The Harlequin - 35. Chapter 35

Adam received a call from A.J. He agreed to meet him at the diner. Adam arrived first, sporting jeans and a clean tee shirt, picking his favorite booth and ordering two coffees. He saw A.J. walk in wearing a suit, and tie, looked like a runway model, and getting approving glances from the other customers. Adam waved him over as the waitress brought the coffees.

“Adam, you look well,” he said, unbutton his jacket and sitting across from him.

“Thanks A.J. and you always look great. Let’s just get to why you’re here,” he said, still feeling the burn of betrayal over their breakup.

“It’s about the Gavin Martin murder.”

“No, it’s not. That’s been closed. This is about Patrick Valdez.”

“True, the case has been closed thanks to Raoul Valdez.”

“Well Cain and Jay were revealed as the killers.”

“That also is true. The DA doesn’t feel there is enough substantial evidence to go after Patrick Valdez. I’m here to tell you he lied about his involvement with Jay. He did sleep with him.”

“And you couldn’t wait to come tell me. Wow—did you and Artie flip a coin as to who gets to tell me?”

“Adam… I felt you had the right to know.”

“Why? To prove to me you have a better relationship than me? Or to prove that you were right that I don’t think—I react?”

“I’m not here to hurt you, Adam. I’m here to warn you. Patrick Valdez is living with different rules because of his family’s wealth.”

“Your killers are dead. Patrick’s past is where it should be—in the past.”

“You’re in love with him?”

“That—is none of your concern A.J.”

“I see. Still can’t say it.” A.J. stood, reached into his pocket and dropped a ten-dollar bill on the table. “Take care of yourself, Adam. If it means anything. I do still care for you and don’t want to see you get hurt.”

“You mean like the way you hurt me? I can take care of myself, A.J.”

“No—you can’t.” Before Adam could respond A.J. turned and left. The waitress returned.

“Are you ready to order?” she asked. Adam stared at the money on the table and was about to tell the woman he changed his mind. That is until Justin slid into the booth with a big grin on his face.

“We would like two slices of apple pie with a scoop of French vanilla ice cream and a can of whipped cream.” Adam looked at his assistant who couldn’t stop grinning as the young lady wrote down their order with a smile.

“Okay, anything else?”

“No,” said Adam. “That’s it.” She walked off to fill their order. “Why are you so happy?”

“Because I found an apartment not far from here.”

“That is good news.”

“And I thought you could use some company. I waited until Detective Chance left.”

“Well I sure as hell could use some pie. Thanks, Justin.”

“No problem boss. So what did he wanted to tell you, if it’s okay for me to ask?”

“Nothing important. Besides I want to know about this place.”

“It’s really cool and in a nice spot, over a men’s club.”

“You’re not concerned about the noise?”

“No, I met the owner and he’s cool. In fact, he gave me a guest pass I can use on my days off.”

“Well just be careful in places like that. Watch your drinks.”

“Thanks for the concern.” Adam never understood how Justin could forget what Cain did to him. After Justin came out of the hospital he lived with Adam for the past two weeks, sleeping in his bed recovering while Adam crashed on the sofa bed. Thankfully, because of Patrick’s condo, he was able to get some private time with Patrick. Adam would bring up Cain’s name to see if Justin wanted to talk about it, but his assistant would change the subject or tell him not to worry about him, Adam stopped asking.

After their meal, Justin took Adam to see his new place. A small efficiency above a hardware store. Adam noticed he had only a single chair to sit on, a small table to eat off of, and a sleeping bag rolled up in the corner. When Adam got home he went on line and bought Justin house warming gifts—a new sofa bed with bedding, a television, cable connection, and a small but high-end stereo.

****************

“They have no tangible evidence to connect Patrick to the crime so they’re closing the case,” said Philip Gomez. A server refilled his coffee cup as he enjoyed breakfast with Raoul, Drusilla, and Patrick Valdez.

“That is wonderful. See Raoul, our son is fine. There’s no need to send him away,” said Drusilla as Shilo removed her barely touched meal.

“Drusilla the media is all over this and they want Patrick to give a statement. That is the last thing he needs right now. Sending him away until this blows over is best,” said Raoul.

“Please Father. I don’t want to leave.”

“You should have thought of that before causing all this trouble.” His voice boomed in Patrick’s ears, who looked away from his father’s disapproving gaze. Raoul watched his son and didn’t mean to hurt him. He only wanted to protect his only child, mostly from himself. His destructive behavior was going to lead him down a dangerous path that even he would not be able to save him from.

“Perhaps I should go with him,” said Drusilla.

