Page 20

CHAPTER 20

Max

L ater that same evening, a knock at the door signals London’s arrival. I swing the door open, and she stands there with her back facing me.

“London? You okay?”

“Let me in,” she says, pushing past me. “Your devil cat is on the prowl. I could hear him growling somewhere in the distance.”

“Little Chubs? He wouldn’t hurt a fly.” I put my hand up to cover my smile as I close the door. “He’s never had a problem with you before; maybe he’s in a bad mood?”

“Right.” London places her computer on the kitchen table and saunters into the living room. “Something seems off about your apartment.”

I look around and shrug. “It’s the same as it always is.”

“Nah,” she says, narrowing her eyes. “Bad vibes in here.” She shivers.

I don’t want to dive back into the incident where The Butcher had broken into my place and violated my privacy, digging through my things and stealing my grandmother’s knife from under the bathroom sink. “It’s probably just the whole situation we’re dealing with.”

London nods and goes over to the sofa and sits down. “Are you in the mood for a movie or do you want to get down to business?”

“I don’t think I could concentrate on a movie even if I tried.” I grab her computer and hand it to her. “Let’s get down to business. I’ll order us pizza. There’s no telling how long this’ll take.”

She arches an eyebrow. “I can assure you it won’t take as long as you think, but if you order Canadian bacon and pineapple, I’ll stay all night.”

“You read my mind.”

She flips open the laptop. “I’ll take a side of ranch dressing too, please. And, babe, make sure they give us a bunch of those parmesan cheese packets too.”

“You got it.” I get up and grab my phone and walk into the kitchen to check the magnet on the fridge for the number. “Should we get thick crust, original, or cracker crust?”

“Whatever you want as long as it’s not thick or original.”

I smirk and look back at my best friend who blows me a kiss. She has always been there for me since the day we first met in college; me fresh from my injury and newly unemployed, and her struggling to find a place in the world since she decided to give up computer hacking. The former law breaker and law enforcer were now the best of friends—as thick as thieves.

I place the order and also get a dinner salad with blue cheese dressing, London’s favorite. “It should be here in an hour.”

“Which always means ninety minutes.”

“If we’re lucky,” we say in unison and laugh.

“Before we get started, I have to tell you about a guy I met online,” London says. “You know I’m not into these apps because of how easy they are to hack. You might as well just hand all your personal information and bank account over to the Russians.”

“Which app did you choose?”

“That new one everyone is talking about on social media.” London pulls out her phone and shows me the icon on her phone. It's a picture of two hearts kissing. “It’s called Devoted.”

“Yikes,” I say with a laugh. “Sounds serious.”

“I’m only trying it because supposedly my cousin’s friend Donna’s sister’s niece found her husband on there. He’s apparently rich and not ugly.”

“Rich and not ugly. Sounds delightful.”

“Don’t judge… the dating scene is rough, man.” She arches an eyebrow. “Not that you’d know. You haven’t dated anyone in like what… three years?”

“Hey, I went out with Dr. Dimples… remember?”

“Uh, if I do recall, you got in a fight with someone else and left without eating or having sex. That wasn’t a date.” She sits back on the sofa and crosses her arms. “Are we really that damaged that no one wants us?”

“We aren’t anything of the sort,” I say. “We’re just busy… you’re working hard to get your PhD so we can work together at a museum. I’m only now starting my career… so who really has the time?”

“True.”

“Well?”

“What?” London looks confused.

“Tell me about this guy you met on Devoted.”

“I’m not sure if he’s real or not. He said his name is David… no last name yet. He looks either Puerto Rican or mixed like me, which is cool. I’m struggling though.”

“With what?”

“Allowing him to reveal himself at his own pace. I could break into the app without any trouble and find out his full name, address, phone number, and bank account balance in about the time it takes me to finish a glass of wine on a Wednesday night.”

“But?”

“I don’t want to do it. I want to try something new for a change. If I keep doing things the same way and getting the same results, I’d be the crazy one. Right?”

