Chapter Five

Dane

Dane slid out of his truck and took in the scene in front of him. Dane had been called in by Remi and he could see why. Three vehicles were pulled to the side of the road. In the north part of the city, nothing good ever happened after midnight. It was currently twelve-oh-five.

“Thanks for coming.” Remi stepped away from the two uniform cops he’d been talking to.

“What’s going on?” Dane questioned.

“We’ve been watching a drop house for about three days. These three vehicles came from there. I’m worried that they caught wind and moved the stash. Can you run Maverick around the vehicles and see if he alerts? I can try to get a warrant based on the investigation, but Maverick would be faster.”

“That’s what we’re here for,” Dane told his friend. He turned but Remi caught his shoulder.

“What the hell?” Remi growled moving closer. He peered at Dane’s face as he scowled.

“What?” Dane couldn’t help the defensiveness. Remi was all up in his personal space.

“Dane.” Remi drew out his name. “What did you do?”

Dane had no idea what his friend was talking about. “Nothing?” he asked.

Remi drew him farther away from the other cops and the suspects handcuffed and sitting on the ground. Remi grabbed his shoulders in a tight grip.

“You can tell me the truth. I will always have your back.” Remi swallowed noticeably. “Did you drink?”

Dane reared back. “What? Fuck no!”

“Shh,” Remi hissed. His fingers dug in hard to Dane’s flesh.

He literally had no idea what was going on or why one of his best friends thought he might have been drinking. “What are you talking about?”

Remi’s hard gaze studied him. “Something happened. Changed. You look…different.”

How the fuck could he look different? “I…”

Suddenly Remi smiled. “Wait.” He held up a hand. “How’s Brandon?”

“He’s fine. Perfect.” Brandon had been curled up on the couch with his favorite movie series when Dane had gone to work.

“Yeah?” Remi waggled his brow. “You take good care of him last night?”

What. The. Actual. Fuck? “How could you know that?” Dane demanded.

Remi laughed as he slapped Dane on the back. “Only two things could put that happy look in your eyes. Take the almost permanent stress lines from your forehead. Either alcohol or you finally claimed your boy.”

Dane pushed his friend away. “Asshole.”

“No, really,” Remi said. “I’m happy for you. So everything is good?”

Was it really that noticeable that something had changed? “Everything is great,” Dane confessed. “We…we’re together.”

“Of course you are,” Remi said. His smile was way too big. There was too much knowledge in his eyes.

“You called me here for work,” Dane complained.

“And there is the grumpy guy that I know and love,” Remi said. “I’ll buy dinner so you can tell me all about you and your boy. After you work.”

Dane shook his head. Not that he would mind talking to Remi. He still needed to figure out what he was going to say to Eric. Eric was fully aware of how Dane felt about Brandon but that didn’t mean that Eric wouldn’t have questions. Lots of questions. Dane was still questioning himself.

“Don’t worry about it,” Remi said. “I was just surprised by how happy you look. It’s a good thing.”

Dane just hoped that Eric felt the same. “I’m getting my dog.” Work. He was there to work and if he concentrated on that, then he didn’t have to worry about what Eric might say. Or think about how soft and sweet Brandon had looked when Dane had gone to work. He only had another couple of hours of his shift then he could go home to his boy.

“Make sure your camera is on,” Remi ordered, back in lieutenant mode. Remi might be his boss but they both knew that he would be Dane’s best friend first. He didn’t hide anything from Remi or Eric. They knew about his struggles, had been the ones that had gotten him into rehab, and helped him keep his shit together.

“On it.” Dane waited until just before opening the back door before he switched his body camera on. Thank fuck he hadn’t had it on when Remi has pulled him aside.

He opened the back door as he pulled the leash off the belt. “Come,” he ordered his canine partner.

Maverick jumped from the truck then gave a full-body shake. Dane waited until he was done before he clipped the leash to Maverick’s collar.

Maverick danced at his side as he peered around the scene. There was intelligence in his canine eyes. One of the reasons that Dane had chosen Maverick as his partner was from the first time that Dane had seen the dog. Maverick had been in a field with several other canines that were up for matching with an officer.

Instead of running around and playing, Maverick had been watching. The dog’s dark eyes had tracked Dane as he’d approached the fence. He’d known that was the partner for him.

After his stint in rehab and determined to get his life back on track, Dane had enrolled in the K-9 program for the police department. He’d needed a change. Dane was also over being alone. It had taken a lot of therapy and the help of his friends to realize that his past still haunted how Dane had been living his life.

He’d been so determined to be the opposite of the man who raised him that Dane had let himself wallow in the past. Having an absentee father was not an excuse for Dane to drink himself into oblivion. Dane had been alone because he didn’t trust other people. The only reason that Remi and Eric had still been around was because they’d refused to let him go. Or more accurately had refused to allow Dane to push them away like Dane had done with everyone else.

