Page 78 of Dead Serious: Case 3 Mr Bruce Reyes

“That’s so nice of you,” I reply, touched.

“You know Chan.” She grins. “Once she sets her mind on something, she’s like a bloody drill sergeant.”

I chuckle as Ginger heads out of the kitchen to find the others and help.

“Sorry about your roof,” Jake the hot fireman says, giving me a smile. I’m sure I don’t miss the way his eyes give me a slow once-over.

Danny scowls as he steps closer to me, his eyes narrowing on the other man. “Thank you.”

Jake’s mouth curves and he gives me one last look, then heads out of the kitchen.

“You’re jealous.” I tilt my head and study the tight clench of Danny’s jaw.

“I am not,” he answers, relaxing his expression, but the blush gives him away.

“Oh my god, you are! This is epic!” I say wonderingly as I smile at him, my dick giving an interested twitch. “Why do I find that so hot?” I sigh. “I wanna fuck you so bad right now. Do you think they’d notice if we snuck off so I can give you a blow job?”

“Sneak off where?” Danny chuckles. “Half the roof is in the bathroom, which is the only room with a lock, and half the fire department is in our bedroom.”

“That sounds a lot sexier than it actually is.”

“I’ll have you know some of the best porn starts out that way.” He grins and turns as Chan comes back into the kitchen.

“Chan,” I begin, feeling a lot of big emotions for the beautiful drag queen looking quite at home in a skintight sequinned bodysuit and feathery shoulder pads while standing in my kitchen. “I don’t know how to thank you. We owe you.”

Chan smiles softly, reaching out and cupping my face, her eyes warm and filled with affection. “Darling, you took care of Dusty when I couldn’t, and that makes you family. You owe me nothing.” She leans in and plants a sweet, light kiss on my lips, then looks across at Danny, who this time isn’t showing an ounce of jealousy but instead just smiles. “You too, handsome. Anything either of you need, I’m here for you.”

“That goes both ways, Chan,” Danny says. “We’re here for you too.”

She opens her mouth to reply but is cut off when Ruby’s voice shouts from the bedroom.

“What shall I do with this drawer of sex toys!”

I close my eyes and palm my hot face to the sound of Chan’s wicked and delightful laughter.

18

Iwalk through the empty rooms of the new flat, taking in the bland magnolia walls, laminate flooring, and pale grey carpets. Stopping in front of the huge window in the living room, I look out through the streams of rain on the other side of the glass to the black skies over Whitechapel.

We must have looked a right sight bundling everything we could out of the flat in Hackney. The rain had let up to a fine drizzle and the wind had dropped temporarily, so we’d shoved everything we could into Ari’s van, Brandy’s VW Bug, and Sam’s blue Honda. With one final adios to the flat I’d lived in since I’d had to sell Dad’s house, we set off down the street in a colourful convoy.

I’d begun to notice the storm came in waves, constantly running the gamut from Sodom and Gomorrah toSinging in the Rainto light misty shower and back again. If we were right and Chaos really was behind this extreme weather, then his influence must ebb and flow, otherwise I’m sure he’d go right ahead and strike us all down with lightning without batting an eyelid.

It makes some sort of weird sense though. Trapped on the other side of the doorway to our world, his powers obviously limited, he’s almost drained the energy in the bookshop. It feels so strange and empty now, and with no other spirits in residence, he only has poor Bruce to draw from.

Bruce isn’t doing well, according to Dusty. I’m used to her being attached to me like my own personal glittery shadow, if my shadow wore five-inch platforms and said cock a lot. But now she spends most of her time hovering over Bruce, who looks sicker with each passing day. I don’t begrudge either of them the comfort of each other’s presence, how can I? But I can’t deny I miss Dusty, and I’m so glad I have Chan. In the time I’ve come to know her, I’ve become very attached to her.

“You look far away.” Danny’s warm, rumbling voice washes over me as he comes to stand behind me. Unable to wrap his arms around me as he would usually do on account of having to balance on his crutches, he settles for resting his chin on my shoulder as we both stare out of the window.

“Just thinking,” I reply quietly. I shift and turn around so I’m facing him, my gaze sweeping the room once again. “At least the rooms are big and it’s warm, but most importantly, it’s dry.”

He studies my face and I know he can tell where my head’s at. That’s one thing about Danny—I don’t know if it’s because he’s a detective or it’s just him, but he always seems to be able to read me like a book.

“I know this didn’t exactly happen the way we’d wanted, but we’ll make it ours. It’ll be home in no time, you’ll see,” he says with a small, reassuring smile.

“Yeah,” I nod slowly. “You’re right, I know, but…” I blow out a breath as I look at the boxes surrounding us and the black bin liners full of soaking wet clothes. “We don’t have any furniture… not even a bed.”

“We’ll figure it out.” He leans more heavily on one crutch and lifts his other hand to smooth my hair down, which is so wild it’s probably looking like I’ve stuck my fingers in an electrical socket.