“That’s impossible, Drusilla. I have too much work here. Travel is out of the question,” said Raoul.

“I said, I should go. Not you, Raoul.” Raoul looked at his wife in utter shock. In all the years they’ve been together, never once had they traveled without the other. She gave him a daring stare. He knew what she was doing and knew she would follow through with leaving him on his own. It was something he loathed. He glanced at Philip, his closest friend, and saw him hiding a smirk behind his cup while taking a sip of his coffee.

“Very well. Patrick can stay.”

“Thank you, father.”

“Provided you follow some strict rules.”

“Anything.”

“You say that now.” Raoul looked at his wife who pleaded for him to go easy on their son. “First you will sell your condo and move back in here with us.”

“My condo?”

“Yes. Having you here gives us the peace of mind that at least we’ll know where you are at night. And last… Adam Potter.”

“Father…”

“Not another word, Patrick. Adam Potter’s name will not be mentioned in this house. You will not seek him out. You will seek a respectable suitor. Understood?”

“Father, I’m an adult…”

“Would you like to handle the media? Your wellbeing? Just say the word and you can find your own way in the world. But it won’t be with my money. It will have to be with your own.”

“Raoul, you are being too hard on him,” said Drusilla. But Raoul ignored his loving wife.

“You have trust funds from both sets of your grandparents. But there are rules in place where we can control how much money you can have at one time. If you wish to leave, it will be bestowed to you as an allowance. Not as lavished as before but enough for you to live an adequate life.”

“Why do you hate him, father? He saved my life—twice.”

“He’s beneath you, Patrick. He would never fall into our world; he would drag you into his and expect you to conform.”

“But what’s wrong with his world?”

“Patrick,” said Drusilla, catching her son’s eye. “Your heart is in the right place, but you’re looking through rose-color glasses. Do you understand?”

“I think so,” said Patrick.

“So you’ll do as I say?” asked Raoul.

“Yes, Father.”

“Good. Phillip will handle the sale of the condo and deposit the money into your account.”

“Will I also be getting a chaperone?” asked Patrick.

“No. You will be trusted to go out on your own with your friends and I know you enjoy those conventions.”

“Thank you, Father.”

“Patrick. Know this—I love you deeply and I don’t like punishing you; I like spoiling you.” Raoul rose from his seat and walked over to his son and kissed his raised forehead brushing his soft locks and cupping his youthful cheeks. He walked over to his wife and kissed her tenderly on the lips. “Phillip, it’s time we left.” Philip wiped his mouth and rose, kissing Drusilla goodbye on her cheek.

“Good to see you Philip. Please come again with Michael. I miss him.”

“He’ll be back in town by next week,” said Philip.

“Good, bring him around for tea.”

“I will.” He looked at Patrick and smiled. “Patrick, take care of yourself and your parents.”

“I will Uncle Philip. Say hello to Uncle Michael.”

“I will, goodbye.” Raoul and Philip took their leave. Patrick looked at his mother with worried eyes.

“Patrick, my time will be engaged for the coming season. I will have to trust that you will follow your father’s rules and not get into any more trouble.”

“I will, Mother.”

“I know you feel your father is being too hard on you, but after all that has happened…”

“I understand.”

“Go say goodbye, Patrick. You owe that to Mr. Potter.”

“But father said…”

“He doesn’t need to know. We’ll see you at dinner a six o’clock. Shilo?”

“Yes madam?”

“Call a cab for Patrick, please.”

“Yes madam.”

“I won’t be late.” Patrick kissed his mother goodbye.

Patrick told the cab driver the address and sat back as they rode in silence. His family’s massive estate passed by his window as the cab driver maneuvered down the forest driveway towards the gate. Patrick held his new cell phone, which only recently his father replaced, between his fingers as he thought of a way around his father’s punishment.

He wasn’t going to stop seeing Adam. The first week without his detective’s arms around him caused many sleepless nights that left him crying alone. Adam started seeing him at his condo and even spent a few nights with him. He resorted to texting Adam, explaining his dilemma.

““So ur breaking up with me thru a text?” Patrick could hear the anger in his words.

“No but I’m forbidden to c u.”

“What do u normally do?”

“What I want.”

“Come see me and tell me to my face. Like a man.”

The cab pulled up to Mia’s apartment that was fifteen minutes away from Adam’s.

Mia sat with her friend on her couch and listened to Patrick’s problem.

“Well your father’s threats never stopped you seeing anyone before. Why worry about it now?”

“Because what’s happening between me and Adam is more serious than the other men I’ve been with.”

“Even Yuki?”

“Yuki—was different. But it’s over. I love Adam and he loves me.”