Pretending that he was content with his life had become habit.

Dane still had issues. He would always be an addict. An alcoholic. The choices that he made were now done with a clear mind and hope in his heart. The decision to change his life had brought Dane everything that he’d thought he hadn’t deserved. Dane still questioned whether he could be who Brandon needed but he was willing to try. To put himself out there and hope.

Maverick nudged his knee and Dane had to shake himself from his thoughts. It was time to work. The sooner they could finish up here, the sooner they could get home to their boy.

Dane clicked his tongue as he strode toward the first vehicle. A black SUV with dark windows that made it impossible to see inside. Mavrick was already showing signs before they started to circle the vehicle. Yeah, this was going to be a hit.

Reaching the back of the SUV, Maverick quickly sat before he pawed the ground. He was alerting to the scent of drugs.

“Good boy, Mav!” Dane ruffled Maverick’s neck before he tossed Maverick’s favorite tug of war toy. Of course, the toy was one that Brandon had bought and not what they had trained with. Because Brandon had become just as important to Maverick as he was to Dane.

Mav captured his toy and they did a quick little game of tugging before Dane turned toward Remi. Remi was already reading the suspect his rights.

“Come, boy,” Dane slid Maverick’s toy into his pocket as he moved them to the next vehicle.

There was nothing fast or easy about police work. Dane wished it was as simple as Maverick alerting and then they would be done.

Maverick had alerted to all three vehicles, so Dane gave Maverick extra love pats before returning the dog to his truck. Dane wasn’t finished though. Not only would there be a ton of paperwork, but he wasn’t done on scene either.

He sent a quick text to Brandon to let the boy know that he might be late. Brandon should already be asleep but if he woke up, Dane didn’t want the boy to worry about them. A text seemed like the polite thing to do for a partner. Not that Dane had ever had a real partner before, but he was trying. Fuck, he hoped that Brandon could see that he was trying.

Pulling on a pair of gloves, Dane moved to the last vehicle that Maverick had alerted to. He suspected by the bundles that the uniformed officers were pulling out of the first vehicle that this was going to be a massive haul.

Remi and another uniform were busy checking the second car and had already discovered a stash.

“Need some help?” Anton Jones asked as he joined Dane. It appeared that Remi had called in reinforcements for this bust. Jones was one of the detectives from Eric’s team. He was newer to the city and the police department but came with experience out of California.

“I’ll take the help,” Dane replied quietly. It was also hard for him to connect with fellow detectives. Dane’s lack of trust for people remained in the back of his mind. He was trying to be a different person though. Dane wanted to open up to others. Or that was what his therapist had suggested. Even though he found it hard to talk to anyone other than his best friends, Dane needed to make an effort. “On call for the night?” he asked just to have something to say.

“Yeah, with Smith still on PTO, the team has been working the desk. Remi called me out and let me tell you I was happy about that. I hate paperwork.”

They all did. Paperwork was what made the cases though so they could put the bad guys behind bars. “I hear you, man.” Without anything else to say, Dane remained quiet. He’d made an effort. That had to be something. He popped open the back hatch. At first glance there was nothing there, but Dane knew how to do his job.

Less than five minutes later, Dane snagged the side panel of the SUV and pulled. Numerous bundles were stacked along the sides. He sighed. Damn it, there was no chance that he would be home anytime soon.

He motioned for Jones to check the siding on the other side. “Got it here.”

“Let me.” Jones yanked and his siding came off. He nodded. “Yep, fully loaded. At least fifteen packages. Maybe more.”

Dane was already tired.

* * * * *

Brandon

He tried to roll over, but he couldn’t move his legs. Pure terror filled him before the sound of a soft snore reached through the panic. Brandon sat up in bed, his breathing coming out in ragged pants.

Maverick’s big furry body held Brandon’s leg in place.

Shit!

Brandon was in bed with Maverick and Dane. The doggo at the foot lying over Brandon’s leg as Dane sprawled on the opposite side of the mattress as Brandon. Dane’s fingers locked gently around Brandon’s wrist. Dane’s touch was so soft that he hadn’t even noticed at first. Carefully, hoping not to bother his furry friend, Brandon pulled his legs out from under the heavy body.

Maverick didn’t even twitch.

Now that he wasn’t in full panic mode, Brandon could appreciate the fact that both Dane and Maverick had managed to climb into bed without waking him. Normally Brandon was a light sleeper since he was often in fight-or-flight mode. Even in his sleep. Sleeping meant he was vulnerable.

A glance at the clock showed it was barely six in the morning.

He had no idea what time Dane and Mav had gotten home but it couldn’t have been that long ago. Brandon had woken just after one to find text messages from Dane alerting him they would be working late. Brandon had been sad but it helped to know that his man and dog were safe.

