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asphaltcowgrrlTitle: Cops and Rubies Chapter 7
Fandom: Romani Detective Original Fiction
Pairing: Andrej Zeklos + Zayne Reyes
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 5,010
Summary: The boys are moving in for the collar, but nothing is ever as easy as it seems.
Author’s Note: Last ‘real’ chapter in this fic, so hopefully you’ve enjoyed yourselves. One last bit to this and we’re done. I’ll see you at the epilogue. :D
Continued from here.
“Are you sure you want to go through with this?” Hilary stood in the doorway leading to the bathroom, observing her faux husband getting ready for his big date.
Although they’d made Reyes buy a new outfit for the night, Andrej had been allowed to wear one of his favorite suits. It was a three piece in slate blue that didn’t get worn very often. It was something he’d picked up a few years ago while in New York City for a conference. At the time, a wool suit had sounded like a good idea, seeing as it was wintertime on the East Coast. In the depths of hell – also known as the desert in summertime – it was pure folly. So, it resided in his closet waiting for the day when hell might actually freeze over and become useful again.
“Not particularly,” Zek said, pulling a silver tie around his neck. “But I can’t see that I have much choice if we ever want to get out of this place and close the case. Playing at being Reyes’ boyfriend isn’t the most enticing thing I’ve had offered to me lately.”
Although that wasn’t quite a lie, it wasn’t exactly the truth, either. It was the ‘playing at’ part that made it unpalatable. He finished the knot in his tie and studied his reflection in the mirror. Hilary’s amber eyes watched from behind him. “Well, what do you think?”
“Turn around,” she said, coming closer.
He turned to face her, arms held out to his sides. She looked him up and then down, fingers grazing along the lapel of his suit. A hand brushed a wrinkle from the seat of his pants. With a nod, she declared him presentable.
“I think you look good enough to eat,” she said, grinning. “This suit is gorgeous, Andy. You couldn’t have chosen better.”
“Well, okay then,” he stammered, unsure of what else to say. “It is one of my favorites.”
Hilary moved forward until there were only a few inches between them. With the familiarity of someone intimate with another, she gave the knot at his neck a slight adjustment and smoothed his tie. “Silk? Very nice,” she said. “I’m even willing to bet that the ever unflappable Zayne Reyes will be duly impressed with how good you look tonight.”
A pounding at the door drew both of their attention away from Zeklos and into the living room. “That has to be him,” Andrej said. “Anyone else would have simply knocked.”
“So true,” Hilary laughed, making her way towards the door. Opening it and finding Reyes on the other side, she called out, “Honey, your date’s here.”
Zeklos scowled at her. “Are you going to make him stand in the hall all night or are you going to let him in?”
“Oh, I suppose I ought to let him in,” she said, mischief sparkling in her eyes. “It’s like prom all over again with you two. All I’m missing is my camera.”
Zayne gave her an odd look as she walked away. “You look…”
Andrej raised his eyebrows, heart in his throat. “Yes?”
Shaking his head, Reyes gave a sheepish smile. “Like a banker. But it’s a good look on you. Come on, we’re going to be late.”
“Make sure you have him back by midnight, Reyes. And he better not be pregnant when you return him, either!” Hilary’s cackle followed them all the way to the door.
“Oh dear god,” Zeklos muttered.
“She’s jealous I’m not taking her,” Reyes whispered as he steered Zeklos out into the hallway. They stepped inside the elevator when the doors parted and settled into what had become their usual spots. Hint number one they’d spent too much of their time inside the metal box. “I did mean what I said though. You always look like you’ve stepped out of a men’s fashion magazine, but you’ve outdone yourself tonight.”
Andrej forced himself to meet Reyes’ gaze. “Thank you,” he said, praying his voice didn’t shake. “I can’t say I’ve ever seen you in a suit though. It completely transforms you into an adult. Trish did a good job picking that one out for you.”
The silvery green-grey material complimented the color of Reyes’ eyes and made his skin seem darker, creamier than usual. Zayne was a walking male model in casual clothes. Dressing him in a suit and tie only upped the ante by a lot.
“Oh ha ha,” he said. “I always have at least one decent outfit in my closet, just in case. But I’ll admit, Trish was right and I needed something nicer than my best.”
He didn’t push it. Everyone’s tastes were different and he couldn’t expect Zayne to wear a suit and tie everyday if he wasn’t comfortable with it. Zek tried to convince himself that this bit of understanding had nothing to do with how delectable his partner looked in a pair of worn denims and a flannel, failing miserably. The rugged cowboy look suited his partner.
“Do we have any kind of game plan for tonight, Zayne?” Andrej checked his watch and then studied the slowly decreasing numbers on the elevator display.
“Outside of playing ball in order to find out what the hell is going on around here, no.” Reyes frowned and tapped his foot on the floor. “I don’t like this, something doesn’t feel right.”
“I agree,” Zeklos said. “I also do not trust either of these two. Anything they serve us tonight could be suspect.”
“Good point,” Reyes said, stilling his anxious foot. “I’d assume the food would be safer than the drinks, so avoid drinking anything and eating as little as possible.”
“Agreed.” Zek looked up as the elevator reached the ground floor. “It’s too late to turn back now, I suppose.”
“How right you are.” Reyes held his arm out towards the opening elevator doors. “After you, my dear.”
“Ah, so there are my two friends,” Antonio called, greeting them halfway into the private dining room. “Come, come, have a seat.”
“Thank you for inviting us,” Reyes said, scanning the room, years of training kicking in instinctively. “This is an impressive place to share a meal.”
It truly was, too, although not quite in the way he’d expected. Vaulted ceilings draped with elegant chandeliers hovered over everything. Gilt-edged mirrors covered the top halves of the walls while the lower portions were decorated with thick moldings and etched cherubs. It was like a Valentine’s Day sale had erupted in the place, with every square inch covered in something sappy, Victorian, or gaudy.
“My wife has taken ill so she won’t be joining us tonight,” Antonio was saying, guiding them to the table and the three places set at it.
“What a shame,” Zeklos said. “Such a lovely woman, I hope she’s feeling in top form before long.”
“Yes, yes, of course she will.” Antonio pulled out a chair and offered it to Zeklos. “Please, be seated. Drinks will arrive in a moment. Ah, here’s Maria.”
The buxom blonde they’d run into several times at the bar appeared with three glasses and a bottle of expensive red wine. She placed the glasses together at the end of the table and handed each off as she filled it, starting again with Zeklos. It was beginning to worry him that they were showing him such deference when it was Zayne they’d invited to dinner. Zek wasn’t anything more than an accessory, a plus one, if you would. Arm candy, is what the girls would have called him (and had). So why was he the one getting served first?
