Chapter Four

CHAPTER FOUR

DRAKE

A n excited black lab mix met them at the door, wiggling and wagging.

“Drake, meet Bailey. Bailey, this is Drake.” Garrett glanced to Drake. “I hope you like dogs. He comes with the deal.”

“Absolutely.” Drake dropped to one knee and let Bailey sniff his hand before reaching to scratch his ears. “Bailey looks like a very good boy.”

“He is.” Garrett fondly patted the dog on the head. “We’ve been through a lot together. Can I get you a drink?”

The vibe between them felt oddly awkward. “Beer, please.” Drake wanted to be able to drive back to his hotel if things didn’t go well. And if they didn’t, he had bourbon in his room to dull the ache.

They sat down at the kitchen table, and Garrett picked at the label of his beer. “So…I guess we never talked about what we do for a living. I’m a veterinarian. I own a practice that works with small animals—pets that aren’t exotic. That’s pretty much been my life for the last five years.

“But as proud of the practice as I am, I want more in my life. Which is how I ended up at the bar, hoping to meet someone.” His eyes widened. “Not that I’m in a rush. I know it’s early for us. But I’ll just put my cards on the table and say that, down the line, I want a real relationship.”

Drake admired Garrett’s honesty and appreciated his willingness to say what he wanted up front. He knew better than to say so, but he had learned about Garrett’s profession and quite a bit about his past when he ran a background check. That sort of thing weirded out civilians, but Drake needed to make sure Garrett was who he claimed to be.

“That’s actually how I got Bailey,” Garrett continued. “I was adrift after my last relationship broke up. Bailey’s family developed severe allergies and couldn’t keep the dog. Bailey was a patient of mine, and the family asked if I could help find him a new home.” He petted Bailey’s back, and the dog stretched. “Bailey comes to the office with me most days,” Garrett said. “He’s sort of our mascot. He likes that better than being home alone.”

“Understandable.”

The conversation lagged, and Drake knew it was his turn to say something. Bailey got a drink of water from his bowl and curled up beneath the table.

“I work for a branch of law enforcement that deals with the paranormal.” Drake chose his words carefully. “I can’t say more, sorry. I’m normally based in Wheeling, but I’m here looking into some things. I went to the bar just wanting a drink and couldn’t take my eyes off you.”

He paused. “I don’t seem to do anything in my life casually. I don’t like one-night stands. I’d prefer an actual relationship, but for a long time, I put everything into the job. It has times that it’s all-consuming, but I’m ready to not make it my only focus. I want more.”

Drake cleared his throat. “That doesn’t mean I’m going to try to pressure you into something or make this into something it isn’t. But if you’re open to the possibility?—”

Garrett smiled and reached for his hand across the table. “I’m very open to that. And I’m fine with taking it one day at a time. Do you know how long you’ll be in Moundsville?”

Drake shook his head. “No. Until the case is done. But Wheeling isn’t far away.”

“My office and the hospital are established here. They aren’t something I can easily move—and I wouldn’t want to. I love my patients, and I have a great staff,” Garrett said, and Drake saw hesitation in his eyes as if that might be a deal breaker.

“I don’t think that’s a problem. Sometimes, like now, I have to travel for work. But my home base is Wheeling and if things work out, we could find a place that splits the drive for both of us.”

On one hand, Drake felt like things were moving too fast and that they were getting ahead of themselves on what was barely the second date.

Then again, we’re grown-ups with responsibilities, and free time is scarce. I think we’re both at the point where we don’t want to invest in a relationship that can’t work out. Best to have the conversation up front so there’s less of a mess to clean up.

Garrett was quiet, and Drake figured maybe he had said too much. “Uh, say something?”

Garrett pulled out of his thoughts with a self-conscious expression. “Sorry—my brain went off on a tangent. You’re right. Wheeling isn’t far depending on what end of town. So that could work. Now that we’ve got that figured out, you know I’m a vet, and I know you’re not a spy; we can just take things as they come.”

Drake winced at the word spy. Garrett picked up on it.

“ Are you a spy?”

Drake shook his head. “Government agent specializing in paranormal problems. Not a spy. I swear.”