I put my arm around her shoulders and lean into her. “That’s how the saying goes. I would like to think we can break the cycle, but it’s hard.”

“Right. Like you always pine over a guy from a distance but never say anything. We plan how you’re going to ask him out for months, but then before you can… something happens that makes him unavailable.”

Ugh . “You’re absolutely right, and that’s why I allowed myself to go on the date with Dr. Ben. He’s so kind and seems to be understanding.”

“Have you spoken to him since you ran out on the date?”

I shake my head. “Haven’t got the nerve up yet.”

“Why?”

“I think if I ever want to move forward with him, I’m going to have to be honest and tell him about my past. All of it.”

“Very understandable why you would be nervous about it. But I’m telling you this, call him now. Set up the coffee date or you won’t. I know you.” London gives me the look she knew meant she wasn’t making a suggestion.

I stand and look at my phone. “You’re right. I’ll step back into my room for a little bit and be right back.”

“Get you some, Romeo.” She laughs. “Do you want me to get a start on looking up stuff about your stalker?”

“Nah, better wait for me.” I start toward the bedroom but stop and look back. “If the pizza comes, I’ve already paid with my credit card, but there’s ten bucks on the counter for a tip.”

“Cool.”

I hurry into my room and place the call.

“Hello?” Ben answers.

“Hey, Ben. I wanted to say again how sorry I am for running out on our date. I have so much to tell you, but don’t really want to talk over the phone. Can we meet for coffee in the morning?”

“Uh, sure.” Ben sounds a little cold, distant.

“Is everything all right?”

He hesitates, but says, “Yeah… it’s all good. I think I’m in my head too much.”

I can totally relate to that. “You know what helps me get out of my head?” I use my flirtatious voice and inwardly cringe as I hope it works on him.

“Hmm, something about the way you said that makes me think dirty thoughts.”

“Good,” I say.

“Yeah?” Ben’s voice is deep, smooth, the kind that slides over my skin like silk. There’s something in his tone, something dark and rich, and it sends a spark straight through me.

“What are you thinking?” I ask, even though I already know.

“Thinking about you.”

A slow exhale leaves my lips. “Yeah?”

“Mmhmm.” There’s a rustling on the other end, the sound of sheets shifting, and my body responds instantly. “You in bed?”

I bite my lip, my grip on the phone tightening. “Not yet.”

“Shame.” His voice dips lower. “I was hoping you’d be there, thinking about me.”

“I’m always thinking about you,” I admit, heart pounding in my chest .

Ben chuckles, low and warm. “Tell me… exactly, what you’re thinking about.”

My breath catches. “You… and me.”

“Yeah? Be specific.”

I close my eyes, my free hand drifting down my stomach. “I’m thinking about your hands. The way they’d feel on me. The way you’d touch me if you were here.”

Ben exhales, the sound barely a whisper. “You want me to touch you, Max?”

“Yeah.” My voice is barely more than a breath. “I want you to kiss me… everywhere.”

“Tell me more,” he murmurs, and I shudder, my fingers moving lower, my body already aching for him.

“I want your hands on my skin,” I whisper, tracing a path down my chest, stopping for a moment to pinch my nipple. I let out a soft gasp, imagining his fingers replacing mine. What it would feel like to have his tongue playfully circling the head of my cock. “Your mouth on my neck, teasing, driving me crazy.”

Ben groans softly, and the sound goes straight to my core. “Keep going.”

“I’d pull you closer,” I murmur, my own hand moving with slow, deliberate strokes along my shaft. “Feel your weight against me. The heat of your body pressing into mine. Beckoning me to come inside you.”

Ben’s breath shudders on the other end. “God, Max,” he whispers. “I wish I was there. I’d kiss you, lick and suck you.”

“Me too.” My voice is hoarse with need, my movements growing more urgent. “I need to feel you, Ben.”

“Tell me how bad,” he demands, his voice thick with hunger.

“So bad,” I breathe. “I’m touching myself, thinking about you. About us.”

Ben groans again, and I can picture him, his head thrown back, his body as desperate for release as mine. “Max,” he murmurs, “come for me.”