If Reyes had noticed, he gave no indication of it. Zayne lifted the glass and inhaled the scent of the wine. Zeklos wasn’t sure if he knew what he was sniffing for, but his partner made a good show of it and in a situation like this, appearances counted for more than fact. There were probably many hours of the Cooking Channel behind that little move, but he couldn’t fault him for giving it that extra effort. Zayne took a small sip and nodded his approval.
Smiling, Antonio lifted his glass as well and looked to Andrej. Following suit, Zek lifted his glass as well. “Cheers,” Antonio toasted, taking a healthy swig from his wine.
“Cheers,” Zayne added, miming another sip.
“Noroc,” Andrej added out of habit, cringing when the non-English toast slipped out unbidden.
Antonio turned an appraising look towards him. “I must say, that’s a toast I’ve never heard before.”
For the love of god, he berated himself. “My apologies, old habits die hard, it seems.”
“No, don’t apologize, I find other languages and countries fascinating. Much like their inhabitants.” Antonio rested an elbow on the table, chin fitting perfectly in his upturned palm.
“Looks like someone’s got an admirer,” Zayne murmured. “He’s an intriguing one, to say the least.”
“Shut up,” Andrej muttered back. “Nothing exciting about me. I’m simply an immigrant living the American Dream.”
“How so?” He had the man’s attention if nothing else.
Zeklos shrugged, stalling for time. “I came to this country with the equivalent of forty American dollars in my pocket and look at me now. A successful business man with a beautiful wife and an exceedingly handsome lover. I have more than I could have ever dreamed of when I arrived in the United States.”
He felt more than saw Zayne shift beside him. What he’d said had been true, for the most part. He had arrived in this country with mere dollars in his pocket, but he’d obviously not become a wealthy businessman nor was Zayne his lover. Pity that last bit. The comforting, solid heat of Zayne’s hand landed on his wrist, giving reassurance and the semblance of that intimate connection between them.
Antonio licked his lips. “You make quite the couple,” he said. “Very attractive, the both of you. Do your women ever join in on the fun? A ménage à trois with either of those lovely women would be absolute heaven.”
Forcing his disgust to the side, Zeklos managed a smile. “Without a doubt. They’re both very… special women.” Mainly because they were robbery homicide detectives, but Antonio could believe what he wanted to. “A ménage a quatre is our true ideal.”
“More wine,” Maria asked, topping off their nearly full glasses before either Antonio or Zayne could respond.
“None for me, my dear,” Antonio announced. “I’m waiting until dinner arrives.”
“Should only be a few more minutes, Mr. Simon. Anything else I can get any of you?” She tilted her pretty head and glanced from face to face before taking her leave.
Zeklos rubbed the back of his neck with his right hand, exposing his watch to view. It was a calculated move, but one he hadn’t meant to exhibit so early in the evening. The man’s ego was beginning to give him a headache, he was already feeling it building in his neck and shoulders.
“That’s a mighty fine watch you’re wearing, Mr. Cahill. May I have a better look?” Antonio held out his hand, palm up.
Flashing a brief glance at Zayne, Andrej stretched his arm across the table until his dinner host took him by the hand. The tips of Simon’s fingers brushed against the palm of Zeklos’ hand, giving him a rush of creepy shivers. Reyes, the ever-attentive detective, stiffened at his side, managing to play it off as an indignant reaction to Antonio’s friendliness.
“Honey,” Reyes said, taking hold of Zeklos’ arm and pulling gently, “I think you need to stop holding hands with our guest. He might think you’re trying to come onto him.”
“Nonsense,” Antonio insisted, gripping Andrej’s hand tightly so that it wasn’t taken from him. “I just want a better look-see at this amazing timepiece he’s wearing.”
“Yes, honey,” Andrej said, giving his partner a sideways look. “He only wants to look at my watch.”
“I bet that’s not the only thing he wants a look-see at either,” Zayne grumbled, releasing his hold on Andrej’s arm.
Zeklos blinked. There was a very real note of jealousy hiding in those words. “Baby, please…”
“Don’t ‘baby’ me,” Reyes said, pushing his chair back and standing abruptly. “I’ve had more than enough for one night. I’ll see you back at our room. If you come back.”
Stunned, he watched open-mouthed as his partner stormed out of the dining room. Andrej had to pray that Reyes had a plan up his sleeve although odds were, he had just been abandoned to the wolves. Fingers on his skin drew him out of his reverie. “What just happened?”
Antonio chuckled, a celebratory note in the laughter. “This lifestyle isn’t for everyone, especially not those who are prone to bouts with the green-eyed monster. It looks like your boyfriend isn’t cut out for any of this.”
Like I am, he thought, amused. “Zayne can be a little… intense… when it comes to something he feels passionately about. It’s what attracted me to him at first.”
“Really,” Antonio said, drawing the word out. “And here I would have thought it was that rock hard ass of his. Or even that southern swagger.”
Glass halfway to his mouth, Zeklos choked on Simon’s words. Yeah, his ass was beyond compare, but it certainly wasn’t Reyes’ best quality once you got to know the guy. “Excuse me,” he said, trying to cover his shock.
“Take a drink,” Antonio urged. “Let me get you more wine. Maria?”
“No,” he said, a little too quickly. “No, I’m fine.” He took the smallest sip of the wine he could manage without arousing suspicion.
Antonio’s eyes narrowed, but he nodded his head. “You sure? Ah, here’s Maria with our dinner.”
Setting the plates down, Maria noticed the empty spot left by Zayne. “We’re missing someone,” she said.
“Yes, Mr. Mendez had an emergency he needed to attend to,” Antonio said, explaining away Reyes’ absence.
“His loss,” Maria said, winking. “Is there anything else I can get you?”
“Not right now, Maria. Thank you.” Antonio dismissed her without a second thought.
Maria left the room, leaving Zeklos alone with the creep who kept fondling his watch. It was beginning to annoy him more than anything else. For a jewel thief, he wasn’t very subtle. “Mr. Simon –”
“Antonio, please,” he said, removing his hand from Andrej’s wrist. “Eat up, Andrej. The food here is delicious.”
Not that he would know, they’d only frequented the café since they’d arrived. Partly because the food was more reasonable but mostly because they’d blended in better. A loud, sometimes arguing party went over a little better in a run of the mill café than it did in a fancy dining restaurant. And to be honest, the four of them argued a lot when they were shoved together for any length of time.
