Chapter 18

After their deeply connecting wax play session, Ethan and Hunter retreated to Hunter's home. As Ethan stepped inside, he was immediately struck by the solidity and warmth it exuded. The place was expansive; its well-crafted architecture and tasteful decor spoke of Hunter's success and his yearning for a stable, secure environment. Rich hardwood floors spread underfoot, and the walls were adorned with art that suggested a thoughtful, settled life. The large, open kitchen hinted at family gatherings, while the plush furnishings in the living room invited relaxation and comfort.

Walking through the space, Ethan felt the tangible presence of Hunter's aspirations for a life far removed from the instability of his early years. This house was a sanctuary, showcasing Hunter's desire for a permanent sense of home and belonging. Every detail, from the neatly lined bookshelves to the framed photographs of landscapes, suggested a deep-seated need to create a life that was both fulfilling and grounded.

Ethan couldn't help but admire how Hunter had built a world so thoroughly a stark contrast to the transient nature of his childhood.

The night unfolded with a rare quietude as they took comfort in the normalcy of simply being together outside the usual chaos of their lives. They shared a late-night snack, talked and cuddled in bed, and for a few hours, allowed themselves the luxury of forgetting the complex web of their investigation.

By the time morning light filtered through the curtains, the sanctuary of Hunter's home had provided them both with renewed focus and energy. Transitioning from the personal warmth of last night to the professional coolness of their duties, they prepared themselves to dive back into the data and surveillance feeds that awaited their attention.

In the well-equipped computer room in Hunter's home, the glow of monitors cast an eerie light over Ethan and Hunter as they poured over surveillance footage and financial documents. The room was filled with a tense silence, punctuated only by the occasional click of a mouse or the soft murmur of conversation.

Ethan leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples before turning to Hunter with a serious expression. "We know law enforcement is tangled up in this, but the ring has access to details that only someone from the club could know," he said, his voice low and troubled.

Hunter nodded, his eyes not leaving the screen as he scrolled through another document.

"Do you have anyone in mind? Someone who might be leaking information?"

"It can be almost everyone. Except maybe Slate or Brick. They founded the club and would never do anything to harm it." Hunter sighed, tapping a finger against the desk. "My guess would be… Rex. He's relatively new, always flush with cash. It doesn't add up. His background doesn't point to any family money, and bartending or bouncing wouldn't cover this kind of flow."

Ethan turned away from the monitor to face Hunter fully. He furrowed his brow in thought. "That's a solid point if he's been living well beyond the means of a typical bar salary. Have you quizzed him about his finances?"

"Yeah, no matter the questions or ribbing, he's always dodgy about it."

As Ethan flipped through another set of bank statements, his brow furrowed. "Look at this," he pointed out, showing him the sheet where multiple high-amount transactions were highlighted. "There's no way a bartender salary covers this. And these deposits coincide with the dates we had actions against the ring."

Hunter leaned over Ethan's shoulder, scanning the evidence. "It's too consistent to be a coincidence," he agreed, his voice low. "He's been flying under the radar, but this... this is too direct to ignore."

Ethan stood up, pacing a small circle before stopping and facing the monitor again. "We need concrete evidence. Let's dig deeper into his financials, look for any anomalies or connections to known traffickers. Can you set up surveillance, tap his phone, track his movements? I don't want to involve the precinct, since we're not sure how deep the corruption is running there."

Hunter quickly typed commands into his computer, setting up the necessary surveillance measures. "I'll monitor his communications around the clock. If he's our leak, he won't have much room to maneuver now."

Ethan watched Hunter work. "Let's keep this tight. If Rex is involved, tipping him off could blow the whole operation."

The two of them sat back, the gravity of the situation sinking in. Rex had been a trusted member of the ECOs, always around to lend a hand, his loyalty never questioned—until now. Hunter had ridden with Rex, shared drinks, and stories. The thought that he might be the mole, feeding information to the traffickers, was a bitter pill to swallow.

In the high-tech nerve center, Hunter's fingers danced across the keyboard. He had just successfully installed tracking software on Rex's phone by sending the man a text message with a porn GIF infected with a hidden program.

