All in One Night

Chapter 1-1

Chapter 1“My name is Peter, and I’m an addict.”

Daniel resisted the urge to roll his eyes. He had heard this at least twenty times already. The Narcotics Anonymous meeting on a Friday night was always packed in preparation for the weekend. Temptation was always great then. And Daniel hated coming to this thing.

But it was a stipulation with Jamie. He had to stay. His job and his relationship were safe if he showed he was coming to make sure he was keeping clean. Jamie had put his own career on the line to help him when Daniel got stuck in his downward spiral. Daniel owed him that, at least.

His partner stood beside him, watching the young, clean-shaven kid now talking in front of a group of strangers with a blank expression. He glanced at Daniel, and that blank look turned into a frown.

“You could at least look interested, Daniel, instead of standing there with a scowl.”

Daniel snorted.

“Look interested?” he whispered. “Are you kidding me?”

“You need this, Daniel. Don’t pretend that you don’t.”

“I’m down to one meeting a week. That should say something.”

Jamie sighed. They were right at the back of the hall, Daniel leaning against one of the pillars. As far away as Daniel could get without actually leaving the room. The leader of the group had not looked impressed at Daniel’s intention of staying where he was instead of joining in, but he had eventually let it go, on the condition Daniel went up to talk. It was a compromise and Daniel grimaced every time he spoke up about his addiction.

Three years clean, and he was still expected to talk. Daniel barely had any twinges or temptation to take any drugs. He even stayed away from painkillers for a headache. But Jamie was still concerned. His lover of fifteen years worried about him. It was endearing, but in this case it was annoying.

“Don’t scowl so much.” Jamie reached out and rubbed his back. “I’ll make up for it when we get back. I promise.”

Daniel arched an eyebrow.

“Are you going to let me take charge?”

Jamie’s mouth twitched in a slight smile.

“Don’t push it, love.”

If Daniel’s problem had been drugs, Jamie’s problem was control. Especially in the bedroom. The younger by two years, the moment they started getting intimate Jamie was the one taking over. It was a different side to the rookie cop who had caught Daniel’s attention the moment he walked into the police station. Daniel was happy to let Jamie call the shots, finding out very quickly that it was difficult for his partner to let go and allow anyone to take charge of him in bed.

A former drug addict and a control freak. They were a right pair. And, somehow, it had worked.

The sound of the door opening behind them had Daniel looking over his shoulder. And then staring. A man in his early twenties stepped into the room, dressed in army fatigues. Holy hell. He was built. Very built. Broad shoulders, trim waist and the loose garments were not hiding the fact he was very muscular. It made up for the fact he was barely shy of six feet. His cap was on, the brim low over his eyes.

Daniel’s instincts went on the alert. Something wasn’t right here. This man wasn’t here for a meeting. This was meant to be anonymous, where nobody knew where you lived or what you did for a living unless you divulged it. Daniel never wore his uniform to his meetings and while he mentioned his job a couple of times, he didn’t broadcast it. Jamie always kept his badge and gun hidden in case he spooked anyone. So, either this guy was a psychopath who liked to parade around in his uniform or he was looking for someone.

The latter looked more likely, as the young man hovered at the edge of the room, scanning the people there. He didn’t move from the door, his face blank as he looked over everyone. Then his expression slipped and he began to look worried. Scared, even.

Daniel was on the alert now. Something was not right here. He nudged Jamie.

“Jamie, I think we’ve got a problem.”

“Hmm?”

“Behind you. Guy in the fatigues. I think he’s looking for someone.”

Jamie glanced behind him. Off to the guy’s right, they hadn’t been noticed yet. Jamie stared, and then turned back.

“You don’t recognize him?”

“With that cap over half his face, that’s a little difficult.” Daniel frowned. “Should I recognize him?”

Jamie rolled his eyes.

“You don’t follow the Society pages much, do you?”

“In Kentucky?” Daniel snorted. “You must be joking. I’m not interested in any of that.”

“Too bad.” Jamie shoved his hands into his pockets, leaning into him. “That’s Nick Horscroft. One of the youngest billionaires in the country, if not the youngest in Kentucky.”

Horscroft. That sounded familiar. Then it clicked.

“Horscroft as in Horscroft Aviation? The people who make private jets for the rich and famous?”

“Yep.”

This soldier was a billionaire? It didn’t look right. Daniel looked over the uniform. He did look good in them. What would he look like out of it?

Naughty.

“He looks a little young to be the owner of such a big company. And I didn’t realize they had changed the dress code.”

Jamie smiled.

“I think it’s just in name only now. His dad was the owner and he died a couple of years ago. Left everything between his two kids, with the company to his son.”

“So, he simply signs the checks while he serves his country,” Daniel mused.

“Nick’s a sergeant in the army. Although,” Jamie made an appreciative noise, “he does look pretty good in a suit. The pictures of him were certainly mouth-watering.”

Daniel arched an eyebrow at his partner.

“You’re drooling over him already?”

“I’ve been drooling over his pictures for ages. Now?” Jamie grinned. “Looks like dreams do come true.”

Daniel bit back a laugh.

“You are awful.”

At least Nick Horscroft had some sense about him. Who would be interested in pandering to the rich and wealthy to get them from A to B? Daniel certainly wouldn’t. Everyone got treated the same and if they had an entitled attitude, they weren’t going to get anywhere. Daniel had been spoken to about it a couple of times with his sergeant, but Daniel wasn’t about to change the way he talked to people because they had a lot more money in the bank. Money didn’t talk with him.

