Lion's Den
Zeke: I woke up in the morning to the shrill ring of the alarm on my watch. Telling me that I needed to get up and check in. It took me longer than it should have to remember I wasn't in my own bed, and was in fact propped up in an uncomfortable as shit chair. I snapped my eyes open and instantly looked over at the bed, my hand clicking off the alarm without thought, while I searched for my prisoner. Thankfully he was still in the bed where I’d left him. I exhaled a breath I hadn’t realised I’d been holding and then pushed to my feet. I tried to be as quiet as I could, tugging off the shirt I’d slept in and bent to pull out a clean set of clothes from the bag I’d stashed under the table I’d used as a pillow part of the night. My back cracked with the effort, and I took a minute to stretch out the kinks. Pushing my muscles until they twitched with the effort to extend fully. Once I was sure I was capable of dealing with anything Venn could throw at me, I moved past the end of the bed and reached out to pat his feet that were still covered fully with the blankets, “We have to get up and go check in. I don’t want to do that from here in case things are tagged. We’ll go to the cafe down the road and grab something to eat while I do the necessary. It’ll do you good to eat as well, then you can take more painkillers. I’m pretty sure you’ll need them more this morning than you did last night.” I nodded with some sympathy and then made my way into the bathroom. Unable to take a private anything while keeping my eyes on the bed to check that Venn had not only heard me, but also got his ass moving. I quickly took a piss, then brushed my teeth and washed the best I could in the sink. When I was sure I didn’t look and smell like something that lived in a zoo full time I made my way over to my bag to get dressed. Eyeing the other man in the room while trying to pretend I wasn’t.
Venn: {Sleep was difficult, after my initial passing the hell out from exhaustion, I spent the rest of night tossing and turning, trying to find a position that didn’t add pressure to my ribs. I knew Detective Dickhead had moved from the second bed and fallen asleep in the chair instead, which was just pure stubbornness on his part. Then again, that might help me get an advantage down the line. The few times I’d woken during the night, I caught myself staring at him across the room and the thoughts that carried me back off to sleep were anything but clean and certainly didn’t involve escaping, though his cuffs did play a large part in things. I heard the alarm and the pat to my feet, but my brain was too slow to respond. I didn’t want to move or deal with this shit. I groaned low as I rolled over, eying up the detective as he watched me when I tossed the covers back to reveal that I was definitely up in every sense of the word. It took me a minute to actually get my body to cooperate as I tried to push from the bed, but eventually, my feet hit the floor and I stumbled past him to the bathroom take care of my own needs. I grabbed the spare toothbrush and scoured my teeth as I willed the wood to go down so I could piss without a damn jetstream effect going on. Once I was finished, I washed my hands and splashed water over my face to try to wake my brain up and grumped at the dark purple and yellowing bruises that covered me. I hoped that asshole got what he deserved, otherwise I’d find my own way to ruin him that didn’t involve a lick of violence. I left the bathroom and padded over to my rumbled and days old clothes, pulling them on slowly and tenderly before I looked towards the detective} Food sounds good, as do painkillers, but more than anything I want a damn plan so I know what the hell I’m getting into.
Zeke: I kept a close eye on Venn as he threw off the covers and walked into the bathroom. Hard not to with the lack of clothing and overly obvious arousal. I figured it was just your normal run of the mill morning reaction, and still I was intrigued. Which was not good. If I was still undercover, then fine, I’d have happily gone there. Seen what happened and where it lead. But I wasn’t, and I had to figure out if I could get him on my side enough to do what I wanted of him. If he took me up on my offer, then we’d have a real shot at taking down one hell of a lot of groups, people and otherwise. I could use him to asses the best way in and out. The weak spots that others probably didn’t even look at. But he might decide that he’d try for the innocent act. Try to see this through and end up in jail where he’d be no fucking good to anyone. I really hoped I could sort it so that he listened to me. But that would only happen if his lawyer had looked through the paperwork and then gave him that sort of news over the phone. And that wouldn’t happened unless we hurried up to the restaurant down the street. I waited until he was up and dressed before moving towards the door, “I have painkillers on me, once you get some food in your stomach you’re welcome to them. We’re literally walking about 5 minutes down the road and then we can get online. Ill check in with my office and check voicemails, and then you’re welcome to speak with your lawyer. Update him on where you are and what the plan is as far as I know. It won’t be a long term plan right away, but I think we’ll be able to give you something you can pass on for the next month or so. Long enough to get things up and running, depending on what you plan on doing. That I can’t help you decide.” I shrugged a shoulder and then stepped outside the door, checking that it was as quiet as it sounded before tipping my head towards Venn, “I’m trusting you. Let’s go.” I tugged the door shut behind the man and then lead the way slightly, keeping Venn close enough to hold him if he tried anything, the cafe quickly coming into view as we made a few twists and turns to avoid traffic. I could hear my stomach rumbling before we even made it through the door, letting Venn pick the place to sit as I switched on my phone.
Venn: {It was nice not to have to worry about conversation as I dressed. My brain wasn’t quite on board with things, between the pain and the less than restful sleep I’d had. I was fairly certain the detective hadn’t fared much better on that front. It shouldn’t bother me, but it did. I was blaming that on lack of sleep and nothing more though. I gave a slight nod as I walked alongside him} After we eat, then I’ll hear the full proposal. I don’t do half assed, Detective so your people better have something tangible in place.
{I eyed the diner and my stomach growled loud enough to be heard by those nearest to us. I shrugged a shoulder and flashed a sheepish grin at the elderly woman reading a paper at the table nearest the door. When Zeke motioned for me to pick a table at the seat yourself restaurant, I walked straight to a booth in the back and took a seat, my back to the wall and facing the door, but also allowing Zeke a clear view of the door as well. I picked up one of the menus from the holder against the wall and another to slide over to him} I told you I wouldn’t run, Detective. One, I’m in no shape to do so, but two, when I’m free of you, I don’t want to be looking over my shoulder and see you coming. The way I see it, I have two options right now.
{I stopped talking to smile at the bubble gum popping waitress who approached and ordered the largest coffee they had, along with a classic breakfast combo, two eggs over medium, bacon, sausage, toast, and breakfast potatoes, along with a bowl of fruit. I closed the menu and set it aside, waiting for Zeke to order before our conversation could continue.}
Zeke: I talked on my phone and got the rundown from the office. It was not the news I was hoping for, and I went to argue before I was cut off. As soon as I heard the tone change I growled into my phone, “Fine, I’ll pass it on. Keep me informed. I’m keeping my phone on, and he’s going to use it to phone his lawyer. I’ll let you know what’s said and if any decisions are made once I know.” I grunted my goodbye and then dropped my phone to the table before taking a minute to rub the stress spot on the bridge of my nose. I was going to be a fucking mess before the end of this. If I wasn’t going to have my life ended right here. I sat across from Venn and just glared at him while he happily checked out he menu and ordered. I nodded and ordered the same before returning my full attention to the man sitting across from me. “I have good and bad news.” I exhaled hard and then placed my phone less aggressively in front of him, “Call your lawyer and let him tell you about our deal. He’ll have had time to read up on it by now. There’s a few things I need to go over first. You’re stick with me for a few more days, possibly a week. Someone in the department went to your house, or the one we know about if you have more than one, and grabbed some of your clothes. Nothing else was touched, but I’m sure it will be gone through at some point. My boss, the one I was just talking to, he’s taken them to where we’ll be staying. I can’t tell you where in case you fuck up with the lawyer. But it’s bigger than the room we’ve just spent time in. My partner isn’t being read into this, although at some point I’ll try and go to meet with him to go over everything. I passed on the information you gave me and they’re running with it. They have to check everything out, and they’ll go over any and all evidence that they have.” I paused when the waitress came back again, she placed the coffees down in front of us. I smiled widely at her, despite my attention not really being all there, “Thanks sweetheart.” I waited until she’d left with promises that our food wouldn’t be long before turning my attention back to Venn. “So, call your man, speak with him about your options. But you’re stuck with me until we work out why you were targeted and whether you’re still the target, or if someone else is.”
Venn: {I raised a brow at the growly detective as he spoke, even without knowing the full gist of things, I had a feeling I was pretty screwed in this deal and it didn’t sound like he was faring much better. I mean why would mister uptight and righteous want to be stuck with some low-life criminal such as myself? Hell, I might have been giving myself too much credit where he was concerned. I could tell he didn’t much care for me or the situation. Once he hung up the phone and slid t over, I gave him my full attention as to what the hell was going on. I chewed my cheek as I weighed his words in my head, thankful the waitress returned before I had to speak quite yet. I’m sure the house they went to was already properly searched, they’d not miss that opportunity. Too bad they’d find nothing considering I barely lived there. Anyplace I had was simply a place to eat, sleep and shower and that was it. Meaning there was nothing personal other than clothes and shit like that. I wasn’t a sentimental person who needed material things but the few things I did possess were somewhere no one knew about. And since it wasn’t in the States, the cops couldn’t go there even if they did find out about it. I did let out a slight breath at the fact his partner supposedly didn’t know about the safe house, but there was a niggle in my gut that said he’d find out soon. I just didn’t trust him as far as I could throw him. That went for the man across from me too at the moment. I silently grabbed the phone and then had to pull out my wallet for the card with my lawyer’s information on it. I dialed the number and it took a half a cup of coffee slowly being ingested before the asshole answered. I explained the situation, much of which he already knew thanks to the cops, and then I sat and listened while he went over my options. Or rather my option. There was only one and it involved me putting my trust, my freedom, and my life in the hands of the man in front of me. The lawyer had dug up some information on both the partner and Cabot, but it wasn’t anything I couldn’t have learned on my own. The lawyer told me to sit back and take the deal while he tried to continue working things on his end, then hung up just as the waitress brought our food out to us. Gotta love greasy spoon quickness. I slid the phone back over the table as I thanked the waitress and then it wasn’t until after she was gone that I finally opened my mouth to speak to him.} Apparently, my life is in your hands, Detective. I’ll help you with what you need. But if your partner comes at me again, then I’m done.
Zeke: I watched Venn work through things with his lawyer. Trying my best to give him some privacy, while also knowing I wasn’t allowed to even take a piss break without taking him with me. Which was possibly going to be an issue. I could hear snippets of the conversation between the two, working through the evidence that the lawyer had been given. I knew his options, but until now I was fairly sure he thought he’d get off. Or at least he’d have a fair chance at being free. I hadn’t worked my ass off for over 2 years to grab him when I was short evidence. What I had, there was no arguing out of. No way, not with an offer on the table that allowed for him to be a help to the operations we had going on. I just had to hope that he could learn to trust my judgement, and actually help rather than hinder operations. Since death was the consequence of being found out. I didn’t just work here, I moved all over. Ensuring that my face wasn’t ever in one place long enough to get recognised, and I was able to do more than just the one case per department. I turned my head towards the waitress, my eyes the last thing to leave Venn so I could smile at her, “Thank you.” I pulled my cutlery from the napkin surrounding it and managed a mouthful of bacon before Venn put the phone down and slid it back towards me, I picked it up and focused my attention on the male, “I can’t make promises for my partner. I can only assure you that should it be him that is coming for you, I am not involved. If you’re with me, you’re my responsibility, and with that comes my protection from things like what happened in the cells. Though I have a feeling you won’t much like what I’m about to tell you.” I managed a lopsided smile as I shrugged a shoulder. My voice low enough to stop others over hearing us, while I was assured Venn could hear every world. The phone being switched off as I spoke, “We’ll start here, in a safe and secure location. One with a little more room than the hotel we were just in. However, you’ll be with me day and night. You’ll get a monitor of course, and that will be transmitted to myself and my captain. My job takes me all over, depending on who needs me and where. But as I know you’ve also had connections with a fair few of those we’re in the middle of working cases out for, I know you’ll be a help. So as I travel, you travel. Where I stay, you stay. And if I go in, you’ll be in my ear helping me out. I can’t think that you’ll have to work anything with me on the ground, but that’s always a possibility if it’s a more sensitive case. Once we have some form of trust between us. Around that, we’ll work out who is looking for you and why. If something happens, they’ll have to go through me.” I took another bite of my food, letting that settle in before speaking again, “That’s the deal in the most basic form. If you agree to it, I’ll need to know that verbally, but you’ll also have to sign the documents that I had drawn up. With a witness. Of course. So I can grab the waitress if you want?” I smiled properly this time and settled back in my chair, continuing to eat while I waited to see what Venn wanted to do.
Venn: {I dove right into my food, hunger kicking into full gear as soon as the scent hit my nose and let out odd little grunts and nods as I listened to the detective go through the details. Essentially all my skills were going to be used for the ‘power of good’ with this shit. Breaking in, knowing which people were responsible for what. In a way, it was good for me too. Once this shit was behind me, I’d not have to deal with certain players. Hell, I might just be putting myself out of a job. Most of what he said, the players mentioned in the deal, those were the same idiots I stole from because the families of their victims deserved their items back. Though I was sure I could still find enough to keep my steady paycheck. If not, I’d figure something out to pay for the home. My only sticking point was the partner. I needed to get Cabot to see the guy was a tool. That he would do anything to make Cabot fall and I don’t know why it bothered me so much, but it did. I mean, I should want him to fall right, that would get my ass freed and away from the sexy asshole with the cuffs I still wanted to see wrapped around his wrists, arms stretched over his head while my fingers dragged down his spine as I pressed him forward. I coughed to cover my groan and subtly reached down to adjust the napkin on my leg and my now throbbing erection. This was why I needed to get away from him. Too many thoughts about him naked were clouding my mind. And now he’s talking about continuing our living arrangement. Though it could be fun, especially being the voice in his ear. And the travel. I wouldn’t go stir crazy which was highly probably the longer I was stuck in one area. I sopped up the last of my yolk with my toast and popped it in my mouth as I watched him. I wondered if he saw the heat in my eyes when I looked at him, how he’d feel about shacking up and being all close with a man like me. I did hint to him before my preferences and he hadn’t recoiled like one would expect at being hit on, not only buy a con, but a gay one at that. I could have lots of fun with this. Dragging my tongue over my lower lip, I gave a slight nod} You got yourself a deal, Detective. Go ahead and call her over, but you can save the grabbing for later.