“You tried to break up with him through a text.”

“I know. I’m an idiot.”

“That’s true. So now you need to make it up to him.” Mia paused, then bounced excitedly. “Why don’t you get your swag on and show him.”

“You mean dress up like a girl?”

“Yeah.”

“But Adam likes me as a boy.”

“Then it’ll be more fun when he takes it off you. Besides, your father could have someone following you to make sure you don’t go over Adam’s place.”

“I never thought of that. Okay.”

Mia helped him disguise himself before showing up at Adam’s building wearing tall rider boots with skinny jeans and a tie-dyed poncho with hoodie sporting a red, bob-cut wig he borrowed from Mia.

Mia drove him to Adam’s place and dropped him off. Patrick took the elevator and walked into Adam’s reception area and saw Justin typing at his desk. Justin heard him walk in, but didn’t look up right away. That is until Patrick cleared his throat.

“Hello, can I…” Then Justin recognized him. “…dear God it’s you,”

Patrick smirked as he lowered his hoodie, flaunting the bob-cut wig with bangs.

“Watch yourself, Shi,” Patrick whispered. Adam’s office door opened and he walked out with his head down, reading a file.

“Justin, where are my notes to the Tanner case?”

“I have them here, boss.” Justin picked up Adam’s small notebook to hand over when Patrick snatched it from his fingers and presented it to Adam with a smile. Adam looked up and eyed the redhead with caution.

“Don’t tell me you only remember my ass, Mr. Potter?” Adam’s eyes caught hold of Patrick’s haze orbs and he closed the file he was holding. He reached for the notebook, but instead grabbed Patrick’s wrist and pulled him into his office.

“Hold my calls, Justin.” He didn’t wait for the blonde’s response as he shut his door with a bang. He turned and saw the door to his apartment was opened and Patrick gone. He raced upstairs to find the aristocrat on his bed with his wig off, taking off his boots. “Patrick, stop. We need to talk.” Patrick turned to his detective, now barefoot.

“Do you want to remove my jeans? They were a pain in the ass to get on so you’ll have to kneel and tug them down,” Patrick said, slipping the poncho over his head, exposing his clean chest.

Adam watched as his curls bounced around his angelic face. He licked his glossed lips like he did in the mirror when Adam first saw him.

“Patrick, you tried to break up with me through text.”

“Yes, and you told me to come to you and face you like a man.”

“That’s right.”

“I need to get these jeans off to do that, but I can’t take them off alone; I’m too anxious. I need your help.”

Adam approached him and knew what he wanted. He grabbed the jeans’ waistband and pulled at the button fly, releasing them without caring if he ripped any buttons off. Sliding his thumbs around the fabric to the small of Patrick’s back, he eased the denim over the firm round ass only half way as he discovered Patrick wearing no underwear. Adam lips hovered close to Patrick’s, but when Patrick tried to kiss him Adam moved out of reach. When Patrick tried to reach for him Adam grabbed his wrists and forced them to his side.

“Keep them at your side. You don’t get to touch me with your hands or lips. Not until I say,” Adam said. Patrick obeyed, but his growing cock had other ideas. Adam leaned close to his neck and breathed in his heavenly scent of musk. How he wanted to take Patrick right there and then, but he needed him to suffer. Dropping to his knees, Adam took hold of the waistband again and slowly eased the jeans down the well sculpted thighs and legs, stopping at his feet. Patrick tried to raise his leg but Adam stopped him, looking up again past his erection to his hazel eyes. “Don’t move.” Patrick’s lips parted to speak, but said nothing as he fell under Adam’s gaze. Then without warning, Adam grabbed his legs and tackled him to his bed pinning him beneath his body.

“Tell me what you want,” Adam demanded.

“I want you.”

“Prove it.” Patrick tried to kiss him, but was denied again.

“Then tell me how.” said Patrick, still with his hand at his side.

“Defy thy father.” Adam’s words seem to wrap around and squeeze Patrick’s heart. Adam’s quote from a play that ended in tragedy didn’t frighten Patrick, it deepened the hold on his heart.

Patrick nodded his head and responded. “I defy my father and will refuse my name for your love.”

“No. I can’t let you do that. Not your name,” stated Adam.

“Please Adam, I can’t sleep without you having your arms around me, kissing me, and telling me that you love me.”

“Then we’ll have to find a way around your father.” Adam leaned down and kissed Patrick’s mouth. His hands explored his hair and naked flesh. He pulled back from the kiss. “You may touch me now.” They held nothing back as Adam allowed Patrick to roll him over and disrobe him.