His bladder gave Brandon another pressing matter that he needed to deal with. Brandon scooted away from Dane toward his side of the bed.

Dane immediately reached for him as Brandon slipped from his hold. He grunted in his sleep searching for Brandon. That… Did Dane really need Brandon as much as Brandon needed him? The evidence was showing that yes, everything that Dane told him was true.

Tears gathered before they fell from his face.

His heart warmed as Brandon watched Dane trying to find him even in sleep.

Brandon had doubted. He hated that about himself, but he had doubted that he would ever be healed enough to be someone that was needed. For over a year, his nightmares and past trauma had been all he had had.

He climbed onto his knees before leaning over and kissing Dane’s forehead.

Dane sighed but settled back into sleep.

Brandon took the chance to get off the bed and made his way to the hall bathroom. His nightlight from the closet shone enough for him to see. In the hall, another nightlight illuminated his way.

He quickly strode to the toilet and relieved himself.

The heater was running softly in the background of the quiet house. A cold front had finally hit the area, making it feel like December, the way it should be. Brandon had worn a pair of Dane’s sweats and a T-shirt to bed. Not that he thought Dane would care much.

Brandon finished using the toilet and flushed before he went to the sink. He was just washing his hands when movement caught his eye in the mirror.

Dane pressed up to Brandon’s back with an arm around his waist. “What’re doing?” he grumbled. His eyes weren’t even open.

“I had to take a piss,” Brandon replied, amused. “Did you miss me?”

Dane grunted. “’Course.”

“I was gone like two minutes.”

His Daddy made some kind of rumbling sound deep in his throat as he pulled Brandon against his chest, walking them both backward. “Stay.”

“Stay?” What was his man even talking about?

“With me,” Dane complained. He picked Brandon off his feet as he shuffled into the hall.

“I am with you.”

“Yeah.” Dane half carried, half forced Brandon down the hall and toward Brandon’s room.

“Are you even awake?” Brandon teased.

“No.” Dane let Brandon’s feet firmly touch the ground, but he was still pushing Brandon toward the bed.

Brandon went to the mattress and climbed up and into the middle as Dane followed close behind. Dane moved Brandon until Brandon was lying on his stomach then wrapped himself around Brandon like a giant teddy bear.

“Can you breathe?” Dane rasped.

“Yeah,” he managed.

“Good.” Dane pulled the blankets over them and was snoring a second later.

Brandon laughed silently to himself as he threaded his fingers with the ones around his stomach. With his free hand, he plopped his thumb into his mouth, letting the sound of Dane’s snores lull him back to sleep.

* * * * *

Dane

Fuck! It was hot! Why was it so hot in here? His cock ached and his balls were pulled tight.

Dane thrust up into that wonderful warm heat.

“Mmm.”

Wait. What?

Dane opened his eyes, delighted by the sight before him. Brandon was on his knees between Dane’s spread thighs, swallowing Dane’s dick like it was the best thing ever.

Reaching out, Dane threaded his fingers into Brandon’s thick hair and tugged.

Without removing his mouth, Brandon peered up at him with his soulful gaze.

“Good morning, baby boy,” Dane whispered.

Brandon gave one more powerful suck then lifted off Dane’s shaft. He didn’t stop stroking. “Hi, Daddy.”

“Are you enjoying your treat?” Dane lifted his hips from the mattress, sliding his slick cock through Dane’s fingers.

“I good boy. I fed Mav. I hungry too.”

“Yeah?” Dane pushed up again. “For food?”

“No,” Brandon shook his head. “For Daddy.”

Well, there were certainty worse ways to be woken up. “Then take care of Daddy good. Swallow all of Daddy’s come. It’s just for you.”

“Me!” Brandon shrilled before practically falling back on Dane’s cock.

What coordination Brandon was lacking was made up for by his enthusiasm. He slobbered on Dane’s dick before finally getting it back into his mouth. Dane made sure to let Brandon control the pace of the blow job. He didn’t want to rush his boy.

There was a vague recollection of dragging Brandon from the bathroom back to bed earlier in the morning, but Dane wasn’t even certain if that really happened or if it had been a dream. All Dane knew was he didn’t want to be in bed if he wasn’t with his boy.

Brandon gave him a strong suck and it was difficult, damn near impossible, to stop from thrusting up. He rotated his hips, forcing the head of his cock to hit the back of Brandon’s throat.

His boy gave an approving sound.

Deciding that he was merely helping, Dane did it again.

Brandon’s free hand cupped his balls and gave them a slight tug.

Dane nearly came off the bed. That…he had liked that. “Do it again,” he ordered. He had never really paid that much attention to his own balls.

