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“I’ll get you that drink. I think we could both use one. I’m also going to call Mason if you don’t mind? He knows Callum, that’s Detective Stevenson, well. He may be able to find out what’s going on.”
“He said to get someone to reach out to him. I would appreciate the drink as well.”
I leaned over and laced a gentle kiss onto Daniel’s lips. “I’ll be back in a few minutes. Try to stay calm.”
He gave me a slight smile as I walked out of the room and into the kitchen to get us both a gin and tonic. I pulled out my phone and dialled Mason’s number. He answered almost immediately.
“Hey, Richard. Have you heard anything from Daniel? Jayden has been keeping us in the loop all day.”
At least that made things a little less complicated, not having to explain everything.
“Yeah, he is here right now. I need you to do me a favour. I need you to get hold of Callum Stevenson.”
I went on to explain everything that Daniel had told me so far. I was sure there was more to it, and he would tell us in time. But the shock of what he had seen and what had happened to him today was probably holding him back.
“Shit. That doesn’t sound good, Richard. I’ll reach out to Callum. Find out exactly what he knows and is thinking. Not sure how much info he will give me, but it’s worth a try. Are you going to have Daniel stay with you?”
If I could convince him, I wasn’t going to have him move out of the apartment at all. But that might be a conversation for another night. For the time being, though, I wanted him close.
“I was going to suggest it, at least for tonight. I don’t want him on his own. He’s pretty distressed at the moment, and I’m not sure what he might do if he’s alone.”
“I think that’s for the best. Try to get him to stay with you until this is all over. It will look better with the police. I’m sure Callum will agree with that. I can give him your address so you don’t have to contact him.”
I breathed a sigh of relief that Mason agreed with me. Telling the guys about being gay had made life so much easier. Not that they would have thought anything of two guys sharing a flat. We had all done it once in a while, and having two bedrooms here, I could have gotten away with it.
“Don’t worry, Richard. I’m sure we can sort all of this out soon. From what I’ve heard, it’s obvious that Daniel didn’t do it. We just have to change the job and establish exactly who did. I’ll let you know what Callum says after I’ve spoken to him.”
“Thanks, Mace. I appreciate it.”
“No worries. Now, get yourself to your man. He needs you right now.”
We said our goodbyes and I quickly got our drinks together and headed back into the living room, to find Daniel still sitting there in a state of shock. At least now he wasn’t crying.
I placed our drinks down on the table, sat next to him, and pulled him into my side, just holding him. He rested his head on my shoulder, and I placed my hand on his head and gently stroked his hair. I remembered my mum doing this to me as a child whenever I was upset. How loved and comforted I’d felt at the time. I hoped it had the same effect on Daniel. I wanted him to feel comfortable with me, and to give him some support with everything he was going through.
“I’m sorry I dragged you into all this, Romeo.”
I was pleased to hear him call me Romeo; it made me feel as though after all of this, he still wanted to be with me.
“This isn’t your fault, Daniel. Unless, of course, you killed Katherine, which I highly doubt. We will get to the bottom of this. Mason is going to speak to Callum and find out all he can. We are going to change the job now to try to find out exactly what happened, although I already have my suspicions.”
Daniel placed his arm across my chest and pulled me closer to him. I returned the favour and gave him a small kiss on top of his head. At this moment, I was more certain than ever that I had found the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. I had the same feelings that all my friends had felt when they found their one.
Daniel was my one, and I was never going to let him go. Come what may, I would prove he wasn’t part of his wife’s murder and would be by his side all the way through.
Chapter Eighteen
Daniel
Ifinally felt complete and at home with Richard in my life. Despite everything that had happened today, I needed to feel his body next to mine, almost craving it. Feeling his warmth seep into me gave me so much comfort. When he had held me earlier and gently stroked my hair, I had felt so loved. He calmed me just by being near me.
We had been sitting here in silence for a while now, just relishing being in each other’s arms finally. I pulled away slightly and found Richard looking down at me lovingly. I really couldn’t get over how quickly I had fallen for this guy. The minute he had looked around in the bar the other evening, I was smitten, and my feelings had only grown from there.
He smiled down at me before he spoke. “How are you doing there?”
“Better now that I am with you.”
I moved from my position leaning on Richard, and I immediately missed his warmth. I picked up my glass from the table and took a sip. I savoured the bitter taste of the drink as it hit my taste buds. Richard had very good taste when it came to gin, as I could tell that this was an expensive gin.
