Chapter Nine

Eric

There was no question that Eric was going to lose his shit soon. If one more person said they thought Joey Collins ran for the hills. But Eric knew better. Collins was cooked. They had enough on him to put Collins away for a very long time.

"I want to go back to the casino," he said.

Dane nodded next to him.

"Why?" Remi questioned. "There's more security at the casino than anywhere else on or off the Strip. It would be too easy to be spotted."

Eric knew that. "Collins knows he's in deep shit. He's going to want revenge before we take him down. Either of Lambert, me, or someone else." Eric feared it might be Ezra. "He's going to be close to the casino."

"How sure are you?" Remi asked.

"Ninety percent," Eric answered honestly. He met Remi's gaze. They'd been friends for a long time. They'd worked on the same team for a decade. Eric's gut instinct was legendary.

At least his brother had texted him that he'd picked up Ezra and the three of them were safely at home watching bad sci-fi movies.

They were out of danger at least for the night.

"Okay." Remi paced his office. "You two go back to the casino. I'll have the other teams continue to search the city. Every cop, uniform and detective, has Joey Collins's picture. We will find him."

Eric wasn't giving up until they did.

"Come on." Dane grabbed Eric's shoulder. "I'll even buy you something from a drive-thru on the way."

If he were home, Eric would have a nutritious hot meal. He wouldn't have to settle for a dry burger and soggy fries. He wanted to pout at the thought. One more reason for Eric to catch Collins quickly. It would be much better to be home with his family.

"Make sure you check in," Remi ordered.

"Yes, boss," Dane quipped.

Remi growled.

At least Eric was laughing as they exited Remi's office. He followed Dane through the station and out to the parking lot. Eric kept his attention on his surroundings in case he was wrong and Collins was coming for him.

He climbed into the passenger seat of Dane's lifted black truck.

Eric buckled his seatbelt as Dane threw the truck in reverse. Dane hit the gas and they sped from the parking lot. Eric grunted as they took the exit onto the street too fast. His friend drove like a maniac.

"Tacos?" Dane asked.

Eric perked up. That meant that instead of fast food they would stop by the homemade taco truck a few blocks away. "Fuck yeah."

"Well at least that was a better reaction than earlier. What's up with you, man?"

"I could be at home with Brandon, Ezra, and Annabelle, eating a home-cooked meal and watching bad movies. Instead, I'm out looking for some asshole that should already be in handcuffs."

"Everything is working out with your boy?"

"It'll be better once I know for sure he's safe."

"You didn't dispute that he's yours though." Dane took another corner too fast.

Eric clutched the bar above his head. "He's mine," he admitted as Dane straightened the wheel. "I can't even remember how I was living my life without him. He makes everything better."

"And have you discussed your newfound interest and told him that you want to be his Daddy?"

"Not in those words," Eric admitted. There had been moments. Ezra had even used that treasured word once—of course, he'd been coming at the time, but Eric was still counting it as a win.

"What are you waiting for?" Dane demanded.

"Time and opportunity," Eric replied. "It's not that easy. I don't want to scare him away."

Dane snorted. "If he didn't run when you kidnapped him from his apartment, then I think you're good."

His friend might not be wrong.

"And Brandon's doing okay having company in the house?" Dane asked, pulling up in front of their favorite taco truck.

"He's doing great. Having Ezra and Annabelle actually seems to have brought out some of his own protective instincts."

"That's good." Dane reached for the door handle, but Eric grabbed his arm.

"What's wrong?" Dane stiffened as he peered around the street.

"Is there something you want to tell me?" Eric asked. If Dane could ask about Eric's personal life, maybe it was time that they stopped pretending that Dane didn't have his own crush.

"I don't see anyone." Dane scowled out the windshield.

"There's no one out there," Eric said. "I'm talking about my brother."

Dane snapped his head toward him. "What?"

Fuck! Why did he have to drag this out of his best friend? "Dane?"

"Yeah?" Oh, look at Dane's pissed-off face. That wasn't going to stop Eric though.

"Are you in love with my brother?"

Dane jerked back like Eric had just punched him.

"Because if you are, then you might want to come by the house. He's missed you and I promised that he could meet Maverick."

From the back seat, the dog perked up.

Dane rubbed his hands roughly over his face. "Fuck, man!"

"I'm not the only one that needs to make a move," Eric told him.

"You know my past," Dane said. He stared at Eric hard. "How could you want me anywhere near your brother."

"I trust you with my life. With my brother. It's because of your past that I know that you would never hurt Brandon." Being truthful was the only way to handle this.

"He's been through so much," Dane said.

"My brother is a fucking survivor. He is strong. Smart. And deserves the world. You need to really think about what you want. He's healing. Either tell him how you feel or let him down easy."