****************

A few weeks later a coming convention allowed Patrick to tell his parents he was spending the night over his friend’s Mia’s place to craft their costumes. Mia was also his alibi when he went to see Adam.

The alarm clock screamed for attention as Adam lazily snaked his arm out from under the blanket and searched for its place on the nightstand, finding the cord and ripping it out of the wall, silencing its cries. His arm returned to the place of warmth around Patrick’s shapely frame.

“You know, you’re going to have to get up and plug it back in for tomorrow right?” said Patrick, who felt Adam’s growing cock as his body spooned his. Adam breathed deeply onto Patrick’s ear and neck as he ground his privates into his lover’s soft, firm ass.

“You’re right, but if it means for me to be able to hold you every morning, then I’m just going to keep right on doing it.” A solid smile broke on Patrick’s face as he held Adam’s muscular arm tighter.

“Do you have to get up?”

“Yeah, I have a case I need to look over.”

“Does it involve—guns or fighting?”

“I hope not, but in this business you never know.”

Patrick shivered from the thought of Adam getting hurt or worse. His own injury has long healed and with some plastic surgery, no scar. Adam told him he didn’t care if there was a scar, but Patrick didn’t want to be reminded of it every time he took off his shirt, so he had the surgery.

“Are you cold? I can get another blanket.” asked Adam.

“No, I’m okay.” He turned over so he could face Adam. “I want to tell you something.”

“What?”

“Thank you, for being so understanding.” Adam pulled him close and kissed him on the mouth.

“You didn’t need to say that,” said Adam.

“Yes I do. If my father’s knew where I was…”

“Let’s not worry about him. Let’s just enjoy what we have.” Patrick kissed Adam this time and hugged him tight.

“I promise I’ll try and get him to come around to accepting our relationship.”

“You can always move in with me.”

“Your closet wouldn’t be able to support my clothes,” he laughed.

“Patrick, I’m being serious.”

“You want me to move in with you?”

“Yes, why not? I love having you here.” Patrick looked around at the small place.

“But isn’t this place a bit small for the both of us?”

“We can look for a bigger place while you live here.”

“Well, my dad won’t cut me off completely, so I can help with rent and bills.”

“Why not just get a job?”

“A job?”

“You went to school for computers. You shouldn’t have trouble finding work and then you won’t have to depend on your family’s money.”

“But it’s my inheritances.”

“Controlled by your father.”

“Yeah, but…”

“Don’t you want to move in with me?”

“Yes of course—okay, I’ll tell my father I’m moving in with you. I still have the money from the sale of my condo in the bank. I can use that until I find—a job.” Adam kissed him and pushed the sheet off.

“Come on, take a shower with me.”

“But—I thought we were going to snuggle first?”

“We can do that every night and on days off. We have plans to make about getting your stuff here.”

Patrick allowed Adam to pull him out of bed and into a warm, inviting shower where they both made use of their short time together before starting their day. Patrick dressed before Adam and called a cab to go home.

Justin had made coffee and placed a box of six blueberry muffins on Adam’s desk. Patrick and Justin exchanged a hello as Patrick snatched one of the muffins and kissed Adam goodbye.

Justin retrieved his notepad from his desk and walked into Adam’s office with a cup of coffee for his boss.

“So what’s the business for today?”

“Well, you have a message from a new client by the name of Hugo Copper about a missing Manga collection. He wants you to come by his home around ten a.m. tomorrow”

“Did he leave a number?”

“He did.”

“Call him back and tell him I’ll be there. Oh and did you order the pass for the anime convention Patrick is cosplaying?”

“It’s on my desk.”

“Great, I’m meeting him there. I have to show my support.”

“You mean bodyguard him.”

“Hey, nobody’s putting their grabby hands on him.”

“I’ll call back the client.”

“Also gather as much intel on Hugo for me please.”

“Research?”

“Yeah it’s one of your new job titles. Also take your work home. I want to lock up to the shop.”

“Which means you want to bring Patrick back here and you want me gone.”

“Correct. But also that Patrick is moving in with me.”

Justin wanted to scream, but instead forced a smile on his face. “That’s great boss.”

“I think this will be good for him and me. He needs to get out from under his father’s thumb and be his own man.”

“And moving in with you is going to do that?”

“I can help him stand on his own feet. He’s been given too much in his life. He needs to see what it’s like to work for the things he wants.”

“And Patrick wants this?”

“He’s moving in with me.”

“That is true.”

**************

Patrick’s assumption on how his father and mother would take the news of his continuous involvement with Adam was correct—they were livid. He stood in their private sitting room while they sat on the couch listening to him explain his future with Adam Potter.

