欧宝娱乐

“Yep. We鈥檙e his Lieutenants,鈥� Day answered, picking up the largest coffee cup Furi had ever seen and taking a huge gulp. 鈥淵ou guys had a trying evening last night, so we thought we鈥檇 check in on you.鈥�

Syn just nodded. 鈥淗mm. Right.鈥�

鈥淣ice bandage.鈥� God peeked around his paper again angling his head at Syn鈥檚 hand. 鈥淣othing broken?鈥�

Syn looked at his hand. 鈥淔uri wrapped it up for me last night. Just a little torn skin, it鈥檚 nothing really.鈥�

鈥淗e tried to be all tough but I had to blow on it to make it feel better.鈥� Furi鈥檚 teasing had Syn smiling.

鈥淕lad you鈥檙e okay, Syn.鈥� Day winked mischievously.

Furi looked at Syn. 鈥淵ou just don鈥檛 realize how awesome it is to have such great bosses. Came to check up on you, considerate enough to bring you breakfast, I mean just all around awesome guys.鈥�

鈥淛ust wait for it, Furi,鈥� Syn cut him off.

鈥淲hat?鈥� Furi鈥檚 brow creased in confusion.

鈥淎ll the warm compliments you鈥檙e giving God and Day ... just wait for it.鈥�

Furi looked confused. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 know what you鈥檙e鈥撯€�

鈥淲hat else did you have to blow on to make feel better?鈥� Day said around a snort. 鈥淩eally hate to have missed that show, spanky.鈥� Day smiled broadly at Furi.


Furi groaned and dropped his head as he ran both hands through his hair. 鈥淵ou guys watched my videos.鈥�

鈥淗ell yeah.鈥� Day grinned.

鈥淔or evidence and research purposes only,鈥� God chimed in.

鈥淔ive times,鈥� Day yelled, punching God in his large bicep.

鈥淥kay guys. Shut up," Syn huffed.

鈥淚鈥檓 just saying, you lucky fuck. You get to date a hot porn puppy and we can鈥檛 say anything.鈥� Day stared at Furi, completely ignoring Syn鈥檚 fuming.”
― A. E. Via

“Syn pulled his boxers on and quietly left the bedroom, walking angrily to the kitchen. He turned the corner and wanted to throw a shit-fit at the sight before him. Day was standing at his stove loading some type of egg dish onto a plate before turning and setting it in front of God. God folded down one side of his newspaper, peering at Syn from behind it.

鈥淲ell good morning, sunshine,鈥� Day said way too cheerily for five-fucking-a.m. 鈥淲e brought breakfast.鈥�

Syn clenched his jaw, trying not to yell at his superior officers. 鈥淗ave you two lost your fuckin鈥� minds? Come on. It鈥檚, it鈥檚 ... early.鈥� Syn turned his wrist, forgetting he didn鈥檛 have his watch on yet. 鈥淒amn, you guys are always at the office, or at a crime scene, or over fucking here at god-awful hours.鈥�


鈥淥h, it鈥檚 early?鈥� Day said disbelievingly. God shrugged like he hadn鈥檛 realized either.

鈥淪eriously. When the fuck do you guys sleep?鈥�

鈥淣ever,鈥� God said nonchalantly.

鈥淲hen do you fuck?鈥� Syn snapped.

鈥淎lways,鈥� Day quipped. 鈥淛ust did thirty minutes ago. Nice couch by the way, real comfy, sorry for the stain.鈥� Syn tiredly flipped Day off.

鈥淒on鈥檛 be pissed,鈥� Day sing-songed. 鈥淎 dab of Shout will get that right out.鈥�

Syn rubbed angrily at his tired eyes, growling, 鈥淒ay.鈥�

鈥淗e鈥檚 not in a joking mood, sweetheart,鈥� God said from behind his paper. 鈥淵ou know we didn鈥檛 fuck on your couch so calm the hell down. Damn you鈥檙e moody in the morning. Unless ... We weren鈥檛 interrupting anything, were we? So, how鈥檚 porn boy?鈥� God鈥檚 gruff voice filled the kitchen, making Syn cringe.

鈥淔irst of all. Don鈥檛 fucking call him that, ever, and damnit God. Lower your voice. Shit. He鈥檚 still asleep,鈥� Syn berated his Lieutenant, who didn鈥檛 look the slightest bit fazed by Syn鈥檚 irritation. 鈥淵ou guys could let him sleep, he鈥檚 had a rough night, ya know.鈥�

Day leaned his chest against God鈥檚 large back, draping his arms over his shoulders. 鈥淥h damn, what kind of friends are we? It was rough, huh?鈥� Day looked apologetic.

鈥淵es, it was, Day. He just鈥撯€�

鈥淭ry water-based lube next time,鈥� Day interrupted, causing God to choke on his eggs.

鈥淒ay, fuck.鈥� Syn tried not to grin, but when he thought about it, it really was funny.

鈥淚 knew I鈥檇 get you to smile. Have some breakfast Sarge, we gotta go question the crazy chicks. You know how much people feel like sharing when they鈥檝e spent a night in jail.鈥�

鈥淒amn. Alright, just let me鈥撯€�

鈥淲ow. Something smells great.鈥� Furi鈥檚 deep voice reached them from down the hall as he made his way to the kitchen. 鈥淵ou cook babe? Who knew? I鈥檒l have the Gladiator portion.鈥� Furi used his best Roman accent as he sauntered into the kitchen with his hands on hips and his head high.

Syn turned just as Furi noticed God and Day.

鈥淥h, fuck, shit, Jesus Christ!鈥� Furi stumbled, his eyes darting wildly between all of them. 鈥淒amn, I鈥檓 so sorry.鈥� Furi looked at Syn trying to gauge exactly how much he鈥檇 fucked up just now.

Syn smiled at him and Furi immediately lost the horrified expression. Syn held his hand out and mouthed to him 'it's okay.”
― A.E. Via

“Will you at least have some coffee with me before you leave?鈥� Furi pouted, immediately feeling silly for it.

鈥淒ude. You鈥檙e way too tatted up to ever make that face.鈥� Doug laughed. He bent over and pressed a kiss to Furi鈥檚 forehead. 鈥淚 will not have a cup of your nasty coffee. I will however, take you to breakfast and drink some real coffee with you.鈥�

Furi felt better already. He stood, wrapped his arms around Doug, and whispered, 鈥淭hank you for last night. I needed it.鈥�

鈥淚 know. Now go get dressed.鈥� Doug popped him on the shoulder.”
― A. E. Via

“Furi leaned in, not quite coming into contact with Syn鈥檚 cheek and told him, 鈥淚 gotta get to work.鈥�

Syn didn鈥檛 want him to go. He looked so beautiful, smelled so good. He needed to talk to him, maybe ask if Furi was seeing someone. 鈥淚 have to go back to work too, but can I give you a ride home after your shift?鈥� Syn had never felt so exposed. After he鈥檇 asked the question he immediately wanted to take it back. He鈥檇 never liked putting himself out there but this was what he needed to work on. He鈥檇 never get anywhere if he didn鈥檛 at least try. Furi stepped in closer to him and Syn fought his reflex to take a step back. Furi grabbed his wrist and moved him quickly through the customers waiting for the bathrooms and pushed open the back door that led to the parking lot.

Syn quickly took in his surroundings before focusing back on Furi.

鈥淲hat鈥檚 wrong, why鈥檇 you bring me back here?鈥�

鈥淲hat鈥檚 your angle, Detective? Why are you lingering around my job and offering me rides, huh?鈥� Furi forced those questions through gritted teeth.