Throughout their conversation, his internal radar didn’t ping on anything that made him think Garrett was being untruthful. He tried to return the favor to the best of his ability. If they really became serious, at some point he would say more about his job. But especially now, he didn’t want to accidentally make Garrett a target.

“Are we good?” Garrett asked after a long pause as they finished their drinks.

“I am if you are,” Drake replied.

Garrett let out his breath in a whoosh. “Okay, then. I’m glad. Because I enjoy being with you and I had fun tonight. And if the mood isn’t totally ruined, I’d like to take off your clothes and make you feel good.”

“I’m in favor of that.”

Garrett’s eyes widened as if he had said too much. “I mean, we can take things at whatever speed you want…no pressure…God, why am I so bad at this?”

Drake chuckled. “No worse than I am. I agree. There’s no rush to hit milestones, although I’d be lying if I said that when the time’s right, I’d like to fuck your brains out.”

“See, we’re already on the same wavelength. I’d like that at some point too.” Garrett had an adorable spot of color blooming on his cheeks.

“Now that the heavy lifting is out of the way, will you stay the night?” Garrett asked.

“I’d love to.” Drake couldn’t hold back the smile.

Garrett fetched two more drinks and set them on the table. “Before we move on to other diversions … what did you make of what Madame said?”

Drake thought back over the seer’s comments and what they had already discussed. “She seemed to sense a connection between us—which is a positive—and she wasn’t warning us away from it. In fact, she seemed to see it as a protection.”

“I’m just a veterinarian. You’re a secret agent. I’m not much use for protecting anyone, sorry to say.”

“She said you had a shadow,” Drake recalled. “Do you know what she meant?”

Garrett shook his head. “No. I don’t have any crazy exes, nobody out to get me—that I know about, anyhow.”

“I’ll do my very best to keep you safe,” Drake promised. “And since we’re ’fessing up—my work can be dangerous. Bad people shoot at me. I shoot back. Plenty of agents have partners and even families—but many of them don’t because the life can be a lot to deal with.”

Garrett nodded. “I can see that. Then again, a vet I know got shot by a patient because he couldn’t save the man’s dog. We live in a crazy world. I’m ready to take a few risks…for the right guy.” He smiled, clearly flirting to lighten the moment.

“And do you think I could be the right guy?” Drake usually doubted his bantering skills, but with Garrett, it didn’t feel forced. He opened up his gift to read Garrett’s aura, something he had resisted until now beyond a quick peek to make sure there wasn’t anything dark. Garrett’s aura pulsed a warm orange-red, resonating with happiness, relaxation…and attraction.

“I sure would like to find out.”

Garrett fed Bailey and took him out for a brief run in the backyard. When they came back inside, Bailey curled up on a dog bed next to the television and fell asleep.

They took their drinks into the living room and Garrett flipped through the menu until he found a sci-fi movie they had both seen multiple times, a comfortable background filler.

They snuggled together, sipping their drinks as their hands roamed. Drake nearly choked on his drink when Garrett cupped his package with a light squeeze. He set his glass aside.

“What did you have in mind?” His voice was low and gravelly, which had nothing to do with the alcohol.

“I want to suck you. Is that okay?”

“Better than okay. And I want to return the favor,” Drake replied with a hungry grin.

Garrett raised his head and looked toward where Bailey slept on his dog cushion. “Let’s go in the bedroom. I…haven’t brought anyone else home, and I don’t want Bailey to misunderstand.”

Drake’s heartbeat sped up, and he fought a grin at the thought. I like him. Enough that I don’t want to share him. I might just want to keep him forever.

“We don’t want him getting jealous,” Drake replied in a serious tone. Garrett gave him a look, likely trying to decide if he was making fun.

Drake raised his hands in surrender. “Seriously. A friend of mine got bitten that way—someone’s dog thought all that moving around and making noise was an attack. I can’t imagine how that went over in the emergency room.”

Garrett rolled his eyes. “I’m hoping that the ER didn’t do more than make a note of the circumstances. I can’t guarantee something like that didn’t get discussed in the break room, but definitely not in front of the patient.”

Bailey lifted his head when they turned off the television and left the couch, but then he rolled over and kicked his feet into the air, apparently deciding they weren’t interesting enough to follow.