"What if he's not ready?" Dane questioned quietly.

Eric shrugged. "I don't know. But it's up to him to decide if he's ready or not."

Dane looked away before he eventually nodded. "You're buying dinner." He fumbled out of the truck before slamming the door closed.

"Good talk, asshole," Eric mumbled as he exited out of the passenger side. At least he knew Dane would be thinking about his words.

* * * * *

Ezra

"This night is never going to end," Dominic whined.

Ezra hip-bumped his friend. "Twenty more minutes and then we're out of here. You shouldn't have come in anyway. You looked like you went ten rounds with a boxer."

Dominic's huff amused Ezra.

Ezra had tried to talk to his friend about the events the night before, but Dom had been unusually tight-lipped.

"I don't think you should take up boxing," Lake said.

Ezra snorted a laugh. Mr. Lambert had assigned Lake to stand guard over the coffee shop until Joey Collins was caught. Ezra was aware that Lake was former military, but he also knew that Lake hated any kind of violence. His presence was supposed to be enough to deter anyone from hanging around the shop too long. He could also contact security if he suspected any trouble.

Ezra was just happy spending the day with two of his favorite people. And Brandon was picking him up so he could totally push Dom at Brandon and put his plan of introducing them into action.

"It was a cheap shot," Dom defended himself.

"I saw the video," Lake said. "It was a cheap shot. Can you even see out of two black eyes?"

No wonder Dom had been in a mood all day.

Ezra finished restocking the counter before he leaned against Dom's side. "I'm really sorry that you got mixed up in that."

"Not your fault." Dom winked as he flicked his lip ring.

Ezra wasn't sure. Joey had been looking for him, after all.

"I mean it," Dom said. "I would rather it be me than you. And the doctor checked me out. I'm fine. I can work."

"That's not what the top cop said," Lake stated. He was frowning at Dom.

Dom scowled.

"What top cop?" Ezra demanded.

"The one that went total Daddy on Dom and carried his ass to the doctor," Lake tattled.

"Lake!" Dom growled.

Lake grinned. His big dark eyes shining with laughter. "I thought he was going to put you over his knee! It was so cute."

"Cute?" Dom repeated. "That man is unsufferable."

"Then why were you sporting a hard-on?" Lake asked.

"I'm going to tape your mouth shut," Dom threatened.

"That isn't the type of oral fixation that Lake has," Ezra quipped.

"Oh my God!" Dom exclaimed.

Lake laughed even as he flushed.

"Why am I friends with you two?" Dom asked.

"It's really your fault. You forced me into this friendship," Ezra told him. "Insisted that you were adopting me."

"Same!" Lake wiggled his fingers.

"Yeah." Dom sounded like he regretted that now.

"I might have something to tell you," Ezra said shyly. "If you want to hear."

Dom perked up. "You have a juicy secret?"

"I want to know!" Lake said. "I brought you a sandwich for lunch."

"You did." Ezra beamed at Lake. "Okay, you get to hear but I don't know about Dom. He's cranky."

"I'm not cranky," Dom argued.

Ezra and Lake both stared at him.

Dom sighed. "Fine. The cop might have gotten to me. He was bossing me around and acted like he cared whether or not I was hurt."

Ezra knew that Dom had relied on people in the past due to his chronic condition and had been let down before.

"You really have something to share?"

"I do." Ezra licked his lips. "But I won't tell you unless you spill. I want to hear more about this cop."

"How juicy is your secret?" Dom pressed.

"Sooo juicy." And it was. Dom would be happy for him. Lake too.

"You don't usually have anything fun to tell me. It's just work and home. And of course, that adorable little girl."

"A lot has happened in the last few days," Ezra admitted.

"Hmm." Dom squinted at him.

"Please!" Lake clapped his hands. "You're both keeping secrets and it's not nice."

Ezra crossed his arms over his chest. Dom would totally try to get out of telling his story. Ezra could wait all night.

"Fine." Dom huffed.

"You first," Ezra reminded him.

Dom lifted himself onto the counter. The coffee shop was empty and they were just passing time before their replacements came in. Ezra hoped he really could get the story out of his friend before they were interrupted.

"The cop. He dragged me to a clinic and refused to leave. Which mean he heard me tell the staff about my illness."

Dom shared with very few people the daily battle he had to endure.

"I'm sorry," Ezra said sincerely.

"Me too." Lake came around the counter and hugged Dom. Since Lake was so much bigger than the two of him, he made a wonderful big ol' teddy bear. Perfect for snuggles and hugs.

Even Dom couldn't resist and leaned into their big guy.