“Patrick, are you sure this is what you want?” asked Drusilla.

“Mother, I love him.”

“So you say,” said his father.

“I do. And he loves me.”

“And he’s fine with who you are?” asked his mother

“We decided that I can get a job and earn my own way.”

“A job? Doing what?” asked his father.

“I have a degree in computer engineering.”

“So you do. And you’re fine with the drop in income?” Patrick was hesitant, but swallowed his fear and answered with as much confidence as he could gather.

“We’ll be fine.”

“All right,” his father said, not angry. “You are a man now and I have been coddling you. Good luck.”

“So—you’re giving me your blessing?”

“No. I’m wishing you luck.” Raoul stood and walked over to Patrick. He crossed his arms over his chest and stared down at his son who has never struggled for anything in his life. He realized that it was time that Patrick saw what it’s like to struggle. I’m not cutting you off, Patrick. The money will always be there when you need it. So if you want to move in with Adam Potter, then by all means enjoy.”

“I can do this father; you’ll see.”

“I believe you’ll try. So you need to pack. Please allow us to have your things sent over.”

“Well Adam’s place is a bit small so I won’t need all my things.”

“Then Shilo and I will help you pick what you like to take, if that’s alright?” asked Drusilla.

“Thank you mother.” Patrick turned and left.

Drusilla rose and walked to the door, but stopped and turned to her husband. “He could make it work,” she said.

“Drusilla, you and I know he will become overwhelmed and resort to his bad habits, drinking and men. Adam Potter is in for a handful with our son.”

“Raoul,” she said. he approached her and took her hands in his.

“Don’t worry, I won’t let our son tumble too far. But he wants this and there’s no way to talk him out of it until he asks for help. Hopefully it will be sooner rather than later.

****************

Adam navigated his way through the crowded convention. Many different people of all shapes and sizes ventured to and fro, smiling and talking amongst each other. Tables and booths were lined up like a serpentine for buyers of hard to find souvenirs, and die hard collectors of anything to deal with movies, comics, and role play.

Adam remember his parents talking him and his brothers to cosplay conventions, but realized two of their sons had different interest -- namely him and his older brother Damien. Paul and Kyle loved going and dressing as their favorite characters.

They loved the attention they received from people who wanted to take their picture. Now that they were older, they were active members in the annual Sci-Fi/fantasy/LARP done on the family’s property.

“Adam.” A joyous voice sound in Adam’s ears. He turned towards an approaching Cosplayer waving an open fingered gloved hand, wearing a black, wide skirt dress, with a white ruffle apron, thigh high white stockings with ruffle trim, black velvet boots, and a long black wig that framed the painted face that looked like a doll’s.

Adam stared in wonder as the female Goth’s arms wrapped around his neck and the slim body pressed against him tenderly. Adam sniffed the heavenly scent that rose from the greeter’s neck and knew right away who it was as he embraced the body in his arms.

“Patrick, you look amazing,” Adam whispered in his lover’s ear. Patrick parted from Adam and twirled once for him.

“Thanks, I’m so glad you came.”

“Well I’m not a stranger to this and any reason to spend time with you is a must.”

“I’m not competing today, so I can leave early if you get bored.”

“I would never get bored of seeing you happy.”

“Oh—you’re going to make me cry.”

“Is your mascara waterproof?”

“No, so I’m going to make my rounds.”

“And I won’t be far behind you. I can look for something for my mother.”

“Is she into all of this? My mother supports me, but knows nothing about my world.”

“I can say my mother is an expert.”

“I’d love to meet her.”

“Well, once I tell my family about you, they will demand that I bring you to the next family dinner.”

“I’d like that. I wish my…” but Patrick stopped himself as he remembered his father’s words forbidding him to bring Adam to the house. Adam noticed the stress he was under and didn’t want to upset him further about something neither could change.

“He’ll warm up to me,” said Adam. Patrick tried to give Adam a smile but it broke off into him shrugging his shoulders. “Okay why don’t we talk about this after the convention, at home?”

“Okay.” Patrick didn’t want to smear his lipstick on Adam’s cheek so instead he just blew him a kiss as he walked off. Adam followed from a distance and watched as Patrick walked around the hall waving at people and stopping to take pictures.

New business, new employee and new boyfriend—Adam Potter found everything he’d longed for, so why was a heavy dread hanging over his head? His cell phone rang out, and he noticed the number was Patrick’s. He glanced up and saw him looking at him holding a pink cell phone with dangling ornaments. He answered it on the second ring.

“Hey, you forget something?” asked Adam.

“Yeah, I forgot to tell you I love you,” replied Patrick.

“I love you more.”