Just for good measure, Garrett closed the bedroom door and latched it. “I, um, cleaned up and made the bed. Just in case.” He blushed adorably.

Drake pulled Garrett into his arms and kissed him. “Were you hoping to get lucky?” he teased.

“Definitely hoping.” Garrett kissed him back, making the response long and lingering.

“We can take things at whatever speed you’re comfortable with. There’s no timeline.” Drake deepened the kiss.

Although he was eager to get to know Garrett and learn what made him happy in bed, Drake was fine with taking things slowly, especially if Garrett hadn’t been very active in the years he was building his vet practice.

Drake pushed Garrett against the wall and sank to his knees. He kept eye contact as he opened Garrett’s belt and undid his zipper, taking his time. He pushed Garrett’s jeans and briefs down to his ankles, and Garrett stepped out of one side, giving him room to spread his legs a bit.

Garrett might not have taken it for granted that they would spend the night together, but he was neatly trimmed and smelled more of soap than sweat. Drake appreciated the effort, but he missed the sharp tang that was uniquely Garrett.

“Fuck, you’re beautiful.” He wrapped his hand around the base of Garrett’s erection, appreciating the length and girth, the slight curve, and the heft. Before Garrett could answer, Drake took him down to the root, making a pleased sound as Garrett moaned.

“Yeah. Just like that. Oh, fuck. So good.”

Drake tried to ignore his own hard-on and shifted his hips for relief. He sucked and licked, hollowing his cheeks and bobbing up and down until Garrett gave up on words and groaned his pleasure.

“I’m close,” Garrett warned.

Drake kept going, tracing the veins with his tongue, teasing at the sensitive spot beneath the head, and fondling Garrett’s balls. Garrett tangled one hand in Drake’s hair and gasped as his orgasm swept over him, fucking Drake’s mouth as come shot down his throat.

Drake swallowed it all, moving his hands to grip Garrett’s ass cheeks, working him through the aftershocks despite the ache in his own cock.

Garrett loosened his grip, stroking his fingers through Drake’s hair instead of grabbing it tight. Drake let the softened cock slip from his mouth and nuzzled against Garrett’s groin, getting a yelp of surprise when he licked too-sensitive balls.

“That was…yeah. Really good,” Garrett said breathlessly. “Let me return the favor.”

He guided Drake to sit on the end of the bed, helping him shimmy out of his pants and boxer briefs.

Drake obligingly spread his legs. “Like what you see?”

“Oh, hell yes.” He only bothered to pull up his underwear before he sank to his knees between Drake’s legs.

He took in Drake’s package admiringly before taking his cock into his mouth. Garrett let his tongue swirl around the sensitive head and lap up the drops of pre-come that slipped from his slit. He traced the veins on the hard shaft, first with the tip of his tongue and then the flat, holding the root with his hand.

What Garrett lacked in technique, he made up for in enthusiasm. Drake guessed that Garrett hadn’t given a lot of head, which meant a slow build.

“You don’t have to take it all.” Drake touched Garrett’s cheek with his fingertips. “What you’re doing is fine.” He worried that Garrett was trying for a porn star performance with limited first-hand experience. “Just keep going,” Drake coached. “Don’t pause unless you’re trying to give me blue balls. That’s it. You don’t have to be fancy. I’m feeling real good just with what you’re doing. You’ll get me there. I’m very sure.” He gasped as Garrett’s tongue swept over a sensitive spot.

True to his prediction, it didn’t take long before Drake felt his balls tighten and he came harder than usual, perhaps because of Garrett’s inexperience. Or maybe just because it was Garrett earnestly worshiping his cock and giving it his best effort.

Garrett’s eyes widened a bit, and then he managed to swallow.

“Next time, you can spit if you’d rather,” Drake told him. “I won’t be offended.” He stretched behind him for the box of tissues he had seen on the nightstand, giving one to Garrett and using another to clean up before tucking himself in and pulling his underwear on. He left his jeans in a pile on the floor since he figured bed was the next stop.

“I just didn’t want to disappoint you.” Garrett blushed.

“Hey. Look at me.” Drake tipped up Garrett’s chin. “You aren’t going to disappoint me because I want you however I can have you. I think it’s kind of hot to learn new things together.”

