in Nottingham, England with my lovely, long suffering and incredibly patient husband and my two beautiful daughters. We also have two cats that we adopted from the RSPCA, Bella and Romeo... and a brand new member of the family – Enzo, our Border Terrier puppy...

When I’m not looking after a wayward puppy – I’m generally writing a book, any spare time I get between these two pursuits, you can either find me curled up with a good book that someone else wrote and a cat or a dog on my knee in place of the laptop, or I’ll be pottering about in the greenhouse, whilst plotting my next storyline in my head, muttering to myself like a crazy woman.... It’s not easy living with all the voices of my characters in my head!