Watching his man's skills, Ethan was fully awake and energized, despite their short night. When he swallowed, his mouth was dry and he realized he'd been gawking with it hanging open.

Blinking, Ethan stared down at the phone in his hand and tried to remember what he was about to do. He shook his head in an effort to clear it, pulled up his chat with Dani and shot her a quick message.

Meet me at the precinct. Got a major update.

Turning back to Hunter, he pocketed his phone. "I'm intending to try to dig more into the law enforcement involved. This reaches deeper than we thought."

As Hunter leaned back, the expression on his face similar to the one he got after sex, Ethan's cock surged to life. Ethan ignored the fucker as he did his desire to stay. He needed to update his partner. Unable to leave, Ethan hovered by the door.

Hunter nodded and rose. "I'll walk you out."

"Yeah?"

Was it Ethan's imagination or did the room just turn brighter?

"Yeah."

Ethan gathered his jacket, lost in thoughts. There was no need for words; the weight of their findings and the uncertainties ahead filled the space between them. They walked side by side toward the exit.

As Hunter opened the door, he cautioned, "Please be careful. You know how deep this could run."

Ethan nodded, his mind racing with plans and possibilities. As he started to leave, a sudden impulse seized him. He spun around, stepped back toward Hunter, and without a word, grabbed him by the t-shirt. Pulling him close, Ethan pressed his lips firmly against Hunter's in a deep, expressive French kiss. It was a bold, consuming moment that spoke volumes, more about their emotional connection than mere physical attraction.

Warmth flooded Ethan's body from the core outward, tingling surges sparking from his chest and radiating through his limbs. His heart raced, pounding against his ribcage, while his stomach fluttered with nerves and exhilaration. Each breath they shared expanded his chest further, filling him with a heady mix of power and vulnerability.

The world around them faded into a blur, sunbursts and spots dancing across Ethan's vision as the intensity of the moment peaked. His mind, often cluttered with worries and cases, emptied completely, leaving room only for the vividness of the present. The usual cacophony of city sounds dimmed, replaced by the heightened sensations of Hunter's proximity—the texture of his shirt under Ethan's fingers, the scent of his skin, the warmth of his breath.

In that kiss, Ethan was carried away to a state where anything seemed possible, and where the realities of their worlds were distant memories. He felt invincible, connected not just to Hunter but to a serene, vivid world where every detail was magnified, and every emotion intensified. This was an affirmation of their bond, powerful and transformative, anchoring Ethan to the moment and to the man in his arms. With a groan, he pressed his pelvis forward, his cock meeting an equally significant bulge in Hunter's pants.

Fuck me!

But he wouldn't fuck.

No time to indulge, dick .

The kiss left Ethan with a rush of euphoria, his stomach fluttering with nervous excitement and a profound connection. As he pulled away, his pulse raced, not just from the kiss but also from the realization of how deeply entwined his life had become with Hunter's.

When they broke apart, they were both panting and clinging to each other like drowning men on a raft in a storm.

As Ethan headed to his car, his mind was awash with emotions. He started the car on autopilot, his ability to think drowned out by his internal turmoil. As he waited at a roundabout, his heart still hammered against his ribs. He passed a slow-moving truck, his impatience mirroring his urgency to be with Hunter again.

Driving the short distance, Ethan's mind was in a whirl of daydreams and distractions, his thoughts drifting back to Hunter. The world seemed brighter, more poignant with Hunter in his life. Despite the looming challenges of their investigation, Ethan had never been more hopeful.

Turning on his signal, Ethan's movements were automatic as his thoughts drifted back to Hunter. He braked sharply for a dawdling driver, the abrupt stop echoing the sudden jolts of realization about his emotional state. An ambulance rushed past, its sirens contrasting with the peace Hunter brought him.

Each mile closer to the precinct brought longing and clarity. Ethan acknowledged to himself, amidst the flow of traffic and the pull of his duties, that he was irrevocably in love with Hunter 'Crosscut' Maddox. The sense of being whole with Hunter, the security he felt in his presence—all these feelings swelled within him.