Garrett managed a smile as he put himself back together, putting his jeans to the side as well so that, like Drake, he was just in a T-shirt and briefs.

Drake held out a hand to him and lay back, wriggling to get them both on the bed even if they were atop the spread.

“That felt good,” he told Garrett, knowing that giving head improved with repetition. “You’ll find what works for you and makes it good for me. Just takes practice.”

“I feel like I’ve missed out on some critical life skills,” Garrett confessed. “Getting through vet school, interning, working in an emergency clinic, and then opening my own practice didn’t leave a lot of free time. And honestly, I was so tired when I finally finished my shift that I didn’t even jack off most nights. I can be pretty single-minded when I’m working on getting what I want.”

Drake kissed him and pulled Garrett into his arms. “I won’t complain if you want to be single-minded about me,” he teased. “I will happily enable that.”

“Mmm. Sounds good.” Sated and snuggled, Garrett looked adorably sleepy.

Drake let his hands explore Garrett’s body, which was toned but not ripped. That made sense, he thought, since Garrett likely didn’t have much time for the gym.

“I like touching you.” Drake mapped the curves and angles with his palms and fingertips, not trying to arouse but to learn his lover’s sensitive places. “And I like it when you touch me.”

Drake hadn’t been with an inexperienced lover in a long time, maybe since those fumbling firsts in high school. Some of his encounters had been a little too proficient for his liking, focused on technique over making an emotional connection because getting off was the only end game.

“I like touching you too,” Garrett admitted it like a secret. “I want to know all the places that make you go crazy.”

“That sounds like a great way to spend a weekend.” Drake lightly kissed Garrett’s shoulder to his neck. “I want to find out the same about you.”

“I don’t have a lot of stamina these days…it’s been too long since I’ve gotten some on the regular. I did read that will improve with practice—I’d like to put that theory to the test.” Garrett gave a wicked smile with a glint in his eyes.

“Oh, I’m very happy to help you practice.” Drake leaned in to kiss him slow and sweet. “And there’s no hurry. We can go at whatever pace you want. We only have to please ourselves.”

Garrett looked down, suddenly nervous, and Drake frowned, wondering at the sudden shift. “Hey. What’s wrong?” He crooked a finger under Garrett’s chin and raised his head. “Talk to me.”

“I know we’ve just started seeing each other,” Garrett said. “But I’m hoping that we can be…just us…while we figure out what this is between us.”

“Exclusive?” Drake wanted to make sure he understood.

Garrett nodded. “Are you okay with that? Honestly, I’m not a play the field kind of guy. When I find something—or someone—I like, I tend to stick with it.”

Drake pulled him into his arms and kissed him again. “I’m fine with that. And I have never been a notch in the bedpost type, either. Too much drama. I’m willing to see where this leads and take it day by day.”

Garrett pulled him into a long, sweet kiss. Drake’s cock twitched, but after his long day, he didn’t think he would be ready for a second round before morning. One of the nice things about being out of his twenties was appreciating quality over quantity.

“We should probably clean up. It’s late.” Garrett drew back reluctantly. “I’ll lay out a toothbrush for you—I have a bunch of them from dentist visits.”

He gave Drake a peck on the tip of his nose and got out of bed, padding off to the bathroom while Drake pulled the covers down and folded the jeans he had left on the floor. While Garrett was in the bathroom, he glanced around the room, trying to get a sense of its owner without actively snooping.

An e-reader lay on the nightstand on what Drake assumed was Garrett’s preferred side of the bed, next to an Arts and Crafts style table lamp and a box of tissues. The bedroom suite was real wood and actual furniture, not the flat packed assembly sort.

Framed photos on the top of the chest of drawers displayed what he guessed to be Garrett’s family members on an outing at a lake. A few tchotchkes included an amethyst geode, a carved wooden dog, and a piece of pottery that looked hand-thrown.

Drake’s job prized observation and analysis, and he couldn’t turn that off, even in this setting. Garrett values family. He’s got a sentimental streak, so he likes souvenirs and things that remind him of special times. Maybe he inherited the bedroom furniture, but it’s definitely a cut above the do-it-yourself stuff.