鈥淲hy are you angry? It鈥檚 just a ride. I was trying to be nice,鈥� Syn said with little conviction, while avoiding answering Furi鈥檚 questions. He didn鈥檛 have an angle and he wasn鈥檛 sure why he was drawn to him. He just wanted to be around this guy, if for nothing else then to at least be friends.”
― A. E. Via

“Syn paid the bill and they headed to the door with lust so thick around them, Syn couldn鈥檛 help but wonder if anyone else could see it. Furi reached back for Syn鈥檚 hand and he gladly offered it. He looked over his shoulder and threw him a seductive wink when Syn crowded in close behind him. As soon as Syn made it out the door, he saw four members of his team walking up the sidewalk. Well fuck me.

鈥淗ey, Sarge.鈥� Pendleton, his demolitions expert was the first to speak up.

Syn threw down Furi鈥檚 hand and quickly put some distance between them. 鈥淵eah, hey fellas.鈥� They鈥檇 all stopped and were staring back and forth between him and Furi. Syn couldn鈥檛 even look Furious in his eye after what he鈥檇 just done.

Detective Green cleared his throat and pointed at Furi. 鈥淒on鈥檛 I know you?鈥�

鈥淗ardly,鈥� Furi mumbled.

鈥淯m, this is ... uh, uh. He鈥檚 my ... uh.鈥� Syn cursed under his breath. Obviously his team already knew who Furious was. They all had detailed lists of Illustra鈥檚 entertainers and Furious鈥� image was not easy to forget.

鈥淪arge, who鈥檚 your friend?鈥� Detective Ruxsburg asked, a sly smile playing on his handsome face.

鈥淗e鈥檚 um.鈥�

鈥淗e鈥檚 leaving,鈥� Furi鈥檚 deep voice cut in as he eased his way through and walked in the opposite direction of Syn鈥檚 truck.

鈥淔uck,鈥� Syn whispered as he watched Furi turn the corner.

鈥淵ou better go after him and be ready to do some serious groveling,鈥� his IT Detective said in his calm, cool voice.

Syn didn鈥檛 say anything. His guys walked around him and went into the bar, leaving him feeling ashamed. He thought about running after Furi but choose to get in his truck and cut him off at the corner. He sped around the block and pulled into an alley hoping to intercept his angry date. When Syn got out of the truck Furi was turning the corner coming toward him. Oh hell. Furi had his hands crammed into his pockets and if the scowl on his face didn鈥檛 indicate how angry Furious was, then his choice of words when he finally reached Syn sure as hell did. 鈥淕et the fuck away from me.鈥�

鈥淔urious, I know you're upset.鈥�

Furi spun around and glared at him with midnight eyes. 鈥淯pset! Upset! Look at my face goddamnit! Does this just look upset to you?鈥�

Syn put his hands up in a calming gesture. 鈥淎lright, you鈥檙e angry, and you have every right to be. I reacted badly back there. I was just caught off guard.鈥�

Furi was in Syn鈥檚 face and people on the street had begun to stop and stare. 鈥淐an we please move this off the sidewalk?鈥� Syn tried to usher Furi farther into the alley and away from the nosy fuckers on the street.

鈥淒on鈥檛 fuckin鈥� touch me!鈥�

鈥淚鈥檓 not gonna touch you! Damn, calm down. I just want to explain,鈥� Syn argued. It seemed every time he was around Furi he was apologizing for something. 鈥淚鈥檓 sorry, okay. I should have introduced you properly to my team.鈥�

鈥淗ow would the鈥撯€�

鈥淧lease, Furious. Let me finish. I should鈥檝e told them your name and introduced you as my friend at a minimum. I鈥檓 sorry. I told you I fuckin鈥� suck at this dating shit, and if you don鈥檛 tell me to go fuck myself and give me another鈥撯€�

鈥淕o fuck yourself,鈥� Furi interrupted. He tried to move around Syn but Syn grabbed him around the wrist and backed him against the side of his truck.

鈥淣o! I will not go fuck myself. I would rather fuck you.鈥�

鈥淲ell you pretty much shot that chance all to hell,鈥� Furi yelled right back at him.

鈥淗ave I?鈥�

鈥淲hat do you think?”
― A. E. Via

“Syn finished with dispatch then called his first officer. While waiting for the phone to be answered he told Furi to pack a bag with whatever he would need for the next couple of days. Furi didn鈥檛 move.

鈥淔urious,鈥� Syn growled. He wanted to get the hell out of that apartment just in case Sasha wanted to come finish the job.

鈥淚鈥檓 not leaving. She is not going to run me out of my own damn place.鈥� Furi jutted out his chin in defiance.

Syn forgot about his phone call and came to stand directly in front of Furi. 鈥淕o and pack a bag now. That crazy bitch is not going to get a second chance if I have anything to say about it.鈥�

鈥淵ou don鈥檛 have anything to say about it.鈥�

鈥淭he hell I don鈥檛,鈥� Syn barked. 鈥淵our foolish pride will get you killed. Let's deal with her and then you鈥檙e more than welcome to come home. Don鈥檛 let your stubbornness make you an easy target, because that鈥檚 just stupid.鈥�

鈥淵ou calling me stupid?鈥� Furi snapped right back.

Syn rolled his eyes in frustration. 鈥淎re you fuckin鈥� kiddin鈥� me? Furious we don鈥檛 have time for this Mickey Mouse bullshit right now. Go get your shit and let鈥檚 move.鈥� Syn went over to the only window in Furi鈥檚 apartment and stood watch while Furi threw some clothes, toiletries, books and a laptop into a bag, grumbling curses the entire time. Syn let him say whatever he wanted to, as long as he was doing what needed to be done.

Furi had a large duffle draped over his shoulder when he came to stand in front of Syn. 鈥淒one, Detective. Anything else you want to order me to do?鈥�

Syn took a quick calming breath. He took Furi鈥檚 duffle off his shoulder and set it gently at his feet. He put his arms around Furi鈥檚 waist and pulled him to him. 鈥淚鈥檓 not trying to order you around. I just can鈥檛 let anyone hurt you.鈥� Syn squeezed his eyes shut.”
― A. E. Via

“Syn鈥檚 head snapped back at Furi鈥檚 rant. 鈥淎lright. You鈥檙e upset about what just happened and you鈥檙e projecting. I鈥檓 gonna give you some alone time. There鈥檚 beer in the fridge, guest bath is down the hall. Make yourself at home.鈥� Syn turned to go to his bedroom. He鈥檇 be damned if he was going to let Furi turn this into a fight about him accepting who he was.


鈥淔ucking coward,鈥� Furi mumbled.

Syn halted at his bedroom door. Did he really just fucking say that? Syn pivoted on his heels and hurried back into the living room. 鈥淲hat the fuck did you just call me?鈥�

Furi鈥檚 eyes bulged at Syn鈥檚 anger. He rose slowly from his seated position and eased around to the other side of the couch. The fear on his face quickly turned to anger. 鈥淵ou want to fight me? Beat me up, Detective?鈥�

鈥淲hat?鈥� Syn gasped at the absurdity of that question. He faced Furi head on and held his angry, black glare with his own. 鈥淔irst of all, how dare you even think for a second that I would put my hands on you in anger? Just because the bastard you chose to marry did, doesn鈥檛 mean all men hit.鈥� Syn pointed at his chest. 鈥淚鈥檓 not a coward, Furious. In case you forgot, I just saved your goddamn life.鈥�

鈥淥h no, I haven鈥檛 forgotten, but yes you鈥檙e the worst kind of coward. You鈥檙e not scared of being shot at or throwing yourself in front of two tons of speeding metal, but you鈥檙e afraid to hold a man鈥檚 hand, a man you claim to like, in public. Such a badass in the fucking street, but too pussy to admit what you really are.鈥�

Syn wasn鈥檛 sure how long he stared at Furi before turning walking to his room, slamming the door behind him.”
― A. E. Via

“Excuse me, sir.鈥� One the young officers put his hand up to stop them. 鈥淎re you Furious Barkley?鈥�

鈥淢aybe. Maybe not. Is there a problem, officers?鈥� Doug stepped in front of Furi.

