Page 9 of Salacious

“We can worry about someday later. Right now, we have to find your father,” Ross insisted. “Because getting another wakeup call from your mother, like the one that we had this morning, isn’t something that I want to experience again.” Leo made a face and Ross laughed. He knew that was the last thing that Leo wanted too.

“I’m going to head over to my father’s office and look around. Maybe he went back there and just didn’t tell anyone,” Leo said. Ross knew that was probably not the case. Tony kept his security detail around him at all times. He knew that another family could come after him at any moment and he wanted to be prepared. That was what was really tripping Ross up right now. How would someone have been able to get to Tony without having to go through his guards?

“Sounds good,” Ross said. “Do you want me to go with you?”

“No, I’ll be fine to go alone,” Leo insisted. Ross knew that he was probably trying to avoid telling his father that they were together now, but he also knew that sooner or later, Leo would have to do just that.

“All right,” Ross agreed, giving him a pass. “I’ll stick around here and make some more calls. Do you know who was on security duty for your father last night?”

“Not off hand,” Leo said. “Why do you ask?”

“I’m just trying to figure out how anyone got past your father’s security detail to get to him. I mean, he usually travels with a small army,” Ross said.

“You’re correct. I’ll check in with security while I’m over there and will get back to you,” Leo said. He paused by the door and Ross could tell that Leo was overthinking things again.

“You’re doing it again,” Ross said, “you’re over thinking everything. Just say what you want to say, Leo,” Ross insisted.

“I was just wondering when we will see each other again,” Leo admitted. Ross had already thought about this. In fact, he was up most of the night thinking about how he was going to ask Leo to move in with him.

“I was thinking,” Ross said.

Leo smiled, “Well that’s never a good thing,” he teased.

“Shut the fuck up,” Ross said with no real heat. “We’ve been best friends our whole life, well, except over this past year. And I know that we’ve only been together for hours, but we know each other, Leo.”

“I agree,” Leo said. “You’re still my best friend and if I wasn’t such a jackass, I wouldn’t have put distance between us over this past year. We’ve lost a little bit of time, but I’d like to think that we can make it up.”

“I agree,” Ross said, “we can make it up. How about you move into my place with me?” he asked. “I mean, if you don’t mind giving up your apartment.” Ross had a big, empty house and the thought of Leo sharing it with him made him almost giddy. He thought about what their lives might look like, living together in his home, and it was as though Ross could see their entire future.

“I don’t mind giving up my place, but are you sure that we’re ready for this next step?” Leo asked.

Ross shrugged, “I think so,” he said. “It’s really not rushing things. We’ve known each other our whole lives, basically.” Ross knew that he might be overselling them moving in together, but he couldn’t seem to help himself. He held his breath waiting for Leo to decide their future. And when he nodded his agreement, Ross stood, crossed the room, and pulled Leo in for a hug.

“Thank you,” Ross whispered into his ear.

“Why are you thanking me?” Leo asked. “I should be the one to thank you. I appreciate you giving this so much thought. I was worried that I was the only one thinking about a future for us. It’s good to know that we’re on the same page.”

“We are,” Ross agreed. “Now, go look for your father. I’ll see you at home tonight, right?” he asked.

“You will,” Leo said, flashing him his shy, sexy smile that always turned Ross inside out with need. “I’ll pack a bag or two and maybe after we find my dad, I can move all my stuff over.”

“That would be great,” Ross said. He couldn’t believe that in just twenty-four hours, he had gone from pining for Leo to having him move into his place. All in all, he considered himself one lucky son of a bitch.

Ross knew that calling Zane to fill him in might be a mistake, but he really had no choice. Zane’s dad, Bobby, was one of Tony’s best friends and if he was going to reach out to anyone, it would be him. He pulled his cell phone from his pocket and called Zane, hoping like hell that he’d answer.

“Ross,” Zane asked. His friend was usually a pretty cut-and-dry guy, but when he hung out with Ross and Leo, he let loose a bit. Ross liked seeing that side of his friend.

“Hey, Zane. Leo and I are still looking for his dad. Have you or Bobby heard from him?” Ross asked.

“No, man,” Zane said, “no one has reached out to you about ransom or anything like that?”

“No, and I’m beginning to think that it’s not about money. I mean, what if another family grabbed him for other reasons?” Ross asked. He didn’t want to worry Leo about that, but he couldn’t stop thinking that might be the case.

“You mean, for revenge or something like that?” Zane asked. Ross worried that Tony was already dead, and they’d never find him. If another family wanted to get rid of him, they would and there was nothing that Ross or Leo could do about it.

“What can I do to help?” Zane asked.

“There really isn’t anything. Just keep looking for Tony and if you or Bobby hear anything, let one of us know,” Ross said. “I’ll fill Leo in tonight when he gets home that you haven’t heard from Tony.”

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