"Remi, that's the cop's name, he didn't react like everyone else had. He stayed quiet as the doctor worked on me but as soon as I was released, he insisted on taking me home. He peppered me with questions the entire way. I tried to tell him to fuck off but the man just doesn't give up. He walked me inside and saw my latest test results from this week."

"What tests? I didn't know you had more tests." Ezra usually went with Dom when he could. Or sent Lake or Tony. They hated when Dom went alone although Dom did keep a lot to himself.

"I just went for a few more tests. Nothing I haven't been through before."

Ezra stiffened even though he wanted to appear to remain calm. Dom suffered from chronic kidney failure and three times a week went for dialysis treatment. It was tough on his body and mind. He needed a transplant, but the odds weren't in his favor without having a living donor match. He was on the waiting list but that could take between six and ten years. Dom's health had been deteriorating fast and it was doubtful that he had that long. "Did they find a match?"

Dom shook his head. "No. Just more tests. They love to poke and prod."

Ezra grabbed his hand. "That doesn't mean we won't find one."

Dom let out a long sigh. "Doesn't mean we will either."

Damn it, life wasn't fair. Dom was one the nicest guys that Ezra had ever met. He accepted Ezra and the limitations on his time since he had Annabelle. Ezra had even gone through the first stages of testing himself, but he couldn't donate. He had enough kidney function himself to live a full life but not enough to give up one kidney.

Ezra had been devastated. Dom had shrugged off the results. He hadn't wanted Ezra to do the testing since he had Annabelle, but Ezra had been sure they could figure something out. Ezra had failed his friend though.

"But hey!" Dom said with false cheer. "I told you mine so now tell me yours and it better be good."

He met Lake's gaze. They would keep an eye on Dom. He could get depressed and would disappear on them for a few days. And now it was his time to share. "You know how I've been staying with the new security guy?"

"Mr. McHottie?" Dom teased. "The security guy that is really a cop."

"Yes. Him."

"I like Eric," Lake said. He is such a nice man. Every time he comes to the club, he always makes time to talk to me. I like that he likes you."

"McHottie goes to the club?" Dom asked.

Ezra's stomach rolled. He hadn't know that. Wasn't Eric new to the lifestyle? Why had Ezra thought that? They hadn't even discussed anything about kink or a relationship. Shit!

"That's where he would meet Mr. Lambert. To talk about the case. He's not a member or anything."

Ezra sagged with relief.

"You fucked him!" Dom shouted. "Hoy shit, Ezra!"

Ezra slapped a hand over Dom's mouth. Sure no one was around but Ezra didn't want everyone to know his business.

"No! I didn't sleep with him."

Dom's shoulders slumped.

Lake made a small sound of disappointment in his throat.

"He kissed me though."

"He kissed you," Dom mumbled behind his hand.

"Yep." Ezra waited. "And jacked me off."

Dom's eyes widened.

"Oh! And blew me in the kitchen this morning."

That was all wasn't it? Yeah, he didn't need to mention the snuggling or suckling. Not until he knew Eric would be okay with his friends knowing he was a Daddy. He was a Daddy, right? Crap, he really did need to talk things over with his friends. It was confusing. Ezra had never been interested in someone before.

Dom finally smacked Ezra's hand off his mouth. He grabbed Ezra's arm before he began to shake Ezra. "Tell me everything."

"This really is juicy!" Lake said with approval. "I'm so happy for you."

"Was it good? It was good. I know it was. That man looks like he knows what he's doing." Dom was practically dancing in place.

"It was good. Fantastic. Wonderful." Ezra might have sighed.

"Wow!" Lake said. "This is so dreamy. Like a movie or something."

"We need more details," Dom determined.

"Does he know about you being a little?" Lake asked. "He seems comfortable and non-judgmental at the club. Maybe you found someone who can accept you being little and still being a dad."

"Those weren't the details that I meant," Dom complained. "Although I guess they're important too."

"He…he knows I'm a little." Ezra couldn't explain how Eric found out. Not without outing Brandon and Ezra would never do that.

"So let me get this straight. This guy sees you, takes you and Annabelle home because you both are sick, cares for you, is protective of you. He sounds a little too good to be true." Dom's fierce protectiveness was in full force.

Ezra rolled his eyes.

"Oh," Dom drawled. "And he came and rescued you like a princess."

"I'm not a princess," Ezra stated with a scowl.

"With a handsome prince riding to the rescue," Dom teased.

"I really hope you're not calling my brother a prince. That will go straight to his head."

Ezra jumped.

Brandon grinned at him from in front of the counter while holding Ezra's happy daughter in his arms.

Lake squeaked before rushing around the counter to tickle Annabelle's stomach and make her giggle.

Brandon held her protectively against his chest as he eyed the big guy.