鈥淒amn straight there鈥檚 a problem.鈥� Syn stepped inside the door, yanking his dark aviator glasses off his face. The scowl he wore told Furi this was not a pleasant coincidence. 鈥淭hanks guys, you can go.鈥�

Furi stood with his mouth hanging open while Syn dismissed the officers.

鈥淪eriously, Starsky. You gonna track my boy down every time he leaves the house?鈥� Doug said angrily, still blocking Furi.

鈥淗e鈥檚 not your boy. And what I do regarding Furi is none of your goddamn business.鈥� Syn鈥檚 clenched jaw made his words sound like an evil hiss. He shouldered past Doug and got directly in Furi鈥檚 face. 鈥淲hen I鈥檝e been calling him for over six hours and he hasn鈥檛 picked up or returned any of my calls, I鈥檒l send a fuckin鈥� SWAT team to find him if I want to.鈥�

Syn spun and pointed his finger in Doug鈥檚 face, 鈥淭hat鈥檚 my say, not yours.鈥� Syn鈥檚 voice was rising with his growing temper, and all eyes were on them.

鈥淥kay, let鈥檚 get out of here.鈥� Furi pushed at both men, urging them out the door.

As soon as they were out in the brisk fall air, Syn rounded on Furi, pushing their chest together. 鈥淲here have you been, Furious? I鈥檝e been going crazy trying to check on you, and you鈥檙e sitting here casually eating pancakes,鈥� Syn growled.

鈥淗ey, back up, man.鈥� Doug tried to wedge in between Furi and Syn.


Syn looked up in annoyance. 鈥淒oug, I swear, if you touch me, I鈥檓 gonna ensure that you never regain the use of that hand.鈥�

鈥淥kay, okay.鈥� Furi put both hands flat on Syn鈥檚 chest, feeling his rapid heartbeat underneath all that muscle. Fuck. He really was scared. What was I thinking turning off my phone with everything that鈥檚 going on? 鈥淪yn. I鈥檓 so sorry. I turned my phone off because鈥撯€�

鈥淵ou don鈥檛 owe him an explanation. You鈥檙e a grown man, Furious. You were having a business meeting; he has no right to demand you be available to him at all times, just like Patrick.鈥�

Furi and Syn both snapped at Doug. But Furi took control. 鈥淗ey! Don鈥檛 you ever say that again. This man is nothing like that asshole.鈥� Furi shook his head at the absurdity of Doug鈥檚 accusation. 鈥淒on鈥檛 even say his name in the same sentence as Patrick鈥檚.鈥�

Doug looked at Furi as if he were a stranger.

鈥淒oug, you don鈥檛 know everything that鈥檚 been going on. But I promise I鈥檒l catch you up, okay? Then you鈥檙e going to feel pretty shitty about what you just said about Syn.鈥� Furi nodded his head. 鈥淕o home. I鈥檒l call you when I鈥檓 back at Syn鈥檚 place.鈥�

鈥淵ou鈥檙e staying with him?鈥� Doug yelled.

鈥淒oug. You know it鈥檚 not safe at my place,鈥� Furi said softly, his eyes pleading with his friend for him to understand.

鈥淭hen you should come to stay with me. I don鈥檛 trust this guy!鈥�

鈥淭his is fuckin鈥� crazy,鈥� Syn snarled. 鈥淚 know you鈥檙e his friend, but you鈥檙e sounding more pissed than a friend should be.鈥�

鈥淒on鈥檛 try to read me, Detective. Furi is my best friend, and I鈥檝e had his back since the first day he got here.鈥� Doug wasn鈥檛 backing down from Syn鈥檚 intimidating posture. Syn鈥檚 dark glasses were back on, creating a perfectly badass look with his black leather coat and boots. All the hardware Syn had tucked under his arms and the shiny badge hanging around his neck was a sight right out of a sexy cop porno.”
― A.E. Via

“Fuck you.鈥�

鈥淥h, now you want me too.鈥� Syn barked a laugh. 鈥淚 thought you were straight.鈥�

鈥淪yn,鈥� Furi snapped. 鈥淜nock it off.鈥�

Syn took Furi鈥檚 backpack off his shoulder and slid it on to his own. He intertwined their fingers and Furi couldn鈥檛 ignore how much he liked that gesture from his tough Sergeant. Doug still stood very close to Furi, watching them both through narrowed eyes.

鈥淪top looking like that,鈥� Furi whispered.

鈥淎re you sure you know what you鈥檙e doing?鈥� Doug whispered back.

Furi turned and looked behind him at Syn鈥檚 ruggedly gorgeous face then down at their joined hands. He turned back to Doug鈥檚 concerned eyes. 鈥淵es, I do.鈥� Furi leaned in and chastely kissed Doug on the lips and watched him turn and leave.

When Furi turned back, Syn was wearing a large frown and his chest was frozen like he was holding his breath. Furi got as close to Syn as he could. 鈥淲hat鈥檚 the matter?鈥�

鈥淒on鈥檛 do that again.鈥� Syn鈥檚 voice was rough and low.

鈥淒o what?鈥� Furi frowned in confusion.

Syn brought his free hand up and wiped the pad of his thumb across Furi鈥檚 full lips. 鈥淒on鈥檛 put your lips on him again.鈥� Syn shook his head when Furi opened his mouth to argue. 鈥淚 know it was friendly, and it didn鈥檛 mean anything, but humor me, okay? Don鈥檛 put your mouth on his. Syn leaned in and pulled Furi鈥檚 bottom lip into his mouth and gently sucked on it, right there in the IHOP parking lot. 鈥淥nly I get to taste these pretty lips,鈥� Syn moaned inside Furi鈥檚 mouth.

Furi put his arms around Syn鈥檚 shoulders. 鈥淥kay,鈥� he whispered back, kissing Syn鈥檚 cheek.

鈥淟et鈥檚 go.鈥� Syn carried Furi鈥檚 backpack to the large Suburban he鈥檇 parked beside the building and placed it in the back seat.

鈥淲hose truck is this?鈥� Furi asked.

鈥淚 borrowed it from work. It belongs to the team. We can use them if needed.鈥� Syn started the powerful engine. Furi hooked his seat belt and turned to look at Syn, realizing he was just sitting there, staring straight ahead.

Furi unhooked his belt. 鈥淏abe. What鈥檚 the matter?鈥�

Syn took his glasses back off and turned his body so he was facing Furi. 鈥淔uri. What you did today ... don鈥檛 do that again. I can respect your privacy. Really, I can. But in light of recent events, please don鈥檛 cut yourself off like that. I was ... I thought ..."

鈥淔uck, Syn. I鈥檓 so sorry. I wasn鈥檛 thinking. I wanted to call you so many times today.鈥�

Syn鈥檚 eyes widened.

鈥淛ust to hear your voice. Not because I was in trouble. But, I didn鈥檛 want to seem all clingy and shit. We fucked once and already I鈥檓 acting sprung. Can鈥檛 stop thinking of you.鈥� Furi knew his embarrassment was making him blush. But Syn was trying to find the words to say he was scared today, so Furi wasn鈥檛 holding back on his feelings.

They closed the distance over the large console and let their kiss be their words.”
― A. E. Via

“I will if you give me a little kiss.鈥� Furi grinned. He was tipsy and horny now. Tequila does that to a man.

鈥淕et the fuck outta here.鈥� Doug laughed and pulled on Furi鈥檚 hair. 鈥淛ust because you have long, soft hair and I鈥檝e had a little to drink, doesn鈥檛 mean I鈥檓 gonna mistake you for a woman.鈥�

鈥淒on鈥檛 want you too. Come on. One little kiss,鈥� Furi moaned.

鈥淔ine. But only because I feel sorry for you. Make it quick.鈥� Doug laughed.