Zeke: I watched Venn eat his food, the hunger was obvious, and I found myself wondering if I shouldn't have maybe fed him a little quicker. I’d have to remember that, ensure we had food sorted wherever we went. I didn’t much enjoy cooking, but I was good at it. Just wasn’t much opportunity to really get my teeth into it when I was pulled from one case to another. The hazard of being good at your job. Aiden sourced them mostly, though I’d gotten a few myself. It was harder, since he was the man who worked from the station and worked in my ear, I was the one on the ground working in whatever situation they needed of me. I found it wasn’t the most rewarding in life with regards to my social life, but it was when I was able to save people, or get drug runners or sex traffic rings stopped. I flipped through a few pages of the files I’d brought with me, wondering why my breath caught when Venn met my gaze. His words oddly suggestive, which I guessed he was going for coupled with the fire in his eyes. Which could have been amusement, but I didn’t think so. It made my heart speed up as I flushed slightly. I cleared my throat before starting at the top of the page, my fingers sliding down line by line out of habit as I went through it, “It basically says that you’ll do your job honestly and without putting myself or anyone else in any undue danger. That is instant jail time, and as you can see, far more than you’d have been getting for the original crime. You’ll be stuck with me, since I don’t want you in a cell when you’re not with me, and we don’t have a budget for your own place that won’t drive you insane. I don’t have anyone I care about here, family or whatever, so they think that I’ll be fine with it. You’ll wear the monitor at all times, and I’ll be your shadow. I’ll have to trust you not to give me the run around. Otherwise you’ll either end up back in jail, or be sleeping in a room without a window that I lock from the outside. Which I would be just as pissed about as you. That’s no way for someone to be treated.” I sighed quietly and then waved a hand to get the attention of the waitress who’d dished up our meals not that long ago. I smiled and signalled that I needed her at the table and then settled a pen on the paper, “I want this to work without either one of us dying, or going to jail. That work for you?” I met Venn’s gaze and gently shoved the pen to his side of the table, my smile only lifting one side of my mouth before turning to speak to the waitress, showing her my badge before explaining that I just needed her to witness a signature from us both, and throw her own down. Checking she was ok with that before nodding to Venn, “Whenever you’re ready. Then we can pay and go check out where we’ll be living for the next few months.”
Venn: {I felt my lip quirking when I noticed that flush and fought to contain it, I enjoyed it too damn much and definitely wanted to see him squirm more. When he cleared his throat and started going over the papers again, I slid my chair slightly so I was closer, just to make it easier for reading purposes of course. I should have been offended at the insinuations I’d put anyone in danger, though I knew he was just covering his own ass. But if he’d studied me as he said, he’d know I never harmed anyone physically. That wasn’t my thing. A shiver passed through me at the mention of a room without windows and I found myself shaking my head. It was bad enough being stuck in one place for too long, but without any sort of view of the outside world and he might as well shoot me and put me out of my misery. I did not do well with being cooped up. Not even close. That led to boredom and me and boredom were like oil and water. It couldn’t happen. I nodded without thought to the question} Yeah, it works. For now at least. I will want to reevaluate things though down the line.
{When the waitress came over, I grabbed the pen and signed where Cabot indicated, then slid the pen over to her. I would wear a monitor as long as it meant I could sleep without cuffs, I’d follow the rules as long as it was going to lead to my freedom, but I was still going to have to figure out how to scratch the building itch in my system that came with being trapped. I needed to burn off energy and my body was in no shape for the gym or my preferred activities. I fidgeted in my chair while everyone did the signing thing and waited} I’m ready when you are, Detective.
Zeke: I watched closely as both Venn and the waitress signed the document. I quickly added my signature and then took a photo of it. I needed to send that over to where it was needed as well as upload a copy with my other files. I would find a way to fax it in when I could, but until then I needed proof of it all. I smiled as I passed over enough money to cover breakfast and then cleared my throat again. Venn was sitting closer than I’d have liked. Which was fine while he was reading the contract, but was now something I was feeling a little uncomfortable with. I would have to live with this male for an indeterminate amount of time. I had to get used to having him around. And probably pushing my buttons any time he could around that. If that meant getting used to the heat that flashed through me or the fact my body was already revving up any time he looked at me funny, I’d have to just buckle in and do it. I cleared my throat again and turned to look at Venn, “Yeah, we’ll revisit it. Right now, we’ll go and get you settled in to where we’ll be staying and then you can have a look around once we’ve got the monitor on you and things. Once we know what we’re doing and where we’re off to next, I can let you know. I suspect the first one will be close to home. But I could be wrong.” I shrugged a shoulder and then stood, waiting a minute to check that Venn was with me before thanking the waitress on my way out. The car wasn’t far away and I tapped in the address on my phone before pausing by the car a minute, “I was going to put you in the back, but if we’re going to do this, can I trust you up front? I know you’re still hurting, but I need to get us safe before I can put on the monitor, you good with that? I don’t want to shoot you so early on in our partnership.” I looked down at my phone when it started beeping, mixing the voice of my navigation with that of a message coming in. I growled and flicked it shut before getting in the driver's side, hoping Venn would make up his damn mind quickly so we could get going. I had all of five hours to show him around before we’d be given our next task. Here was hoping he was a fast learner.
Venn: {After Cabot did his signing and all that, I waited until he paid the check before following him out. I stayed close so I could hear him and he wouldn’t have to speak up and let everyone else hear our business. I wasn’t thrilled about having to wear a monitor, but it sure as fuck beat a damn cell. I was smart enough to know that. So for now, yeah, I’ll play nice. The walk to the car was nice as it gave me a moment to stretch my legs, it still winded me with my ribs, but that was another reason I needed the walk, I needed to get better quickly. I raised a brow at him when he mentioned me going in the back and let out a low chuckle} I’d figure you’d want me up front to keep an eye on me, who knows the trouble I could cause back there.
{I slid into the passenger seat and buckled up, grimacing as I twisted slightly the wrong way} I’m in no hurry to get shot, thank you very much. I like to save that for further into our relationship. Close to home sounds like we’re still going after small potatoes. Lotta lower rung players around here unless someone new is moving in…
{I flashed a teasing wink and grinned wider because while I agreed to help and all that, I found I enjoyed pushing his buttons. Him getting flustered sent all kinds of images to my mind that I likely didn’t need, but. I sure as hell wasn’t going to chase away. I raised a brow at the growl} Problem, Detective? I gotta say, while I do enjoy a good growl, the scowl on your face that followed tells me it was all kinds of bad news coming through.
Zeke: I shook my head and sighed, “Just more instructions on the case, I can catch you up once we get settled in the apartment.” I said nothing more as we drove, taking the long route around until I was able to pull down to the carpark under the huge structure. While it wasn’t the most expensive place I could have afforded, I liked it for a number of reasons. The fact it had a whole host of extra facilities from a gym and pool to a small restaurant and 24 hour take out place. So I really could eat at any point, no matter when a case finished. It also had a hell of a lot of windows, which meant that I got to enjoy pretty decent views along with the floods of sunlight in the day, and all kinds of lights at night. The way the building was set up meant that it was small and select. The lift went up one corner and stopped on each floor, to one apartment. Each one was the same except the top two floors. I parked in my normal space and then pushed the car door open, moving behind the car in order to grab up the things I needed. I’d had the things I needed thrown into the trunk while I was dealing with the shit in the cells, hoping that Venn would say yes to the plan. I resembled a pack mule by the time I was finished, and then gestured for Venn to follow me to the lift, requesting he press the button for the 18th floor. I paid slightly more for a small balcony, but no where near the price of the top two floors. Thankfully whoever bought the apartment above mine was barely ever home, so I didn’t have to worry about noises while I tried to sleep. Those below were out in the day and slept most the day, so I was able to sleep any time of the day and night without being annoying, or being annoyed. I leaned back against the mirrored wall and set my gaze on Venn, “There’s two rooms, the guest room isn’t much, but it’s a bed, and it’ll be yours. I’ll have to check it if I am concerned about you. But otherwise it’ll be yours, I’ll get you a TV and whatever else in there if I can. If we end up staying here that is.” I lifted my chin and then went to move towards the doors, knowing we were coming up to the apartment, my keys already out for when we got into the small hallway. “How are you ribs feeling?” I hated small talk, but I was stuck with the male for a while, a long while if my text was anything to go by. I figured being civil was better than moving around like we hated each other.
Venn: {I took the subtle hint that the detective wasn’t in the mood for small talk and kept my lips sealed on the drive. Instead, I focus out the window and paid attention to where we were going. Something told me this wasn’t some random safe house, not the way he seemed so familiar with the parking structure and zipped through to a particular area. I raised a brow as I turned my attention towards the detective after he parked. Yeah, this was definitely familiar territory for him. He hadn’t even hesitated much after getting out of the car, no need to look around other than the cursory glance which meant he would know if things were out of sorts. I think that helped ease my mind, but I wouldn’t say for certain. And just because he felt self here, didn’t mean I did. I took slow glances around the garage before following him to the elevator, pressing the button for the 18th floor even as I took note of the building layout. Something about the building felt familiar and not in a good way, but I would need to get my bearings straight before I could figure that out. For that to happen I needed the damn ribs to stop screaming with every movement I made. That was the only reason I didn’t offer to help with all the crap he was carrying, I wasn’t a complete dick…not most of the time at least. When the detective leaned against the mirrored wall, all kinds of thoughts flooded my mind, thoughts totally unhampered by the mention of a bed. I averted my gaze and watched the numbers tick up as I gave a small shrug of my shoulders} Not like I need much. Since I seldom stay in one place for too long, I don’t really watch much television. I prefer books and cards. Simple things.
{I nodded then followed him from the elevator, stopping closer than I needed as he opened the door to the apartment.} I’ll live, that’s all that matters right? Not like I’ll be doing too much to jeopardize that, not based on what you told me at least. I’m just your mouth piece when you need information and other wise just sit there looking pretty until you deem me useless and send me on my way
{I shook my head and sighed. I hated how just being close to him scrambled my brain and I had to war with the various degrees of wants that flooded my thoughts.} Sorry, I’m not trying to be an asshole, still wrapping my head around all this.
Zeke: I shook my head and moved through the small entrance way from the lift and then into my apartment. I led the way as I pointed this way and that, allowing him to follow me left as we moved into the apartment, “Two bathrooms, and the two bedrooms. Mine is that one, you’ll have this one. Feel free to dump your bag down if you want. Both bathrooms have showers in them, and I’ve no idea why they didn’t have them ensuite, but I loved this place regardless.” I smiled and pulled doors open to the rooms that were closed off, letting the light spill into the hall from all the windows in the place. I then went back the way I’d come, past the entrance to the other side of the flat, “That’s my office, which you’re also welcome to use. I can get a second desk in there if you’d like as well. Then this is the living area with kitchen. There’s a balcony that runs the length of the place, we can get to it from either bedroom and the living room. There’s a few bits of furniture out there, so you’re welcome to use that too. Kitchen is fully stocked with pots, pans, cutlery etc, but it’s rarely stocked with food. I’m here so rarely I tend to do a shop once I get home and then I’m gone again. I’ll ensure we get something in by dinner time, but for now we have to just go ahead with frozen, if that’s ok?” I had no idea why I was checking, why did I care what he ate or didn’t eat. I just wanted him to feel at home while he was here, as he was stuck here with me a while. I circled back around to his musings in the lift as I leaned back against one of the kitchen cupboards, “I’d like it if you did more than just live. You’ve got a shit ton of info that could be helpful to my team, to me. I’ll be relying on you to keep me alive. Hopefully because you want to keep yourself alive and get out of this at some point. I’m hoping that you’ll be there, in my ear, when I go out on a job. It’ll save me a lot of time researching if I have someone who already knows it all first.” I shrugged a shoulder and tipped my head to make eye contact with Venn. I wasn’t sure how he’d feel about everything, but I wanted him to know how important his job was. How much I’d fought to have it so it was agreed. I gestured to the sofa and tugged a box out of one of the bags I’ve brought in, showing the monitor to Venn before kneeling next to the sofa. He’d have to come to me and sit if he’d allow me to fit it. I’d force it in the end, but I wanted to start with the option for him to do it on his own. Once it was on, I could have some more freedom to go out and about if I needed, but until then, I was as stuck here as he was.
Venn: Venn: {I followed the detective through his apartment, nodding when appropriate as I checked things out. I chewed my cheek as I tried to understand his …well, I didn’t want to call it friendliness, but it was something close. This case must be huge and they must be desperate for my help if they were going to all this trouble. I stopped for a moment by the bedroom he pointed out for me and took the bag of clothes he said was mine and tossed it in the room before I continued to follow him. I’d go through what they brought later and then if need be, see about making a trip for my damn self. I snorted and shook my head as we went to the kitchen} You’ll get the information you need, Detective, don’t worry. I can’t make promises beyond that, people are going to be pissed about my helping you out so I’ll have a nice big fat target painted on my back before long. As for food, I get that, I’m never in one place for long so I tend to eat out more than not, though I can wield a mean skillet when the opportunity presents itself.
{I gave a slight nod then watched as he went to towards the sofas, my eyes rolling hard as hell when I saw that damn box. Yeah, I knew what was in there and I did agree, but seeing it in person and knowing it was going to now be part of me, well that was a load of crap. I walked over, or limped over as the day was taking its toll on me. I only hoped the little piece of shit box was waterproof because I was desperate for a hot shower and then a solid bed. Plopping on the couch, I lifted the cuff of my pants and showed my ankle, lips curving into a teasing grin.} Careful, Detective, a few decades ago, people would consider this being fresh, showing ankles and all that. Especially being presented with jewelry I bet that was as close to a marriage proposal as some would get.