Between twisting his wrist and jacking him, sucking hard, and tugging at Dane’s balls, Brandon had Dane desperate to come quickly.

Dane scratched at the top of Brandon’s scalp. “Gonna come, baby. You want it?”

“Mmpf.”

He was taking that as a yes. Dane chased his orgasm until he was spilling inside Brandon’s mouth. Just like the good boy he was, Brandon swallowed down Dane’s come without missing a drop.

Once Brandon was gently letting Dane fall from his mouth, Dane grabbed the boy and yanked him up.

He kissed Brandon hard before he continued to push Brandon up the bed.

“Hang on to the bed frame and fuck my mouth, baby. Give me my own breakfast.”

Straddling Dane’s face, his boy followed directions to a tee. His cock had already been hard and red, full, needy as Dane took him into his mouth. He swallowed Brandon’s dick while encouraging the boy to thrust. He didn’t care how hard Brandon fucked his face as long as the boy got off. Dane had been given a wonderful gift to wake up to and he really wanted to return the favor.

In less time than Dane thought, Brandon was coming in his mouth.

He coughed, choked a little, but managed to get the boy’s seed down.

Brandon fell to the side and collapsed in a sprawled state with arms and legs stretched out. A big smile on his face.

Dane chuckled as he tried to help right the boy.

Brandon was also trying to help and managed to be more of a hinderance, so Dane picked Brandon up to force the boy to curl against his chest. He got smacked in the cheek with a fumbling hand, but the sting was worth it.

Letting out a happy sigh, Brandon looked up at him. “Good morning.”

“Yes, it is,” Dane agreed before kissing his boy.

Pulling back, Dane could see the haziness of Brandon’s eyes. He didn’t know if it was because his boy was recovering from his orgasm or if he was tired. “How did you sleep?”

“Good,” Brandon said. “You hugged me like I was your very own body pillow.”

Dane chuckled. “That’s a good job for you, now that you say that. I’ll just keep you in my bed so I can cuddle you whenever I want.”

Brandon laughed as he poked Dane in the ribs. “Pillows don’t give good-morning blow jobs.”

Running his thumb over Brandon’s bottom lip Dane appreciated the boy’s lip. Brandon was hot, no question. He was also smart, kind, and just a little sassy. Perfect. He slipped his thumb inside Brandon’s mouth. “That’s true. And it would be a crime to deny myself this talented mouth.” Dane loved that mouth.

Brandon sucked on his thumb. “Yeah.”

“A few more minutes of cuddling then we need to get up. Shower and breakfast.”

Brandon nipped at the pad of Dane’s thumb as Dane pulled it away. “Eric, Ezra, and Annabelle will be home tonight.”

“They will.” Dane looked around Brandon’s bedroom. It had only been a couple days but he felt like he was home. Wait, was that his bag on the dresser? Huh. Actually, Dane’s clothes were on the chair in the corner. That little sneak. Had Brandon moved all of Dane’s stuff to his room? The boy was that sure of him? Dane was unbelievably happy with the thought. “Did you want to talk to your brother together or do you want me to do it?”

Brandon shrugged. “Does it matter? You said you wouldn’t hide me.”

“I will never hide you. Remi already figured it out anyway.”

“What?” Brandon watched him with big eyes.

“He said I looked too happy.”

Giving a little wiggle, Brandon grinned and laughed. “’Cuz of me?”

“Yes because of you, silly boy. I couldn’t hide this from your brother if I wanted to. And I don’t want to. I would like to talk to him though, tell him, if you don’t mind.”

“Okay.” Brandon started to play with Dane’s fingers. “He won’t be mad?”

“I think he’ll be very happy for us,” Dane replied. He really did. Dane might doubt himself, but Eric had believed in Dane longer than anyone else. He trusted Dane to take care of Brandon and keep him safe while Eric was gone.

“K, you tell.” Brandon perked up. “I tell EZ!”

“Yes, you can tell Ezra. Maybe call Dom and Lake and see if they want to come visit in the next few days. The basement is all ready for a playdate.”

“I play today!” Brandon clapped. “Make basement awesome.”

“If you want. Just remember that you must clean up what messes you make. You boys promised.”

Pushing his bottom lip out, Brandon scowled. “I no like to clean.”

“A promise is a promise,” Dane reminded his boy. Although if his boy really didn’t want to clean, then Dane would. He was a sucker for his boy. Making Brandon happy was what Dane lived for.

“Okay,” Brandon drawled. His stomach growled. “Hungry.” He rubbed his belly.

“Me too. Shower first.” He swung his legs over the side of the bed before rising with Brandon still in his arms. “Then I’ll make you some French toast.” It was one of the few meals that Dane could manage.

Brandon gave his cheek a loud messy kiss. “Best Daddy Ever!”