His words push me over the edge, my body tensing before pleasure crashes over me. A strangled moan escapes me, my breaths ragged as I shudder through it, his name on my lips.

The silence between us is thick, heavy with the echoes of what just happened. I press the phone tighter against my ear, my heartbeat still racing unable to speak without a trembling voice.

“Damn,” Ben finally says, his voice laced with satisfaction. “That was...”

“Yeah,” I whisper, my lips curving into a smile. “It was everything I needed right then.”

“We need to do this in person soon,” he murmurs, and the promise in his voice makes my stomach tighten with anticipation.

“I’m holding you to that,” I reply, already craving more.

He chuckles softly. “Good. Because I don’t think I can wait much longer.”

“Not a great transition, but I need you to pick a place for us to meet tomorrow.”

He lets out a held breath, still coming down from his own orgasmic haze. “9:30, Java Java? Will that work?”

“The one by USC?” I ask.

“If that’s okay?”

“Definitely.”

“Oh, and Max?”

“Yeah?”

“Thanks for… you know, calling.”

I smile. “It was my pleasure, sexy man.”

“Oh, and one more thing,” he says. “There’s something I want to talk to you about tomorrow as well.”

Was that sadness in his voice? “I’m excited to see you tomorrow,” I say. “I would love another one of your hugs. It was really nice and I want to compare it to what I just imagined it would feel like.”

There’s a pause on the other end of the line. “You and me both,” Ben says. “You’re one sexy man, Max. I can’t wait to see you tomorrow.”

“Me too,” I say and then, “bye.” I disconnect the call. I lay back on my bed and think about tomorrow morning. Should I hold anything back or tell him the entire truth about my kidnapping and injuries? He’s a doctor, so he should be able to handle the gritty details, but inside our relationship, he isn’t just a doctor… he’s Ben.

Oh shit, London . Our impromptu phone sex totally made me forget I wasn’t alone. Good lord, I hope she didn’t hear anything.

Deciding to wait a few minutes so London might think I fell asleep or something… anything other than wanking it on the phone with Ben, I yawn and stretch my arms over my head and close my eyes for a few seconds.

Some time later, I open my eyes with a quick inhalation of breath. Dammit, my afterglow was stronger than I thought. My room is dark. Checking my watch, I’d been asleep for two hours. Shit . I get out of bed and hurry into the living room. London sits on the sofa watching television.

She turns to me and smiles. “Come sit and tell me all about it. Did you two have phone sex? You’d better spill every… last… detail.”

I step closer and sit next to her, smiling.

“You fell asleep, didn’t you?” she says. “Wipe that drool off your chin, boy. I’ve been sitting here watching reruns of this stupid-ass show that came out before I was even born.”

“I’m sorry. I did call him, though. We are meeting up tomorrow morning for coffee. I think I’m actually going to tell him everything.”

“I saved you some pizza. It’s in the fridge.” She pinches me.

“Ouch.”

She winks. “Thanks for ordering me the salad. It was delicious.”

“Anything for you, bestie.”

“Okay, let’s get to work. My nana’s going to call before long. I can feel it in my bones. She’s been a little under the weather, so I promised her I’d grab something sweet for her to munch on,” London says as she reaches for her laptop. “Why don’t you start by letting me know exactly what we need to find out about this guy.”

“Well, so far… he’s been inside my apartment and stolen my abuela’s knife, I have a feeling he took my museum I.D. badge, and from what I hear, there was a package delivered to the museum for me today. It’s being held in Dr. Nakamura’s office. I haven’t had a chance to go get it yet.”

“So, basically, he’s invaded every part of your life. Great. Nothing concerning about that. Not to mention one of his followers attacked you and possibly left trinkets on your car.”

I nod. “The Ankh.”

“From my previous research, the FBI believes he’s still alive, so I think we need to approach this from that angle. What do you think?”

“I completely agree. There is little to no doubt left in me that he is alive.” I get up and go to the fridge to get some pizza. As I walk back into the living room, I say, “Searching for him would be like trying to find a ghost online, wouldn’t it?”