Zeke: I nodded in reply to the food situation, it was good to have someone who understood. I’d get some food in, as we’d likely he staying put a few days to work out what happened. Get statements, all those kind of boring things for Venn. I also wanted him to settle in. While I was sure that he didn’t want to be here, if I could make him feel comfortable, I was far more likely to get some information out of him, and earn his trust. I knew that was important to him. Or hoped, anyway. It was what would keep me invested, so I hoped that he had the same standard. He’s never been a typical thief, so I was quietly hopeful. I stayed crouched on the floor and waited for him to choose to come over. Once he did, I could see the uncertainty and hesitation in his gaze. Understandably really. But this part was non negotiable. He wore this, or he went to prison. That was his choice, so I was pleased he was taking the offered olive branch. It was all I had. Of course he couldn’t keep his mouth shut though. Close to a marriage proposal. I was sure he knew all about that. Being in his line of work, he probably charmed females all over the place, and males when the situation arose. I cleared my throat at the general tease, my lips lifting slightly as I fought a grin, “If you want to pretend this is jewelry and show it off as you see fit, that’s entirely up to you. I am sure there will be a target on your back, but I have no intention of advertising your involvement. I need to stay in a position where people aren’t sure who I am. And by doing that, you’ll not be mentioned, I hope.” I smiled up at Venn as I pulled the monitor free of its case. The whole thing should really be fitted by someone who knew the ins and outs of it, but needs must. I followed the instructions to ensure it was on and transmitting before clicking the metal around the provided ankle. I kept my hand settled against the metal and the warm skin underneath while I fiddled with the placement and then focused on the little screen in front of me. I tapped out what I needed and then watched at the circle slowly narrowed in on the screen until it was exactly where we were. It was pretty awesome tech, pinpointing to within mm of where you actually were. None of this 500 metre kind of inaccuracy. It made me feel like we were legitimately going to be able to keep him safe. I then licked my lips and pulled out one more thing from the box. This would really prove to see what he thought trust wise. Though I’d offer this at a later date if it was turned down. “So, as you know we’re uncertain as to what or who wants you injured. Well, I asked if it might be possible to put into place a back up measure. This watch gives us the same information as the tracker in your ankle. But if you’re caught, or taken…..if they take off the anklet before we can get to you, we can ping the watch instead. Hopefully it looks old enough that they won’t think to check it. It’s all I could manage at short notice, and it’s entirely optional. This,” I tapped warm skin again above where the tracker sat nicely, “isn’t. So it’s up to you. Think on it, and let me know.” I smiled and turned slightly to place the case on the table, setting up the codes that I needed while my fingers were out of eyesight of Venn. “I was going to grab something to eat, take out. Anything you prefer?”
Venn: {I let out a low laugh and shook my head, grinning widely at him as I wiggled my ankle towards him.} Now Detective, I’m a modest man, I don’t go flashing my ankle to just anyone.
{I grinned and sat back to let him do what was needed. I wasn’t up for fighting it, not yet. In a few days or weeks, then things may be different. Depending on how this whole helping the wrong side out went.} When I go missing, people will notice, some will be thrilled, others not so much. Especially as I still had a delivery to make when you rudely interrupted my job. I guarantee that person will be looking for me since no one likes to be out half a mill without anything to show for it.
{I shrugged a shoulder and then tried not to focus on his fingers along my skin. That shouldn’t have enticed me as it did, especially since he was essentially securing the fact I was still a damn prisoner, bars on the windows or not. I shook myself from the doc when he started talking again and raised a brow as I looked at the watch he was holding.} Does it really matter at this point if I have one or two devices tracking me, Detective? I’ll hold on to it and wear it when we leave the building. I see no sense in it while we’re here. Especially since you ensure me that no one knows I’m here.
{I watched him for a moment as he tried to hide the codes he was punching in, he was underestimating me if he thought that I needed to see the codes in order to figure them out. With a sigh, I settled my head back and closed my eyes, what I really wanted was sleep and pain pills but before I could object, my stomach rumbled loudly.} Just grab me whatever you’re getting. As long as there’s no fungus on anything, I’m good.
Zeke: His words continued to rattle around in my head, even though I was ignoring him and focusing on what I needed to get done before I ordered us food. The fact someone would be on the lookout for him might actually be a bonus for me. I needed to figure out who was paying for this stuff, as well as those involved in the buying and selling. Though I assumed Venn would only give whatever he stole back to the rightful owner, I wasn’t about to take it for granted. I placed the watch he’d agreed to beside him and allowed him to get it on his wrist, I’d then do the necessary clicks of buttons to get it online, but I needed to ensure the rest of the stuff was set up. I wasn’t going to push it though, he either put it on or not. I didn’t want him to feel I was using and abusing him, but I equally wanted to be open with him. I’d literally just told him that he’d hopefully not come up in conversations, but now I thought about it……………”The people you sell to, are they people who should have whatever you stole, or are they people who are offering the most money? Because if it’s the latter, I might have a job for you.” I turned slightly and looked up at Venn as he continued to sit on the sofa. I wasn’t sure what was going on behind the neutral expression he tended to sport. It wasn’t fun trying to read him, but I was sure I’d get better at it. As I was sure he’d get better at reading me. I didn’t know if that was a good thing, but I hadn’t much of a choice. I was here, he was here. And we were pretty much stuck with each other. I watched as his head settled back against the sofa, and I pushed to my feet so I could move over to the kitchen. I had a drawer filled with various menus from the places around. I grabbed up the one that did quite a few things I liked and phoned through. I smiled when a familiar voice picked up the phone and greeted me by name, “Hey there Anton, how are you?” I chuckled and nodded, “I’m good too, thanks. It has been a while, you know it’s always hard to get home when I’m off working.” I snorted and then shook my head, my cheeks heating as I cleared my throat, “Yeah, you only miss me ordering half the menu every other day. I probably keep you guys in business when I’m around. Can I get the usual, but doubled, please. Yeah, I have someone here I’m watching…….no I don’t think he wants to be here, but I’m feeding him anyway.” I smiled at that, knowing that Venn didn’t want to be here any more than he wanted to be in a jail cell. Though I felt protective of him now that I’d seen what had happened to him while under police care. That wasn’t happening again, I licked my lips and then cleared my throat again as I realised I’d been drifting, “Yeah, that’s al………..no, actually can I grab a slice of that chocolate cake you normally have and a carton of ice cream please. Yeah, that’s all. I’ll pay now, thank you.” I chuckled and shook my head, rattling off my payment details before wishing Anton well, saying that yes I’d see him when he delivered the food, and the quicker he got here the bigger his tip would be, since I was fucking starving. I hung up to a bark of laughter and then turned my attention back to Venn, “Shouldn’t be too long, they’re normally no more than 45 minutes. Means you’ve got time to rest or shower or explore the place if you want to. Whatever you want.”
Venn: {I let out a soft chuckle as he questioned the type of work I did. I knew what people thought. They often thought I stole shit then offered it to the highest bidder with occasional hires for specific items. I had my own code of ethics for what I did and my own reasons for it. It as my ethics that brought in the jobs I had. I had a feeling the detective was going to be sorely disappointed in what I had for him. I waited until he placed the order for dinner before I turned my head towards him, still leaning against the back of the couch} I think I’ll stay here until food comes, otherwise I might crash out and miss the promise of much needed food. I suppose that’ll give me time to explain some things.
{I crossed my now monitored ankle over my other leg and tapped my fingers against my knee as I tried to figure out which way to start, which way would best help him to understand. I let out a slow breath} While money is a good motivator, I generally help lost item s return to their rightful owners. The scene is often a big shell game. Artwork, collectibles, anything of value really, they get moved around. Police are usually useless in these cases, no offense, so people resort to other methods of getting their items back. It’s much easier than stealing something and then trying to unload it. You put yourself at risk for getting caught too easily that way. Those that hire me, prove ownership, tell me what they know and then it’s my job to find and get it back for them. Basically, I steal from bad guys who shouldn’t have it to begin with, and occasionally, I prevent them from taking something by getting to it first. Through the years, I’ve made enemies, I’ve also made some associates who are willing to help for their own fees. Not sure if that’s what you’re looking for or not, I can give you tells, I can point you in directions and how to speak to some, but since I don’t steal for pleasure or anything, not sure I can help otherwise. Well, I guess unless you force me to, make it part of the conditions or some shit.
Zeke: I nodded at his choice on the food. I placed the phone back in my pocket and then managed to walk in a complete circle of the kitchen before deciding on getting us both a drink. We’d have at least half an hour before Anton was there with the food, so I had no choice but to sit, even if Venn was determined to press every button I had. I filled two glasses with water and then cleared my throat as I made my way to sit on the sofa beside him. My attention entirely focused now on what he was saying. I wanted to understand more, you didn’t follow a guy for this long without getting some unhealthy curiosity. I swallowed hard once he’d finished speaking. I didn’t want to make it part of the conditions, it wasn’t why I wanted him to help. I shook my head instead and ran my tongue over my lips before remembering I had a glass of water. I took a sip and then twisted slightly to face Venn, wishing for the first time ever that I’d bought a bigger sofa. “I got that impression from the various jobs I caught you on. I was so confused at first, I wasn’t finding big sums of money floating around. You got paid, but nothing like what it would have been worth had you sold it to the highest bidder. Aiden kept telling me that there was no way that would happen, you’d be in it for the money and nothing else.” I shook my head and fell silent for a minute, connecting what Venn was saying and my own beliefs. I’ve argued endlessly with Aiden about it. In the end just agreeing to shut him up. Though I’d never bought it. And the evidence I had proved as such. It was why I thought we had a good case to have Venn help rather than go to prison. “I can go undercover in short bursts, but you know who is the worst for stealing. Those who aren’t in it for what you are. They shouldn’t be stealing either, but I want those who kill and maim. Those who recruit kids or hold families hostage. These are the ones I want. Though we’ll start slow, start with lower levels. You’ll be able to see what I can see and hear the same. I can hear you. That means that if I miss something, you can update me. You also know far more about what to look for specifically. You also won’t just be helping me with the same kind of deals you’re used to. You’ve got a sharp eye and read people. Together I think we could be a good team, if you’re willing to give it your all to keep me safe. I’d be putting my safety in your hands to a degree.” I lifted my gaze to meet his, smiling tightly as I said this. I wasn’t sure if it was appropriate to let him know just how much power he really had. Though I was watching him, reading as much about him as I could I waited a beat before dropping my last bit of news. “Aiden doesn’t come with us normally, he stays back at the station in case we need backup. If he turns up though, I trust you’ll be able to control yourself to help me until I can get back to you?”
Venn: {I listened as the detective moved around the kitchen, watching him with my ears rather than my eyes. I tried to keep my breathing steady and take in everything I could. It would help me better understand him if I could learn his mannerisms. It was something I needed to do if I wanted to make this job work. When he sat down next to me, I turned my head and watched him curiously, taking the proffered water from him with a nod of thanks. I wondered if I should explain why I did what I did. If he’d actually understand.} I have my reasons for doing what I do, I make enough to take care of what I need to, but money isn’t always the most important motivation. Something your partner doesn’t seem to understand. Maybe you’ll hear or figure it out what motivates me one day. Either way, for what you need, I’m good at what I do and that’s what matters.
{I gave another slight nod and took a sip of the water, then settled the glass on my knee as I turned my head back towards him, watching him carefully to see if he was truly interested or if I could figure out what his game was. He was playing a dangerous game, not just with my safety, but his own. There were heavy hitters in the market and they weren’t afraid to take out people they felt were a threat. I’d gotten the jump on several of them many times because I was the fucking good at what I did and usually without any violence being used. There was no need, not when you had speed and finesse. To go after them though, that was going to require a different type of tactic. One that would put him in their crosshairs. There was no getting around it either. Not if he wanted to take them down.} I can watch your back and help you get an in. You don’t necessarily want them seeing you as competition, not yet. That’ll put a target on your head. We need a story for you, one that’ll be believable
{My brain went into overdrive and was working through scenarios that would not only keep him alive, but would benefit me as well. Something that would keep anyone from stepping onto my game while I was strung up. This actually could work, if he’d go for it….now to figure out how to spin…wait, his partner what now. I stopped and raised a brow}I’m not the one who started anything, Detective. But I damn sure will not let him threaten me or my family again.
Zeke: I reached out to grab my water. Between the talking, the pauses and the time we were trying to find the words, time had marched on. I knew that food would be were soon, and that was good. I needed the distraction. I only needed assurances from him, then I knew we’d have to practice on lower value targets before I would be willing to trust him with my back on the big fish. However, had a feeling I had picked well. I had confidence in my own gut and my ability to read people. I’d tracked him, gotten to know his habits and the way he was with people. Since being closer to him, since having him in my space I was coming to figure out that maybe I wasn’t quite as immune to it as I had first hopped. That was something I didn’t want to explore too greatly. I couldn’t, wouldn’t allow him to compromise my job. Aiden already through I got distracted to easily, though he was never in the field, and so didn’t understand the things I had to do. I got why he thought I had a tendancy to drift off, but sometimes I just needed to process, and I did that internally. I had to be on top form any time I was out, whether I was in the office, or anywhere else. I needed down time around that. I licked over my lips before lifting my gaze again, my eyes narrowing slightly as I tried to stop my immediate reaction to the hatred of my partner, “Firstly, he won’t be threatening you or your family again. You have to believe me. If he does, I’ll have words with my captain, or him directly. You work with me now, and that makes you part of this team, he’ll need to accept that and work with you as I will be.” I nodded and then pushed to my feet as the buzzer went by the door, “A story would be good. I’m used to those, and I have a couple that I use around the place. We can probably flesh out one of them to try and make it more believable. Actually…..” I held up my finger to pause what I was saying. I rushed to the door and lifted the receiver before I spoke into it, “Hello?” the answer made me chuckle as a blush hit my cheeks, “Hey Gorgeous, it’s Anton.” I smiled and pressed the buzzer to let him into the building before turning and going to the drawer in the kitchen. I pulled it open and pulled out a file, “This is a quick run down of the 4 main people I use. Names aren’t vastly different, though their stories are. These are the cliff notes versions that I use to refresh my memory before I go out. Have a look if you want while we eat? Anton will bring up the food and we can dish up before we talk over this. I know I’m hungry, so I am sure you are too. It’ll be good to get something in your stomach as well before you take any more painkillers. I can give you the good stuff with something in your stomach, which means you’ll sleep well too.” I smiled openly at Venn before turning when there was a knock at the door. I wandered over and pulled open the door. I managed to take one bag off Anton before he was hugging me tightly. I wasn’t big on being touched or jumped unexpectedly, but Anton got a pass. He’d been around as long as I’d lived here, and he always delivered my food. No matter what time of day it was. He was probably the closest thing I had to a friend outside of work. I wrapped my free arm around him as the door clicked shut, laughing as he whispered a whole bunch of shit in my ear before pulling back, “Anton, come say hello to Ve….my friend. He’s staying in town for a while and needed a place to crash.” Anton’s eyes went wide and then narrowed slightly before a smile washed over his face as he faced Venn.
