When Lucian starts a private investigation service, and Beau joins him in the fledgling agency, little do they know what a delicious, close encounter on their first case will lead to.
This case is bizarre. Is there a hidden reason the client has chosen their newly formed agency for such an important job?
As Beau and Lucian dive headlong into the mystery, their relationship deepens, and their friendship changes forever.
Read the passage that gives the story its title
“Every PI needs a sidekick.” Beau
Deverel’s handsome face took on a pleading expression.
“No they don’t. Investigating can
involve confidential information, not meant to be shared with just anyone, and
if you were my sidekick, it would be.”
Lucian Wren sat on the end of the desk and crossed his arms. “I know that look
and it won’t change my mind.”
“Come on, Lucian, I can keep secrets.
We’ve hung out together forever don’t shut me out of this. I promise I’ll never
divulge anything to anybody, except you, naturally. You have my word. Have I
ever broken that oath? Well, have I?”
A grin flashed across Lucian’s face.
“You have not. I’ll keep you to that promise. Catch.”
Beau grabbed the card that Lucian tossed
to him out of the air with a rapid swipe of his hand. He flipped it over to
read it.
“Wren and Deverel, Private
Investigators—you were teasing, you already included me in the business. Card’s
a little plain—could we add something—a picture of a revolver maybe?”
Lucian Wren smiled, affection flooding
his eyes for his longtime friend. “No. The embossed border is enough
embellishment. We need to appear ultra professional. I’ll be having our phone
numbers added later when I have an office number.”
Beau nodded and pushed the business card
into the top pocket of his jean jacket.
Lucian gazed at him for a long moment.
“What?” Beau frowned.
Lucian shrugged, feigning nonchalance.
“You’ll have to get a license.”
Beau sighed before he asked, “How?”
“You don’t need to do much to qualify,
what with your firearms experience, just a few hours working for me as your
supervisor and hey presto...”
Beau appeared downcast. “Oh, okay.”
“Is there a problem? We’ll be working
together most of the time. The qualifying period isn’t much.”
“I guess having a law degree and that
police academy training made it easy for you to get fixed up with the relevant
licenses?”
Lucian’s gaze traced the planes of
Beau’s face. He lingered soaking up the sight of Beau’s enticing lips, and then
looked quickly back into Beau’s attractive green eyes. “Sure, but I did work
with that PI in Salem during vacations, remember? Hey, Beau, it’ll be easy for
you. A couple of week’s solid work and you’ll be licensed. What are you worried
about?”
Beau smiled and leaned close. “Now you
ask, since you believe in me, not a thing.”
Lucian’s heart flipped. Sometimes, when
Beau was near, Lucian had to drive
down an urgent need to kiss him. Lucian couldn’t even imagine what would happen
if Beau discovered how he felt. He preferred not to dwell on the possible
answers. He moved back from Beau’s proximity. “That’s okay then.” Lucian
slipped away, and walked to the window of his study, set up in the second
bedroom of his waterfront floating home. He opened the glazed door and stepped
out onto the rain-drenched balcony.
Beau followed him and leaned on the
white rail to gaze out across the dappled river.
“Where’s the office?”
Lucian broke into a laugh. “Not here.
I’m leasing an office in the city. I’ll show you as soon as I get the keys.”
Beau straightened. “Wow, that’s great
... bet that costs a packet. Hey, are we going out to eat? I’m starving.”
Refreshed by the air, and having
banished his desperate need to hold Beau close, Lucian answered. “You’ll be
surprised at the cost, it’s not too bad, and I wanted to do it right, you know,
have clients come to a real office. Let’s get going if you want to eat.” He led
the way back into the house and closed the doors that locked with a key on the
inside. Lucian turned it and put the key in the top drawer of his desk.
Copyright Elodie Parkes , Encompass Ink an imprint of Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly Publishing
MM romantic mystery
Join Lucian Wren and Beau Deverel as they fall headlong into
a strange art crime and love...
https://www.amazon.com/Wren-Deverel-Elodie-Parkes-ebook/dp/B01N2S6WAL
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wren-Deverel-Elodie-Parkes-ebook/dp/B01N2S6WAL
https://www.amazon.ca/Wren-Deverel-Elodie-Parkes-ebook/dp/B01N2S6WAL
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