Zeklos let his host dig in first while he studied his plate. Typical arrangement of supposedly aphrodisiacal foods: oysters, brie with honey, chili peppers dotting everything. He gave a soft, sarcastic grunt. There was no doubt that dessert would be chocolate of some sort. The man was more in your face than a cat seeking attention. Just as subtle, too.
“You’re not eating,” Antonio remarked, a slight edge creeping into his voice. “Is there a problem with your food? Something you don’t like?”
“No,” he said, honestly. In truth, he enjoyed oysters, even if they’d never had the added bonus of upping his libido. “Just planning my eating strategy is all.”
He turned up the charm to eleven, something he had difficulty doing most days, and hit his host with his biggest, most adorable smile. It must’ve been enough because Antonio returned the smile, warmly, and dug into his food. Zeklos realized that he had no choice, he had to eat something to keep Simon from becoming any more apprehensive. Taking fork in hand, he reluctantly skewered a piece of salmon and lifted it to his mouth. With a prayer to the heavens, he ate.
Zeklos stole a glance at his watch. It’d been nearly half an hour since Reyes had abandoned him and he was beginning to wonder if he was ever coming back. Every time he set his fork down, he was urged to have another bite, take another drink. Judging by the hard glint in Simon’s eyes, they were more statements than requests. Stalling Antonio with talk only worked so well and he found himself eating more than he’d planned to. When his phone buzzed in his jacket pocket, he reached for it automatically.
“What are you doing,” Antonio asked, mistrust thick in the air.
“My phone,” Zeklos said, feeling a little surreal. “Someone’s texting me.”
“Ignore it,” Antonio ordered, face hard.
“It might be Zayne,” he said, praying to all that was holy that his partner was finally reaching out to him. “We fought, I can’t let him think I’m still mad.” Or dead, for that matter.
“Fine, but be quick about it. He left us, we don’t need him.” Simon took a long draw from his wine.
Andrej fumbled his phone out of his jacket and glanced at the text – Zayne had come through, finally.
You okay? He hasn’t got you naked in the private dining room has he?
Jerk. Not quite, but that food… either it or the wine was drugged. I don’t feel very real right now. Truth be told, he was having a difficult time getting the words into the text. His fingers felt thick and clumsy.
Shit. Hang on for ten more minutes. The girls and I are coming for you.
“Put the phone away,” Antonio demanded, leaning over trying to see what Zeklos had been texting.
“Just let me tell him I love him and…” Andrej returned to texting.
I love you, baby. See you soon? Please don’t be mad.
That would make Zayne wonder, but he could explain it later. It wasn’t worth whatever might happen if Simon saw he was texting anything other than what Andrej had said he was. His phone buzzed again and he caught a brief glimpse of Reyes’ return text. Something along the lines of WTF are you talking about? Are you in trouble? Shoving his phone back into his pocket, Zeklos turned that smile back on his host.
Antonio lifted his glass and proposed a toast of sorts. “I think that this is the beginning of something beautiful, don’t you Andrej? I think that you and I and maybe eventually that pretty little wife of yours could become awfully good friends. You don’t need that asshole for company when you can have me.”
Zeklos cringed internally at the idea of the man even thinking about touching Hilary any more than he already had. The idea of letting Simon touch him was even less appealing. “I believe you may be on to something there, Antonio.”
Tilting his glass forward, he tapped it against the one Andrej held aloft. The sound of chiming crystal rang in the room and Antonio knocked back the remaining wine in his glass. “Oh, now my dear Andrej, your glass is still full. You must have a drink to celebrate our budding partnership.” His eyes narrowed menacingly. “I insist.”
He was trapped. Steeling his nerves, Zeklos lifted the glass too his lips and took a swallow. It was warm and fruity as it swirled in his mouth and then down his throat. Drinking was the wrong thing to do, but there had been no choice. Zek forced a smile to his face and lowered his glass.
“Have another,” Antonio insisted, leaning across the table towards him.
“Of course,” he said, feeling uneasy. Andrej brought the crystal back to his lips and took another long draw from the glass. He had a sinking feeling that Antonio was going to sit there and watch until he’d drained the entire glass, only to pour him another.
If he took much longer, Reyes was going to find Zeklos naked, abused, and without his favorite watch by the time he managed to return to the dining room. And he’d never in his lifetime manage to live it down. He’d go from being ‘gypsy boy’ to ‘stripper boy’ or something equally humiliating in a matter of minutes. Reyes was good like that.
Wishing for a miracle, Zeklos took another sip of wine and waited.
“Got him,” Reyes announced, pulling Antonio Simon off his partner’s body. Handcuffs came out of his suit jacket and found their way around the thief’s wrists. “Pat him down, I think he managed to get Zek’s watch off him and he’ll be pissed if we don’t recover that little bit of bling.”
“It has to go into evidence,” Hilary reminded him. “Especially if we find it on his person.” She had brought Simon into an upright position and began searching his pockets. On her third try, a grin creased her face and she retrieved Zeklos’ very expensive Rolex from within the depths of Simon’s pants pocket. “Found it, Reyes.”
“Looks like we have a winner,” Trish said. “Nice work, Hil.”
“Good,” Zayne sighed. “We finally have some hard evidence.”
“Is Zeklos okay,” Trish asked, leaning over the prone detective, face down on the table.
When Zayne had entered the private dining room under the pretense of making up with Andrej, he’d found his partner slumped over the table with Simon relieving him of anything valuable. He tugged at Zeklos’ shoulder, turning him so he could see his face. “Yeah, I think he will be. Damnit, why couldn’t we have gotten here quicker?”
“Don’t beat yourself up, Reyes,” Hilary said, striding over to his side. “We did the best we could with what we had.”
“Maybe,” he grumbled. “Will one of you two go check on the uni we sent to find Ms. LaRoux?”
“On it,” Trish said, patting Zayne on the shoulder before leaving.
“I’ll take this asshole out to the unit waiting to transport him,” Hilary added. “See if you can get Andy to wake up.”
He nodded, only half listening. Zeklos’ face was paler than he’d ever seen it and he’d been drooling. Zayne patted him on the face twice, the second turning into more than a pat at the last second. When the dark lashes covering those big, blue eyes fluttered, relief washed over Reyes. “Buddy? You okay in there?”
“Buna ziua, frumos,” he slurred, words crashing into each other.
“English man,” Reyes laughed, helping him into a vertical position. “This is America after all.”
“Hey,” he tried again, wincing at the bright lights. “I said – hey.”
“All those words for ‘hey’?” Zayne gave a curt shake of his head. Pulling out a chair next to Zeklos, he sat down. “You need anything?”
