Neutral Zone Trap - Bianca Sommerland Page 0,19

communicating her needs.

And wish Chicklet the best of luck because he couldn’t imagine trying to manage two submissives.

He still wasn’t sure he wanted one.

Not that he could tell if Braxton would be into the lifestyle at all. If he wasn’t that would make keeping things short term easy. If he was…

No. Still no.

Relationships weren’t for Ryan. But he might consider playing with Braxton for a little while if the man could deal with hooking up now and then. If he didn’t get attached.

Ryan had managed when he’d been Braxton’s age. Sure, he’d had his moments when he looked at the older man by his side and imagined an ideal future, but his life had revolved around school and joining the police force. Braxton’s revolved around playing professional hockey.

If nothing else, that might be the one reason they could have something casual. Something enjoyable for them both.

He’d find out soon enough.

The week had finally come to an end. Ryan never watched the clock, but after the hours of paperwork he’d put in after what seemed like nonstop chaos, he was eager to get his tired ass home. Days like this had been nothing when he was in his twenties, and he was still in good shape in his mid-thirties, but the excited rush of it all had long passed.

He could use a few days off. Maybe at his parent’s place, away from the city. Time to clear his head and stop hearing the sound of sirens, the screams of perps who insisted they were innocent, the smell of smoke which had become far too familiar with the most recent string of arson cases.

Movement at his side drew his attention away from his last file and he smiled as Laura came to stand beside him. She’d had a rough week too. Hopefully, he could convince her to come with him to visit their parents. He couldn’t remember the last time she’d taken more than a day off.

Before he could say a word, she held out her phone.

“The hockey player you spoke to in the parking lot earlier this week. He wants to talk to you.”

She sounded so worn out it took a moment for her words to register over his concern. Then he stared at the phone.

Braxton had…called his sister?

What. The. Actual. Fuck?

He took the phone. Tried his best to tamp down his rage. Maybe Braxton had a good reason to call. Had something happened at the forum? Another break in?

It better be a goddamn break in. Or someone better be dying.

“Hello?” His tone was calm. Level. Maybe a bit hard, but he was doing his best not to assume the worst.

“Uh…hey.” Braxton hesitated. “This was a mistake.”

“Was it now?” Ryan’s jaw clenched. Laura was still close, so he had to make the call sound normal. Unimportant. “Is there any new information that I should be aware of?”

“Huh?”

Think, Hamilton. What could he be calling about that would make sense to your sister? He leaned back in his chair, trying to release the tension in his shoulders and relax his voice. “Are you sure your bike was there the whole time?”

“I…” Braxton cleared his throat. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have called, but I was waiting to hear from you.”

“I see.” Ryan hadn’t considered the young man might be watching his phone all week, expecting it to ring. Maybe he should have, but he’d convinced himself they were on the same page.

I was so fucking wrong.

“Did you even mean it when you said you’d call? If you didn’t, why didn’t you just tell me to fuck off? I can take a hint you know.” Braxton sounded irritated by the long pause. “I just… Shit. You’re pissed now, aren’t you?”

Damn right he was, but he couldn’t say that. Not now. Probably not ever. He’d already led Braxton on without meaning to.

But Braxton said he could take a hint. So he’d give him that.

“I understand, but there’s not much I can do. It isn’t my department. If we find your bike, you’ll hear from us. But it seems unlikely at this point.” Was that too vague? Fuck, he didn’t need this shit in his life. Braxton wanted more than he could give. He didn’t want to hurt the kid, but they were done. “Please don’t call this number again. There’s a proper procedure to follow. If you need an update, you’ll have to ask someone else.”

The line was so quiet for so long Ryan wondered if Braxton had hung up. That would be best. A clean