Our Little Nest - 7. Chapter 7

Adam parked in the underground garage of the hotel. Even though an elevator was at his disposal Adam wanted to walk through the hotel lobby to perceive what all the hype was about.

The hotel Duet was a luxurious establishment, dating back from the 1940’s. Walking into the interior Adam detected eyes pointing in his direction, even the dogs and cats were above standards.

As he approached the elevators, someone cut him off. A refined dressed middle-aged man holding his hand up stopped Adam in his tracks.

"Can I help you, sir?"

"I don't know, can you?” The man didn’t seem to like Adam’s comment but kept professional.

"Well, are you here to see someone or, check in?" The man scanned Adam’s attire and knew he wasn’t a guest.

"And you are?" asked Adam, not caring what the man thought of him.

"I'm Mr. Ords, I'm one of the greeters here." His vulgar attitude oozed self-glorification. “And you are?”

"Adam Potter, I have an appointment with a Mr. Yuri Jin, in the penthouse."

"The penthouse?" He scrutinized Adam again as if he was checking for lies. Still unsure he flagged a young male over and whispered in his ear, then the bellhop ran off, he ignored Adam looking off in the direction to where the employee dashed too. This didn't sit well with Adam.

"Is there a problem?"

"I'm required to call up first to verify any visitors to the penthouse.”

"I have a key card." Adam showed him, the greeter recognized the key and placed his complete attention back on Adam as if his whole life hung in the balance.

"My apologies, sir. I did not know. Please follow me." He escorted Adam not towards the elevator the other guests were taking but to a private one. A grander one.

"This is Mr. Jin’s private lift. It will take you straight to his penthouse, also to the garage."

"Thank you," Adam inserted his card and the door opened on cue.

"Have a pleasant day, sir." The man seemed to bow slightly.

Adam boarded, watching Mr. Ords vanish from sight.

"Thanks, I will." The quiet elevator moved fast, and Adam noticed a silver button with a key card slot. The interior was gold reflective metal with wood trim.

When the box stopped, Adam’s greeted by one full grown German Shepherd and two large male bodyguards, one bearing a healed gash on his right chin, clean shaved face, and hair buzz cut short; the second guard’s hair was shoulder length and had a close-cut beard. Both wore the traditional thug attire, leather coats and all. They displayed their guns like jewelry, in shoulder holsters.

The bearded guard stepped up to Adam. “ID,” was all he said. Adam removed his wallet with his badge and handed it over.

The scar face one stepped up next. “I’m going to frisk you,” he said as a matter-of-fact.

Frisked by the disfigure one, while his partner looked over his ID, which wasn't a big deal, Adam knew the drill.

"I need your gun," his searcher said with a deep heavy accent.

"What for?" asked Adam not taking his eyes off him.

"No one's allowed to carry a gun through the penthouse, except me and my brother, and you’re not my brother."

"No, I'm not." Adam hesitated, but removed his gun, removing the envelope, and making sure the safety was on before handing it, handle first, to him. He put the bullets in his jacket pocket.

"You'll have it returned when you leave, detective,” said the bearded guard, handing back Adam’s ID. He leaves, and the shepherd stared hard at Adam baring his teeth, then quickly calms a moment later once the guard returns with his employer and the dog's owner.

Yuri Jin approached with the bodyguard behind him. He loomed confidences, perfect proportions, with radiant green eyes. His hair past his shoulders, so black you could see blue streaks as it swayed from his movement. Yuri’s stare was unbreakable as he studied Adam's attire. First greeting his faithful and loyal pet with a tender pat on his head, he bleeds a warm smile towards Adam.

"Welcome, Detective Potter." A palm extends as a sign of friendship or politeness.

Adam took hold of the soft but active hand, as they shook their greeting; Surprised to hear perfect English pour from the Chinese billionaires' lips.

"Mr. Jin."

"Please join me in my library, we can talk more privately," said Yuri, turning, and taking the lead, Adam followed passing artwork and lavish furniture. The den was all oak wood, wall to wall bookshelves of every genre. A warm fireplace was the focal point with identical tall back leather chairs sitting at opposite ends of a plush rug.

Adam sat in one of the soft chairs near the fireplace. The aroma of coffee rose from a pitcher sitting on an antique tray on a coffee table between them. Dual small silver containers, one with cream and the other with sugar, sat with cups and saucers. Yuri picks up a cup that's filled and returned to his seat.