Furi鈥檚 head was still resting on Doug鈥檚 broad shoulder when he brought his hand up and put it around Doug鈥檚 neck to pull him to him. Doug鈥檚 smile faded and he looked very serious, Furi thought he was getting mad, but that wasn鈥檛 the case at all. Doug closed the distance and pressed his soft lips to Furi's. Both of them gasped in surprise at the initial contact. There was no tongue wrestling or groping. Just his friend giving him a little comfort and some much needed affection. Furi hadn鈥檛 been with anyone since he left his husband last year. That鈥檚 a long time to go without any sexual contact or the comforting touch of a lover. Furi felt Doug鈥檚 strong hand thread through his hair, making him lean back into the touch. His eyes fell closed when he felt Doug place a soft kiss against his throat. But what Doug did next brought tears to Furi鈥檚 eyes. Doug wrapped him in his muscled arms and hugged him tight, whispering on the shell of his ear that he鈥檇 be okay, that he鈥檇 protect him no matter what. It was exactly what Furi needed.”
― A. E. Via

“Furi narrowed his eyes again and stepped into Syn鈥檚 space. 鈥淎re you gay, Detective?鈥�

There it was. The million-dollar question. Was he gay? He鈥檇 never asked himself that. He鈥檇 only slept with women before, but had never felt anything more for them than an easy friends-with-benefits involvement. Rhodes was the only person that he鈥檇 ever felt a connection with. A man. Syn felt his mouth move, but no sound was coming out. Fuck.

Furi looked at him skeptically. 鈥淯h huh. Just like I thought. Who are you working for? Him. He send you? Did he hire you to find me? Are you a private detective?鈥�

That accusation cut through Syn's speechlessness. 鈥淲hoa. I work for the city of Atlanta. What are you talking about? Who is him? Is someone after you?鈥� Syn didn鈥檛 realize he鈥檇 grabbed Furi鈥檚 shoulders, forcing him to look into his eyes until Furi threw his arms up and dislodged Syn鈥檚 grip.

鈥淭ake your goddamn hands off of me! I鈥檓 sick of people thinking they can put their fucking hands on me! Stay the fuck away from me, Detective.鈥� Furi shoved past him and reached for the door.

Syn jumped in front of it before Furi could get it open. He yelled right back at Furi, 鈥淢y name is Syn! I鈥檓 not here as a Detective! I don鈥檛 know who him is, nor do I work for him.鈥� Syn put up air quotes for the word him. 鈥淚 just wanted to talk to you!鈥�

鈥淎bout what?鈥� Furi yelled. They were in each other鈥檚 faces, chest bumping each other.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 fucking know! About you. About me. About the damn Falcons' game last week. About the weather. About why there鈥檚 so many goddamn reality TV shows. About what-the-hell-ever! That鈥檚 what people do when they want to get to know someone!鈥� Syn stepped back and gripped his hair blowing out a long frustrated breath. He felt so ridiculous, was so annoyed that he was seconds away from just walking away. 鈥淔uck! I didn鈥檛 think dating was this damn hard.”
― A. E. Via

“Got a hot date tonight, Sarge?鈥� Ro chuckled as he handed Syn the next group of Illustra鈥檚 entertainers that were being picked up for questioning.

Syn flushed but chose to ignore Ro鈥檚 smug grin. 鈥淪hut up,鈥� he mumbled, and flipped open the next file. He flinched so hard his neck popped. Syn鈥檚 breath caught at the image that stared back at him.

鈥淥h yeah. This is the one I wanted to mention, he might be a prime suspect.鈥�

Syn threw his hand up, stopping Ro. This couldn鈥檛 be happening. 鈥淚 thought we鈥檇 concluded that the killers were women from that crazy-ass men-bashing group, BTNS?鈥�

鈥淵es, we did. But hear me out; there may be more players in this. Starman was definitely taken out by women but he could鈥檝e been set up by others. This guy's name is Furious Gray Barkley. During questioning, the owner of Illustra, Johnathan Mack said that Furious Barkley, who performs as Furious Styles, was scheduled to do a movie with Sasha Pain but declined. Furious鈥� replacement was our vic.鈥� Ro rubbed his smooth face and kept talking, oblivious to Syn鈥檚 inner turmoil. 鈥淜icker is, although this Furious Gray Barkley has no priors, he鈥檚 also known as Furious Gray Nicks. Husband to Patrick Nicks. That image there is a photo that was given to the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department when Furious鈥� husband filed a missing persons on him almost a year ago. Furious is on the run and I want to know why. I contacted the husband but had to leave a message. I already sent Jameson to pick him up. He works at a pub in ... hmmm.鈥� Ro鈥檚 eyebrows rose. 鈥淚n your neighborhood.”
― A. E. Via

“Yeah I see,鈥� Syn said quietly. Ro鈥檚 phone rang and he picked it up, giving Syn a couple of private minutes, which were needed because his heart was beating a mile a minute. The fates can鈥檛 be that cruel. To make the only man, no forget that; the only person that Syn had been interested in in over ten years a suspect in a murder case he was overseeing. On top of everything else, the man is married. This isn鈥檛 good. Ro disconnected his call and Syn asked him, 鈥淗ow soon before this one arrives?鈥�

鈥淗e鈥檚 already here in room five. You coming?鈥� Ro asked, taking Furious鈥� file from his hands.

鈥淚鈥檒l watch.鈥� Syn walked beside Ro to the interrogation rooms. Then he thought better of it, and decided he needed to be honest with his men. They worked effectively together, but most of all they had each other's backs. Ro was a good man and Syn felt he could trust him. 鈥淩o wait.鈥�

鈥淲hat鈥檚 up?鈥�

Syn blew out a breath and scratched at the hair on top of his head, which was grown out enough that it was already starting to curl.

鈥淪yn what鈥檚 going on?鈥� Ro looked genuinely concerned, his vibrant blue eyes staring intently at him.

Syn looked back and forth as uniforms brushed passed them in the hall. Ro clasped a firm grip on Syn鈥檚 shoulder and ushered him into one of the vacant offices. 鈥淭alk to me man. You鈥檙e my Sarge but I consider you a friend first. That鈥檚 the way we operate. If you have a problem, then I have a fuckin鈥� problem, and so do twenty-one other men. But between you and me right now, what鈥檚 up?鈥�

Syn rubbed the back of his neck and tried to ease some of the tension there. 鈥淭his guy Furious.鈥�

Ro shook his head indicating he was listening.

鈥淚鈥檓 kind of, um 鈥� we uh 鈥� he鈥檚 my,鈥� Syn stuttered not quite finding the right words.


鈥淵ou know him and you like him,鈥� Ro finished for him.

Syn looked Ro in the eye. 鈥淵eah, I like him.鈥� Syn took a deep breath. 鈥淗e鈥檚 the first him that I鈥檝e liked in a very long time.鈥�

鈥淚 see.鈥� Ro rubbed his hand over his cheek again. Syn knew the gesture meant Ro was thinking.

鈥淪hit鈥檚 all fucked up now. I can鈥檛 date a goddamn suspect, a married goddamn suspect.鈥�

鈥淗ey whoa. We don鈥檛 know the situation with the marriage yet. The reasons I thought he could be a suspect? They might be easily explained away.鈥�

鈥淵ou鈥檙e the one said you think he鈥檚 hiding something,鈥� Syn argued.

鈥淵es, I did. This guy is married, right? He leaves his husband in a way that makes the man file a missing persons on him, and then Furious changes his name, and not back to his birth name. It looks like he鈥檚 hiding from him, I just need to find out why.鈥� Ro pulled a paper from the file. 鈥淭his shows him making regular deposits to an account in a bank located in Los Angeles. The account is under a different name and has over ninety thousand dollars in it.鈥�

鈥淪o he stole his husband鈥檚 money and hauled ass in the middle of the night. Fuckin鈥� great.鈥� Syn yanked the door open, ready to charge into interrogation room five and tell Furious he could go to hell.

