Chapter 17

Jud wasn't prone to bouts of jealousy. Luke had been completely honest with him about his promiscuous past, and he had never given him a reason to doubt him.

But the look on his face made him wonder if he was actually happy. He'd had such an adventurous life before getting involved with the detective. How could Luke be happy?

He watched his friend flirt with Luke. Cameron Dunne was so far undercover sometimes he forgot he was a cop. He had to most days, but tonight he needed to remember. Especially since he knew Jud was with Luke. Jud didn't want it to bleed into his real life. He would start a fight over Luke. He'd taken a bullet for him. He could do so much worse.

"How can you watch this?" Gibby asked.

"I trust Luke completely," Jud replied.

He saw Gibby's face out of the corner of his eye. He was watching the screen, a look of contempt on his face. He saw Luke getting closer to Cameron, his bright and open. For that brief moment, he was actually flirting with Cameron. It looked so real even Jud believed he wanted to take the other man in the back and fuck him.

But he knew it wasn't the case. When Luke flirted, his blue eyes sparkled and his pupils dilated. Even from far away, Jud could tell he was only going through the motions. He was playing the part.

"This is hard to watch," Gibby muttered.

"I agree, but we have to do it. He knows the risks," Jud said.

Gibby turned to him. His eyes were soft, the green in them popping out more than usual. Jud looked at him, watching him quietly. His teammate was the most emotional of all of them. He cherished every one of them, and that protection and love extended to their partners. Jud knew Gibby had long-speculated that Jud was gay or on the spectrum somewhere. They just never spoke about it until now.

"Gib, Luke was honest with me from the beginning. He told me about almost everyone with whom he has had a dalliance. I even threw the guy we're after out of this very club four years ago before we became a couple. I have to trust he knews what he's doing just as he trusts me when we go on missions," he said.

Gibby laughed humorlessly. "Do you think he'll let you out of his sight after this?" He touched his ribs so Jud knew what he was referring to "I wouldn't let you. I'd chain you to my side."

They looked at each other for a long time. Then Gibby laughed, and it broke the tension. Jud smiled at him. He was glad he'd gotten that off his chest. He wanted Gibby to be able to talk to him about his fears and concerns. He wanted his team to trust Luke and his desires for Jud's well-being.

Cameron's mic worked wonderously. They heard the entire conversation he was having with Luke. Their voices were clear even in the noisy club. Luke wasn't very talkative, but he got his point across. Soon they were headed for Luke's office he had set up for the interrogation. It would be hard on him, but it was a place he and Michael had shared private moments. He couldn't deny it because it may tip Michael off.

Michael appeared out of nowhere. He latched onto Luke's arm. Jud saw the look on Luke's face and wanted to leave the room to bash his head in. Even after four years, he was still being controlled by his fear of Michael and what he'd done in the past. He hoped Cameron boxed his ears good just one time.

"Luke, don't go down that path," he muttered into his mic. Luke didn't react; it was almost like he didn't hear him? "Luke?"

Cameron took control of the situation expertly. He drew Michael's attention to him, giving Luke time to recover. He was good at it, suggesting the three of them have fun together.

"Raymond," Gibby said. "Now. Call Luke and get him out of there."

Raymond's ringtone sounded seconds later. Luke excused himself and skedaddled as quickly as he could. He left the office unlocked so Cameron pushed the door open and led Michael inside.

"Are you okay?" They heard Raymond ask. Their eyes shifted to the camera where Luke and Raymond were. They were huddled by the bar. "You looked shaken up, petrified even."

Luke rubbed his eyes then accepted the drink one of the twins handed him. He tossed it back then exhaled shakily. "I'm okay."

Jud knew it was a lie, but he left him alone. He was in the safety of his friends, and they wouldn't let him get away if he was not himself.

Jud's gaze went back to the screen with Cameron and Michael. They were snogging quite passionately. Cameron's hands tugged at Michael's ugly floral patterned shirt.

"How do you know Luke?" Cameron asked.

He lifted his head between kisses. Then he brought his mouth back to the bared neck before him.

Michael tried to hold back a moan. "I dated him several years ago. I heard about the raid earlier in the week and wanted to check on him." He let out a little groan and smiled as Cameron lapped at his neck. "Right there."

Gibby coughed a bit. "It's like watching softcore porn."

The captain didn't react. He listened intently to Cameron's conversation. He was talking in intervals as he wound up Michael. The bulge in his pants was an obvious example of how good Cameron was as an undercover agent. He didn't shy away from things he had to do.