That means he probably values creature comforts over just having a bunch of things. He realized that armchair psychology was often wrong, but he wanted to understand Garrett so he could give him what he needed.

Drake opened his senses, wanting a read from his psychic side. He fully believed Garrett was who he claimed to be and as he represented himself. Now, Drake wanted to understand his lover better.

Lover. I like the sound of that.

He listened with his gift, and impressions slowly filtered in. Focused. Sentimental. Sincere. A little lonely. Family and friends matter to him. Kind—but nobody’s pushover. Values the past. Optimistic. Ready to find someone.

A few years ago, Drake might have been hesitant about a guy like Garrett who seemed too good to be true. But Drake had reached the point where he wanted more than work, even though he had become a secret agent like he had dreamed as a boy long ago. He wanted a person of his own, a home he shared with a lover—and maybe, a dog.

Bailey would do just fine.

“Your turn.”

Garrett’s voice jolted him from his thoughts. “Here,” Garrett said. “Toothbrush and your very own mini-toothpaste.”

“I think we’re past the point of getting squeamish about sharing a toothpaste tube, don’t you?” Drake snickered.

“Hey, just trying to be a good host,” Garrett joked. “I’m out of practice.”

Drake stood and pulled him into his arms. “I’ll make sure you get plenty of practice,” he murmured, ending with a kiss.

“I like the sound of that.”

Garrett had changed into a pair of thin drawstring sleep pants that did little to conceal his ass or his package. Drake’s cock approved, and he made plans to have a very happy morning.

“Do you mind if I just sleep in my briefs? I didn’t bring anything else.”

“I don’t mind at all,” Garrett said with an exaggerated, lecherous grin. “And if you want, bring an extra pair of sleep pants next time, and you can leave them here.”

“I only brought one pair since I’m living out of a suitcase for the moment,” Drake reminded him. “But I can definitely do that once I go back to my apartment.”

“Oh, right.” Garrett’s smile dimmed as he turned away. Drake caught him by the shoulder and pulled him back.

“Spill. What’s on your mind?”

Garrett sighed. “I just—the last time I tried a distance relationship, back in college, it didn’t go well. I guess I pushed it out of my mind that you don’t live here in Moundsville.”

Drake pushed Garett’s hair back from his face. “I’ve got a place on the close end of Wheeling, and as you pointed out, it’s not far. Down the line, if it’s a problem, maybe we look for somewhere in between. I don’t go into the office most days, so it’s less of an issue for me.”

“I’m getting the cart before the horse.” Garrett sighed. “It’s what I do best.”

“Hey, don’t trash talk my boyfriend.” The word sent a thrill through him and seemed to have the same effect on Garrett.

“I’ll try not to,” Garrett replied with a shy grin. To Drake’s surprise, Garrett gave him a slap on the ass. “Go get ready for bed. I’ll take Bailey out. That’s part of why I don’t sleep in my skivvies.” He hesitated. “He’s used to sleeping in the same room with me, but not on the bed.” He nodded toward a large dog pillow in the corner.

“I’m just the guest. I’m not going to do anything to make Bailey uncomfortable in his own home.” Drake was privately glad that the pooch—nice as he was—wouldn’t be sharing the mattress.

“For what it’s worth, I think Bailey likes you,” Garrett said. “I…kinda have a sense about these things.”

Drake tilted his head, looking more closely. His intuition hadn’t pinged on a strong psychic ability in Garrett, but what he had originally thought was considerable empathy he now realized might be a touch of something extra.

“You can communicate with him?”

Garrett looked a little uncomfortable. “Not like in words. Every good vet reads animal body language. I just go a little beyond that, where it’s not like I carry on a conversation, but I pick up on feelings and emotions more than maybe the average pet owner.”

“That probably comes in handy, being a vet.”

“Most of the time, yes. But sometimes…I wish I didn’t. Those are the bad days.” He looked so sad, Drake pulled him close again and held him tightly.

“I didn’t mean to upset you.”

Garrett shook his head, still nestled against Drake’s shoulder. “You didn’t know. And like I said, most of the time it helps me calm them down if they’re uncomfortable or scared. But the other times…it can be rough.”