鈥淕eez, hold on a minute, Sarge.鈥� Ro grabbed his arm and pulled him back inside, slamming the door closed. 鈥淣o wonder Day likes you so much. Both of you go off half-cocked all the fucking time. That money wasn鈥檛 stolen. It was life insurance proceeds from when his father died. He might鈥檝e been hiding it from the husband. The contributions he鈥檚 been making since then have been small but frequent.鈥�

鈥淗e鈥檚 a porn star, Ronowski! I can鈥檛 date a damn porn star! Fucking other women and probably men. What the fuck?鈥� Syn was yelling and pacing now. He knew it wasn鈥檛 fair to yell at Ro, but he was the only one there now.”
― A.E. Via

“Go where?鈥� Furi looked between them. 鈥淚 can answer your questions right here.鈥�

鈥淵ou could if we were the ones with the questions,鈥� Metallica spoke up. 鈥淥ur Sergeant and First Officer will be questioning you down at the precinct.鈥�

鈥淪o you鈥檙e the errand boys.鈥�

鈥淎nd you鈥檙e the porn boy,鈥� Metallica quipped back smoothly. 鈥淣ow that we got job titles out of the way, move it, unless there鈥檚 some reason you don鈥檛 want to come.”
― A. E. Via

“Go where?鈥� Furi looked between them. 鈥淚 can answer your questions right here.鈥�

鈥淵ou could if we were the ones with the questions,鈥� Metallica spoke up. 鈥淥ur Sergeant and First Officer will be questioning you down at the precinct.鈥�

鈥淪o you鈥檙e the errand boys.鈥�

鈥淎nd you鈥檙e the porn boy,鈥� Metallica quipped back smoothly. 鈥淣ow that we got job titles out of the way, move it, unless there鈥檚 some reason you don鈥檛 want to come.鈥�

Furi wanted to flip them both off, but he followed them toward the parking lot. He was sort of glad they weren鈥檛 the ones questioning him, because he didn鈥檛 like their attitudes.

Metallica opened the back door to a dark Suburban and told him to get in. Furi climbed in and put his seat belt on, just wanting to get this over with and get back before midnight. Furi found himself wondering what precinct Syn was in and if he should tell him soon about his second job. He didn鈥檛 want him finding out through the grapevine or hotline. Whatever.”
― A. E. Via

“A light brown eyebrow rose, followed by a deep, easy chuckle. 鈥淵ou like what you see?鈥�

鈥淵es. I鈥檓 not blind. But I prefer a stronger jaw, someone a little darker.鈥� Furi smirked right back. Where the hell had he gotten all this bravado from? He usually wasn鈥檛 so blunt, but it felt good. He was finally coming into his own. The way his dad had urged him to before he鈥檇 passed.

鈥淪tronger and darker, huh? No shit.鈥� The man looked behind him into the one-way mirror, smiling broadly, making Furi wonder who was behind it.

鈥淚鈥檓 Detective Ronowski. I鈥檓 the First Officer of a narcotics task force based in this precinct. Thank you for coming down tonight.鈥�

鈥淲ell it wasn鈥檛 by choice. I will say your errand boys could use a refresher course in charm and courtesy,鈥� Furi said with little venom.

鈥淓rrand boys? Oh, you mean Green and Ruxs.鈥� Ronowski laughed again. It was a melodic sound that had Furi leaning back and enjoying it. 鈥淭hose errand boys are very skilled men, maybe not in charm, but definitely in hand-to-hand combat. Just in case someone doesn鈥檛 want to come willingly. But I鈥檓 sure you didn鈥檛 give them any trouble.鈥�

鈥淣o, I didn鈥檛. Anyway, how long is this going to take?鈥� Furi asked, checking his watch again. Damnit.

鈥淕ot a hot date?鈥� Ronowski smiled, looking at the window again.

鈥淪omething like that. Who鈥檚 behind that glass?鈥�

鈥淢y boss.鈥� Ronowski shot him that sexy grin again.

鈥淲ell this is fun, but can we move it along?鈥�

鈥淥f course.”
― A. E. Via

“Furi鈥檚 breath caught at the sound of Syn鈥檚 voice. He came into the room looking like he was going to hurt Ronowski. Was he the one behind the glass all this time? Asshole.

鈥淟et鈥檚 go Furious.鈥� Syn stood at the door glaring at Ronowski.

鈥淒o you not want your husband contacted?鈥� Ronowski continued ignoring Syn鈥檚 glare.

Furi turned around at the door. 鈥淚t doesn鈥檛 matter. He鈥檚 already been contacted 鈥� with divorce papers.鈥� Furi left the room and took long strides through the precinct until he was outside. He knew Syn was behind him, though his steps were light, he could sense him there. Furi was so angry he wanted to round on Syn and punch him in the face. This meant Syn knew everything about him. About his husband, how he made additional money, about every fucking thing. He鈥檇 taken away Furi鈥檚 control. That just wouldn鈥檛 do.





鈥楴ectar of the Most Forbidden Fruit鈥�





Damnit.

Furi was mad, and not just a little bit. He was like a man on a mission. Syn watched him fling the doors open and head around the corner. 鈥淔uri, can I talk to you?鈥� Syn asked as calmly as he could.

Furi turned down a side street and rounded on him fast, his long hair flying over his left shoulder. He grabbed Syn by the collar of his jacket and threw him hard up against the wall.

鈥淯gh, fuck! Furi relax, I can explain,鈥� Syn said, using a soothing tone.

鈥淵ou knew I was going to be picked up. You stood outside that mirror watching me. Did I entertain you? You think I give a fuck about you judging me because I jerk off on camera for money?鈥� Furi growled in his face.

鈥淔irst: I didn鈥檛 know you were going to be picked up tonight. Ronowski is my first officer and he deals with that. He reports to me whenever he feels he has something worth investigating further. Second: he didn鈥檛 talk to me about you until after I left you this evening. Third: I didn鈥檛 even know you worked at Illustra, but now that I do, read my lips; I. Don鈥檛. Give. A. Fuck.鈥� He watched Furi鈥檚 eyes, saw them land on Syn's mouth. His face just mere inches from his own. He saw Furi鈥檚 anger turn to arousal just as his did. Syn brought his hands up slowly, desperately wanting to bury them in Furi鈥檚 hair.”
― A. E. Via

“Ask away,鈥� Furi said, realizing they were almost to his exit.

鈥淎re you in trouble?鈥�

Furi turned; looking sharply at Syn. Furi probably wasn鈥檛 expecting that to be his first question, but that was the most important issue as far as Syn was concerned. He knew Furi wasn't involved in Starman鈥檚 murder, so he didn鈥檛 need to ask about that.

鈥淏efore I left the pub tonight, you asked me if someone had sent me and if I was working for him. Were you talking about your husband?鈥�

鈥淵es,鈥� Furi said roughly. 鈥淗e hasn鈥檛 seen or heard from me in almost a year. He might鈥檝e thought I was dead.鈥� He shrugged. 鈥淚 finally had him served with divorce papers, which means he now knows my address. He and his brother will come for me, guaranteed. Even if it鈥檚 only to serve up one more ass whipping before he signs the papers.鈥�

Syn heard the squeaking sound his steering wheel was making as he tightened his fists and squeezed the leather. He was getting angry, angrier than he鈥檇 been in a long time. The thought of someone harming the man beside him; touching even one lock of gorgeous hair on his head made Syn want to shoot something. He took a deep breath and tried to follow the directions Furi was giving him. He pulled up to a small house on the corner in a quiet neighborhood.

鈥淭his is your house?鈥� Syn asked.

鈥淯m. No, I rent the small basement apartment. It鈥檚 clean and safe,鈥� Furi said quietly.

Syn discreetly looked around the street. He didn鈥檛 want to scare Furi, but Syn was at defcon 3 now that he knew some bastard might want to hurt his man. My man. Putting the cart before the horse again. He didn鈥檛 want to push Furi, didn鈥檛 want to make him feel inferior or weak, but the urge to protect was there, and it was powerful. Furi was strong, he鈥檇 experienced the man鈥檚 force a couple times, but everyone needed help sometimes. Syn was just the man to help. That鈥檚 what he was good at, damn good at.”
― A. E. Via

“Look, sorry to almost take you out. I thought you were his soon-to-be ex, too.鈥� Syn walked over to the couch to get his jacket.
鈥淪ure. Whatever, Captain America,鈥� Doug quipped angrily.