“Never said it would be easy, but there are things we can do to find him. The first thing we need to do is locate the information on the victims the FBI are associating with him.”

“Good idea,” I say. “He might have slipped up and tried to use something of theirs which will narrow down our search.”

“Exactly,” she says, already typing feverishly on the laptop. “ You sit back and eat some pizza, and I will let you know what I find.”

I sit back and devour slice after slice. I had no idea I’d been that hungry. The stress from the day had zapped my energy and appetite, and I’d not eaten all day. I rest my head against the back cushion of the sofa and close my eyes. I can hear the tap, tap, tap of the keys as London flies across the keyboard—typing in command after command.

“Oh, he is good,” she says.

“You found something?”

She nods but continues her search. I wait for her to provide the information as I don’t want to further interrupt her flow. I have no idea how she does the things she does, but at this moment could not have been more thankful for her skills and friendship.

“Shit,” London says.

I look over at her computer screen and watch as it lights up multiple times and then goes black. The next thing happens so fast I’m not even sure what I’m looking at, but column after column of scrolling computer gibberish fills the screen. London begins frantically typing in commands, and with each hit of the enter key, grows more upset. Her escalating use of profanities is hitting top tier when she finally slaps her screen closed and falls back into the sofa cushions.

“What happened?”

There is sweat beading up on her forehead and her breathing is fast and shallow, but she eventually says, “Someone tried to hack the hacker.”

“Who?”

She shakes her head and blinks a few times. “I have no idea. My guess, either the FBI or Viktor Fedorov.”

I hadn’t heard The Butcher’s real name spoken aloud in years, and it makes me shudder. I don’t like to think of him as a real person. Maybe it’s because of the monstrous things he’d forced me to endure, or maybe it’s because somehow, he’d managed to survive four close-range forty-five caliber shots to the torso. Whatever the reason, the man feels inhuman.

“Do you think they were able to track you? Here?” I ask.

She stares at the laptop for a few more seconds and then sighs. “I don’t think so. I used multiple levels of encryption and a variable I.P. address system. If they were able to track me, they would have found our location, but not necessarily who was accessing their databases.”

“Wouldn’t be too hard to make the leap to me if they knew which apartment it was coming from.”

“There’s no way they could pinpoint us that closely… maybe the square mile, but you’re right, if they knew who you were then it wouldn’t be hard to determine it was you.” London turns to look at me. She shows pity in her eyes. “I’m really sorry, Max. I did the best I could.”

“It’s not your fault. There’s nothing to be sorry for.”

“Do you want to come stay with me tonight?” With a huge grin on her face, she says, “Nana would love to see you. It’ll give her an excuse to cook for you.”

As much as I would love to have some world-class barbeque ribs and chocolate cake, what she always made me when I stayed over, I decide to stick it out at home at least one more night. “There’s not much sense in leaving. I have my gun. I’ll put it under my pillow tonight. Viktor Fedorov…” Uttering the name feels like vomiting in my mouth. “He already knows where I live, and it’s not like the FBI are going to kill me in my sleep.”

“True,” she says. “Maybe soon? I’ll tip Nana off so she can at least stock up on your favorites.”

“Definitely.” I stand and stretch my arms overhead. “I know I took a nap today, but I’m exhausted.”

“Kicking me out?” She smiles. “You want your beauty sleep for when you meet up with Dr. Dimples? Huh? ”

I can’t hide my smile. The idea of getting another hug from him gives me goosebumps. “He smelled so good when we hugged.”

“Boy, I’m going to need all the nitty gritty afterwards. Promise me.”

“Scouts honor,” I say, holding up two fingers.

London gets up and laughs. “It’s three fingers, dude.”

We both chuckle as I lead her to the door.

“Thanks again,” I say and give her a hug. “Give Nana a hug for me.”

“I sure will,” London says as she leaves the apartment. “Bye.”

I watch her walk to the stairwell and call after her, “Love you, my friend.”

She waves and keeps going.