Although if Nick committed a crime and he started using his money, Daniel might make an exception.

But what was he doing here? He didn’t look like an addict. Then again, neither did he. If anything, Nick looked like he had literally gotten off the plane from a tour. His fatigues were still dusty and there were dark circles under his eyes. He looked like he needed sleep, but here he was looking around trying to find someone. And getting more panicked about it.

His shoulders slumping, Nick turned and left. Daniel pushed off the pillar.

“Come on.”

“What?” Jamie blinked. “But you haven’t been up to speak yet.”

“I think someone needs our help. That’s a bit more important.”

Jamie looked like he was about to argue, but he sighed and threw up his hands.

“Okay, fine. Sometimes, I wish we were just regular guys.”

Daniel kissed his cheek.

“Nothing regular about you,” he whispered, which resulted in getting a shiver from Jamie. Fifteen years, and the two of them could still turn each other on with a simple glance, a few words and a smile. Life certainly wasn’t slowing them down.

Now Jamie followed him out into the hall of the church. Daniel knew he should step back and leave the man alone. Chances were, he had just been coming to surprise someone that he was back, but Daniel had seen his face. He had looked very scared. Clearly, he had been there hoping that someone was safe and well. Daniel just wanted to go and help him.

It had nothing to do with the fact the sight of the young soldier had Daniel’s blood stirring. Nothing to do with it.

Liar.

Nick was halfway across the lobby towards the front doors when Daniel and Jamie caught up with him. Daniel had to jog to keep up with him.

“Hey, wait up there.”

Nick immediately spun around, his hand going to his waist, only to grasp at air and realization dawned that he wasn’t armed. His body tensed and he naturally went into a defensive stance.

“What do you want?”

He looked a little spooked. Daniel slowed to a stop, signaling for Jamie to back up a little. There was no need to crowd him.

“You okay there? You walked into an NA meeting and then walked out again. Were you looking for someone?”

Nick’s eyes narrowed, barely visible under his cap.

“Why would you care?”

“Because I thought you could use some help.” Daniel spread his hands, showing that he posed no threat. “I’m Daniel. This is Jamie. We thought we could reach out and see if you needed help.”

Nick’s lips curled into a sneer.

“I don’t want any help from addicts.”

“You got a problem with addicts?” Jamie snapped.

Daniel glanced at him. His partner had moved to the other side of Nick, effectively blocking him in. He had adjusted his jacket so his badge and gun were on display. Nick’s eyes widened as he stared at the badge, and then up at Jamie.

“You’re a cop?”

“We both are.” Jamie nodded at Daniel. “I’m here for him.”

“Jamie.” Daniel could feel his face getting warm. He focused on Nick. “Look, we can’t force you to talk to us, but we can help if you need it. If you’re looking for someone, we can help.”

Nick looked at him. Really looked. And Daniel thought he had the most stunning blue eyes he had ever seen. Arousal stirred in his gut, and Daniel had to force it back. Now was not the time to think how attractive this young man was.

“You two are really cops?” Nick asked.

“Surprising, isn’t it?” Jamie snorted.

Daniel shot him a sharp look before turning back to Nick.

“Yes.”

“And you’re in an NA meeting.”

“We’re not above falling to the bad stuff, either.”

Nick’s eyes were piercing as he looked over Daniel’s face. Cool, measured. He was young, but there was a sharpness in him that just sizzled off his body. That was more of a turn-on than Daniel expected.

No wonder Jamie had thought he was handsome in a suit. He was something else in his army gear.

“Can I trust you, though?” Nick demanded.

“Do you mean am I going to sneak off and take drugs when I’m on the clock? No. I’m three years clean.”

“And if he wants to stay in a relationship, he’s staying clean,” Jamie growled.

He wasn’t helping. Daniel bit back the urge to snap at him. Nick looked between the two of them, as if he couldn’t quite make them out.

“You two partners or something?”

Jamie answered this time with a slight smirk.

“On-duty, no. I’m a detective while Daniel works patrol. Off-duty…” He glanced at Daniel, his expression softening a little. “I’d say we were certainly partners.”

Now Daniel was confused. They didn’t broadcast that they were in a relationship or even gay at work, but the brass knew about it. Those in their job who did know kept it discreet, and Daniel and Jamie didn’t rub it in anyone’s faces. Never would they say that they were a couple to a possible witness.

What was Jamie doing?

Nick’s eyes widened a little, and then his cheeks went red. Great, now they had embarrassed him. But then something flashed in his eyes, which had Daniel pausing. Did he find that a turn-on?

Nick cleared his throat and adjusted his cap.

“Is there anywhere we can go to talk? I don’t feel comfortable doing it out in the open.”

Daniel caught Jamie’s eye, and Jamie nodded. They didn’t need to talk to communicate. Daniel nodded.

“Our place is just around the corner. We can talk there.”

* * * *

Nick cast a sidelong glance at Daniel and Jamie as they walked along the street. He had not gone in there for anything other than looking for Kathy. She was beginning to really worry him. This was the longest Kathy had gone without checking in, and Nick was sure that something had happened. The NA meeting was one Kathy went to regularly, and he had hoped to find her there.