A police cruiser came into view along with another of the black Ward Security SUVs. Noah jumped out just as two cops exited their vehicle. He didn’t bat an eye over how close Sven and Geoffrey were standing, but Sven stepped slightly away. “Don’t get too far from me,” he said, looking over his shoulder. “No matter what. We still don’t know if the person is here.”
“No problem, big guy.”
Sven stared at him a moment, taking in the anxiety in the blue eyes and his heart skipped a beat. He hated that look on his face and wanted it gone. Geoffrey looked past him and he grimaced. “I know those cops. They’re the ones who came out to my house.” Anger clouded his face. “They didn’t believe me.”
Sven’s lips tightened. “They’d better believe you now.”
Geoffrey pushed ahead of him and strode to the cops. He stopped, cocked out one slim hip and crossed his arms. “Recognize me?”
The taller cop sneered. “Unfortunately.”
The anger that swept through Sven felt like it could burn him from the inside out. He made a noise low in his throat as he approached to stand behind Geoffrey. He didn’t say a word and didn’t have to. He stared at the cop, letting him know he could and would take him apart if he didn’t shape up. The policeman glared back.
The other policeman cleared his throat. “Please excuse my rude partner. Soon to be ex-partner if I have anything to say about it.” This cop had a friendlier face and kind brown eyes. “We recognized your name.” He told Geoffrey before he looked up at Sven. “I’m Officer Reynolds and this is Officer Woodcock.”
“Seriously?” Geoffrey snorted out a laugh. “That’s your name? Did you say that yesterday? Surely I would remember that.”
He’d probably been out of it and from the looks of Woodcock, he had a serious problem with Geoffrey—or gay people in general. Sven narrowed his eyes.
Noah Keegan coughed, pulling Sven’s gaze to him. Noah was Rowe’s boyfriend, a tall, muscular man with blond-streaked surfer hair. He was quietly watching the exchange, his lips twisted, eyes shining. “We’re in a hurry. Are you two going to look over his car?”
Officer Reynolds nodded. “Let’s take care of that, okay Geoffrey?”###
Hurry or not, it still took a long time to answer all the questions and make arrangements for the car. By the time Noah pulled into Geoffrey’s driveway, Sven’s stomach had reached an embarrassing grumble.
Noah chuckled. “There are granola bars in the glove compartment. My friend, Ian, made them, so they’re good.”
Grateful, Sven dug out a bar, handing it to Geoffrey before ripping into one himself. It wasn’t that bad…for granola.
Noah parked behind another black SUV.
“Just how many of these cars does Rowe have?” Geoffrey leaned between the two front seats, his thin hands and wrists dangling over each one. That light cologne he preferred wafted past Sven’s nose and he held his breath. “And does he have something against color?”
Sven forced himself not to lean away. “Aren’t SUVs trucks?”
“Nah,” Noah scoffed. “This thing isn’t a real truck.”
“Then what is it?” Sven asked.
“It’s a sports utility vehicle. But it’s not a truck.” Noah frowned. “Though, come to think of it, it’s not really a car either. Let’s just stick with vehicle.” He chuckled as he opened his door.
Quinn jumped down from the front seat and waved at them as they got out. He walked around and started pulling out equipment. “Royce saw you guys coming and left. Rowe needed him. Hey, Geoffrey! You ready to smarten up your place?”
Geoffrey ambled to stand next to Quinn and look over the equipment. “I didn’t realize it was dumb, but sure.”
“You are looking at the best system there is.” Quinn gazed at various pieces of technology like they were something precious. Sven didn’t know a lot about the younger man—had only talked to him a couple of times at company gatherings. All he knew was Quinn spent most of his time with computers and they shared something in common—neither were big talkers nor into company parties. Luckily, there were plenty of talkative Ward employees to keep them noisy.
Quinn started pointing at the various components and explaining what each did. He pushed up his glasses as he talked, solid black frames that matched the hair on his head. Like Geoffrey, he was built thin, though he was several inches taller. “See this control panel? It runs everything—doors, windows, thermostat, cameras, and more.”
“Wait, cameras? Like video cameras?” Geoffrey shook his head. “I’m not so sure about that. You guys don’t watch the videos, do you? Are they like, live? With me walking around in my house? Wait, am I going to be supplying porn for everyone?”
Even in the bright sunlight, Sven could see the red creeping up Quinn’s neck. “The videos are for you, but if you want to make videos of your conquests for your own enjoyment, have at it.”