Page 45 of Sir Avery's Wish
Rogan and Zane had already passed on the drinks, yet through all that, Avery seemed to have picked up on Eli’s dilemma. He clasped Eli’s wrist, whispering to him, “We’ll officially begin tomorrow.”
“Thank you, Sir,” he whispered back.
Avery returned to the armchair he had sat in earlier and brought Eli with him onto his lap. He settled against Avery’s chest, grinning despite the serious circumstances. As Avery wrapped his arms around Eli’s waist, he mused that what he’d wished for a couple of days ago had already come true.
Rogan and Zane took a seat on the couch, with Rogan sitting the closest. He leaned toward them, resting his elbow on the sofa arm.
“I’ve got good news for you, Eli. The remains of a murdered woman were found recently during the bust of an illegal gambling ring in the Encino Hills. She went missing the same night of the murder you witnessed, and matches the description you provided. The last time she was seen by anyone was when she got in the passenger seat of a black SUV after midnight. As it turns out, the man who owns the SUV also happens to be the one behind the gambling ring.” Rogan’s smile widened. “And now he’s in custody without bail, awaiting trial.”
Eli sucked in a sharp breath, his body trembling. Avery covered Eli’s hands with his own.
“I don’t understand.” Eli licked his too-dry lips. “Lenny told me there wasn’t any news about a murder. Nothing at all anywhere, not even something mentioning a missing woman.”
Rogan nodded. “Sometimes, horrible crimes happen in LA and are never mentioned. There’s too much to report on, so the press picks and chooses. It’s sad to say, but one missing woman in a city of millions isn’t going to attract much attention.”
“Wow.” Eli’s heart hurt that her disappearance hadn’t warranted much concern. “Did she have family looking for her?”
Like mine. He had to call his parents the second Zane and Rogan left.
“I don’t have that information,” said Rogan. “But I can find out, if you like.”
“Yeah, I’d appreciate it.”
After that, Rogan gave a few more details about the sting and how it had been going on for over three years. The investigators theorized that the victim had threatened to expose the killer’s illegal business, and that had sealed her fate.
“Excuse me, Rogan?” Another disquieting thought struck him, one of the main reasons he hadn’t gone to the police in the first place. “Will Lenny and I be called to testify?”
Rogan shook his head. “I doubt it. Several of the smaller players have already turned state’s evidence to get better deals. Two of them helped him hide the body, and a few others witnessed him bring her body back in his vehicle.”
“Did he…” Eli swallowed with no spit. “Say anything about me or Lenny? Something like, I’m going to get those guys for telling on me?”
It was probably the dumbest question ever, but he couldn’t help it. He needed that last piece of the fucked up puzzle to click into place before he could move on.
“Not a word.” Rogan paused, took a breath, then locked eyes with him. “Eli, this has been an awful time for you, but it’s over. Alex Agassi has no reason to come after you or Lenny. His men who flipped on him have a lot more to worry about than you ever will.”
Eli took in a shuddering breath, then burst into tears. It was as if every emotion he’d ever felt came pouring out of him at once. He turned in Avery’s arms, burying his face in his Sir’s neck, clutching him, hanging on tight while the unrelenting burden of the past month crashed over him in waves.
He had no idea when Rogan and Zane left, or how long he cried. All he was aware of was Avery carrying him into their bedroom and holding him until he fell asleep.
Chapter Twelve
“I know, Lenny. She yelled at me, too.” Eli trapped the phone between his ear and shoulder while he slid the meatloaf into the oven. “I’ve called my mom three times, and she’s called me four times in the past week, and yelling is always involved.”
Lenny groaned. “She’s going to hate me forever. She totally blames me for not telling her where you were.”
“Did you remind her that you literally didn’t know where I was, that I never told you?”
“Yeah… But she blames me for not trying harder to find out.”
“Oh boy.” Eli shut the oven door. “It’ll be a while before she forgives either one of us.” He washed off his hands, then headed to the den to relax before Avery got home. “Hold on a sec. I want to get settled in the other room.”
He was glad it was Lenny’s day off so they could really talk. All they’d managed since Eli first told him the good news were quick chats. Between Lenny’s work, facing his own family plus Eli’s parents, and moving back to his old apartment - Lenny’s dance card had been full.
Plus, it would keep Eli’s mind occupied until Avery came home. Otherwise, his thoughts would be imprisoned, unable to focus on anything other than his first real spanking session. A couple of light taps on his ass during sex were fine, but definitely not the promised official scene. He stretched out on the long sofa in the den, threw a woven cotton throw over his legs, then unmuted the phone.
“I’m back. So, other than my mom’s wrath, what did everyone else say about our ordeal?”
Lenny snorted. “Other than my folks, no one believes me. They think I’m desperate for attention because you moved away. Like I don’t know how to survive without you.”