Venn: {I found myself fighting not to roll my eyes when he defended his partner yet again. My ribs still ached like a motherfucker over his partner’s last message to me so he couldn’t blame if I wasn’t willing to take his word on it just yet. The partner was dirty and I didn’t know why or what he was up to, but if it came down to him or me, I was choosing me every damn time. This shitty thing was, every time Detective Tightpants defended the bastard, it made me second guess if this was a good idea or not. Whether I could really trust his instincts. I let out a slow breath and gave a tight nod as I took the files from him, setting my water on the table so I could go through them while he handled the delivery. My sour mood did not improve by the flirtiness of the delivery guy, though I couldn’t pinpoint why it rattled my nerves as much as it did. I didn’t want anyone knowing I was here and I sure as fuck didn’t want to be getting friendly with people. Who the fuck hugs their delivery guy anyway? I narrowed my eyes as I stared at them both. Poor delivery guy was probably expecting a different sort of ‘tip’ tonight. Well too fucking bad for him. He wouldn’t be able to give the Detective what he needed anyway. Little pissant was probably a needy little bottom anyway. I could almost see the challenge in his eyes too. The question as to who I was and why I was here. What I was to the good Detective. I kept my ankle tucked under me so the monitor wouldn’t be seen and settled back on the sofa like I belonged, my eyes remaining trained on them both.} I’m sure Anton has other deliveries to make and doesn’t need to spend any more time here than necessary. Besides, we still have a busy night ahead of us and need to eat so we have our energy.
{My lips curved into a wicked, sinful little grin but my gaze never left Anton’s. I didn’t give two shits what he thought about me at the moment. In fact, the sooner he left, the sooner he’d be out of my sight and I could do what I said I needed to do…which was get to work. I wasn’t lying.} I’d hate for our food to get cold, after all.
{I lifted my head and shot Zeke a wink and then turned back to the files in my lap, picking out the one that seemed to be the most flexible. I would just need him to tweak it a little, bend in to fit something else to fit what I had in mind, then we’d see how good he was at improvising.}
Zeke: I physically growled when I heard Venn address Anton. I licked over my lips and stepped forward, just to get hit with a wink from Venn. I hadn’t expected it, but I felt my heart stutter in my chest. I coughed and patted the place where my heart was now going a little faster than it had been a minute earlier. I narrowed my eyes at the male currently making himself look very at home on my sofa, and instantly realised what it looked like. Shit! I cleared my throat and turned to Anton with a huge smile when Venn turned away. The man looked pissed, and something else I couldn’t put my finger on before me smiled at me, “I do have other places to be. But I can get this stuff set out for you if you want, Z?” I felt my eyes widen, before I stuttered, “Sure, I’m not going to be doing much with it, just put it on the coffee table there so we can pick as we need to.” I smiled and then remembered the ankle monitor and all the shit that went with it was still on the table. I reached and grabbed Anton’s elbow, rounding in front of him so he couldn’t go anywhere without smashing into me, my smile still on my face, “Actually, could you grab me a couple of plates, the cutlery and I’ll set the food out. That would really help me.” I gently took the food bag from Anton and stepped backwards, his answering smile and nod enough for me. I walked to the table and started to lay out the food, my voice low as I growled at Venn, “Could you get the tops off these while I show Anton out, please? And try being nice. I know it’s apparently hard for you, but it would be really helpful right now.” I wasn’t sure why I cared, but if Anton went without any hard feelings, it would save me getting spit in my food in future. Which was a really good thing in my view. I used them a lot, and I trusted them and their food, so I wasn’t willing to lose that with the varying times I ate in a week. I stood once the food was down and turned, crashing straight into Anton. “Fuck!! Sorry, thank you.” I took the plates and cutlery and placed them on the table, slightly harder than I’d planned before using my body to usher Anton towards the door. I kept my hand on his back so he’d move right along with me. Needing him to be gone so we could get down to business. “Thank you for your help, I really appreciate it. And the food smells amazing, thank you. I will be ordering with you again soon, as always.” I meant it, I would be. Their food was amazing. Anton nodded and turned so he could hug me, which I returned. He pulled open the door before speaking, “There’s a surprise for you in the second bag, I made the cookie myself, adding the message too.” I grinned as he said that, “Not much of a surprise now I know what it is, but I am glad you told me, or I’d have probably missed it, you know what I’m like.” I waved at my head as he laughed, nodding in understanding before making his way towards the lift, “See you again soon. Be good.” I waved and then pushed the door shut. I took a minute to close my eyes and just breath before I pushed off the door and walked back to the sofa, “This look ok food wise? Enough to mean that brains will work to filter through these files?” I stood one side of the table, my gaze bouncing between the food and the folder as I waited to see if it was something we could work with.
Venn: {I rolled my eyes as I listened to the detective placate the delivery guy because good fucking lord was that ridiculous. I half expected the guy to drop to his knees despite the fact I was sitting right there. I tugged my pant leg down when Zeke walked over to try to hide the monitor and even helped clear off the table some to hide the shit I was assuming he didn’t want mister ass kisser to see, but there was no kindness on my face as I did so and his words certainly didn’t help. My response was only just loud enough for him to hear as the other man rifled around in his kitchen} So sorry I ruined your booty call, Detective. Maybe you should have told me to hide out in my room instead so you could get your dick sucked while I waited. Next time give me a little warning.
{I coughed to clear my thought when I heard Anton approach and started opening the containers. I ducked my head so I could keep the glare to a minimum otherwise I was certain I was going to end up going a couple rounds with the guy. He rubbed me wrong and while I normally wasn’t a violent guy, this guy was bringing something out of me that I didn’t enjoy. When they walked out, I finished plating the food, rolling my eyes hard at the desert that I plopped on the detectives plate unceremoniously before I began picking at my own food. I wasn’t going to wait for him because who knew how long he was going to be trying to smooth over ruffled feathers and all that crap. All I wanted to do was get this done and over with so I could take some pills and get some sleep. The sooner the better because I wanted to get far and away from him tonight. I raised my gaze just barely when he came back in and gave the slightest of nods} It’s food, it’s fine. Sit down and eat so we can go over what we need to. Maybe if we get through fast enough you can call back your little toy and follow through with your dessert offer.
{I took a few more bites before I poked at the one file I had} This story will work, but we just need to adjust it a bit. Change your story so that you’ve been working with me. It’ll help your credibility. Get you in a few more doors so to speak. Now you’re looking to make your own name. Cut me out because I’m too clean for your liking. That’ll get the dirtier ones talking. As long as you can back up the skills, how good are you at breaking in?
Zeke: I narrowed my eyes slightly at the clipped response to my question. I had to bite back a snarky response, reminding myself that he’d been taken away from his life and thrown into mine. A life I was controlling, and while I could make it as nice for him as I could, it was still basically him doing exactly what I told him. The bit about the toy boy did have me growling in response though, “I’m working, there won’t be anyone other than us in this apartment unless food is being delivered or my boss turns up. That goes for you too. Just so you’ve got time to get that rule in your head.” I shrugged a shoulder and then grabbed a plate, I piled it high with the food that I absolutely loved and then settled back to watch Venn work. I looked over the file he’d pulled out and nodded, swallowing down the mouthful of noodles before speaking, “Ok, so same first name, changed last. I can do that. Not that anyone ever asks for my last name, but we’ll need it for them to run their checks. No family, though it does have a couple of parents and a sister in a cemetery on the other side of the city. We’ll need to sort that out to have photos meshed up and whatever of us when we were younger for me to carry. I think, correct me if I’m wrong, it says the sister died 5 years ago, so she’ll need an online presence that stopped when she died. And we’ll need better names, I change them each time, as I’ve only used it a couple of times, and never in the same place, so I’ve had to take what I could get for the basics. If we’re doing this one properly I’ll need to work out names, likes and dislikes and some stories in case they ask. We’ll give me a record so that it shows the general escalation from basic crimes to stealing and it can move into more media stories. Things that have gone missing or that show up with people who used to own them. A few of the stories that you obviously were behind, we’ll add in so it attaches to my name too in any searches that they do. That should mean that it shows I’ve been working with you, before branching out for the ones that were worth bigger money. Though we’ll start with smaller fish to get you started. We’ll also get you used to the technology that we’ll be using. So tomorrow we’ll go out to a club in the evening. That way you’ll be able to see what I see, and hear what I hear and try to work with me to ensure I don’t look like too much of an idiot. How does that sound?” I grinned and then cleared my throat as I shrugged a shoulder again, taking a minute to eat a little more of the food while I thought on how I could answer that one, “I’m not terrible at breaking in to things, cars I can do easily, and certain locks I have no problem with. But I will happily take a crash course in whatever you think I’ll need to know. You have been in these situations far more than I have, you know what they’ll be looking for and what I’ll have to prove before they take me on. We can work on that during the day tomorrow, since we’ll have free time.” I tried for a smile as I lifted my gaze to the male on the sofa. I hoped that what I said made sense, but I was open to his thoughts and opinions. I just hoped he was open to giving them to me without me having to beg for them.
Venn: {I rolled my eyes as the detective laid down the whole ‘no one in the apartment rule’ on me…like I had any fuckin choice in the matter. I shoveled another forkful of food in my mouth and muttered something about him making sure his little friend Anton getting that memo because that bastard sure as fuck would be all over the detective the moment he had the chance. It shouldn’t bother me but right now, it did and I was blaming it on the pain, the lack of sleep, and the whole damn situation I was stuck in at the moment. I gave a shake of my head and pointed to the folder} They’re gonna start looking into you the higher you go. Names matter. That’s why you gotta have a deep story. That’s how people fuck this shit up. They underestimate their opponents. Half the job is a mind-game, Detective. You don’t want a huge record either or it looks like your incompetent. Make it when you were younger and just starting out. But you’ve learned, not gotten caught since. The rest is gonna have to come from you begging it up. You’re gonna have to talk like you were on the jobs with me a few times. They’ll test you. How it happened. I have my own system so you can’t just say you busted in on the place and grabbed whatever. You can say how impatient you got because I’m an ass and plan shit out. I wouldn’t let you rush it. No smash and grab bullshit. You’ll have to learn to scale a building, work the vents, I can teach you easier safes in a short time, nothing complicated.
{I gave a slow nod and set the rest of my plate on the table, I’d eaten enough at least to satisfy the hunger. And enough to allow a pill or two to sit comfortably without making me sick. }I hope you know what you’re getting into, Detective. Some of these crooks love nothing more than getting their hands on fresh meat and breaking them in. Especially those who’ve been wanting to take me down, if they think using you will get to me, that might play into their hands too. If I tell you to leave a job or get out, will you trust I’m telling you that for the right reason?
Zeke: I watched the news sink in about the no person in the apartment rule. I had no idea why I’d said that, I didn’t ever have anyone here, other than Anton when he was delivering food. I finished off my food and then got another plate full, my back settling against the material as I settled into the chair, listening and nodding along with what Venn was saying. He was right, and I’d already assumed I needed to ensure I’d not been caught for a while, and while I’d been studying him, hearing it from the horses mouth would be a really good plan. I could act up the impatient thing, or at least get it so it showed impatience in the need to plan for every eventuality and not plan and go. I didn’t want to look like I was taking the piss trying to play with the big boys. I was busy stuffing another forkful of food into my mouth when I heard the tone change slightly, I lifted my gaze again and met Venn’s as I took a moment to consider his question. I was asking him to trust me, to not run off or take the piss. To help me get into a circle of people I’d been close to breaking, but wasn’t able to without doing a lot of shit I wasn’t about to be given permission for. This way I could get what I needed, but I was asking a shit ton. I knew he was here and not in jail because of me, his lawyer had attested to this. And yet he was asking me to trust him, to know that if the situation called for it and felt off to him, that I’d get out of there if he said I needed to. His judgment in these situations from the outside would need to hold equal weight to my own gut and feelings being in the thick of things. I felt my heart speed up as I realised I’d actually have to give as much as I was asking for. I knew this is what I was asking when I’d started this, but now that I was looking at the man sitting in front of me, I realised just what I was getting into. How fucking slow was I? I licked over my lips and put my plate of food on the table, my hunger dying up faster than I thought possible. Shit. I’d been so focused on getting this man here to help me, I hadn’t really thought past that. After a minute or more I cleared my throat, “The alias can be sorted, I’ll take you into the IT department tomorrow and you can go through it with them. I’ll then get given the brief to read and memorise. I can already scale buildings, but learning to be in small spaces would be good. I have an idea of where we could do that, tomorrow afternoon we can start if you’re up to it. See how the pain is by then.” I nodded and then blinked before standing and grabbing the bottle of pills I’d been given, I kept my eyes on Venn as I sat back down beside him and passed him the bottle, “You can take one or two, two is likely to knock you out, though you’ll have time for a shower before that happens…………….” I paused, my stomach doing that weird thing it had done the night I’d arrested him and had him bent over the table, right before that mouth of his had started mouthing off, “And yes, I will trust your instincts and only question them if my gut is telling me different. Otherwise I will trust you as I do my team, and listen to what you want me to do. Even if that’s walking away or calling in back up.” I cleared my throat again and then lowered my gaze to my hands, “I’ll get tidied up while you shower and change.”
Venn: {I kept my eyes on the Detective’s so he could see that I wasn’t fucking around. We might not like each other, but I had no interest in getting his ass killed. Not while I was supposed to be watching over him. That wasn’t who I was. No matter what he might think of people like me. Not that he knew a damn thing about me. I gave a slight nod} The sooner the better, I should be better after a good night sleep. I’ve been hurt worse, so this shouldn’t slow me down too much. Besides, you’ll be doing all the hard stuff. I just have to teach you things I’ve been doing for the past twenty years. No biggie.
{I let out a little snort and then took the pill bottle, popping the top and taking two without hesitation before dropping them on my tongue and swallowing dry. I capped the bottle and handed it right back to him before I carefully pushed off the couch with a slight grimace as my ribs groaned in protest.} I’ll try not to pass out in the shower, but if you hear a thud, you’ll know what happened.
