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resolved everything already. Minor policy details."
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"Um, Victor called this morning, too."
"And what did he say?" Jonathan's fingers drummed the
counter.
"He just wants a call back." Gina closed the register with a
thud. "You should file for harassment, Jonathan. I know
you've said you're not scared of him but after the way he
hauled off and punched you ... I mean, you could at least get
a restraining order."
He gave her an odd look. "I think I can handle my personal
problems, Gina-Lola. Don't you?"
She ducked her head, pretending to be very busy with the
order forms by the counter. "Of course. Sorry."
Jonathan went back to his office. Gina went back to work,
trying to forget how she kept embarrassing herself with him.
An hour later, a square jawed man walked in. The way he
dressed and moved, his presence screamed "policeman" and
she thought Jonathan had taken her advice after all.
"Good morning, sir. How can we help you?" she asked with
a bright smile.
He flipped out his badge. "Detective Matthews. I'd like to
speak to Mr. Kemp. He in today?"
"Of course, sir. He's in the back. I'll get him." She wasn't
supposed to leave the register but what would happen with a
cop standing right there? She hurried to the back rooms, past
the workroom where a profusion of cuttings covered the
table, to Jonathan's office. The door stood open. No Jonathan.
Gina's forehead wrinkled and she looked down the corridor
to where the back door was swinging back and forth.
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Jonathan was so careful about keeping that door closed. A
quick peek outside showed her the alley was empty as well.
"I'm sorry, Detective," she returned to the counter shaking
her head. "He must have just stepped out."
"I'll just bet he did," he grumbled. "You give him my card,
little lady. Tell him to call me. He knows why."
Gina nodded, unable to construct a reply. The oddest
feeling nagged her that Jonathan was in trouble.
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Aftermath
by Angel Martinez
Chapter 8
Two Steps Forward
Cody woke to the sound of the shower and rubbed the grit
from his eyes. Some days he just didn't feel like getting up.
What was he going to do all day? His studio still stood in
ruins; he hadn't touched the horrible wreck he'd made of his
New Jerusalem. Just couldn't face it yet.
Humming drifted over the rush of water and Cody smiled.
Victor was obviously in a good mood. Well, why shouldn't he
be? He was putting in his resignation today. Of course, being
Vic, he wouldn't walk out without a backward glance. He'd
give them a month to replace him and then leave with a hefty
severance package and bright, scary frontiers before him.
This was a good thing. Cody told him so and encouraged
him. He just didn't feel much enthusiasm for anything this
morning. He wanted his mother to come in and say breakfast
was ready. He wanted someone to spoil him and comfort him.
Childish, of course. But there was a large, warm body in the
bathroom, hot water and soap on hard muscles...
Cody rolled out of bed, stripping out of his boxers on his
way. Steam rolled from the shower stall, tendrils of white as if
a volcano occupied the bathroom.
"Vic? You want some company?"
Tchaikovsky's Firebird abruptly cut off and the door rolled
back, Victor wiping water from his eyes. "Good morning." His
smile faded when he saw Cody. "What's wrong, little man?
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Come here, come on." Vic pulled him into the shower and
closed the door, putting his back to the spray so he could hold
Cody close.
A brief summer storm of tears erupted in the strength of
Victor's embrace but Cody soon calmed. It helped that Vic
had developed a sudden wealth of patience for crying. He
suspected Paula's hand in that. Where Vic might have scolded
and reacted with irritation before, now he waited it out,
murmuring soothing nothings.
"Anything you want to talk about?" Vic's voice rumbled
against his ear.
"No, I don't think so. I just woke up kinda bluish."
Vic's hands stroked slowly over his shoulders and Cody
lifted his head to be met by a kiss full of tender fire. The
warmth and the water beating down on Vic's back had coaxed
an impressive erection, now pressing up against Cody's
stomach.
"God, I'm sorry," Vic gasped and pulled back. "You must
think I'm a monster. Are you all right? I didn't mean to
force "
The blood sang in Cody's ears, his vision blurring with
anger. "Dammit, Szoldos! You weren't forcing me. I'm not
going to break. Stop treating me like I'm made of freaking [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]