“Some… water maybe?” It was hard forming words that Zayne would understand. The drugs had addled his brain so much that he was having a hard time not reverting to his native tongue each time he tried to speak. Which might actually be the better option considering he wasn’t having much luck controlling the words coming out of his mouth, either. Calling Zayne ‘handsome’ in any language wasn’t a smart call.
“Can we get some water,” Reyes asked a uniformed officer standing nearby. “Preferably a bottle with a sealed lid.”
“Yes, sir,” the officer replied, taking off in search of bottled water.
Zeklos fumbled at his wrist and sighed. “He got my watch. Why’d you let him get my watch?”
“Yeah,” Zayne said, frowning at Zeklos’ pouty face. “He swiped it, but Hil got it back for you. It’s going to have to spend some time in evidence, but you’ll get it returned.”
Zeklos rubbed his face with both hands, swaying slightly from side to side. “I feel sorry for the girls now,” he said, embarrassed. “I don’t know what he gave me, but it’s strong.”
“The captain’s requested a tox screen on you ASAP so we can find that much out. He’s sending someone over here to do it before we leave. Wish we’d gotten one on the girls now, too.”
“What about the blonde? Have we tracked her down?” Andrej leaned an elbow on the table and rested his cheek in his palm. It was the only way he was going to stay mostly vertical for now.
“Not yet, but Trish left to go check on that situation,” Reyes assured him.
“And Trish has returned,” the redhead announced. “The perky blonde has been apprehended. Two unis caught her coming out of the elevator carrying close to twenty thousand dollars’ worth of goodies that did not belong to her. Shame, shame.”
Andrej grinned weakly. “Half of that was Hilary’s too, wasn’t it?”
Rollins blinked. “Half? You’re shitting me.”
“Nope,” Zeklos replied, popping the ‘p’ like a four year old. “She was decked out in Tiffany’s finest the other night, she just didn’t know it.”
“Holy crap,” Trish breathed. “The captain told us it wasn’t fake, but that it wasn’t that expensive either.”
“He lied,” Zeklos said. “With good reason, too.”
He looked at Reyes and fell into the depths of his partner’s deep, green eyes. There was worry and concern there, but something else he couldn’t quite place. Zek prayed that it wasn’t disappointment or something equally disheartening because he’d done his best under the circumstances. Letting Reyes down was not an option. Damn drugs were making it hard to think clearly and he tried to shake it off.
Trish’s cackling laughter filled the air, startling Zeklos out of his mental fog. “What – what’s so funny?” He turned to Zayne and found him grinning, too. And blushing? Wait, that can’t be right. Nothing embarrassed the unflappable Zayne Reyes.
“You’ve been staring at his mouth for like a solid five minutes,” Trish giggled, pointing at Zeklos. “And then you told him you loved him and wanted to kiss him.” She had tears making tracks down her cheeks, her laughter was so all-consuming. “Oh god, Hil’s going to hate that she missed this.”
“I did?” He looked to Zayne for denial and saw nothing but unadulterated confirmation written on his partner’s face.
Reyes shrugged. “You did. And I’m a little hurt that you didn’t actually kiss me either. Such a tease, promising and not following through.”
There was no doubt in his mind that Reyes was screwing with him, knowing he wasn’t himself and yet, Andrej found he didn’t care. Blame it on the drugs or even having spent too many years keeping it all inside. It didn’t even occur to Zeklos that they weren’t alone, either. All he knew was that he needed this, needed it now. Even if it meant that he became the laughingstock of the precinct, this had to happen.
“Hey, I’m messing with you, Zek. You okay?” Reyes leaned forward, a hand extended to steady Zeklos’ unstable form.
In a breath, Zeklos took hold of Zayne’s lapels and brought him forward. His mouth met Reyes’ for the third time during this never-ending case. Knowing that this would also be the very last time he’d ever have cause to invade his partner’s personal space in this manner, he made it worth every ounce of humiliation and retribution that was sure to follow on the heels of his folly. From somewhere outside of him, he heard a sharp intake of breath – Trish and not Zayne – and he let it urge him on.
Andrej tilted his head to the side, opening his mouth and licking at Reyes’ lower lip. In response, Zayne threaded a hand into Zeklos’ hair, drawing him nearer and sucking his tongue into his mouth. A sound borne of desire resonated from somewhere deep inside Zeklos. It was all he’d ever wanted, to be kissed this way by this man for all of eternity. It was going to kill him to stop.
“Hole-lee shit,” Hilary exclaimed, startled by the entertainment happening without her.
Zayne gasped and released his hold on Zeklos. Heart pounding, Andrej chanced a glance at the gorgeous Texan and, not finding any regret etched there, attempted a smile. “Sorry,” he muttered.
The full force of the patented Reyes’ charm exploded over him then. “Third time’s the charm, gypsy boy. I guess that means we’re engaged.”
“You have strange customs in Texas, Reyes,” he said, every word a challenge. “We have more stringent rituals where I come from.”
“Okay, so engaged or not,” Hilary said, confusion evident, “someone has some explaining to do right now.”
“And look, here’s the doctor come to take your blood, Zeklos. Maybe we should get him to take a sample of Reyes’ while we’re at it and take you two down to the county courthouse.” Trish’s giggles were uncontainable.
It didn’t seem prudent to point out that blood tests weren’t required for a marriage license in Nevada, but the thought still skittered through his mind. “Maybe next week, Rollins,” Andrej chuckled. “I’m not sure I could stand before a justice of the peace right now.” Or anyone, honestly.
“Not to mention, we have china to pick out,” Reyes added, not helping at all. “Can we get the doc over here now so I can get him home so he can rest?”
“Right,” Trish said. “So he can rest. Gotcha, Reyes.”
Andrej let out a shaky breath. He was forever going to be reminded of this moment by all three of them. He couldn’t say he’d change a thing, however, even if he could. If nothing else, he could call it a bonding moment between the four of them. Reyes would make sure that he never got the upper hand again after tonight, so he had to take his chance when he had it. God only knew that kiss would keep him company for many nights to come.
Damn, he was pathetic.
Zayne stood with the physician and their two female counterparts. More than likely, they were discussing what had happened to him and what the captain wanted from the tox screen. No doubt Zayne was probably also asking for a psych evaluation, too, after what had just happened.
Eh, bring it on.
Story concludes here.
Fandom: Romani Detective Original Fiction
Pairing: Andrej Zeklos + Zayne Reyes
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 5,010
Summary: The boys are moving in for the collar, but nothing is ever as easy as it seems.
Author’s Note: Last ‘real’ chapter in this fic, so hopefully you’ve enjoyed yourselves. One last bit to this and we’re done. I’ll see you at the epilogue. :D
Continued from here.
