Page 45 of Wolf's Whistle
Marcel left the room, and Julien kissed the still sleeping Richard on his shoulder. “Mon ange, we have to get up to speak to Frank Ferone and greet the Enforcers that flew in from Oregon and Washington.”
“Okay, but I reserve the right to take a nap later today.” Richard yawned.
Julien threw off the covers and padded into the bath. “Do you want to save time by showering together?”
Richard sat up, suddenly interested. “We can’t fool around. Frank Ferone is waiting. He probably wants to report what happened last night.”
Julien turned on the water. “You could stay in bed and sleep. I can take care of Ferone.”
“No, I want us to begin as we intend to go on. I’m your equal partner. We both have to talk to Mr. Ferone. After all, it’s my head that’s being hunted.” Richard slipped out of bed and quickly undressed.
“Come then, the water is warm.” Julien stepped into the shower.
Richard raced into the bathroom and joined him. His Mate stretched his back like a contented cat as Julien washed it with the natural sponge. He tried not to focus on Richard’s tight ass. The shower took ten minutes. Much too short. Julien dressed in five. “I’ll meet you downstairs. Mr. Ferone is in the breakfast room.” He headed toward the elevator.
§ § §
Richard grumbled as he finished dressing. He was horny, and it seemed like there would be no relief forthcoming until this evening. Richard slipped on his shoes and sighed. Running down the hall to the elevator he arrived in the breakfast room five minutes after Julien.
“Good morning, Mr. Ferone.”
“Frankie, please. Mr. Ferone is my father.”
“Frankie, then. Was it a quiet night?” Julien buttered an English muffin and helped himself to three poached eggs and some Canadian bacon. “Please join us for a second breakfast. I’m sure Isabel has coffee and pastries for your men downstairs.”
“Thank you.”
Julien turned to Denis who stood behind him as Charles placed himself behind Richard. “Ask Mr. Ferone’s men to come in ten at a time and Isabel will serve coffee and Danish.”
Richard used the Mate link.Why aren’t Denis and Charles having breakfast with us?”
Julien immediately answered.We have strangers in the house. They take their positions as our guardians seriously and blame themselves for Stawski getting so close the other night. Don’t worry, they’ve eaten. Isabel fed them at six.
Richard nodded.
Marcel served more coffee.
“It was a quiet night, but I figured it would be.” Frankie dug into his breakfast. “He’s going to wait until you’ve let your guard down. I suspect another attack in two days. In the meantime, now that your own men are here, I’m going to have mine search under every rock in Queens, no additional compensation necessary.”
“Thank you, but won’t you get into trouble with your father?” Julien inclined his head.
“I don’t care if I do. You treated us like human beings, feeding us and making sure we had something to drink, treating us with courtesy instead of treating us like hired thugs. Consider this payment for your hospitality.” Frankie took some French toast. “I’d like to steal your cook. But all of your people are intensely loyal.” He briefly laughed. “Believe me, I tried.”
Julien guffawed. “Isabel has been with me since I was a boy. She operatesin loco parentis.”
“I got that feeling when I asked her if she would come and work for me. She practically hit my knuckles with her spoon.”
“The first night I came here she gave me the rules. I haven’t stepped out of line, yet. I know who runs this house.” Richard laughed.
“Loyalty like that can’t be bought. I envy you, my friend, but on to less pleasant subjects. I’m going home with my men to catch a few hours’ sleep. After that, I expect to be in Queens. I’ll report back to you at seven this evening.” He smiled at Julien.
Richard didn’t like it. He found that he was jealous of the coal haired man with green eyes. He shook it off. Julien was his Mate. He wouldn’t be looking elsewhere.
“My price is one of Isabel’s dinners,” Frankie said sheepishly.
Julien laughed. “Done. When you come back, you can stay for dinner. Bring your wife.”
“I’m gay, I have no wife. Know anyone?” Frankie asked hopefully.