"Luke was never one for one night stands," Michael mused. Jud scrunched up his nose because he knew that was a lie. "What made you so special?"

Cameron pulled away to unbutton his pants. "I guess he liked my looks."

He picked Michael up by his thighs and set him up on the desk. He used every tactic Jud would to get Michael aroused. He wasn't as sensitive as Luke, but he was getting there. It just took some extra time.

Cameron lifted his head and looked at Michael. The other man caressed his well-defined abs. He bit his lip in an attempt to look sexy. To anyone else, it may look good, but those who knew him knew it was fake. He was using it to get a new reaction from his partner.

"We need something more," Cameron mused.

"Lube? Alcohol? A condom?" Michael suggested.

"Yes, yes, and yes, but more than that. We need something to make us feel good. Something… that makes us go higher than before."

Michael's face contorted. He smiled and pushed Cameron away. He lifted his foot and pulled something from his sock. He dangled it in front of Cameron with a truly seductive look. Cameron schooled his expression, but he somehow made it look like he was excited. In a way he was, just not the way Michael was going to expect.

"What is that?" he asked.

"It's known as White Jasmine. I got it from someone who said you would know where I could score more. That you were close to dealers who could help me out," Michael rambled.

Cameron pressed his face in Michael's neck again. He smiled as he kissed his way down his throat, along his collarbone, and down his chest. He glanced up to see the man's head tossed back in pleasure. He lapped at his nipples as he reached into his back pocket.

"I'm not in charge of that portion of business," he said. "However, I can find out for you. As long as you give me some time. I'd have to make some calls."

Michael let out a breathy laugh. His body quivered at Cameron's ministrations. "This is my last bag. I'd appreciate it if you'd hurry. When we're done, I'll give you my number."

"Mmhmm." Cameron traveled back up his chest and pecked his nose. "There's only one problem with that."

"What is it?"

The officer held up his badge. "Baymont PD. You're under arrest."

Michael blinked a couple of times. He looked at Cameron's face before looking at the badge. His eyes widened in fear. He leaned down to grab his pants then pushed Cameron away. He ran for the door, and the officer let him. He leaned against the desk as he watched him fumble for the knob.

When it opened finally, he slammed into Luke. The force of the impact made him stumble and fall backward. Raymond and Andreas pushed past Luke to haul Michael to his feet. Cameron strode forward and snatched the packet from his hand.

"What is this, Luke?" Michael demanded. Luke looked at him silently. "You're working with the police now? Does your father know?"

"Michael Stone, you have the right to remain silent…" Cameron started to Mirandize him.

But Michael didn't have the ability to keep quiet. "You're so fucking weak, Luke! You had to turn to the police to stop this? Why? Was that dead cop's death so traumatizing you wanted to end the turf war? Arturo was right when he said your sloppy seconds were better than any of the ones he could buy. I'll have great pleasure telling him you're a traitor to your own family!"

Cameron tightened the cuffs on him. "You talk a lot for someone who won't make bail. I've got a long list about you. If I have my way, you won't see daylight."

Andreas turned to Luke. "I'll escort them out the back so no one sees them. We still don't know any more than this. We can't run the risk that someone sees them and runs to South Bay before we can do anything more."

"Muzzle him first," Raymond suggested. He turned to Luke when he heard Michael's muffled garbling fade away. "Luke, are you okay?"

The Prince turned to him slowly. Raymond didn't ask any more questions. He stepped aside just in time as Luke blew past him. He closed the door to the office then followed at more of a sedate pace.

Jud turned as the door opened and Luke poured in. He had just enough time to brace himself before Luke collided with him. Pain lanced up his side as his knee hit his wound, but the trembling of the other man put aside all that pain. He held Luke tightly to soothe him.

He met Raymond's concerned gaze. He had never seen this side of Luke before. He was never so vulnerable like this. Michael had always brought out the worst in him. His tender soul should never have met the asshole that was Michael Stone.

There was a crackle in his ear. Gibby tried to compensate for the distortion. The noise was because they were too far away. It would be a miracle if they could make out a message.

It took some time, but Gibby managed to clean up the noise. It wasn't great but they could understand what was being said.

"I don't know if you can hear me, but it's Myka. I'm in." Myka's voice was calm and collected. "I'm going on radio silence. God speed."

Jud winced at the two words. It was their call sign in case something went wrong. They were to tell her family she died a hero.

"We'll figure out how to get to her and get more information," Gibby said.

Jud nodded and stroked Luke's hair to soothe not only the trembling man but himself. "Yes, we will."