Syn barked a laugh, putting his coat on. Furi walked over to him, keeping his back to his friend. Wanting to say something, anything to Syn before he left.

鈥淵ou talked to him about me?鈥� Syn didn鈥檛 know if he was upset or not about that. He guessed it depended what Furi said.

鈥淎 couple days back. When I left upset after those college bastards took a cheap shot at me.鈥� Furi huffed. 鈥淚 was pissed, okay. I didn鈥檛 know what you wanted from me. I thought it was just鈥撯€�

Syn moved in close, looking directly at him. 鈥淛ust what? That you thought I only wanted to play around and experiment with you? Is that what you think?"

鈥淣ot after what just happened tonight, no. But at that time, I thought so, yes. I only called Doug for a little comfort.鈥� Furi鈥檚 voice was deep and raspy, his tight body pressed up close against Syn's.

鈥淚鈥檓 sure he comforts you damn good, too,鈥� Syn hissed before he could think better of blurting that out. Wow. Really?

"It鈥檚 not like that. Doug is my friend.鈥�

鈥淎 friend who just happened to come by after one in the morning and bust through the door to get to you.鈥�

鈥淪top cutting me off. Doug is straight and not my type even if he weren't. I don鈥檛 do jealousy, Syn. So knock it off.鈥� Furi leaned in and brushed Syn鈥檚 neck with his lips.

鈥淲ell, he pops up and it鈥檚 late as fuck, so what am I to think?鈥� Syn whispered.

鈥淗ey, I鈥檓 not gonna fuck around with you if I鈥檓 already fucking around with someone else. I鈥檓 not that type of guy.鈥�

Furi moaned in Syn鈥檚 ear when he buried his thick palm in Furi's hair, soothingly massaging his scalp. Syn鈥檚 deep whisky-rough voice penetrated his brain. 鈥淚鈥檓 sorry. I鈥檓 just all screwed up right now; with you and me, what happened tonight. I just really wish we hadn鈥檛 been interrupted.鈥�

鈥淢e too.鈥�


Syn wrapped his arms around Furi鈥檚 narrow waist. 鈥淚 want to spend more time with you. I need to spend more time with you.鈥�

鈥淲e will.鈥�

鈥淲hy do you look upset?" Syn asked.

鈥淚鈥檓 nervous about the call you just got.鈥� Furi released a shaky breath.

鈥淚t鈥檚 okay. We鈥檒l catch this person soon.鈥� Syn held Furi鈥檚 hand, making his way to the door.

鈥淵eah. Sounds like someone is after Illustra鈥檚 entertainers,鈥� Doug piped up from his position on the arm of the couch.

鈥淢y team is good. We鈥檒l catch 'em.鈥� Syn turned to Doug, 鈥淚鈥檒l need you to come back to the precinct first thing tomorrow.鈥�

鈥淲hy?鈥� the man asked with an exaggerated huff.

鈥淏ecause I said so. You were at Illustra not long ago, right?鈥� Syn pulled out his keys while talking, not letting Doug answer. 鈥淭hat means the murder may鈥檝e happened while you were there. So, like I said, I鈥檒l need you to come back in the morning. For now. Stay here with Furi.鈥�

Syn took Furi by the shoulders, turning him to face him. 鈥淎ny shit comes up, you call me on my cell.鈥� Syn handed Furi a card from his inside jacket pocket. 鈥淚f you have any problems; and I mean any at all, you call me immediately. I鈥檓 going to have the beat officer for this area do regular drive-bys to check for activity. Especially since your door is broken now.鈥� Syn glared in Doug鈥檚 direction.

Furi nodded his head. 鈥淥办补测.鈥�

鈥淚 mean it.鈥�

Syn smiled and kissed Furi鈥檚 cheek like a perfect gentlemen. He leaned in and inhaled his hair one more time, whispering into it, causing Furi to quiver. 鈥淐all me later.鈥�

Furi nodded again. 鈥淪ure thing, Sergeant.”
― A. E. Via

“Cool. I know an awesome spot called Henry鈥檚. They have the absolute best beer selections and the wings are great. They also have darts and pool.鈥�

Furi stopped talking when he noticed Syn looking a little pale. 鈥淗ey, what鈥檚 up?鈥�
鈥淯h, nothing.鈥� They were in Syn鈥檚 old faithful truck and Furi sat silently watching the man next to him.

鈥淲e going or what?鈥� Furi narrowed his eyes, staring at the side of Syn鈥檚 face. His jaw was clenched and his neck was flushed. What the hell?

鈥淵eah. Let鈥檚 go.鈥�

鈥淥办补测.鈥�



Syn thought he was going to be sick. It was just his goddamn luck that Furi would suggest the one place where half the department liked to hang out. Hell, even his Lieutenants frequented this place. It would be cruel to subject Furi to Day鈥檚 inappropriateness so soon. Syn wasn鈥檛 necessarily afraid of being with a man; he just wasn鈥檛 the type to make his personal life public. Or am I scared? Fuck. Syn didn鈥檛 think Furi would go for keeping them a secret. The man had made that quite clear when they were in the alley.

Syn gripped the steering wheel and willed his foot to press the accelerator. Maybe 鈥� just maybe, there wouldn鈥檛 be anyone familiar there. Syn drove under the speed limit and felt Furious鈥� probing eyes on the side of his face. He tried to smile and keep his jaw from showing his nervous tick.

Despite his efforts, they got there in what felt like record time. Furious got out and waited for Syn to slowly make his way toward the entrance.

鈥淎re you sure everything is alright?鈥� Furious asked, annoyed.

鈥淚鈥檓 good. Really. Good. Perfect,鈥� Syn said, mentally kicking himself for sounding like an idiot.

Furi took his hand in his and it took every ounce of Syn's willpower not to pull his hand back. Of course he鈥檇 be into PDA. Furious pulled open the door and walked in as if he hadn鈥檛 a care in the world. It was almost nine p.m. and the though it wasn鈥檛 packed, there were quite a few people there. Syn tried not to look around, keeping his eyes on the back of Furious鈥� head as he led them to a booth; thankfully located in the back of the bar, where it was a little bit darker. Syn made sure to sit so he was facing the door while Furi sat opposite of him.

Furi didn鈥檛 speak. He picked up one of the menus and started to look through it. 鈥淔irst time out with a man?鈥�

Syn's head snapped his up from hiding behind his menu. 鈥淯h. Yeah, but ya know.鈥�

鈥淣o, I don鈥檛 know,鈥� Furi answered quickly. 鈥淚f you didn鈥檛 want to come out, why didn鈥檛 you just say so? You look like you're about to pull a disguise out of your coat. Or do you plan to just stay hidden behind your menu all fucking evening?鈥�

鈥淔耻谤颈辞耻蝉.鈥�

鈥淎lthough that鈥檚 going to make eating really difficult. Should I be prepared for you to fake a stomach ache?鈥�

鈥淓nough,鈥� Syn barked, Furious鈥� dark eyes widening at his tone. 鈥淟ook, cut me some slack alright? I am not new to dating men. I鈥檓 new to dating: period. Just about all of my adult life I鈥檝e focused on being a cop, a damn good cop. I had little time for anything else in my life including dates. Dating takes time and patience, two things I didn't have. I was prepared to accept being alone the rest of my life until I saw you. I wanted you, and I was more than willing to take the time and effort to be with you. So forgive me if I don鈥檛 do everything exactly right on our first date.鈥�

鈥淚鈥檓 not expecting you to. I haven鈥檛 dated in years myself. But one thing I鈥檓 not concerned about is being ashamed.鈥� Furi looked Syn dead in the eye.