{I gave another nod and started to walk towards my room before I stopped and turned back, once again serious} I won’t call it off unless it’s necessary. I know you’re wanting to get people like me off the streets. But, I don’t think you truly know how dangerous some of them can be. You know they’ve killed and beaten others for simply being in the way, but there are lengths some of them go to that go beyond the imagination one such as yourself can see…they aren’t afraid of using others to do their dirty work either.
{A thought hit me then and I bit my cheek to keep it to myself. It did no good to get into it right now. Not unless I could find more proof anyway. I shook my head and felt the shower calling me.} Have a good night, Detective. And thanks for the food. I’m going to try not to pass out in the shower and then crash out. Get me when you’re ready to go in the morning.
{I waved a hand over my shoulder as I turned away and limped off to the bedroom. Each step away from him was both welcome and not at the same time. I didn’t like what he did to my head and I hated not understanding why. My mind was racing and I knew if sleep were to happen, it was only going to be because of the pills I ingested and nothing more.} #LionsDen
Venn: {Sleep was difficult, after my initial passing the hell out from exhaustion, I spent the rest of night tossing and turning, trying to find a position that didn’t add pressure to my ribs. I knew Detective Dickhead had moved from the second bed and fallen asleep in the chair instead, which was just pure stubbornness on his part. Then again, that might help me get an advantage down the line. The few times I’d woken during the night, I caught myself staring at him across the room and the thoughts that carried me back off to sleep were anything but clean and certainly didn’t involve escaping, though his cuffs did play a large part in things. I heard the alarm and the pat to my feet, but my brain was too slow to respond. I didn’t want to move or deal with this shit. I groaned low as I rolled over, eying up the detective as he watched me when I tossed the covers back to reveal that I was definitely up in every sense of the word. It took me a minute to actually get my body to cooperate as I tried to push from the bed, but eventually, my feet hit the floor and I stumbled past him to the bathroom take care of my own needs. I grabbed the spare toothbrush and scoured my teeth as I willed the wood to go down so I could piss without a damn jetstream effect going on. Once I was finished, I washed my hands and splashed water over my face to try to wake my brain up and grumped at the dark purple and yellowing bruises that covered me. I hoped that asshole got what he deserved, otherwise I’d find my own way to ruin him that didn’t involve a lick of violence. I left the bathroom and padded over to my rumbled and days old clothes, pulling them on slowly and tenderly before I looked towards the detective} Food sounds good, as do painkillers, but more than anything I want a damn plan so I know what the hell I’m getting into.
Zeke: I kept a close eye on Venn as he threw off the covers and walked into the bathroom. Hard not to with the lack of clothing and overly obvious arousal. I figured it was just your normal run of the mill morning reaction, and still I was intrigued. Which was not good. If I was still undercover, then fine, I’d have happily gone there. Seen what happened and where it lead. But I wasn’t, and I had to figure out if I could get him on my side enough to do what I wanted of him. If he took me up on my offer, then we’d have a real shot at taking down one hell of a lot of groups, people and otherwise. I could use him to asses the best way in and out. The weak spots that others probably didn’t even look at. But he might decide that he’d try for the innocent act. Try to see this through and end up in jail where he’d be no fucking good to anyone. I really hoped I could sort it so that he listened to me. But that would only happen if his lawyer had looked through the paperwork and then gave him that sort of news over the phone. And that wouldn’t happened unless we hurried up to the restaurant down the street. I waited until he was up and dressed before moving towards the door, “I have painkillers on me, once you get some food in your stomach you’re welcome to them. We’re literally walking about 5 minutes down the road and then we can get online. Ill check in with my office and check voicemails, and then you’re welcome to speak with your lawyer. Update him on where you are and what the plan is as far as I know. It won’t be a long term plan right away, but I think we’ll be able to give you something you can pass on for the next month or so. Long enough to get things up and running, depending on what you plan on doing. That I can’t help you decide.” I shrugged a shoulder and then stepped outside the door, checking that it was as quiet as it sounded before tipping my head towards Venn, “I’m trusting you. Let’s go.” I tugged the door shut behind the man and then lead the way slightly, keeping Venn close enough to hold him if he tried anything, the cafe quickly coming into view as we made a few twists and turns to avoid traffic. I could hear my stomach rumbling before we even made it through the door, letting Venn pick the place to sit as I switched on my phone.
Venn: {It was nice not to have to worry about conversation as I dressed. My brain wasn’t quite on board with things, between the pain and the less than restful sleep I’d had. I was fairly certain the detective hadn’t fared much better on that front. It shouldn’t bother me, but it did. I was blaming that on lack of sleep and nothing more though. I gave a slight nod as I walked alongside him} After we eat, then I’ll hear the full proposal. I don’t do half assed, Detective so your people better have something tangible in place.
{I eyed the diner and my stomach growled loud enough to be heard by those nearest to us. I shrugged a shoulder and flashed a sheepish grin at the elderly woman reading a paper at the table nearest the door. When Zeke motioned for me to pick a table at the seat yourself restaurant, I walked straight to a booth in the back and took a seat, my back to the wall and facing the door, but also allowing Zeke a clear view of the door as well. I picked up one of the menus from the holder against the wall and another to slide over to him} I told you I wouldn’t run, Detective. One, I’m in no shape to do so, but two, when I’m free of you, I don’t want to be looking over my shoulder and see you coming. The way I see it, I have two options right now.
{I stopped talking to smile at the bubble gum popping waitress who approached and ordered the largest coffee they had, along with a classic breakfast combo, two eggs over medium, bacon, sausage, toast, and breakfast potatoes, along with a bowl of fruit. I closed the menu and set it aside, waiting for Zeke to order before our conversation could continue.}
Zeke: I talked on my phone and got the rundown from the office. It was not the news I was hoping for, and I went to argue before I was cut off. As soon as I heard the tone change I growled into my phone, “Fine, I’ll pass it on. Keep me informed. I’m keeping my phone on, and he’s going to use it to phone his lawyer. I’ll let you know what’s said and if any decisions are made once I know.” I grunted my goodbye and then dropped my phone to the table before taking a minute to rub the stress spot on the bridge of my nose. I was going to be a fucking mess before the end of this. If I wasn’t going to have my life ended right here. I sat across from Venn and just glared at him while he happily checked out he menu and ordered. I nodded and ordered the same before returning my full attention to the man sitting across from me. “I have good and bad news.” I exhaled hard and then placed my phone less aggressively in front of him, “Call your lawyer and let him tell you about our deal. He’ll have had time to read up on it by now. There’s a few things I need to go over first. You’re stick with me for a few more days, possibly a week. Someone in the department went to your house, or the one we know about if you have more than one, and grabbed some of your clothes. Nothing else was touched, but I’m sure it will be gone through at some point. My boss, the one I was just talking to, he’s taken them to where we’ll be staying. I can’t tell you where in case you fuck up with the lawyer. But it’s bigger than the room we’ve just spent time in. My partner isn’t being read into this, although at some point I’ll try and go to meet with him to go over everything. I passed on the information you gave me and they’re running with it. They have to check everything out, and they’ll go over any and all evidence that they have.” I paused when the waitress came back again, she placed the coffees down in front of us. I smiled widely at her, despite my attention not really being all there, “Thanks sweetheart.” I waited until she’d left with promises that our food wouldn’t be long before turning my attention back to Venn. “So, call your man, speak with him about your options. But you’re stuck with me until we work out why you were targeted and whether you’re still the target, or if someone else is.”
Venn: {I raised a brow at the growly detective as he spoke, even without knowing the full gist of things, I had a feeling I was pretty screwed in this deal and it didn’t sound like he was faring much better. I mean why would mister uptight and righteous want to be stuck with some low-life criminal such as myself? Hell, I might have been giving myself too much credit where he was concerned. I could tell he didn’t much care for me or the situation. Once he hung up the phone and slid t over, I gave him my full attention as to what the hell was going on. I chewed my cheek as I weighed his words in my head, thankful the waitress returned before I had to speak quite yet. I’m sure the house they went to was already properly searched, they’d not miss that opportunity. Too bad they’d find nothing considering I barely lived there. Anyplace I had was simply a place to eat, sleep and shower and that was it. Meaning there was nothing personal other than clothes and shit like that. I wasn’t a sentimental person who needed material things but the few things I did possess were somewhere no one knew about. And since it wasn’t in the States, the cops couldn’t go there even if they did find out about it. I did let out a slight breath at the fact his partner supposedly didn’t know about the safe house, but there was a niggle in my gut that said he’d find out soon. I just didn’t trust him as far as I could throw him. That went for the man across from me too at the moment. I silently grabbed the phone and then had to pull out my wallet for the card with my lawyer’s information on it. I dialed the number and it took a half a cup of coffee slowly being ingested before the asshole answered. I explained the situation, much of which he already knew thanks to the cops, and then I sat and listened while he went over my options. Or rather my option. There was only one and it involved me putting my trust, my freedom, and my life in the hands of the man in front of me. The lawyer had dug up some information on both the partner and Cabot, but it wasn’t anything I couldn’t have learned on my own. The lawyer told me to sit back and take the deal while he tried to continue working things on his end, then hung up just as the waitress brought our food out to us. Gotta love greasy spoon quickness. I slid the phone back over the table as I thanked the waitress and then it wasn’t until after she was gone that I finally opened my mouth to speak to him.} Apparently, my life is in your hands, Detective. I’ll help you with what you need. But if your partner comes at me again, then I’m done.
Zeke: I watched Venn work through things with his lawyer. Trying my best to give him some privacy, while also knowing I wasn’t allowed to even take a piss break without taking him with me. Which was possibly going to be an issue. I could hear snippets of the conversation between the two, working through the evidence that the lawyer had been given. I knew his options, but until now I was fairly sure he thought he’d get off. Or at least he’d have a fair chance at being free. I hadn’t worked my ass off for over 2 years to grab him when I was short evidence. What I had, there was no arguing out of. No way, not with an offer on the table that allowed for him to be a help to the operations we had going on. I just had to hope that he could learn to trust my judgement, and actually help rather than hinder operations. Since death was the consequence of being found out. I didn’t just work here, I moved all over. Ensuring that my face wasn’t ever in one place long enough to get recognised, and I was able to do more than just the one case per department. I turned my head towards the waitress, my eyes the last thing to leave Venn so I could smile at her, “Thank you.” I pulled my cutlery from the napkin surrounding it and managed a mouthful of bacon before Venn put the phone down and slid it back towards me, I picked it up and focused my attention on the male, “I can’t make promises for my partner. I can only assure you that should it be him that is coming for you, I am not involved. If you’re with me, you’re my responsibility, and with that comes my protection from things like what happened in the cells. Though I have a feeling you won’t much like what I’m about to tell you.” I managed a lopsided smile as I shrugged a shoulder. My voice low enough to stop others over hearing us, while I was assured Venn could hear every world. The phone being switched off as I spoke, “We’ll start here, in a safe and secure location. One with a little more room than the hotel we were just in. However, you’ll be with me day and night. You’ll get a monitor of course, and that will be transmitted to myself and my captain. My job takes me all over, depending on who needs me and where. But as I know you’ve also had connections with a fair few of those we’re in the middle of working cases out for, I know you’ll be a help. So as I travel, you travel. Where I stay, you stay. And if I go in, you’ll be in my ear helping me out. I can’t think that you’ll have to work anything with me on the ground, but that’s always a possibility if it’s a more sensitive case. Once we have some form of trust between us. Around that, we’ll work out who is looking for you and why. If something happens, they’ll have to go through me.” I took another bite of my food, letting that settle in before speaking again, “That’s the deal in the most basic form. If you agree to it, I’ll need to know that verbally, but you’ll also have to sign the documents that I had drawn up. With a witness. Of course. So I can grab the waitress if you want?” I smiled properly this time and settled back in my chair, continuing to eat while I waited to see what Venn wanted to do.
Venn: {I dove right into my food, hunger kicking into full gear as soon as the scent hit my nose and let out odd little grunts and nods as I listened to the detective go through the details. Essentially all my skills were going to be used for the ‘power of good’ with this shit. Breaking in, knowing which people were responsible for what. In a way, it was good for me too. Once this shit was behind me, I’d not have to deal with certain players. Hell, I might just be putting myself out of a job. Most of what he said, the players mentioned in the deal, those were the same idiots I stole from because the families of their victims deserved their items back. Though I was sure I could still find enough to keep my steady paycheck. If not, I’d figure something out to pay for the home. My only sticking point was the partner. I needed to get Cabot to see the guy was a tool. That he would do anything to make Cabot fall and I don’t know why it bothered me so much, but it did. I mean, I should want him to fall right, that would get my ass freed and away from the sexy asshole with the cuffs I still wanted to see wrapped around his wrists, arms stretched over his head while my fingers dragged down his spine as I pressed him forward. I coughed to cover my groan and subtly reached down to adjust the napkin on my leg and my now throbbing erection. This was why I needed to get away from him. Too many thoughts about him naked were clouding my mind. And now he’s talking about continuing our living arrangement. Though it could be fun, especially being the voice in his ear. And the travel. I wouldn’t go stir crazy which was highly probably the longer I was stuck in one area. I sopped up the last of my yolk with my toast and popped it in my mouth as I watched him. I wondered if he saw the heat in my eyes when I looked at him, how he’d feel about shacking up and being all close with a man like me. I did hint to him before my preferences and he hadn’t recoiled like one would expect at being hit on, not only buy a con, but a gay one at that. I could have lots of fun with this. Dragging my tongue over my lower lip, I gave a slight nod} You got yourself a deal, Detective. Go ahead and call her over, but you can save the grabbing for later.