“Are you sure you want to go through with this?” Hilary stood in the doorway leading to the bathroom, observing her faux husband getting ready for his big date.
Although they’d made Reyes buy a new outfit for the night, Andrej had been allowed to wear one of his favorite suits. It was a three piece in slate blue that didn’t get worn very often. It was something he’d picked up a few years ago while in New York City for a conference. At the time, a wool suit had sounded like a good idea, seeing as it was wintertime on the East Coast. In the depths of hell – also known as the desert in summertime – it was pure folly. So, it resided in his closet waiting for the day when hell might actually freeze over and become useful again.
“Not particularly,” Zek said, pulling a silver tie around his neck. “But I can’t see that I have much choice if we ever want to get out of this place and close the case. Playing at being Reyes’ boyfriend isn’t the most enticing thing I’ve had offered to me lately.”
Although that wasn’t quite a lie, it wasn’t exactly the truth, either. It was the ‘playing at’ part that made it unpalatable. He finished the knot in his tie and studied his reflection in the mirror. Hilary’s amber eyes watched from behind him. “Well, what do you think?”
“Turn around,” she said, coming closer.
He turned to face her, arms held out to his sides. She looked him up and then down, fingers grazing along the lapel of his suit. A hand brushed a wrinkle from the seat of his pants. With a nod, she declared him presentable.
“I think you look good enough to eat,” she said, grinning. “This suit is gorgeous, Andy. You couldn’t have chosen better.”
“Well, okay then,” he stammered, unsure of what else to say. “It is one of my favorites.”
Hilary moved forward until there were only a few inches between them. With the familiarity of someone intimate with another, she gave the knot at his neck a slight adjustment and smoothed his tie. “Silk? Very nice,” she said. “I’m even willing to bet that the ever unflappable Zayne Reyes will be duly impressed with how good you look tonight.”
A pounding at the door drew both of their attention away from Zeklos and into the living room. “That has to be him,” Andrej said. “Anyone else would have simply knocked.”
“So true,” Hilary laughed, making her way towards the door. Opening it and finding Reyes on the other side, she called out, “Honey, your date’s here.”
Zeklos scowled at her. “Are you going to make him stand in the hall all night or are you going to let him in?”
“Oh, I suppose I ought to let him in,” she said, mischief sparkling in her eyes. “It’s like prom all over again with you two. All I’m missing is my camera.”
Zayne gave her an odd look as she walked away. “You look…”
Andrej raised his eyebrows, heart in his throat. “Yes?”
Shaking his head, Reyes gave a sheepish smile. “Like a banker. But it’s a good look on you. Come on, we’re going to be late.”
“Make sure you have him back by midnight, Reyes. And he better not be pregnant when you return him, either!” Hilary’s cackle followed them all the way to the door.
“Oh dear god,” Zeklos muttered.
“She’s jealous I’m not taking her,” Reyes whispered as he steered Zeklos out into the hallway. They stepped inside the elevator when the doors parted and settled into what had become their usual spots. Hint number one they’d spent too much of their time inside the metal box. “I did mean what I said though. You always look like you’ve stepped out of a men’s fashion magazine, but you’ve outdone yourself tonight.”
Andrej forced himself to meet Reyes’ gaze. “Thank you,” he said, praying his voice didn’t shake. “I can’t say I’ve ever seen you in a suit though. It completely transforms you into an adult. Trish did a good job picking that one out for you.”
The silvery green-grey material complimented the color of Reyes’ eyes and made his skin seem darker, creamier than usual. Zayne was a walking male model in casual clothes. Dressing him in a suit and tie only upped the ante by a lot.
“Oh ha ha,” he said. “I always have at least one decent outfit in my closet, just in case. But I’ll admit, Trish was right and I needed something nicer than my best.”
He didn’t push it. Everyone’s tastes were different and he couldn’t expect Zayne to wear a suit and tie everyday if he wasn’t comfortable with it. Zek tried to convince himself that this bit of understanding had nothing to do with how delectable his partner looked in a pair of worn denims and a flannel, failing miserably. The rugged cowboy look suited his partner.
“Do we have any kind of game plan for tonight, Zayne?” Andrej checked his watch and then studied the slowly decreasing numbers on the elevator display.
“Outside of playing ball in order to find out what the hell is going on around here, no.” Reyes frowned and tapped his foot on the floor. “I don’t like this, something doesn’t feel right.”
“I agree,” Zeklos said. “I also do not trust either of these two. Anything they serve us tonight could be suspect.”
“Good point,” Reyes said, stilling his anxious foot. “I’d assume the food would be safer than the drinks, so avoid drinking anything and eating as little as possible.”
“Agreed.” Zek looked up as the elevator reached the ground floor. “It’s too late to turn back now, I suppose.”
“How right you are.” Reyes held his arm out towards the opening elevator doors. “After you, my dear.”
“Ah, so there are my two friends,” Antonio called, greeting them halfway into the private dining room. “Come, come, have a seat.”
“Thank you for inviting us,” Reyes said, scanning the room, years of training kicking in instinctively. “This is an impressive place to share a meal.”
It truly was, too, although not quite in the way he’d expected. Vaulted ceilings draped with elegant chandeliers hovered over everything. Gilt-edged mirrors covered the top halves of the walls while the lower portions were decorated with thick moldings and etched cherubs. It was like a Valentine’s Day sale had erupted in the place, with every square inch covered in something sappy, Victorian, or gaudy.
“My wife has taken ill so she won’t be joining us tonight,” Antonio was saying, guiding them to the table and the three places set at it.
“What a shame,” Zeklos said. “Such a lovely woman, I hope she’s feeling in top form before long.”
“Yes, yes, of course she will.” Antonio pulled out a chair and offered it to Zeklos. “Please, be seated. Drinks will arrive in a moment. Ah, here’s Maria.”
The buxom blonde they’d run into several times at the bar appeared with three glasses and a bottle of expensive red wine. She placed the glasses together at the end of the table and handed each off as she filled it, starting again with Zeklos. It was beginning to worry him that they were showing him such deference when it was Zayne they’d invited to dinner. Zek wasn’t anything more than an accessory, a plus one, if you would. Arm candy, is what the girls would have called him (and had). So why was he the one getting served first?
If Reyes had noticed, he gave no indication of it. Zayne lifted the glass and inhaled the scent of the wine. Zeklos wasn’t sure if he knew what he was sniffing for, but his partner made a good show of it and in a situation like this, appearances counted for more than fact. There were probably many hours of the Cooking Channel behind that little move, but he couldn’t fault him for giving it that extra effort. Zayne took a small sip and nodded his approval.
