Page 47 of Doubling Down

“Okay.” Remi paced his office. “You two go back to the casino. I’ll have the other teams continue to search the city.Every cop, uniform and detective, has Joey Collins’s picture. We will find him.”

Eric wasn’t giving up until they did.

“Come on.” Dane grabbed Eric’s shoulder. “I’ll even buy you something from a drive-thru on the way.”

If he were home, Eric would have a nutritious hot meal. He wouldn’t have to settle for a dry burger and soggy fries. He wanted to pout at the thought. One more reason for Eric to catch Collins quickly. It would be much better to be home with his family.

“Make sure you check in,” Remi ordered.

“Yes, boss,” Dane quipped.

Remi growled.

At least Eric was laughing as they exited Remi’s office. He followed Dane through the station and out to the parking lot. Eric kept his attention on his surroundings in case he was wrong and Collins was coming for him.

He climbed into the passenger seat of Dane’s lifted black truck.

Eric buckled his seatbelt as Dane threw the truck in reverse. Dane hit the gas and they sped from the parking lot. Eric grunted as they took the exit onto the street too fast. His friend drove like a maniac.

“Tacos?” Dane asked.

Eric perked up. That meant that instead of fast food they would stop by the homemade taco truck a few blocks away. “Fuck yeah.”

“Well at least that was a better reaction than earlier. What’s up with you, man?”

“I could be at home with Brandon, Ezra, and Annabelle, eating a home-cooked meal and watching bad movies. Instead, I’m out looking for some asshole that should already be in handcuffs.”

“Everything is working out with your boy?”

“It’ll be better once I know for sure he’s safe.”

“You didn’t dispute that he’s yours though.” Dane took another corner too fast.

Eric clutched the bar above his head. “He’s mine,” he admitted as Dane straightened the wheel. “I can’t even remember how I was living my life without him. He makes everything better.”

“And have you discussed your newfound interest and told him that you want to be his Daddy?”

“Not in those words,” Eric admitted. There had been moments. Ezra had even used that treasured word once—of course, he’d been coming at the time, but Eric was still counting it as a win.

“What are you waiting for?” Dane demanded.

“Time and opportunity,” Eric replied. “It’s not that easy. I don’t want to scare him away.”

Dane snorted. “If he didn’t run when you kidnapped him from his apartment, then I think you’re good.”

His friend might not be wrong.

“And Brandon’s doing okay having company in the house?” Dane asked, pulling up in front of their favorite taco truck.

“He’s doing great. Having Ezra and Annabelle actually seems to have brought out some of his own protective instincts.”

“That’s good.” Dane reached for the door handle, but Eric grabbed his arm.

“What’s wrong?” Dane stiffened as he peered around the street.

“Is there something you want to tell me?” Eric asked. If Dane could ask about Eric’s personal life, maybe it was time that they stopped pretending that Dane didn’t have his own crush.

“I don’t see anyone.” Dane scowled out the windshield.

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