“It sounds like you’re a really good vet—and a great pet parent,” Drake said. “Speaking of which—go take care of Bailey before he decides that I’m a nuisance and pees on my shoes.”

Drake cleaned up and returned to the bedroom, feeling a little unsure. By then, Garrett had taken care of Bailey and was already in bed. He seemed to sense his uncertainty and lifted the covers, indicating for Drake to join him. Drake smiled and slid in beside him.

“I don’t have to go into the clinic until ten tomorrow,” Garrett said. “The staff will open and take care of the things that don’t need an actual doctor. So we can get things off to a good start.” His smile suggested that he had round two in mind.

Drake kissed him. “I like the sound of that.”

The room was too warm for snuggling, but Drake liked the way Garrett kept a hand barely touching him, a tether as they fell asleep. Drake breathed in Garrett’s scent that surrounded him—soap, shampoo, laundry detergent, and musk. Despite the case and its loose ends, Drake fell asleep soundly for the first time in a long while.

It couldn’t last.

Drake saw an abandoned warehouse dimly lit and fallen into disrepair. He caught the unmistakable smell of pharmaceutical chemicals and knew he had found the witch’s lab.

Bodies littered the floor, adding the stink of blood to the tang in the air. Some had bullet holes, but other corpses bore clear evidence that magic had been involved.

Charred metal and broken glass testified to a battle. If this was where the witch cabal produced its paranormal pharmaceuticals, then there had been a hell of a fight here, both magical and mundane.

Shards crunched beneath his boots as he walked amid the carnage. He didn’t recognize any of the dead, but many had been burned and mangled beyond identification.

Drake gripped his gun, taking comfort from its familiar weight in his hand. He stopped and listened, but the only sound was the lonesome howl of the wind wailing through the broken roof.

What he saw didn’t add up. Dead workers, broken equipment—but where was the product?

Whoever did the killing took the drugs.

Or else they got rid of inconvenient people and staged the site to put him off the trail.

Tendrils of dark and malicious magic swarmed around him, trying to break through his protections. Whoever killed these people knew Drake would find them, left this to send a message, mocking him and daring him to chase them.

“It isn’t over yet.”

“Drake! Drake, wake up!” Garrett’s panicked voice roused Drake from the vision.

Drake came back to himself, breathing hard and sweat-soaked.

“Are you okay?” Garrett’s eyes were wide with fear.

“Yeah. Fuck. Yeah, I’m okay. I’m okay,” Drake repeated, not sure whether he was trying to convince himself or Garrett. Things might not actually happen in real life like his dream, but Drake had learned to heed the warning of his visions even if the particulars differed.

“What happened? Do you need a doctor?”

Drake shook his head. “Nothing a doctor can do.” He managed a wan smile. “Not even a cute veterinarian.”

“Not funny.”

Drake sighed. He had hoped to put off this conversation longer, but he knew Garrett wouldn’t be dissuaded.

“I told you that I’m psychic. That’s part of my government job. I get visions. I don’t control when or what they’re about. Sometimes they’re related to my case, and other times they might be a warning for someone I know, but that isn’t work related—like having a car accident.” His words tumbled out in a rush, and he didn’t try to meet Garrett’s eyes.

“I see things that might happen, but that future can still be changed. Except I don’t know which type of vision is which until later,” Drake finished.

“Does it hurt?” Garrett had switched to professional mode, patting him down, assessing his eyes, doing a quick triage.

Drake shook his head. “No. Just…it’s very real when I’m in the vision. More than a regular nightmare. And it’s a glimpse of what the future ‘could’ be, but that isn’t fixed. It can be changed, but I don’t know what to do to change it.”

“Doesn’t sound like much help.” Garrett got up and returned with a glass of water, which Drake gulped down.

He handed back the glass and shook his head when Garrett offered a refill.

“No, thanks. I just need to sit for a bit.”

Garrett reached for the pulse point in Drake’s neck. “Take some deep breaths before you pass out.”

They were quiet for several moments as Drake got his breathing under control, and his heart rate gradually slowed.

“That’s better.” Garrett gave him a clinical once-over as he took Drake’s pulse again. “This is not the kind of doctor that’s fun to play.”

“I’m sorry.”

Garrett shook his head. “Nothing to apologize for. It’s part of getting to know each other—although they never covered this in the dating columns I’ve read.”