Smiling, Antonio lifted his glass as well and looked to Andrej. Following suit, Zek lifted his glass as well. “Cheers,” Antonio toasted, taking a healthy swig from his wine.
“Cheers,” Zayne added, miming another sip.
“Noroc,” Andrej added out of habit, cringing when the non-English toast slipped out unbidden.
Antonio turned an appraising look towards him. “I must say, that’s a toast I’ve never heard before.”
For the love of god, he berated himself. “My apologies, old habits die hard, it seems.”
“No, don’t apologize, I find other languages and countries fascinating. Much like their inhabitants.” Antonio rested an elbow on the table, chin fitting perfectly in his upturned palm.
“Looks like someone’s got an admirer,” Zayne murmured. “He’s an intriguing one, to say the least.”
“Shut up,” Andrej muttered back. “Nothing exciting about me. I’m simply an immigrant living the American Dream.”
“How so?” He had the man’s attention if nothing else.
Zeklos shrugged, stalling for time. “I came to this country with the equivalent of forty American dollars in my pocket and look at me now. A successful business man with a beautiful wife and an exceedingly handsome lover. I have more than I could have ever dreamed of when I arrived in the United States.”
He felt more than saw Zayne shift beside him. What he’d said had been true, for the most part. He had arrived in this country with mere dollars in his pocket, but he’d obviously not become a wealthy businessman nor was Zayne his lover. Pity that last bit. The comforting, solid heat of Zayne’s hand landed on his wrist, giving reassurance and the semblance of that intimate connection between them.
Antonio licked his lips. “You make quite the couple,” he said. “Very attractive, the both of you. Do your women ever join in on the fun? A ménage à trois with either of those lovely women would be absolute heaven.”
Forcing his disgust to the side, Zeklos managed a smile. “Without a doubt. They’re both very… special women.” Mainly because they were robbery homicide detectives, but Antonio could believe what he wanted to. “A ménage a quatre is our true ideal.”
“More wine,” Maria asked, topping off their nearly full glasses before either Antonio or Zayne could respond.
“None for me, my dear,” Antonio announced. “I’m waiting until dinner arrives.”
“Should only be a few more minutes, Mr. Simon. Anything else I can get any of you?” She tilted her pretty head and glanced from face to face before taking her leave.
Zeklos rubbed the back of his neck with his right hand, exposing his watch to view. It was a calculated move, but one he hadn’t meant to exhibit so early in the evening. The man’s ego was beginning to give him a headache, he was already feeling it building in his neck and shoulders.
“That’s a mighty fine watch you’re wearing, Mr. Cahill. May I have a better look?” Antonio held out his hand, palm up.
Flashing a brief glance at Zayne, Andrej stretched his arm across the table until his dinner host took him by the hand. The tips of Simon’s fingers brushed against the palm of Zeklos’ hand, giving him a rush of creepy shivers. Reyes, the ever-attentive detective, stiffened at his side, managing to play it off as an indignant reaction to Antonio’s friendliness.
“Honey,” Reyes said, taking hold of Zeklos’ arm and pulling gently, “I think you need to stop holding hands with our guest. He might think you’re trying to come onto him.”
“Nonsense,” Antonio insisted, gripping Andrej’s hand tightly so that it wasn’t taken from him. “I just want a better look-see at this amazing timepiece he’s wearing.”
“Yes, honey,” Andrej said, giving his partner a sideways look. “He only wants to look at my watch.”
“I bet that’s not the only thing he wants a look-see at either,” Zayne grumbled, releasing his hold on Andrej’s arm.
Zeklos blinked. There was a very real note of jealousy hiding in those words. “Baby, please…”
“Don’t ‘baby’ me,” Reyes said, pushing his chair back and standing abruptly. “I’ve had more than enough for one night. I’ll see you back at our room. If you come back.”
Stunned, he watched open-mouthed as his partner stormed out of the dining room. Andrej had to pray that Reyes had a plan up his sleeve although odds were, he had just been abandoned to the wolves. Fingers on his skin drew him out of his reverie. “What just happened?”
Antonio chuckled, a celebratory note in the laughter. “This lifestyle isn’t for everyone, especially not those who are prone to bouts with the green-eyed monster. It looks like your boyfriend isn’t cut out for any of this.”
Like I am, he thought, amused. “Zayne can be a little… intense… when it comes to something he feels passionately about. It’s what attracted me to him at first.”
“Really,” Antonio said, drawing the word out. “And here I would have thought it was that rock hard ass of his. Or even that southern swagger.”
Glass halfway to his mouth, Zeklos choked on Simon’s words. Yeah, his ass was beyond compare, but it certainly wasn’t Reyes’ best quality once you got to know the guy. “Excuse me,” he said, trying to cover his shock.
“Take a drink,” Antonio urged. “Let me get you more wine. Maria?”
“No,” he said, a little too quickly. “No, I’m fine.” He took the smallest sip of the wine he could manage without arousing suspicion.
Antonio’s eyes narrowed, but he nodded his head. “You sure? Ah, here’s Maria with our dinner.”
Setting the plates down, Maria noticed the empty spot left by Zayne. “We’re missing someone,” she said.
“Yes, Mr. Mendez had an emergency he needed to attend to,” Antonio said, explaining away Reyes’ absence.
“His loss,” Maria said, winking. “Is there anything else I can get you?”
“Not right now, Maria. Thank you.” Antonio dismissed her without a second thought.
Maria left the room, leaving Zeklos alone with the creep who kept fondling his watch. It was beginning to annoy him more than anything else. For a jewel thief, he wasn’t very subtle. “Mr. Simon –”
“Antonio, please,” he said, removing his hand from Andrej’s wrist. “Eat up, Andrej. The food here is delicious.”
Not that he would know, they’d only frequented the café since they’d arrived. Partly because the food was more reasonable but mostly because they’d blended in better. A loud, sometimes arguing party went over a little better in a run of the mill café than it did in a fancy dining restaurant. And to be honest, the four of them argued a lot when they were shoved together for any length of time.
Zeklos let his host dig in first while he studied his plate. Typical arrangement of supposedly aphrodisiacal foods: oysters, brie with honey, chili peppers dotting everything. He gave a soft, sarcastic grunt. There was no doubt that dessert would be chocolate of some sort. The man was more in your face than a cat seeking attention. Just as subtle, too.
“You’re not eating,” Antonio remarked, a slight edge creeping into his voice. “Is there a problem with your food? Something you don’t like?”
“No,” he said, honestly. In truth, he enjoyed oysters, even if they’d never had the added bonus of upping his libido. “Just planning my eating strategy is all.”
