At My General’s Command Page 9

  David chuckled as hope blossomed in his chest. “It was mostly foreplay.”

  “Ah, a man of taste as well as passion, I approve.”

  David grinned. “How did you manage this?”

  “I told you I’d seen him on an app before. I messaged him when you and I were talking, and he was quick to respond. He was also pretty quick to go on a date with me last night and took me back to his place.”

  David raised a brow. “You…”

  “Did not sleep with him. A couple of laxatives in his drink was more than enough to end the night before we could get to the sexy parts he was hoping for. But since he was stuck in the bathroom, I might have entertained myself by digging around. And would you believe it, I found the thumb drive. And for good measure, I checked his computer, and he wasn’t telling the truth about not saving it to the cloud. He also left out that he did have a file on his computer, along with quite the picture collection.”

  David scowled. “Damn him.”

  “Oh, don’t worry. I learned a few tricks from those friends of mine. Everything’s gone, and he’s not getting them back either.”

  David held the drive up. “I can’t believe you actually managed this.”

  “Hey!”

  David shook his head, looking at Christian. “No, I just mean...I had no idea what it was you were planning, but I never expected this. You really...went on a date with him just to drug him with laxatives and steal this from him?”

  Christian laughed. “I mean, normally I’m not big on theft, but I figured I could make an exception for a guy who was blackmailing you. Thought it might even things out a bit.”

  “You won’t hear any argument from me,” David said.

  Christian grinned. “Didn’t think I would.”

  David closed his hand around the drive, making a tight fist. Maybe the entire thing would have been settled without Christian’s interference. Certainly, David would have been out a big chunk of his savings, which was something he’d been spared because of the man standing before him looking proud of himself.

  And maybe a little smug.

  “Someone looks full of themselves,” David noted.

  “Maybe a little.”

  “It’s well deserved, so perhaps you should be smug.”

  David had to admit, he found the entire thing more than a little...arousing. He’d always known Christian was a capable person and thought above and beyond the box. Yet, this had required an entirely different set of skills, and while subterfuge shouldn’t have been something David found admirable, it had been used for a good purpose. It had also required a great deal of thought, and Christian had been as thorough as he possibly could to make sure that nothing else was left.

  David chuckled. “Well, I suppose that takes care of that, now doesn’t it?”

  “It does.”

  David looked up. “Thank you truly.”

  Christian shook his head. “Don’t. I’m just glad I was able to help.”

  “And take a peek into my private life,” David added with a grin.

  Christian ducked his head, laughing nervously. “I would like to stand here and say that I didn’t get a little thrill out of what I saw, but I’m not going to start lying to you now. But, I do promise that I didn’t look at anything I hadn’t already seen...even the pictures.”

  David smirked. “And considering how curious you are, just how tempting was it to take a peek?”

  “On the grounds of not wanting to self-incriminate, I’m going to plead the fifth and restate that I looked at nothing in detail, and deleted everything thoroughly,” Christian said with pink cheeks.

  It was, by far, the most flirtatious conversation David had ever allowed himself to have with Christian. It went well beyond what he would have usually allowed to happen, even if it was a little tempting with someone as good looking as Christian around. But considering the sudden good mood he was in, and the debt he now owed Christian, he found himself letting his strict standards slip a little. Well, and he’d never seen Christian blush so much since the man had laid eyes on David’s naked body, and he found himself liking the attention.

  “Well, I should probably...get back to my desk. Reyes is still looking at everything like he’s never seen a computer or keyboard before, so I should go make sure he’s not having a stroke out there,” Christian said, taking a step back toward the office door.

  David nodded, still holding tight to the drive. “Okay, we’ll talk later.”

  Christian hesitated, looking like he wanted to ask for specifics. “Uh, okay.”

  David watched him go, his continuing lack of standards at that moment, allowing him to stare at Christian’s retreating ass as he left. After a moment, he pulled his attention back to the device in his hand, chiding himself for being foolish.

  “Behave, old man,” he reminded himself.

  He was spared having to consider whether or not he was toeing a dangerous line by the sudden shrill ring of his phone. David jumped, forgetting he’d turned the ringer on and left it that way while waiting to see if he’d hear back from Christian. Frowning, he pulled his phone out, smirking when he saw the unknown, yet strangely familiar number.

  David answered. “Ethan.”

  The man’s voice came through in a high, angry shout. “How the fuck did you do it?”

  David held the USB stick up again, eyeing it. “You’re going to have to be more specific than that, Ethan. I do a lot of things throughout the course of my day.”