“Maybe you should read Psychic’s Weekly,” Drake joked, making up a title on the spot.

“Maybe.” Garrett still looked worried. “What did you see?”

Drake paused, trying to figure out what to say. “I think it had to do with the case I’m working on, the situation that brought me to Moundsville. There was an abandoned warehouse, and people were dead. But I think someone was using the warehouses illegally, and it went wrong in a big way.”

He didn’t want to drag Garrett into his case or put him at risk. At the same time, he owed him some explanation after putting on a show like that in bed.

“There are a lot of warehouses down by the river,” Garrett said. “Some are clearly still in use, but there are others that don’t look like anyone has used them in a long time. Most people around here steer clear of that area. It attracts a rough sort. Be careful if you go there. I know you’re a fed, but the danger is real.”

“What do people say?” Drake’s heart still pounded, but his brain was coming back online after the swell of panic subsided.

Garrett shrugged. “Some people say it’s drugs. Others say there are thieves who store and sell what they steal—and don’t like being interrupted. So if you go down there, take backup and go armed.”

“Thanks,” Drake replied but didn’t promise.

“You know, even tough-guy secret agents can ask for a hug after a bad vision,” Garrett said, giving Drake absolution and understanding with his gaze.

Drake let Garrett’s arms enfold him, resting his head on Garrett’s shoulder, letting his new boyfriend be the strong one for once.

“I’m sorry. This isn’t helping you get any sleep.”

“Pfft. Sleeping is overrated,” Garrett joked. “It’s okay to ask for comfort—even for big, bad federal agents.”

“Not something I’ve got much experience with,” Drake confessed. “But I can see the appeal.”

“Can you get backup? Surely they don’t expect you to nab all the bad guys by yourself.”

Drake sighed and disentangled himself, pulling them both down to lie close together.

“Yes, I can call in backup—and I will, once I have a better idea of what’s going on and who’s involved.” He tangled his fingers in Garrett’s hair. “Sorry for being vague, but the less you know, the safer you are.”

“Okay,” Garrett said softly. “I have to trust your judgment. But please—don’t take crazy chances.”

“That’s kinda my job.”

Garrett fixed him with a glare. “Don’t be stupid about it, then. I like having you around, and I would be deeply pissed if you got hurt.”

“Doctor’s orders?” Drake grinned, trying to lighten the mood.

“Do you realize that a veterinarian is permitted to treat and prescribe for immediate family members? So yes, if that’s what it takes to get you to be careful.”

Drake pulled Garrett closer and kissed him. “I’ll do the best I can. That’s the most I can promise. But I’ve got plenty of new incentives.” He kissed Garrett again.

Garrett looked at the bedside clock and groaned. “Ugh. I’m going to have to get up before too long. Let’s see if we can get back to sleep until then.”

That didn’t prove too difficult for Garrett, who was lightly snoring minutes later, one arm flung over Drake’s waist.

Drake lay awake for a while, still trying to figure out the meaning of his vision. He had learned that while the superficial purposes usually seemed clear, there was often a second, deeper meaning that didn’t become obvious sometimes until hindsight.

Tomorrow, I’ll look for the warehouse. But is it a clue about the drugs, the shifter trafficking, or a warning that isn’t so literal?

He wracked his brain to figure out a metaphorical meaning and came up empty.

Let’s assume it’s a vision connected to the case. Something big went down in one of the empty warehouses, and it either hasn’t hit the news, hasn’t been discovered, or hasn’t happened yet, but it might.

His visions sometimes showed him possible outcomes that could still change, not foregone conclusions. So that might mean he could stop the slaughter if he could figure out what the vision wanted him to know.

It could be a hand-off place for the paranormal drugs and some sort of rival shootout happened. Or a deal gone bad for trafficked shifters or psychics. But without more to go on, I can’t tell what led to the killings or which factions are at war.

And if this does give me a crack in the case, I may need to step back from Garrett for a little while for his own safety.

That thought made him sad, but he knew he couldn’t live with himself if Garrett got hurt because of him.

I’ll go have a look down on the riverfront, see if I can figure out what’s going on.

Tomorrow, I’ll go looking for trouble.