He turned up the charm to eleven, something he had difficulty doing most days, and hit his host with his biggest, most adorable smile. It must’ve been enough because Antonio returned the smile, warmly, and dug into his food. Zeklos realized that he had no choice, he had to eat something to keep Simon from becoming any more apprehensive. Taking fork in hand, he reluctantly skewered a piece of salmon and lifted it to his mouth. With a prayer to the heavens, he ate.
Zeklos stole a glance at his watch. It’d been nearly half an hour since Reyes had abandoned him and he was beginning to wonder if he was ever coming back. Every time he set his fork down, he was urged to have another bite, take another drink. Judging by the hard glint in Simon’s eyes, they were more statements than requests. Stalling Antonio with talk only worked so well and he found himself eating more than he’d planned to. When his phone buzzed in his jacket pocket, he reached for it automatically.
“What are you doing,” Antonio asked, mistrust thick in the air.
“My phone,” Zeklos said, feeling a little surreal. “Someone’s texting me.”
“Ignore it,” Antonio ordered, face hard.
“It might be Zayne,” he said, praying to all that was holy that his partner was finally reaching out to him. “We fought, I can’t let him think I’m still mad.” Or dead, for that matter.
“Fine, but be quick about it. He left us, we don’t need him.” Simon took a long draw from his wine.
Andrej fumbled his phone out of his jacket and glanced at the text – Zayne had come through, finally.
You okay? He hasn’t got you naked in the private dining room has he?
Jerk. Not quite, but that food… either it or the wine was drugged. I don’t feel very real right now. Truth be told, he was having a difficult time getting the words into the text. His fingers felt thick and clumsy.
Shit. Hang on for ten more minutes. The girls and I are coming for you.
“Put the phone away,” Antonio demanded, leaning over trying to see what Zeklos had been texting.
“Just let me tell him I love him and…” Andrej returned to texting.
I love you, baby. See you soon? Please don’t be mad.
That would make Zayne wonder, but he could explain it later. It wasn’t worth whatever might happen if Simon saw he was texting anything other than what Andrej had said he was. His phone buzzed again and he caught a brief glimpse of Reyes’ return text. Something along the lines of WTF are you talking about? Are you in trouble? Shoving his phone back into his pocket, Zeklos turned that smile back on his host.
Antonio lifted his glass and proposed a toast of sorts. “I think that this is the beginning of something beautiful, don’t you Andrej? I think that you and I and maybe eventually that pretty little wife of yours could become awfully good friends. You don’t need that asshole for company when you can have me.”
Zeklos cringed internally at the idea of the man even thinking about touching Hilary any more than he already had. The idea of letting Simon touch him was even less appealing. “I believe you may be on to something there, Antonio.”
Tilting his glass forward, he tapped it against the one Andrej held aloft. The sound of chiming crystal rang in the room and Antonio knocked back the remaining wine in his glass. “Oh, now my dear Andrej, your glass is still full. You must have a drink to celebrate our budding partnership.” His eyes narrowed menacingly. “I insist.”
He was trapped. Steeling his nerves, Zeklos lifted the glass too his lips and took a swallow. It was warm and fruity as it swirled in his mouth and then down his throat. Drinking was the wrong thing to do, but there had been no choice. Zek forced a smile to his face and lowered his glass.
“Have another,” Antonio insisted, leaning across the table towards him.
“Of course,” he said, feeling uneasy. Andrej brought the crystal back to his lips and took another long draw from the glass. He had a sinking feeling that Antonio was going to sit there and watch until he’d drained the entire glass, only to pour him another.
If he took much longer, Reyes was going to find Zeklos naked, abused, and without his favorite watch by the time he managed to return to the dining room. And he’d never in his lifetime manage to live it down. He’d go from being ‘gypsy boy’ to ‘stripper boy’ or something equally humiliating in a matter of minutes. Reyes was good like that.
Wishing for a miracle, Zeklos took another sip of wine and waited.
“Got him,” Reyes announced, pulling Antonio Simon off his partner’s body. Handcuffs came out of his suit jacket and found their way around the thief’s wrists. “Pat him down, I think he managed to get Zek’s watch off him and he’ll be pissed if we don’t recover that little bit of bling.”
“It has to go into evidence,” Hilary reminded him. “Especially if we find it on his person.” She had brought Simon into an upright position and began searching his pockets. On her third try, a grin creased her face and she retrieved Zeklos’ very expensive Rolex from within the depths of Simon’s pants pocket. “Found it, Reyes.”
“Looks like we have a winner,” Trish said. “Nice work, Hil.”
“Good,” Zayne sighed. “We finally have some hard evidence.”
“Is Zeklos okay,” Trish asked, leaning over the prone detective, face down on the table.
When Zayne had entered the private dining room under the pretense of making up with Andrej, he’d found his partner slumped over the table with Simon relieving him of anything valuable. He tugged at Zeklos’ shoulder, turning him so he could see his face. “Yeah, I think he will be. Damnit, why couldn’t we have gotten here quicker?”
“Don’t beat yourself up, Reyes,” Hilary said, striding over to his side. “We did the best we could with what we had.”
“Maybe,” he grumbled. “Will one of you two go check on the uni we sent to find Ms. LaRoux?”
“On it,” Trish said, patting Zayne on the shoulder before leaving.
“I’ll take this asshole out to the unit waiting to transport him,” Hilary added. “See if you can get Andy to wake up.”
He nodded, only half listening. Zeklos’ face was paler than he’d ever seen it and he’d been drooling. Zayne patted him on the face twice, the second turning into more than a pat at the last second. When the dark lashes covering those big, blue eyes fluttered, relief washed over Reyes. “Buddy? You okay in there?”
“Buna ziua, frumos,” he slurred, words crashing into each other.
“English man,” Reyes laughed, helping him into a vertical position. “This is America after all.”
“Hey,” he tried again, wincing at the bright lights. “I said – hey.”
“All those words for ‘hey’?” Zayne gave a curt shake of his head. Pulling out a chair next to Zeklos, he sat down. “You need anything?”
“Some… water maybe?” It was hard forming words that Zayne would understand. The drugs had addled his brain so much that he was having a hard time not reverting to his native tongue each time he tried to speak. Which might actually be the better option considering he wasn’t having much luck controlling the words coming out of his mouth, either. Calling Zayne ‘handsome’ in any language wasn’t a smart call.
“Can we get some water,” Reyes asked a uniformed officer standing nearby. “Preferably a bottle with a sealed lid.”
“Yes, sir,” the officer replied, taking off in search of bottled water.
Zeklos fumbled at his wrist and sighed. “He got my watch. Why’d you let him get my watch?”