Zeke: I watched Venn eat his food, the hunger was obvious, and I found myself wondering if I shouldn't have maybe fed him a little quicker. I’d have to remember that, ensure we had food sorted wherever we went. I didn’t much enjoy cooking, but I was good at it. Just wasn’t much opportunity to really get my teeth into it when I was pulled from one case to another. The hazard of being good at your job. Aiden sourced them mostly, though I’d gotten a few myself. It was harder, since he was the man who worked from the station and worked in my ear, I was the one on the ground working in whatever situation they needed of me. I found it wasn’t the most rewarding in life with regards to my social life, but it was when I was able to save people, or get drug runners or sex traffic rings stopped. I flipped through a few pages of the files I’d brought with me, wondering why my breath caught when Venn met my gaze. His words oddly suggestive, which I guessed he was going for coupled with the fire in his eyes. Which could have been amusement, but I didn’t think so. It made my heart speed up as I flushed slightly. I cleared my throat before starting at the top of the page, my fingers sliding down line by line out of habit as I went through it, “It basically says that you’ll do your job honestly and without putting myself or anyone else in any undue danger. That is instant jail time, and as you can see, far more than you’d have been getting for the original crime. You’ll be stuck with me, since I don’t want you in a cell when you’re not with me, and we don’t have a budget for your own place that won’t drive you insane. I don’t have anyone I care about here, family or whatever, so they think that I’ll be fine with it. You’ll wear the monitor at all times, and I’ll be your shadow. I’ll have to trust you not to give me the run around. Otherwise you’ll either end up back in jail, or be sleeping in a room without a window that I lock from the outside. Which I would be just as pissed about as you. That’s no way for someone to be treated.” I sighed quietly and then waved a hand to get the attention of the waitress who’d dished up our meals not that long ago. I smiled and signalled that I needed her at the table and then settled a pen on the paper, “I want this to work without either one of us dying, or going to jail. That work for you?” I met Venn’s gaze and gently shoved the pen to his side of the table, my smile only lifting one side of my mouth before turning to speak to the waitress, showing her my badge before explaining that I just needed her to witness a signature from us both, and throw her own down. Checking she was ok with that before nodding to Venn, “Whenever you’re ready. Then we can pay and go check out where we’ll be living for the next few months.”
Venn: {I felt my lip quirking when I noticed that flush and fought to contain it, I enjoyed it too damn much and definitely wanted to see him squirm more. When he cleared his throat and started going over the papers again, I slid my chair slightly so I was closer, just to make it easier for reading purposes of course. I should have been offended at the insinuations I’d put anyone in danger, though I knew he was just covering his own ass. But if he’d studied me as he said, he’d know I never harmed anyone physically. That wasn’t my thing. A shiver passed through me at the mention of a room without windows and I found myself shaking my head. It was bad enough being stuck in one place for too long, but without any sort of view of the outside world and he might as well shoot me and put me out of my misery. I did not do well with being cooped up. Not even close. That led to boredom and me and boredom were like oil and water. It couldn’t happen. I nodded without thought to the question} Yeah, it works. For now at least. I will want to reevaluate things though down the line.
{When the waitress came over, I grabbed the pen and signed where Cabot indicated, then slid the pen over to her. I would wear a monitor as long as it meant I could sleep without cuffs, I’d follow the rules as long as it was going to lead to my freedom, but I was still going to have to figure out how to scratch the building itch in my system that came with being trapped. I needed to burn off energy and my body was in no shape for the gym or my preferred activities. I fidgeted in my chair while everyone did the signing thing and waited} I’m ready when you are, Detective.
Zeke: I watched closely as both Venn and the waitress signed the document. I quickly added my signature and then took a photo of it. I needed to send that over to where it was needed as well as upload a copy with my other files. I would find a way to fax it in when I could, but until then I needed proof of it all. I smiled as I passed over enough money to cover breakfast and then cleared my throat again. Venn was sitting closer than I’d have liked. Which was fine while he was reading the contract, but was now something I was feeling a little uncomfortable with. I would have to live with this male for an indeterminate amount of time. I had to get used to having him around. And probably pushing my buttons any time he could around that. If that meant getting used to the heat that flashed through me or the fact my body was already revving up any time he looked at me funny, I’d have to just buckle in and do it. I cleared my throat again and turned to look at Venn, “Yeah, we’ll revisit it. Right now, we’ll go and get you settled in to where we’ll be staying and then you can have a look around once we’ve got the monitor on you and things. Once we know what we’re doing and where we’re off to next, I can let you know. I suspect the first one will be close to home. But I could be wrong.” I shrugged a shoulder and then stood, waiting a minute to check that Venn was with me before thanking the waitress on my way out. The car wasn’t far away and I tapped in the address on my phone before pausing by the car a minute, “I was going to put you in the back, but if we’re going to do this, can I trust you up front? I know you’re still hurting, but I need to get us safe before I can put on the monitor, you good with that? I don’t want to shoot you so early on in our partnership.” I looked down at my phone when it started beeping, mixing the voice of my navigation with that of a message coming in. I growled and flicked it shut before getting in the driver's side, hoping Venn would make up his damn mind quickly so we could get going. I had all of five hours to show him around before we’d be given our next task. Here was hoping he was a fast learner.
Venn: {After Cabot did his signing and all that, I waited until he paid the check before following him out. I stayed close so I could hear him and he wouldn’t have to speak up and let everyone else hear our business. I wasn’t thrilled about having to wear a monitor, but it sure as fuck beat a damn cell. I was smart enough to know that. So for now, yeah, I’ll play nice. The walk to the car was nice as it gave me a moment to stretch my legs, it still winded me with my ribs, but that was another reason I needed the walk, I needed to get better quickly. I raised a brow at him when he mentioned me going in the back and let out a low chuckle} I’d figure you’d want me up front to keep an eye on me, who knows the trouble I could cause back there.
{I slid into the passenger seat and buckled up, grimacing as I twisted slightly the wrong way} I’m in no hurry to get shot, thank you very much. I like to save that for further into our relationship. Close to home sounds like we’re still going after small potatoes. Lotta lower rung players around here unless someone new is moving in…
{I flashed a teasing wink and grinned wider because while I agreed to help and all that, I found I enjoyed pushing his buttons. Him getting flustered sent all kinds of images to my mind that I likely didn’t need, but. I sure as hell wasn’t going to chase away. I raised a brow at the growl} Problem, Detective? I gotta say, while I do enjoy a good growl, the scowl on your face that followed tells me it was all kinds of bad news coming through.
Zeke: I shook my head and sighed, “Just more instructions on the case, I can catch you up once we get settled in the apartment.” I said nothing more as we drove, taking the long route around until I was able to pull down to the carpark under the huge structure. While it wasn’t the most expensive place I could have afforded, I liked it for a number of reasons. The fact it had a whole host of extra facilities from a gym and pool to a small restaurant and 24 hour take out place. So I really could eat at any point, no matter when a case finished. It also had a hell of a lot of windows, which meant that I got to enjoy pretty decent views along with the floods of sunlight in the day, and all kinds of lights at night. The way the building was set up meant that it was small and select. The lift went up one corner and stopped on each floor, to one apartment. Each one was the same except the top two floors. I parked in my normal space and then pushed the car door open, moving behind the car in order to grab up the things I needed. I’d had the things I needed thrown into the trunk while I was dealing with the shit in the cells, hoping that Venn would say yes to the plan. I resembled a pack mule by the time I was finished, and then gestured for Venn to follow me to the lift, requesting he press the button for the 18th floor. I paid slightly more for a small balcony, but no where near the price of the top two floors. Thankfully whoever bought the apartment above mine was barely ever home, so I didn’t have to worry about noises while I tried to sleep. Those below were out in the day and slept most the day, so I was able to sleep any time of the day and night without being annoying, or being annoyed. I leaned back against the mirrored wall and set my gaze on Venn, “There’s two rooms, the guest room isn’t much, but it’s a bed, and it’ll be yours. I’ll have to check it if I am concerned about you. But otherwise it’ll be yours, I’ll get you a TV and whatever else in there if I can. If we end up staying here that is.” I lifted my chin and then went to move towards the doors, knowing we were coming up to the apartment, my keys already out for when we got into the small hallway. “How are you ribs feeling?” I hated small talk, but I was stuck with the male for a while, a long while if my text was anything to go by. I figured being civil was better than moving around like we hated each other.
Venn: {I took the subtle hint that the detective wasn’t in the mood for small talk and kept my lips sealed on the drive. Instead, I focus out the window and paid attention to where we were going. Something told me this wasn’t some random safe house, not the way he seemed so familiar with the parking structure and zipped through to a particular area. I raised a brow as I turned my attention towards the detective after he parked. Yeah, this was definitely familiar territory for him. He hadn’t even hesitated much after getting out of the car, no need to look around other than the cursory glance which meant he would know if things were out of sorts. I think that helped ease my mind, but I wouldn’t say for certain. And just because he felt self here, didn’t mean I did. I took slow glances around the garage before following him to the elevator, pressing the button for the 18th floor even as I took note of the building layout. Something about the building felt familiar and not in a good way, but I would need to get my bearings straight before I could figure that out. For that to happen I needed the damn ribs to stop screaming with every movement I made. That was the only reason I didn’t offer to help with all the crap he was carrying, I wasn’t a complete dick…not most of the time at least. When the detective leaned against the mirrored wall, all kinds of thoughts flooded my mind, thoughts totally unhampered by the mention of a bed. I averted my gaze and watched the numbers tick up as I gave a small shrug of my shoulders} Not like I need much. Since I seldom stay in one place for too long, I don’t really watch much television. I prefer books and cards. Simple things.
{I nodded then followed him from the elevator, stopping closer than I needed as he opened the door to the apartment.} I’ll live, that’s all that matters right? Not like I’ll be doing too much to jeopardize that, not based on what you told me at least. I’m just your mouth piece when you need information and other wise just sit there looking pretty until you deem me useless and send me on my way
{I shook my head and sighed. I hated how just being close to him scrambled my brain and I had to war with the various degrees of wants that flooded my thoughts.} Sorry, I’m not trying to be an asshole, still wrapping my head around all this.
Zeke: I shook my head and moved through the small entrance way from the lift and then into my apartment. I led the way as I pointed this way and that, allowing him to follow me left as we moved into the apartment, “Two bathrooms, and the two bedrooms. Mine is that one, you’ll have this one. Feel free to dump your bag down if you want. Both bathrooms have showers in them, and I’ve no idea why they didn’t have them ensuite, but I loved this place regardless.” I smiled and pulled doors open to the rooms that were closed off, letting the light spill into the hall from all the windows in the place. I then went back the way I’d come, past the entrance to the other side of the flat, “That’s my office, which you’re also welcome to use. I can get a second desk in there if you’d like as well. Then this is the living area with kitchen. There’s a balcony that runs the length of the place, we can get to it from either bedroom and the living room. There’s a few bits of furniture out there, so you’re welcome to use that too. Kitchen is fully stocked with pots, pans, cutlery etc, but it’s rarely stocked with food. I’m here so rarely I tend to do a shop once I get home and then I’m gone again. I’ll ensure we get something in by dinner time, but for now we have to just go ahead with frozen, if that’s ok?” I had no idea why I was checking, why did I care what he ate or didn’t eat. I just wanted him to feel at home while he was here, as he was stuck here with me a while. I circled back around to his musings in the lift as I leaned back against one of the kitchen cupboards, “I’d like it if you did more than just live. You’ve got a shit ton of info that could be helpful to my team, to me. I’ll be relying on you to keep me alive. Hopefully because you want to keep yourself alive and get out of this at some point. I’m hoping that you’ll be there, in my ear, when I go out on a job. It’ll save me a lot of time researching if I have someone who already knows it all first.” I shrugged a shoulder and tipped my head to make eye contact with Venn. I wasn’t sure how he’d feel about everything, but I wanted him to know how important his job was. How much I’d fought to have it so it was agreed. I gestured to the sofa and tugged a box out of one of the bags I’ve brought in, showing the monitor to Venn before kneeling next to the sofa. He’d have to come to me and sit if he’d allow me to fit it. I’d force it in the end, but I wanted to start with the option for him to do it on his own. Once it was on, I could have some more freedom to go out and about if I needed, but until then, I was as stuck here as he was.
Venn: Venn: {I followed the detective through his apartment, nodding when appropriate as I checked things out. I chewed my cheek as I tried to understand his …well, I didn’t want to call it friendliness, but it was something close. This case must be huge and they must be desperate for my help if they were going to all this trouble. I stopped for a moment by the bedroom he pointed out for me and took the bag of clothes he said was mine and tossed it in the room before I continued to follow him. I’d go through what they brought later and then if need be, see about making a trip for my damn self. I snorted and shook my head as we went to the kitchen} You’ll get the information you need, Detective, don’t worry. I can’t make promises beyond that, people are going to be pissed about my helping you out so I’ll have a nice big fat target painted on my back before long. As for food, I get that, I’m never in one place for long so I tend to eat out more than not, though I can wield a mean skillet when the opportunity presents itself.
{I gave a slight nod then watched as he went to towards the sofas, my eyes rolling hard as hell when I saw that damn box. Yeah, I knew what was in there and I did agree, but seeing it in person and knowing it was going to now be part of me, well that was a load of crap. I walked over, or limped over as the day was taking its toll on me. I only hoped the little piece of shit box was waterproof because I was desperate for a hot shower and then a solid bed. Plopping on the couch, I lifted the cuff of my pants and showed my ankle, lips curving into a teasing grin.} Careful, Detective, a few decades ago, people would consider this being fresh, showing ankles and all that. Especially being presented with jewelry I bet that was as close to a marriage proposal as some would get.
Zeke: I nodded in reply to the food situation, it was good to have someone who understood. I’d get some food in, as we’d likely he staying put a few days to work out what happened. Get statements, all those kind of boring things for Venn. I also wanted him to settle in. While I was sure that he didn’t want to be here, if I could make him feel comfortable, I was far more likely to get some information out of him, and earn his trust. I knew that was important to him. Or hoped, anyway. It was what would keep me invested, so I hoped that he had the same standard. He’s never been a typical thief, so I was quietly hopeful. I stayed crouched on the floor and waited for him to choose to come over. Once he did, I could see the uncertainty and hesitation in his gaze. Understandably really. But this part was non negotiable. He wore this, or he went to prison. That was his choice, so I was pleased he was taking the offered olive branch. It was all I had. Of course he couldn’t keep his mouth shut though. Close to a marriage proposal. I was sure he knew all about that. Being in his line of work, he probably charmed females all over the place, and males when the situation arose. I cleared my throat at the general tease, my lips lifting slightly as I fought a grin, “If you want to pretend this is jewelry and show it off as you see fit, that’s entirely up to you. I am sure there will be a target on your back, but I have no intention of advertising your involvement. I need to stay in a position where people aren’t sure who I am. And by doing that, you’ll not be mentioned, I hope.” I smiled up at Venn as I pulled the monitor free of its case. The whole thing should really be fitted by someone who knew the ins and outs of it, but needs must. I followed the instructions to ensure it was on and transmitting before clicking the metal around the provided ankle. I kept my hand settled against the metal and the warm skin underneath while I fiddled with the placement and then focused on the little screen in front of me. I tapped out what I needed and then watched at the circle slowly narrowed in on the screen until it was exactly where we were. It was pretty awesome tech, pinpointing to within mm of where you actually were. None of this 500 metre kind of inaccuracy. It made me feel like we were legitimately going to be able to keep him safe. I then licked my lips and pulled out one more thing from the box. This would really prove to see what he thought trust wise. Though I’d offer this at a later date if it was turned down. “So, as you know we’re uncertain as to what or who wants you injured. Well, I asked if it might be possible to put into place a back up measure. This watch gives us the same information as the tracker in your ankle. But if you’re caught, or taken…..if they take off the anklet before we can get to you, we can ping the watch instead. Hopefully it looks old enough that they won’t think to check it. It’s all I could manage at short notice, and it’s entirely optional. This,” I tapped warm skin again above where the tracker sat nicely, “isn’t. So it’s up to you. Think on it, and let me know.” I smiled and turned slightly to place the case on the table, setting up the codes that I needed while my fingers were out of eyesight of Venn. “I was going to grab something to eat, take out. Anything you prefer?”
