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“Well, for what it’s worth, I think your dad would be really proud of you. You’re trustworthy and dependable, and witty, and you have the most beautiful smile I’ve ever—uh. Not that I think your dad would notice that,” he said in a rush.
Christ, he was adorable. Once again, I wished like hell that we were back in his bed, or my bed, or anyplace that we didn’t have to worry about a—
“Horn,” Kev said on a quick intake of breath, pointing at the monitor. “In Vince’s back pocket. How the heck is Champ going to get it from him?”
I blew out a breath and focused more closely on the monitors. I should have been thinking through ways to help the op. I should have been focusing on my teammates and making sure everything ran smoothly instead of low-key inhaling the warm coffee scent of the man sitting next to me and imagining what he looked like naked in bed with my greedy hands roaming over his soft skin.
“Ohhhh, damn. Holy crap, that’s good,” Kev said with a smile in his voice. My eyes flicked over to drink him in until I noticed what he was looking at.
Champ had somehow gotten Vince pinned against the wall in a hallway off the main living room, and they were arguing almost nose to nose. Through my comms, Elvo’s whispered voice was downright giddy. “Target acquired!”
“What the hell happened?” I asked Kev.
“Champ shoved Vince against the wall, and Elvo snaked his hand out of that closet and grabbed the Horn out of Vince’s pocket without Vince even noticing. Turn up the volume. I think Champ said something about not using his mother anymore.”
Champ poked a finger in Vince’s chest, angering the man even more. Vince’s face turned a dangerous shade of red.
“Get the fuck out of my face,” Vince hissed. We could barely hear it on the home’s security system microphones. “You have no idea what I’m going through, so just… back off.”
That got Champ’s attention. “What are you talking about?”
Vince shoved Champ away. “You think I wanted to come to fucking brunch? Jesus, Percy. I’m in the middle of a… of a… I’m in the middle of a goddamned case that’s the biggest of my career. I don’t have time for this bullshit.”
Champ studied him for a moment before saying, “Talk to me, Vince. Tell me what’s going on. Let me help you.”
Vince scoffed, an ugly ripping sound. “Sure. Big Champ coming to the rescue of good-for-fucking-nothing Vincent Parler. Yet again. No, thanks. I don’t need your help, and I sure as hell don’t want it either.”
Champ put his hand on Vince’s shoulder, carefully, as if Vince might throw a punch in retaliation. “If you’re caught up in something…”
Vince shrugged his hand off. “This is bigger than you. You can’t save everyone, Percival, even if you want to.”
“No, I can’t save everyone. But I can sure as shit save you. Or I can give you a good place to hide until stuff blows over. Just say the word, and I’ll make it happen.”
On the monitor, we could see Quinn creeping closer to the edge of the hallway. His curiosity was going to get him into trouble if he wasn’t careful. We could also hear Elvo whisper that the Horn was ready to be put back in Vince’s pocket.
“How?” Kev breathed.
How, indeed.
“Wait for it,” I murmured. Champ and Elvo had played this game before. I knew what was coming next and could only hope Quinn did too, and that he refrained from stepping into the hallway to witness it.
“I care about you,” Champ said to Vince, sounding like he truly meant it. Then he grabbed the man by the back of the head and pulled him in for an aggressive kiss, stepping forward until Vince was backed close to the closet door again. They grappled for a moment, Vince grabbing Champ’s shirtfront to push him away before changing his mind and pulling him close. Champ jostled him against the wall and reached around to grab his ass right next to where Elvo was sneaking the Horn back into Vince’s pocket.
“Oh my God,” Kev breathed.
“At least this time, he’s doing it on a gay guy,” I said with a smirk. “Most of the time, it’s done on a straight man, and the results are way more violent but also way more effective as a distraction.”
As soon as the transfer was complete, Champ took a big step back and pierced Vince with an intense stare. “Don’t forget what I said. I can help you. Just say the word.”
“Does your little boyfriend know you still want me?” Vince asked in a louder-than-normal voice.
Kev and I looked to the monitor where Quinn was. Thankfully, he rolled his eyes at the nearest surveillance camera.
“Why isn’t Quinn upset?” Kev asked under his breath.