“Yeah,” Zayne said, frowning at Zeklos’ pouty face. “He swiped it, but Hil got it back for you. It’s going to have to spend some time in evidence, but you’ll get it returned.”
Zeklos rubbed his face with both hands, swaying slightly from side to side. “I feel sorry for the girls now,” he said, embarrassed. “I don’t know what he gave me, but it’s strong.”
“The captain’s requested a tox screen on you ASAP so we can find that much out. He’s sending someone over here to do it before we leave. Wish we’d gotten one on the girls now, too.”
“What about the blonde? Have we tracked her down?” Andrej leaned an elbow on the table and rested his cheek in his palm. It was the only way he was going to stay mostly vertical for now.
“Not yet, but Trish left to go check on that situation,” Reyes assured him.
“And Trish has returned,” the redhead announced. “The perky blonde has been apprehended. Two unis caught her coming out of the elevator carrying close to twenty thousand dollars’ worth of goodies that did not belong to her. Shame, shame.”
Andrej grinned weakly. “Half of that was Hilary’s too, wasn’t it?”
Rollins blinked. “Half? You’re shitting me.”
“Nope,” Zeklos replied, popping the ‘p’ like a four year old. “She was decked out in Tiffany’s finest the other night, she just didn’t know it.”
“Holy crap,” Trish breathed. “The captain told us it wasn’t fake, but that it wasn’t that expensive either.”
“He lied,” Zeklos said. “With good reason, too.”
He looked at Reyes and fell into the depths of his partner’s deep, green eyes. There was worry and concern there, but something else he couldn’t quite place. Zek prayed that it wasn’t disappointment or something equally disheartening because he’d done his best under the circumstances. Letting Reyes down was not an option. Damn drugs were making it hard to think clearly and he tried to shake it off.
Trish’s cackling laughter filled the air, startling Zeklos out of his mental fog. “What – what’s so funny?” He turned to Zayne and found him grinning, too. And blushing? Wait, that can’t be right. Nothing embarrassed the unflappable Zayne Reyes.
“You’ve been staring at his mouth for like a solid five minutes,” Trish giggled, pointing at Zeklos. “And then you told him you loved him and wanted to kiss him.” She had tears making tracks down her cheeks, her laughter was so all-consuming. “Oh god, Hil’s going to hate that she missed this.”
“I did?” He looked to Zayne for denial and saw nothing but unadulterated confirmation written on his partner’s face.
Reyes shrugged. “You did. And I’m a little hurt that you didn’t actually kiss me either. Such a tease, promising and not following through.”
There was no doubt in his mind that Reyes was screwing with him, knowing he wasn’t himself and yet, Andrej found he didn’t care. Blame it on the drugs or even having spent too many years keeping it all inside. It didn’t even occur to Zeklos that they weren’t alone, either. All he knew was that he needed this, needed it now. Even if it meant that he became the laughingstock of the precinct, this had to happen.
“Hey, I’m messing with you, Zek. You okay?” Reyes leaned forward, a hand extended to steady Zeklos’ unstable form.
In a breath, Zeklos took hold of Zayne’s lapels and brought him forward. His mouth met Reyes’ for the third time during this never-ending case. Knowing that this would also be the very last time he’d ever have cause to invade his partner’s personal space in this manner, he made it worth every ounce of humiliation and retribution that was sure to follow on the heels of his folly. From somewhere outside of him, he heard a sharp intake of breath – Trish and not Zayne – and he let it urge him on.
Andrej tilted his head to the side, opening his mouth and licking at Reyes’ lower lip. In response, Zayne threaded a hand into Zeklos’ hair, drawing him nearer and sucking his tongue into his mouth. A sound borne of desire resonated from somewhere deep inside Zeklos. It was all he’d ever wanted, to be kissed this way by this man for all of eternity. It was going to kill him to stop.
“Hole-lee shit,” Hilary exclaimed, startled by the entertainment happening without her.
Zayne gasped and released his hold on Zeklos. Heart pounding, Andrej chanced a glance at the gorgeous Texan and, not finding any regret etched there, attempted a smile. “Sorry,” he muttered.
The full force of the patented Reyes’ charm exploded over him then. “Third time’s the charm, gypsy boy. I guess that means we’re engaged.”
“You have strange customs in Texas, Reyes,” he said, every word a challenge. “We have more stringent rituals where I come from.”
“Okay, so engaged or not,” Hilary said, confusion evident, “someone has some explaining to do right now.”
“And look, here’s the doctor come to take your blood, Zeklos. Maybe we should get him to take a sample of Reyes’ while we’re at it and take you two down to the county courthouse.” Trish’s giggles were uncontainable.
It didn’t seem prudent to point out that blood tests weren’t required for a marriage license in Nevada, but the thought still skittered through his mind. “Maybe next week, Rollins,” Andrej chuckled. “I’m not sure I could stand before a justice of the peace right now.” Or anyone, honestly.
“Not to mention, we have china to pick out,” Reyes added, not helping at all. “Can we get the doc over here now so I can get him home so he can rest?”
“Right,” Trish said. “So he can rest. Gotcha, Reyes.”
Andrej let out a shaky breath. He was forever going to be reminded of this moment by all three of them. He couldn’t say he’d change a thing, however, even if he could. If nothing else, he could call it a bonding moment between the four of them. Reyes would make sure that he never got the upper hand again after tonight, so he had to take his chance when he had it. God only knew that kiss would keep him company for many nights to come.
Damn, he was pathetic.
Zayne stood with the physician and their two female counterparts. More than likely, they were discussing what had happened to him and what the captain wanted from the tox screen. No doubt Zayne was probably also asking for a psych evaluation, too, after what had just happened.
Eh, bring it on.
Story concludes here.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2015-06-08 05:49 pm (UTC)Yup, just the epilogue now, but in other news... I have started working on a sequel. And there will always be short bits here and there because I can't help myself.
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Date: 2015-06-08 10:55 pm (UTC)OMG, I can't wait! It's going to be pure awesomeness! *bounces around the room*
Hah, kisses will never be considered overkill in my book, especially if they're as sweet as they way you write them. Poor, drugged Zek... I can just imaging him slumping a little against his partner as they kiss, and Reyes helps support his weight with a hand on his elbow and another on his shoulder... *happy sigh*
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Date: 2015-06-09 05:17 pm (UTC)(And I still haven't sent the epilogue to my beta yet. *slaps head*)
I really do hope so!
I figured you and I would be in agreement on this one. And seriously, he had such a good excuse to use as a cover story, why not? I love it when my straight-laced ones (Wes and Andrej, mostly, although Ethan falls in here as well) get a little tipsy/drugged/whatever and lose all control.