Venn: {I let out a low laugh and shook my head, grinning widely at him as I wiggled my ankle towards him.} Now Detective, I’m a modest man, I don’t go flashing my ankle to just anyone.
{I grinned and sat back to let him do what was needed. I wasn’t up for fighting it, not yet. In a few days or weeks, then things may be different. Depending on how this whole helping the wrong side out went.} When I go missing, people will notice, some will be thrilled, others not so much. Especially as I still had a delivery to make when you rudely interrupted my job. I guarantee that person will be looking for me since no one likes to be out half a mill without anything to show for it.
{I shrugged a shoulder and then tried not to focus on his fingers along my skin. That shouldn’t have enticed me as it did, especially since he was essentially securing the fact I was still a damn prisoner, bars on the windows or not. I shook myself from the doc when he started talking again and raised a brow as I looked at the watch he was holding.} Does it really matter at this point if I have one or two devices tracking me, Detective? I’ll hold on to it and wear it when we leave the building. I see no sense in it while we’re here. Especially since you ensure me that no one knows I’m here.
{I watched him for a moment as he tried to hide the codes he was punching in, he was underestimating me if he thought that I needed to see the codes in order to figure them out. With a sigh, I settled my head back and closed my eyes, what I really wanted was sleep and pain pills but before I could object, my stomach rumbled loudly.} Just grab me whatever you’re getting. As long as there’s no fungus on anything, I’m good.
Zeke: His words continued to rattle around in my head, even though I was ignoring him and focusing on what I needed to get done before I ordered us food. The fact someone would be on the lookout for him might actually be a bonus for me. I needed to figure out who was paying for this stuff, as well as those involved in the buying and selling. Though I assumed Venn would only give whatever he stole back to the rightful owner, I wasn’t about to take it for granted. I placed the watch he’d agreed to beside him and allowed him to get it on his wrist, I’d then do the necessary clicks of buttons to get it online, but I needed to ensure the rest of the stuff was set up. I wasn’t going to push it though, he either put it on or not. I didn’t want him to feel I was using and abusing him, but I equally wanted to be open with him. I’d literally just told him that he’d hopefully not come up in conversations, but now I thought about it……………”The people you sell to, are they people who should have whatever you stole, or are they people who are offering the most money? Because if it’s the latter, I might have a job for you.” I turned slightly and looked up at Venn as he continued to sit on the sofa. I wasn’t sure what was going on behind the neutral expression he tended to sport. It wasn’t fun trying to read him, but I was sure I’d get better at it. As I was sure he’d get better at reading me. I didn’t know if that was a good thing, but I hadn’t much of a choice. I was here, he was here. And we were pretty much stuck with each other. I watched as his head settled back against the sofa, and I pushed to my feet so I could move over to the kitchen. I had a drawer filled with various menus from the places around. I grabbed up the one that did quite a few things I liked and phoned through. I smiled when a familiar voice picked up the phone and greeted me by name, “Hey there Anton, how are you?” I chuckled and nodded, “I’m good too, thanks. It has been a while, you know it’s always hard to get home when I’m off working.” I snorted and then shook my head, my cheeks heating as I cleared my throat, “Yeah, you only miss me ordering half the menu every other day. I probably keep you guys in business when I’m around. Can I get the usual, but doubled, please. Yeah, I have someone here I’m watching…….no I don’t think he wants to be here, but I’m feeding him anyway.” I smiled at that, knowing that Venn didn’t want to be here any more than he wanted to be in a jail cell. Though I felt protective of him now that I’d seen what had happened to him while under police care. That wasn’t happening again, I licked my lips and then cleared my throat again as I realised I’d been drifting, “Yeah, that’s al………..no, actually can I grab a slice of that chocolate cake you normally have and a carton of ice cream please. Yeah, that’s all. I’ll pay now, thank you.” I chuckled and shook my head, rattling off my payment details before wishing Anton well, saying that yes I’d see him when he delivered the food, and the quicker he got here the bigger his tip would be, since I was fucking starving. I hung up to a bark of laughter and then turned my attention back to Venn, “Shouldn’t be too long, they’re normally no more than 45 minutes. Means you’ve got time to rest or shower or explore the place if you want to. Whatever you want.”
Venn: {I let out a soft chuckle as he questioned the type of work I did. I knew what people thought. They often thought I stole shit then offered it to the highest bidder with occasional hires for specific items. I had my own code of ethics for what I did and my own reasons for it. It as my ethics that brought in the jobs I had. I had a feeling the detective was going to be sorely disappointed in what I had for him. I waited until he placed the order for dinner before I turned my head towards him, still leaning against the back of the couch} I think I’ll stay here until food comes, otherwise I might crash out and miss the promise of much needed food. I suppose that’ll give me time to explain some things.
{I crossed my now monitored ankle over my other leg and tapped my fingers against my knee as I tried to figure out which way to start, which way would best help him to understand. I let out a slow breath} While money is a good motivator, I generally help lost item s return to their rightful owners. The scene is often a big shell game. Artwork, collectibles, anything of value really, they get moved around. Police are usually useless in these cases, no offense, so people resort to other methods of getting their items back. It’s much easier than stealing something and then trying to unload it. You put yourself at risk for getting caught too easily that way. Those that hire me, prove ownership, tell me what they know and then it’s my job to find and get it back for them. Basically, I steal from bad guys who shouldn’t have it to begin with, and occasionally, I prevent them from taking something by getting to it first. Through the years, I’ve made enemies, I’ve also made some associates who are willing to help for their own fees. Not sure if that’s what you’re looking for or not, I can give you tells, I can point you in directions and how to speak to some, but since I don’t steal for pleasure or anything, not sure I can help otherwise. Well, I guess unless you force me to, make it part of the conditions or some shit.
Zeke: I nodded at his choice on the food. I placed the phone back in my pocket and then managed to walk in a complete circle of the kitchen before deciding on getting us both a drink. We’d have at least half an hour before Anton was there with the food, so I had no choice but to sit, even if Venn was determined to press every button I had. I filled two glasses with water and then cleared my throat as I made my way to sit on the sofa beside him. My attention entirely focused now on what he was saying. I wanted to understand more, you didn’t follow a guy for this long without getting some unhealthy curiosity. I swallowed hard once he’d finished speaking. I didn’t want to make it part of the conditions, it wasn’t why I wanted him to help. I shook my head instead and ran my tongue over my lips before remembering I had a glass of water. I took a sip and then twisted slightly to face Venn, wishing for the first time ever that I’d bought a bigger sofa. “I got that impression from the various jobs I caught you on. I was so confused at first, I wasn’t finding big sums of money floating around. You got paid, but nothing like what it would have been worth had you sold it to the highest bidder. Aiden kept telling me that there was no way that would happen, you’d be in it for the money and nothing else.” I shook my head and fell silent for a minute, connecting what Venn was saying and my own beliefs. I’ve argued endlessly with Aiden about it. In the end just agreeing to shut him up. Though I’d never bought it. And the evidence I had proved as such. It was why I thought we had a good case to have Venn help rather than go to prison. “I can go undercover in short bursts, but you know who is the worst for stealing. Those who aren’t in it for what you are. They shouldn’t be stealing either, but I want those who kill and maim. Those who recruit kids or hold families hostage. These are the ones I want. Though we’ll start slow, start with lower levels. You’ll be able to see what I can see and hear the same. I can hear you. That means that if I miss something, you can update me. You also know far more about what to look for specifically. You also won’t just be helping me with the same kind of deals you’re used to. You’ve got a sharp eye and read people. Together I think we could be a good team, if you’re willing to give it your all to keep me safe. I’d be putting my safety in your hands to a degree.” I lifted my gaze to meet his, smiling tightly as I said this. I wasn’t sure if it was appropriate to let him know just how much power he really had. Though I was watching him, reading as much about him as I could I waited a beat before dropping my last bit of news. “Aiden doesn’t come with us normally, he stays back at the station in case we need backup. If he turns up though, I trust you’ll be able to control yourself to help me until I can get back to you?”
Venn: {I listened as the detective moved around the kitchen, watching him with my ears rather than my eyes. I tried to keep my breathing steady and take in everything I could. It would help me better understand him if I could learn his mannerisms. It was something I needed to do if I wanted to make this job work. When he sat down next to me, I turned my head and watched him curiously, taking the proffered water from him with a nod of thanks. I wondered if I should explain why I did what I did. If he’d actually understand.} I have my reasons for doing what I do, I make enough to take care of what I need to, but money isn’t always the most important motivation. Something your partner doesn’t seem to understand. Maybe you’ll hear or figure it out what motivates me one day. Either way, for what you need, I’m good at what I do and that’s what matters.
{I gave another slight nod and took a sip of the water, then settled the glass on my knee as I turned my head back towards him, watching him carefully to see if he was truly interested or if I could figure out what his game was. He was playing a dangerous game, not just with my safety, but his own. There were heavy hitters in the market and they weren’t afraid to take out people they felt were a threat. I’d gotten the jump on several of them many times because I was the fucking good at what I did and usually without any violence being used. There was no need, not when you had speed and finesse. To go after them though, that was going to require a different type of tactic. One that would put him in their crosshairs. There was no getting around it either. Not if he wanted to take them down.} I can watch your back and help you get an in. You don’t necessarily want them seeing you as competition, not yet. That’ll put a target on your head. We need a story for you, one that’ll be believable
{My brain went into overdrive and was working through scenarios that would not only keep him alive, but would benefit me as well. Something that would keep anyone from stepping onto my game while I was strung up. This actually could work, if he’d go for it….now to figure out how to spin…wait, his partner what now. I stopped and raised a brow}I’m not the one who started anything, Detective. But I damn sure will not let him threaten me or my family again.
Zeke: I reached out to grab my water. Between the talking, the pauses and the time we were trying to find the words, time had marched on. I knew that food would be were soon, and that was good. I needed the distraction. I only needed assurances from him, then I knew we’d have to practice on lower value targets before I would be willing to trust him with my back on the big fish. However, had a feeling I had picked well. I had confidence in my own gut and my ability to read people. I’d tracked him, gotten to know his habits and the way he was with people. Since being closer to him, since having him in my space I was coming to figure out that maybe I wasn’t quite as immune to it as I had first hopped. That was something I didn’t want to explore too greatly. I couldn’t, wouldn’t allow him to compromise my job. Aiden already through I got distracted to easily, though he was never in the field, and so didn’t understand the things I had to do. I got why he thought I had a tendancy to drift off, but sometimes I just needed to process, and I did that internally. I had to be on top form any time I was out, whether I was in the office, or anywhere else. I needed down time around that. I licked over my lips before lifting my gaze again, my eyes narrowing slightly as I tried to stop my immediate reaction to the hatred of my partner, “Firstly, he won’t be threatening you or your family again. You have to believe me. If he does, I’ll have words with my captain, or him directly. You work with me now, and that makes you part of this team, he’ll need to accept that and work with you as I will be.” I nodded and then pushed to my feet as the buzzer went by the door, “A story would be good. I’m used to those, and I have a couple that I use around the place. We can probably flesh out one of them to try and make it more believable. Actually…..” I held up my finger to pause what I was saying. I rushed to the door and lifted the receiver before I spoke into it, “Hello?” the answer made me chuckle as a blush hit my cheeks, “Hey Gorgeous, it’s Anton.” I smiled and pressed the buzzer to let him into the building before turning and going to the drawer in the kitchen. I pulled it open and pulled out a file, “This is a quick run down of the 4 main people I use. Names aren’t vastly different, though their stories are. These are the cliff notes versions that I use to refresh my memory before I go out. Have a look if you want while we eat? Anton will bring up the food and we can dish up before we talk over this. I know I’m hungry, so I am sure you are too. It’ll be good to get something in your stomach as well before you take any more painkillers. I can give you the good stuff with something in your stomach, which means you’ll sleep well too.” I smiled openly at Venn before turning when there was a knock at the door. I wandered over and pulled open the door. I managed to take one bag off Anton before he was hugging me tightly. I wasn’t big on being touched or jumped unexpectedly, but Anton got a pass. He’d been around as long as I’d lived here, and he always delivered my food. No matter what time of day it was. He was probably the closest thing I had to a friend outside of work. I wrapped my free arm around him as the door clicked shut, laughing as he whispered a whole bunch of shit in my ear before pulling back, “Anton, come say hello to Ve….my friend. He’s staying in town for a while and needed a place to crash.” Anton’s eyes went wide and then narrowed slightly before a smile washed over his face as he faced Venn.