"Please help yourself Mr. Potter." Yuri offered, taking a sip of his own drink.

"No, but thank you I had two cups already," Adam declines, sinking into the soft but comfortable chair.

"Perhaps something to eat?"

"No, thank you again, I'm fine."

"Very well. To begin I will only need you to guard Jamie when I'm not around, a few days I might have you to stay with him overnight; will that be a problem? You'll be paid for your services."

"No, it won't be a problem to stay over." Adam knew this won't sit well with Patrick; he will have to deal with his young lover later.

"Perfect, I'll have a room made up for you; do you have any questions?"

Adam retrieved his notepad and pencil from his jacket pocket.

"The two men you have at the elevator?"

"Yes, the Lou brothers, Chen is the one with the scar and Li Fu."

"How long have they been employed by you?"

"Several years and before you ask, Jamie finds them too intimidating; his friends are wary to approach him."

"I see; can I speak to Mr. Steward?"

"Of course.” Yuri placed his cup down and stood. “Come, I’ll introduce you.” Adam rose and walked with Yuri, who was the same height, out of the study towards a room down the hall. Yuri opened the sliding doors to a charming dining room. Jamie Steward sat at the table wearing a tee shirt, sweatpants, with bare feet, drinking a glass of chocolate milk. He returned the glassware to the table as his tongue danced over his upper and lower lip as he ogled at Adam.

Adam didn't realize he was gawking at the picturesque young man. Who seemed strangely familiar.

Yuri took note to Adam admiring of his youthful lover.

"He's quite a beholder, isn't he Detective Potter?" asked Yuri.

"What?" Adam asked, knowing what Yuri said.

Yuri glanced at him, then at Jamie, holding his gaze on the beautiful youth as he answers Adam's ridiculous question.

"You were looking intently at him."

"Yes, but only---" But Yuri cuts him off.

"It's fine, Detective; most who meet him for the first time do stare. I rather enjoy that others find Jamie exquisite."

He spoke of Jamie as if he was a doll or a pet. Jamie didn't seem to mine as he soaks up his egg yolk with a piece of raisin bagel.

"Join us detective," Yuri jester towards an empty seat.

Adam sat between the two men and right away, he's given a cup of coffee by a female who smiled warmly as she pours the hot drink.

"Enjoy detective Potter." She returned the canister to the buffet table. Jamie waits until she places it quietly down before speaking to Adam.

"Penny is family, and she should be treated as such," Jamie said.

"You don't need to tell Mr. Potter that Jamie," Penny corrected him.

“Mr.--" Forgetting Adam's name he focused on him. "I'm sorry your name is?"

Yuri cuts in and answers for Adam without glimpsing at either male.

"Detective Potter, this is Jamie Steward. As you must already guess, he's a handful.” Yuri sends a stern stare towards Jamie. “The young lady is Penny Bell, my assistant."

“Hello, Jamie. And hello Ms. Bell.”

“A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Potter,” Penny nodded.

“So, why are you here Mr. Potter?” asked Jamie.

"Detective Potter is your bodyguard. I told you this yesterday,” said Yuri, who received a text. “Excuse me, I need to make a call.” He stood and left the room.

Jamie settled back in his seat and stared at his empty plate.

"Do you want more to eat Jamie?" asked Penny, walking up.

"No, I'm full, it was delicious, thank you, Penny."

"You’re welcome. I'll clear up, so you too can talk."

"I can help you."

"No Jamie, Yuri wants you to get to know Detective Potter, I'm sure there’s a lot to talk about."

She gathered the plates, leaving the room.

Jamie sat back and scrutinizes Adam, who seemed preoccupied with his coffee.

"I knew you were coming, I just don't like the idea of having bodyguards."

Adam avoided eye contact when he spoke.

"I'm sure once we set some ground rules we'll get along wickedly."

"You can look at me detective I don't mind. I like looking at you. You're quite handsome." His tone was a bit seductive than Adam cared for. He raised his eyes and locked with Jamie's royal blues, a smile spread across Jamie's face making his attractiveness clearer. Adam willed his impulses to calm down and focused on the job.

"So, what do you think about setting some rules?" asked Adam.

Jamie ponders the ideal, the younger man's eye drifts away then climb back up Adam's face.

"How about we go with the flow, and see what happens? Suggested Jamie.