Syn didn鈥檛 have a chance to respond, the waitress came to set a pail of peanuts on the table. Speaking in a cheerful voice: 鈥淲hat can I get you guys to drink?”
― A.E. Via

“Syn felt a foot nudge his under the table, making him look at Furi and turn up the corner of his mouth.

鈥淭here, that鈥檚 better,鈥� Furi said in his deep, sexy timbre. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e hot as fuck when you get all controlling."

Syn just shook his head and took a large gulp of the beer the waitress just sat in front of him.


鈥淲e鈥檒l have the endless wings, please.鈥� Furi ordered for them. 鈥淎nything else, babe?鈥�

Syn choked on his beer at Furi鈥檚 term of endearment, wrenching a hearty laugh from not only the waitress but from his date too.

鈥淔unny. You鈥檒l pay for that later.鈥�

鈥淚 hope so,鈥� Furi almost purred.”
― A. E. Via

“Just take me home,鈥� Furi mumbled and moved to the passenger side of the truck.

The drive home was deathly quiet. Syn wasn鈥檛 sure if Furi was going to forgive him or not, he was certainly hoping he would. Syn really did like Furi. He was the type of man he鈥檇 want to spend hours talking to because the deep sexiness of his voice did funny things to Syn鈥檚 groin, listening to him laugh was like the sweetest music to his ears. He wanted to see Furi's gorgeous face when he came home from working a shitty case, knowing he would make it better. He wanted to get into bed with him after a hot shower and bury his face in Furi鈥檚 soft hair and just lose himself in the erotic scent that lingered in those gorgeous locks.

Syn fought the urge to apologize again; he鈥檇 done it at least five times now. He looked over at Furi, wishing he would turn and look at him. 鈥淎re you going to say anything?鈥�

Furi did look at him then, but what he said wasn鈥檛 exactly what Syn wanted to hear, 鈥淵our truck needs a tune-up.鈥� Then he turned his head back toward the window. Syn pulled up to the curb opposite Furi鈥檚 apartment and shut off the engine. Furi didn鈥檛 say anything; he just opened the door, got out of the truck and walked across the street. Syn jumped out calling to him, 鈥淔uri, please wait.鈥�

Furi stopped in the middle of the street and turned to face him, looking completely exasperated. 鈥淲hat?鈥�

Syn was just making his way around the truck when he heard tires screeching and bright headlights headed directly at Furi. 鈥淔urious!鈥� Syn yelled, but he saw there was no time. He ran at full speed, leaping and slamming his body into Furi's, the car鈥檚 front end just missing them. Syn rolled with Furi, a messy tangle of long limbs, hitting the curb hard. Syn kept one arm around Furi while craning his neck to try to see where the car was. All he could see was the make of the dark vehicle and two letters of the license plate. Syn pulled his S&W from behind his back just in case they circled back around.

Syn jumped up and pulled Furi up with him. 鈥淚nside, now.鈥�

Furi moved quickly, Syn right behind him. As soon as they got inside the apartment, Syn turned Furi to face him. He looked him over and determined that he was okay for the most part. Furi looked like he was in shock, and rightfully so, someone had just tried to kill him. Syn put both his hands on Furi鈥檚 flushed cheeks. 鈥淔urious look at me.鈥� Syn waited for those now haunted eyes to look at his. When Furi finally focused on his face, he had to slip into cop mode and ask his questions while the details were fresh in his mind.”
― A.E. Via

“Syn unlocked his door and let Furi into his place for the second time that night.

鈥淪houldn鈥檛 I be in witness protection or something, in a secure location?鈥� Furi fired off indignantly.

Syn flicked on the lamp in the living room and turned to look at Furious, shooting him a look that said 鈥榬eally?鈥�
鈥淲ould you rather I take you down to the station, where a detective can question you for five hours before they take you to the shittiest hotel in the next city? While some cop that鈥檚 ridden a desk for the last ten years sits on his ass the entire time he's so-called guarding you?鈥�

Furi dropped his duffle bag to the floor and shook his head. 鈥淚 guess not.鈥�

鈥淵eah. That鈥檚 what I thought.鈥� Syn grinned. He removed his coat and draped it over the back of his new sofa. It was nice, but he hadn鈥檛 had the chance to enjoy it yet. Furi walked backwards until the back of his legs hit the couch. He flopped down like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders.

Syn rubbed the back of his neck, wincing at the tension there. He needed to say something to Furi ... anything ... but what? Bad people, crime, guns blazing, cars running you off the road, all this was normal for Syn, but Furi was just trying to live his life. Syn sat down next to the beautiful man, his hand hovering over his knee before he moved it and placed it on his shoulder. The gesture was meant to be comforting but didn鈥檛 look like it was helping. 鈥淎re you okay?鈥�

鈥淣o, no, Syn. I鈥檓 not okay. That crazy bitch just tried to kill me, and for what? Because I wouldn鈥檛 fuck her.鈥� Furi鈥檚 voice was rising with each word.”
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“Fuck, fuck, fuck. Why the hell did I say that? As soon as Furi saw the hurt on Syn鈥檚 face, he鈥檇 immediately wanted to take those spiteful words back. Furi was scared shitless, and he was indeed projecting, just like Syn said he was. It wasn鈥檛 Syn鈥檚 fault that his life was so fucked right now. Actually, if it weren't for the cop, Furi would be going through this on his own; honestly, he鈥檇 be dead now. Syn was trying to stick by him, contrary to what Furi鈥檚 mind was telling him. Syn was trying to put forth the effort to be with him, and Furi wasn鈥檛 cutting him an inch of slack. Now here he was in his apartment, under his protection and he鈥檇 just insulted him so cruelly that Syn couldn鈥檛 respond.”
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“Furi would never tire of those sounds. 鈥淚 know that feels good, baby, but trust me, I haven鈥檛 even started pleasuring you yet. I want to go take a quick shower. You go in your room and get ready for me. I鈥檒l meet you there in a few minutes.鈥�

Syn looked like he didn鈥檛 want to move.

鈥淕o,鈥� Furi said sternly against Syn鈥檚 mouth, licking those sexy lips one last time as he grabbed his bag, making his way into the bathroom. He really needed to wash that nasty alley-fight grime off as quickly as possible, then he was going to fuck Syn so good the man would think he had invented sex.”
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“Furi wasn鈥檛 aware that he鈥檇 drifted into a shallow slumber right where he lay until he felt Syn shift beneath him. Furi moaned and raised his head from Syn鈥檚 hipbone and stared into dark eyes. Syn鈥檚 look revealed nothing.

鈥淗ey you.鈥�

鈥淗ey back.鈥� Syn鈥檚 voice was deep and groggy.

鈥淩eady for me to get off you?鈥� Furi chuckled softly, hoping to lighten up Syn's mood. He forced himself up. 鈥淚鈥檒l get something to wipe you off.鈥� Furi went to the bathroom and slowly cleaned himself off, almost dreading going back into the bedroom. Don鈥檛 flip out, don鈥檛 flip out, Syn. It鈥檚 okay, babe. Wanting to by some time, Furi washed his face and brushed his teeth. He took a warm cloth back into the bedroom and began to clean Syn鈥檚 leg and stomach. He wanted to know how the man felt, but he was too nervous to ask. Furi wiped off the toys and set them back on the nightstand.

Syn turned and pulled the comforter up to his hip, covering himself. Furi couldn鈥檛 describe the pain that shot through his chest at the sight of Syn鈥檚 back turned to him. He sincerely hoped it was just Syn processing his first homosexual experience. Furi couldn鈥檛 fathom how the man could have screamed in ecstasy the entire time but feel bad now. Furi shut off the lamp, and crawled under the covers, curling himself around Syn鈥檚 hard body. He felt Syn tense against him. Fuck. Oh come on, this can鈥檛 be happening. There was no way that Syn was going to flip out on him just like Patrick had, Furi's luck couldn鈥檛 be that bad. Light seeped under the door from the hall, so Furi could see Syn鈥檚 eyes were open and alert.”
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“Syn stared into Furi鈥檚 sparkling eyes. He brought one hand up and tenderly brushed Furi鈥檚 cheek. 鈥淐ongratulations.鈥�

鈥淭hank you.鈥� Furi kissed his lips gently. 鈥淚鈥檒l be fine. I鈥檓 a big boy.鈥�

鈥淚 know you are.鈥� Syn winked.