Venn: {I found myself fighting not to roll my eyes when he defended his partner yet again. My ribs still ached like a motherfucker over his partner’s last message to me so he couldn’t blame if I wasn’t willing to take his word on it just yet. The partner was dirty and I didn’t know why or what he was up to, but if it came down to him or me, I was choosing me every damn time. This shitty thing was, every time Detective Tightpants defended the bastard, it made me second guess if this was a good idea or not. Whether I could really trust his instincts. I let out a slow breath and gave a tight nod as I took the files from him, setting my water on the table so I could go through them while he handled the delivery. My sour mood did not improve by the flirtiness of the delivery guy, though I couldn’t pinpoint why it rattled my nerves as much as it did. I didn’t want anyone knowing I was here and I sure as fuck didn’t want to be getting friendly with people. Who the fuck hugs their delivery guy anyway? I narrowed my eyes as I stared at them both. Poor delivery guy was probably expecting a different sort of ‘tip’ tonight. Well too fucking bad for him. He wouldn’t be able to give the Detective what he needed anyway. Little pissant was probably a needy little bottom anyway. I could almost see the challenge in his eyes too. The question as to who I was and why I was here. What I was to the good Detective. I kept my ankle tucked under me so the monitor wouldn’t be seen and settled back on the sofa like I belonged, my eyes remaining trained on them both.} I’m sure Anton has other deliveries to make and doesn’t need to spend any more time here than necessary. Besides, we still have a busy night ahead of us and need to eat so we have our energy.
{My lips curved into a wicked, sinful little grin but my gaze never left Anton’s. I didn’t give two shits what he thought about me at the moment. In fact, the sooner he left, the sooner he’d be out of my sight and I could do what I said I needed to do…which was get to work. I wasn’t lying.} I’d hate for our food to get cold, after all.
{I lifted my head and shot Zeke a wink and then turned back to the files in my lap, picking out the one that seemed to be the most flexible. I would just need him to tweak it a little, bend in to fit something else to fit what I had in mind, then we’d see how good he was at improvising.}
Zeke: I physically growled when I heard Venn address Anton. I licked over my lips and stepped forward, just to get hit with a wink from Venn. I hadn’t expected it, but I felt my heart stutter in my chest. I coughed and patted the place where my heart was now going a little faster than it had been a minute earlier. I narrowed my eyes at the male currently making himself look very at home on my sofa, and instantly realised what it looked like. Shit! I cleared my throat and turned to Anton with a huge smile when Venn turned away. The man looked pissed, and something else I couldn’t put my finger on before me smiled at me, “I do have other places to be. But I can get this stuff set out for you if you want, Z?” I felt my eyes widen, before I stuttered, “Sure, I’m not going to be doing much with it, just put it on the coffee table there so we can pick as we need to.” I smiled and then remembered the ankle monitor and all the shit that went with it was still on the table. I reached and grabbed Anton’s elbow, rounding in front of him so he couldn’t go anywhere without smashing into me, my smile still on my face, “Actually, could you grab me a couple of plates, the cutlery and I’ll set the food out. That would really help me.” I gently took the food bag from Anton and stepped backwards, his answering smile and nod enough for me. I walked to the table and started to lay out the food, my voice low as I growled at Venn, “Could you get the tops off these while I show Anton out, please? And try being nice. I know it’s apparently hard for you, but it would be really helpful right now.” I wasn’t sure why I cared, but if Anton went without any hard feelings, it would save me getting spit in my food in future. Which was a really good thing in my view. I used them a lot, and I trusted them and their food, so I wasn’t willing to lose that with the varying times I ate in a week. I stood once the food was down and turned, crashing straight into Anton. “Fuck!! Sorry, thank you.” I took the plates and cutlery and placed them on the table, slightly harder than I’d planned before using my body to usher Anton towards the door. I kept my hand on his back so he’d move right along with me. Needing him to be gone so we could get down to business. “Thank you for your help, I really appreciate it. And the food smells amazing, thank you. I will be ordering with you again soon, as always.” I meant it, I would be. Their food was amazing. Anton nodded and turned so he could hug me, which I returned. He pulled open the door before speaking, “There’s a surprise for you in the second bag, I made the cookie myself, adding the message too.” I grinned as he said that, “Not much of a surprise now I know what it is, but I am glad you told me, or I’d have probably missed it, you know what I’m like.” I waved at my head as he laughed, nodding in understanding before making his way towards the lift, “See you again soon. Be good.” I waved and then pushed the door shut. I took a minute to close my eyes and just breath before I pushed off the door and walked back to the sofa, “This look ok food wise? Enough to mean that brains will work to filter through these files?” I stood one side of the table, my gaze bouncing between the food and the folder as I waited to see if it was something we could work with.
Venn: {I rolled my eyes as I listened to the detective placate the delivery guy because good fucking lord was that ridiculous. I half expected the guy to drop to his knees despite the fact I was sitting right there. I tugged my pant leg down when Zeke walked over to try to hide the monitor and even helped clear off the table some to hide the shit I was assuming he didn’t want mister ass kisser to see, but there was no kindness on my face as I did so and his words certainly didn’t help. My response was only just loud enough for him to hear as the other man rifled around in his kitchen} So sorry I ruined your booty call, Detective. Maybe you should have told me to hide out in my room instead so you could get your dick sucked while I waited. Next time give me a little warning.
{I coughed to clear my thought when I heard Anton approach and started opening the containers. I ducked my head so I could keep the glare to a minimum otherwise I was certain I was going to end up going a couple rounds with the guy. He rubbed me wrong and while I normally wasn’t a violent guy, this guy was bringing something out of me that I didn’t enjoy. When they walked out, I finished plating the food, rolling my eyes hard at the desert that I plopped on the detectives plate unceremoniously before I began picking at my own food. I wasn’t going to wait for him because who knew how long he was going to be trying to smooth over ruffled feathers and all that crap. All I wanted to do was get this done and over with so I could take some pills and get some sleep. The sooner the better because I wanted to get far and away from him tonight. I raised my gaze just barely when he came back in and gave the slightest of nods} It’s food, it’s fine. Sit down and eat so we can go over what we need to. Maybe if we get through fast enough you can call back your little toy and follow through with your dessert offer.
{I took a few more bites before I poked at the one file I had} This story will work, but we just need to adjust it a bit. Change your story so that you’ve been working with me. It’ll help your credibility. Get you in a few more doors so to speak. Now you’re looking to make your own name. Cut me out because I’m too clean for your liking. That’ll get the dirtier ones talking. As long as you can back up the skills, how good are you at breaking in?
Zeke: I narrowed my eyes slightly at the clipped response to my question. I had to bite back a snarky response, reminding myself that he’d been taken away from his life and thrown into mine. A life I was controlling, and while I could make it as nice for him as I could, it was still basically him doing exactly what I told him. The bit about the toy boy did have me growling in response though, “I’m working, there won’t be anyone other than us in this apartment unless food is being delivered or my boss turns up. That goes for you too. Just so you’ve got time to get that rule in your head.” I shrugged a shoulder and then grabbed a plate, I piled it high with the food that I absolutely loved and then settled back to watch Venn work. I looked over the file he’d pulled out and nodded, swallowing down the mouthful of noodles before speaking, “Ok, so same first name, changed last. I can do that. Not that anyone ever asks for my last name, but we’ll need it for them to run their checks. No family, though it does have a couple of parents and a sister in a cemetery on the other side of the city. We’ll need to sort that out to have photos meshed up and whatever of us when we were younger for me to carry. I think, correct me if I’m wrong, it says the sister died 5 years ago, so she’ll need an online presence that stopped when she died. And we’ll need better names, I change them each time, as I’ve only used it a couple of times, and never in the same place, so I’ve had to take what I could get for the basics. If we’re doing this one properly I’ll need to work out names, likes and dislikes and some stories in case they ask. We’ll give me a record so that it shows the general escalation from basic crimes to stealing and it can move into more media stories. Things that have gone missing or that show up with people who used to own them. A few of the stories that you obviously were behind, we’ll add in so it attaches to my name too in any searches that they do. That should mean that it shows I’ve been working with you, before branching out for the ones that were worth bigger money. Though we’ll start with smaller fish to get you started. We’ll also get you used to the technology that we’ll be using. So tomorrow we’ll go out to a club in the evening. That way you’ll be able to see what I see, and hear what I hear and try to work with me to ensure I don’t look like too much of an idiot. How does that sound?” I grinned and then cleared my throat as I shrugged a shoulder again, taking a minute to eat a little more of the food while I thought on how I could answer that one, “I’m not terrible at breaking in to things, cars I can do easily, and certain locks I have no problem with. But I will happily take a crash course in whatever you think I’ll need to know. You have been in these situations far more than I have, you know what they’ll be looking for and what I’ll have to prove before they take me on. We can work on that during the day tomorrow, since we’ll have free time.” I tried for a smile as I lifted my gaze to the male on the sofa. I hoped that what I said made sense, but I was open to his thoughts and opinions. I just hoped he was open to giving them to me without me having to beg for them.
Venn: {I rolled my eyes as the detective laid down the whole ‘no one in the apartment rule’ on me…like I had any fuckin choice in the matter. I shoveled another forkful of food in my mouth and muttered something about him making sure his little friend Anton getting that memo because that bastard sure as fuck would be all over the detective the moment he had the chance. It shouldn’t bother me but right now, it did and I was blaming it on the pain, the lack of sleep, and the whole damn situation I was stuck in at the moment. I gave a shake of my head and pointed to the folder} They’re gonna start looking into you the higher you go. Names matter. That’s why you gotta have a deep story. That’s how people fuck this shit up. They underestimate their opponents. Half the job is a mind-game, Detective. You don’t want a huge record either or it looks like your incompetent. Make it when you were younger and just starting out. But you’ve learned, not gotten caught since. The rest is gonna have to come from you begging it up. You’re gonna have to talk like you were on the jobs with me a few times. They’ll test you. How it happened. I have my own system so you can’t just say you busted in on the place and grabbed whatever. You can say how impatient you got because I’m an ass and plan shit out. I wouldn’t let you rush it. No smash and grab bullshit. You’ll have to learn to scale a building, work the vents, I can teach you easier safes in a short time, nothing complicated.
{I gave a slow nod and set the rest of my plate on the table, I’d eaten enough at least to satisfy the hunger. And enough to allow a pill or two to sit comfortably without making me sick. }I hope you know what you’re getting into, Detective. Some of these crooks love nothing more than getting their hands on fresh meat and breaking them in. Especially those who’ve been wanting to take me down, if they think using you will get to me, that might play into their hands too. If I tell you to leave a job or get out, will you trust I’m telling you that for the right reason?
Zeke: I watched the news sink in about the no person in the apartment rule. I had no idea why I’d said that, I didn’t ever have anyone here, other than Anton when he was delivering food. I finished off my food and then got another plate full, my back settling against the material as I settled into the chair, listening and nodding along with what Venn was saying. He was right, and I’d already assumed I needed to ensure I’d not been caught for a while, and while I’d been studying him, hearing it from the horses mouth would be a really good plan. I could act up the impatient thing, or at least get it so it showed impatience in the need to plan for every eventuality and not plan and go. I didn’t want to look like I was taking the piss trying to play with the big boys. I was busy stuffing another forkful of food into my mouth when I heard the tone change slightly, I lifted my gaze again and met Venn’s as I took a moment to consider his question. I was asking him to trust me, to not run off or take the piss. To help me get into a circle of people I’d been close to breaking, but wasn’t able to without doing a lot of shit I wasn’t about to be given permission for. This way I could get what I needed, but I was asking a shit ton. I knew he was here and not in jail because of me, his lawyer had attested to this. And yet he was asking me to trust him, to know that if the situation called for it and felt off to him, that I’d get out of there if he said I needed to. His judgment in these situations from the outside would need to hold equal weight to my own gut and feelings being in the thick of things. I felt my heart speed up as I realised I’d actually have to give as much as I was asking for. I knew this is what I was asking when I’d started this, but now that I was looking at the man sitting in front of me, I realised just what I was getting into. How fucking slow was I? I licked over my lips and put my plate of food on the table, my hunger dying up faster than I thought possible. Shit. I’d been so focused on getting this man here to help me, I hadn’t really thought past that. After a minute or more I cleared my throat, “The alias can be sorted, I’ll take you into the IT department tomorrow and you can go through it with them. I’ll then get given the brief to read and memorise. I can already scale buildings, but learning to be in small spaces would be good. I have an idea of where we could do that, tomorrow afternoon we can start if you’re up to it. See how the pain is by then.” I nodded and then blinked before standing and grabbing the bottle of pills I’d been given, I kept my eyes on Venn as I sat back down beside him and passed him the bottle, “You can take one or two, two is likely to knock you out, though you’ll have time for a shower before that happens…………….” I paused, my stomach doing that weird thing it had done the night I’d arrested him and had him bent over the table, right before that mouth of his had started mouthing off, “And yes, I will trust your instincts and only question them if my gut is telling me different. Otherwise I will trust you as I do my team, and listen to what you want me to do. Even if that’s walking away or calling in back up.” I cleared my throat again and then lowered my gaze to my hands, “I’ll get tidied up while you shower and change.”
Venn: {I kept my eyes on the Detective’s so he could see that I wasn’t fucking around. We might not like each other, but I had no interest in getting his ass killed. Not while I was supposed to be watching over him. That wasn’t who I was. No matter what he might think of people like me. Not that he knew a damn thing about me. I gave a slight nod} The sooner the better, I should be better after a good night sleep. I’ve been hurt worse, so this shouldn’t slow me down too much. Besides, you’ll be doing all the hard stuff. I just have to teach you things I’ve been doing for the past twenty years. No biggie.
{I let out a little snort and then took the pill bottle, popping the top and taking two without hesitation before dropping them on my tongue and swallowing dry. I capped the bottle and handed it right back to him before I carefully pushed off the couch with a slight grimace as my ribs groaned in protest.} I’ll try not to pass out in the shower, but if you hear a thud, you’ll know what happened.
{I gave another nod and started to walk towards my room before I stopped and turned back, once again serious} I won’t call it off unless it’s necessary. I know you’re wanting to get people like me off the streets. But, I don’t think you truly know how dangerous some of them can be. You know they’ve killed and beaten others for simply being in the way, but there are lengths some of them go to that go beyond the imagination one such as yourself can see…they aren’t afraid of using others to do their dirty work either.
{A thought hit me then and I bit my cheek to keep it to myself. It did no good to get into it right now. Not unless I could find more proof anyway. I shook my head and felt the shower calling me.} Have a good night, Detective. And thanks for the food. I’m going to try not to pass out in the shower and then crash out. Get me when you’re ready to go in the morning.
{I waved a hand over my shoulder as I turned away and limped off to the bedroom. Each step away from him was both welcome and not at the same time. I didn’t like what he did to my head and I hated not understanding why. My mind was racing and I knew if sleep were to happen, it was only going to be because of the pills I ingested and nothing more.} #LionsDen