Adam knew this wasn't going to be easy.

"Mr. Steward---." Jamie rolled his eyes and turned his attention away. Adam corrected his mistake, by using the younger man’s surname.

"Forgive me, Jamie," he smiled sincerely.

Jamie pivots his interest back to Adam.

"Much better Mr. Potter. I'm no one's Father."

"Of course, you're not."

"All right then, you were saying?"

"May I ask how old you are?"

"Twenty-one."

"So, you're still young."

"Only in appearance detective, I'm more than mature in other fields."

"How long have you been with Mr. Jin?"

"Two years.”

"You seem calm."

"Why shouldn't I be?"

"Well, someone did try to kill you."

"Why get all upset? I'm still alive."

"The attempt could happen again," said Adam.

"That's why you're here detective, to prevent it."

"Then I need information."

"We can talk while we're out."

"Out?"

"Shopping, I need a few things."

"But---." Realizing this was one of the reasons he hated doing this job; he put Jamie's defiant face into view and recant his protest. "Fine."

"Wonderful, enjoy your coffee and I'll go and change." Jamie darts from the room as Adam finds himself lost in his thoughts. Unaware Penny re-entered the room with a servant who went about clearing the table. Penny stood nearby supervising; Adam looked up and caught her bronze eyes staring into his.

"Sorry detective I didn't mean to disturb your thinking."

"No, I'm sorry I didn't hear you come in, Ms. Bell."

"Please call me Penny. Isn't that dangerous in your line of work?"

"It can be. Will you join me, Penny?"

"I do have other duties to perform."

"This will only take a minute."

Penny sat in Yuri Jin's chair, crossing her slender legs.

"How long have you been working for Yuri Jin?"

"I've been living and working for Yuri for over twelve plus years."

"You're close to Jamie?"

"I'm very fond of him."

"Must have been strange, Yuri, bringing someone new to live with you both."

"Yuri has always been a soft-hearted person, he couldn't turn his back on Jamie."

“Have you all been living here long?”

“Actually, we’ve lived overseas for the past five years. We’ve only just returned to the states.”

“So, the attacks on Jamie are just recent?”

“Yes.”

"Does Jamie get along with Mr. Jin’s bodyguards?"

"As well as expected."

"I was wondering if you could tell me anything about Jamie's incident in the park."

"I wasn't there."

"True, but you were here when he was brought home correct?"

"Yes."

"How did he appear?"

"As expected, upset and crying."

"Did Yuri seek medical attention?"

"No, Jamie wasn't hurt physically."

"But mentally?”

"He was put through something awful. He's fine now, I assure you. I and Yuri took excellent care of him," she defends.

"I'm sure you did. I'm sorry I never meant to upset you."

"You didn't, I'm just over protective of Jamie."

"I believe he feels the same for you."

"If that's all, I have some work to do."

"Yes, thank you."

The servant cleared the breakfast table and buffet dishes except for Adam’s cup. Yuri entered the room.

“So, what do you think of Jamie, Detective Potter?”

“Well, he speaks his mind.”

“Do you still want the job?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Jamie tells me you’re taking him shopping.”

“Yes.”

“Very well.” Yuri takes out his wallet, removing a credit card and walked up to Adam. “Here, use this card for all his purchases. You won’t need to show ID. It’s like a blank check. He can buy whatever he wants.”

Adam took the card which was heavier than most credit cards he’s held. And noticed there was no name on the card.

“I’ve never seen a card like this before.”

“Never?”

“No.”

“I see. Well, if the clerk gives you trouble just call for the manager. The stores Jamie shops in, knows him, so you shouldn’t have any trouble.”

“Okay.” Adam placed the card into his wallet. Should I drive him?”

“Why not. He would enjoy the change. Now if you excuse me, I have an appointment elsewhere. I’ll be back in a few hours. My man will show you out.”

“All right.” Adam stood as Yuri left the room again. He heard voices in the hallway when Jamie came back into the room wearing a different top, jeans, and sneakers.

“Ready detective?”

“Ready.”

Chen directs Adam towards the exit by holding Adam's gun handle out to point the way, Adam took the hint and his weapon.

“When you use your key card, press the silver button and it will take you to the garage,” said Chen.

Jamie stepped into the elevator first, as Adam followed him using the key card than pressing the button on the panel.

Happy Holiday.  
Sorry for being late.