Furi flushed with embarrassment. 鈥淪hut up. Don鈥檛 start something you can鈥檛 finish.鈥�

鈥淚鈥檒l finish it later,鈥� Syn promised. His look was pure lust as he pushed his rising cock against Furi鈥檚 jean-clad thigh.

鈥淔uckin鈥� right you will,鈥� Furi moaned against Syn鈥檚 cheek, rocking back against him. 鈥淚鈥檇 fuckin鈥� take you right now if your bosses weren鈥檛 in the front room.鈥�

Syn groaned.

Furi gripped Syn鈥檚 cock in a firm grip and stroked a couple times, wrapping his other arm around Syn鈥檚 back to hold him close. He nipped at Syn鈥檚 stubbled chin, peppering sweet kisses along his jaw to his ear. Furi flicked his tongue out and pulled the fleshy lobe between his soft lips. Furi鈥檚 lips were pressed against his ear as he spoke in a low, sexy drawl, 鈥淚鈥檇 bend you over this sink and fuck you until you yelled my name and begged me not to stop.鈥�

鈥淔uck,鈥� Syn moaned. Heat tore up through him at Furi鈥檚 nasty words.

鈥淔uck you hard, just how you like it, baby.鈥� Furi increased the speed of his stroke.

鈥淥h fuck, fuck. No. Stop honey,鈥� Syn protested weakly, his balls already throbbing with the need for release.

鈥淲hy?鈥� Furi hissed.

鈥淏ecause I fucking refuse to let Day hear me come.鈥� Syn put some room between their bodies and kept backing up until he hit the wall. He tried to control his breathing, but staring at Furi鈥檚 gorgeous, flushed face didn鈥檛 help.

鈥淵ou guys are crazy.鈥� Furi shook his head.

鈥淒ay鈥檚 pranks have no boundaries. I wouldn鈥檛 be surprised if my moans are broadcasted over the loudspeaker in the office today.鈥� Syn opened the bathroom door and gestured for Furi to look out into the hallway. 鈥淪ee.鈥�

Furi busted out laughing at Day standing there in the hallway with his cell phone in his hand, studying the non-existent art on Syn鈥檚 bare wall. He whistled like he was just lounging around not looking for trouble. Syn just flipped him off and pulled Furi into his bedroom, slamming the door behind them.

鈥淥h my fucking god. That shit is too funny.鈥� Furi laughed while he put a few things into his backpack.

鈥淵eah, because you don鈥檛鈥� have to deal with his silliness.鈥� Syn hurried to get dressed.”
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“Furi put his hands over top of Syn鈥檚 and slowly brought their hands down. He stood and wrapped his arms around Syn鈥檚 neck and Syn hugged Furi tightly to him. Their mouths came together hard and hungry. Biting and licking each other, like one of them was leaving for a long journey. They kissed like it could be their last time, and it unnerved the hell out of Syn. He didn鈥檛 like this feeling, he didn鈥檛 like the uncertainty of this whole fucked up situation. He needed to fix this.”
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“Fuck,鈥� Syn growled. He was still thinking of solutions when he heard something scrape against his doorknob. Something metal was tampering with the lock. If he were anywhere else in the apartment he wouldn鈥檛 have heard it, but he was right next to the door, so he could hear someone trying to get in. He instinctually moved to stand in front of Furi, pulling his Sig from its holster and unlocking the safety. He felt Furi tensing behind him.

He could hear the tool manipulating the lock mechanism. Is this bastard really fuckin鈥� brave enough to break into my home in broad goddamn daylight? Syn was in awe at the size of this guy鈥檚 balls. The closet door was arm's length away. He yanked it open and grabbed the blanket off the top shelf, pulling his loaded twelve-gauge shotgun down just as the door eased open. All Syn could see was the tip of a black boot. Furi griped his shoulder. 鈥淗ey. Listen to this!鈥� Syn yelled out. He put the stock of the gun firmly against his shoulder and pulled the pump back in two extremely swift moves. The sound was extremely loud and intimidating in the quiet room, by far the scariest sound an intruder could hear.

鈥淒on鈥檛 shoot, Dirty Harry.鈥� The irritating chuckle that followed was unmistakable.

鈥淪on of a bitch,鈥� Syn grumbled. 鈥淒ay, have you lost your fuckin鈥� mind?鈥�

His Lieutenants came all the way through the door, Day laughing at the pissed look on Syn's face and Furi leaning on the wall behind him recovering from a panic attack. 鈥淪yn. What the hell is going on man? Are you really gonna put a buckshot in someone you think is breakin鈥� into your little-ass apartment? Because, you do know that that鈥檚 excessive force, right?鈥� God asked, looking at him expectantly.

鈥淚 was just scaring them off. No one comes in after hearing that sound, trust me.鈥� Syn removed the shell and placed the gun back in the closet, covering it with the blanket. He turned to look at Furi. He looked a little pale but he was okay.

Syn spun back around, 鈥淒ay. Knock on my damn door like a normal visitor and wait for me to say come in!鈥�

Day pfftd, plopping down on the couch. 鈥淵ou don鈥檛 invite the wind. The wind just鈥撯€�

鈥淪top saying that stupid wind bullshit. Because if your door is shut and you weather guard that bitch then the wind stays the fuck out until ... You. Open. The. Door.鈥� Syn鈥檚 dark eyes bored into Day鈥檚 hazel ones.

God鈥檚 laugh was raspy, while Day looked bewildered. 鈥淏ut we鈥檙e family.鈥�

鈥淥h for fuck鈥檚 sake,鈥� Syn grumbled, he had to get going; he had no time to explain to Day about how to behave in civilized society. He turned serious eyes back on Furi. 鈥淚 gotta go, but I really think鈥撯€�

Furi pulled Syn to him before he could finish the sentence, kissed him hard on the mouth before turning, heading to the bedroom. 鈥淛ust concentrate on your job and don鈥檛 take any officers away from their assignments to follow me. There could be someone out there who really needs their help.鈥�

Syn didn鈥檛 get to say anything else because Furi had closed the bedroom door. End of discussion.”
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“Syn had to take his hand off Furi鈥檚 thigh so he could answer his cell phone. He saw it was Day and put it on speakerphone.

鈥淵eah, Day. What鈥檚 the word?鈥� Syn greeted, cutting right to chase on the decision of Furi鈥檚 protective order.

鈥淚t鈥檚 done and I had Ruxs and Green serve it this afternoon.鈥� Day鈥檚 grin could be heard through the phone.

Syn and Furi turned and smiled at each other, remembering how intimidating those two detectives looked. There was no way Patrick and Brenden would want to go up against them. They were the muscle of the taskforce so Syn could only imagine how they served that order. Surely Furi鈥檚 ex was on the first thing smoking back to Charlotte.

鈥淎sk Furi if he's gotten any phone calls from asshat today.鈥�

鈥淲ait how鈥檇 you know he was even with me?鈥� Syn glanced a look at the phone.


Day pfftd. 鈥淵eah right, just ask him.鈥�

Furi spoke up, his deep voice filling the small space of Syn鈥檚 truck. 鈥淣o I haven鈥檛. Thank you very much Day, I really appreciate your help man.鈥�

Day鈥檚 voice dropped a couple octaves and rumbled back through the speaker. 鈥淐all me Leo, darlin. And just how appreciative are you willing to be, Furious?鈥�

Click.

Syn disconnected the call and tossed the phone into the console. Furi laughed so hard he had tears coming down his cheeks.”
― A. E. Via