"Hey. I'm here to take you home." Brandon didn't take his eyes off Lake who was now making funny faces at Ezra's little angel as she tried to mimic him.

"Who are you?" Dom demanded. "And why do you have Ezra's baby girl?"

"I'm McHottie's brother," Brandon replied with a smirk. "And I've been on babysitting duty."

"You can let Lake hold her," Ezra said. Lake was dancing around as his fingers twitched obviously wanting to hold the toddler. Ezra didn't often bring her around work since he'd gotten bad vibes from Joey and other members of security. "She loves him."

With obvious reluctance, Brandon handed Annabelle over.

"McHottie has a cutie as a brother," Dom teased. He leaned closer and smiled. "A real cutie."

Brandon took a step back. "Uh…"

He groaned. Ezra had wanted Dom and Brandon to meet but not while he was sharing about what he'd done with Eric. "How much did you hear?" Ezra questioned.

"So much." Brandon leaned forward. "Not that I didn't already know any of it. I did walk in on the blow job."

Dom made a choking sound. "I'm pretty sure that was left out. Let's talk about that."

"No." Ezra untied the apron around his neck. "I've embarrassed myself enough for the night."

"Oh, come on! It was just getting good," Brandon teased.

"I think I like you," Dom said to Brandon. "Dominic Humprey. My friends call me Dom. Hey, new friend."

Brandon lifted one elegant eyebrow. "Friend."

"I've adopted you," Dom told him.

"You did what now?"

Ezra shook his head. "He does that. Just go with it. Fighting is futile."

"It really is," Lake agreed.

Brandon shrugged. "I could use a few friends."

"Perfect." Dom clapped his hands. "Now what do you know about Ezra and your brother?"

Brandon glanced over at him. "Too much. Much too much."

And that was probably enough for one night. He wanted them to be friends not gang up on him. Ezra glanced from Brandon to Lake to Dom. He had an idea. "We need to plan a night together soon."

Dom's mouth dropped open. "Like you're going to go out with us? You never do anything other than work and take care of Annabelle."

"Maybe it's time."

"It's totally time," Dom agreed. "What are we going to do? Clubbing? Movies?"

Ezra laughed. "We'll figure it out." He still needed to figure out how to bring up Brandon being littles like them.

Brandon shrugged. "Sounds good to me. We'll get my brother to watch Annabelle. It'll be great."

"What about the club?" Lake said. "There's always a safe place for us there."

Ezra's eyes widened as he looked at Brandon.

"What club?" Brandon asked.

"The Teddy Bear club," Lake said. "I run security at the entrance. It's a private club here that Jesse Lambert runs. There's little night. Pup night. Exhibitions."

Ezra turned to Dom desperately. He did not want Brandon to think Ezra had shared something intimate about him.

"Lake." Dom strolled around the counter. Ezra hurried to follow but went to Brandon. "Remember not everyone is comfortable going to the club."

Lake frowned." But Ezra said that Eric knew he was a little. Surely Eric's brother wouldn't mind—"

Brandon was frantically looking around.

"I didn't tell them anything about you," Ezra whispered.

"But they…are they like us?" There was a hopeful edge to his voice.

"Totally," Ezra said.

Brandon turned to him. "I used to have friends. Back…back before I came to live here. We went to a club and they had a playroom."

"Yes, I haven't gone but the club has a playroom that Dom and Lake have told me about. They said it was amazing."

"I forgot that you said you hadn't been regressing."

"Not since I had Annabelle," Ezra confessed.

"But she's three!"

"I know. I'm a father first."

"Not anymore," Brandon told him. "Eric won't allow it."

That was the impression that Ezra had gotten as well. "So what do you think? Want some little friends?"

"I really do," Brandon confessed.

"Good." Ezra glanced up as Lake approached. His watery eyes made Ezra's heart ache. Dom was holding Annabelle but looked just as unhappy.

"I'm real sorry if I made you uncomfortable," Lake said to Brandon.

Ezra knew he liked Eric's little brother but when Brandon pulled Lake into a hug, Ezra could have kissed the guy.

"Don't worry about it," Brandon told Lake. "I'm glad you mentioned it. I would have never admitted on my own that I am a little."

Lake leaned back. "You're a little too?"

"I am." Brandon ducked his head. "I had friends where I used to live but—"

"It's okay." Ezra rubbed Brandon's back.

"Well, this is turning out better than expected." Dom walked over, bouncing Annabelle. "I'll plan the trip to the club. It's going to be awesome."

Ezra smiled as the four of them huddled together with Annabelle in the middle. They made a pretty awesome group of friends. He'd really needed friends. They all did in their own way. Maybe Ezra should come up with a name for them. They could get matching shirts!