  “You know damn well what I mean! How did my stick disappear?”

  David raised a brow, wondering how the solution hadn’t already risen in Ethan’s mind. Had David really almost been done in by someone who obviously was not topping any intelligence charts?

  David clicked his tongue. “You really should learn to keep a better watch over your things.”

  “Fuck you! I had it safe, you don’t even know where I live! It’s not even in my name, how did you know?” Ethan demanded.

  “If you haven’t managed to put the puzzle together by yourself, then why do you expect me to put it together for you?”

  “David, you absolute asshole!”

  “Actually, I’ll tell you what, I’ll give you what you gave me. When you figure it out, you go ahead and call me up and let me know. But until that time, stand around and think real hard on your life choices. You almost had me this time, you try it again, and I’ll bring you and anyone helping you down too.”

  “Don’t threaten me, it would ruin you too!”

  “Maybe, it depends on what you tried to throw at me. But the thing is, I would still have a career, even if it wasn’t the same as what I have now. But you? You’d end up in jail. And yeah, blackmail? That’s a serious offense, especially when you’re coming after a general, so you can count on getting a felony on your record. Keep that in mind the next time you decide you want to hold something over my head.”

  Before Ethan could think of anything else to add, David ended the call. Then, before Ethan could manage to dial him back, David blocked the number. For good measure, he also went into his email and decided to block the email address. Sure, Ethan could generate an unlimited amount of email addresses, and probably spoof a phone number, but what was that going to matter? The man obviously had nothing he could use to threaten David with anymore, otherwise, he would have pulled it out on the phone call.

  He was safe.

  David set the flash drive on the desk in front of him, mentally tallying when he could be free from the office to destroy the damned thing in peace. Once it was gone, everything would be perfectly safe once again, and he would be able to live his life peacefully. One day, he might even look back on the entire affair and laugh a little.

  In the meantime, he had a new problem. The image of Christian rose up in his mind, and David smiled. As much as their flirtation probably crossed a line or three, David was willing to push that aside for the moment. He owed Christian a great deal, and he needed to think of a way that would serve
as a perfect repayment.

  An idea bubbled up in his mind, and his smile turned into a grin. And while it wasn’t going to cover the whole of the debt he now owed Christian, it was at least a good start. David glanced at the clock on the computer’s display, calculating when the end of the workday would come.

  David stepped out of his office, stopping as he watched Oscar Reyes limp his way toward the elevator. The man looked like he’d slept better since the last time David had seen him, but his mood had darkened since he’d seen him that morning.

  David looked at Christian. “Something go wrong?”

  Christian shrugged. “He was like that after I came back from lunch.”

  David thought back, just as mystified as Christian. The only thing significant to have happened was the monthly check-up visit from one of the clinic workers. Normally, David would have had to go to the clinic himself, but since he sometimes forgot to go personally, Christian had taken it upon himself to bring one of them up to David’s office.

  “Oh yeah, speaking of, how was Troy?” Christian asked.

  David snorted at the thought of the chipper doc. “The same as usual, though a little quieter.”

  “Well, we chatty folk have our quiet days too.”

  “Today must have been his. When should I expect yours?”

  Christian stuck his tongue out. “I reserve those for my days off.”

  “Ah, so a special occasion then.”

  “Yeah, it’s not like I get too much time off.”

  David inched closer to the desk to lean on it. With Christian watching him, he was suddenly more aware of what he was getting ready to say and felt a strange nervousness well up inside him. Quietly, he reminded himself that what he was offering was nothing out of the ordinary, especially considering what Christian had done for him.

  “How’s our schedule looking for the rest of the week?” David asked.

  Christian hummed thoughtfully, turning his attention to his screen. “Not our worst week. Actually, I’d say we’re doing pretty well. Though, the Staff Sergeant was by again.”

  David winced. “From Maelstrom?”

  “The very same.”

  He sighed. “I suppose I should have expected that. I’ve been getting reports that the team hasn’t taken well to their newest member. Or rather, their newest member and the team leader aren’t getting along. The rest are just getting dragged along for the ride.”

  “That bad?”

  “Yes, apparently there was an issue during training. Well, a few, but one of them required a visit to the docs, who were not too pleased about it.”

  “Oh, that sounds nice.”

  “Yes, very nice.”

  It was a problem he’d foreseen, but it had once again prompted Philip to call him up and warn, not so subtly, that he had been against the new addition to the team in the first place. David wasn’t bothered, and he’d assured Philip everything was well under control and that he didn’t need to worry. There were bound to be bumps in the road when it came to bringing two different groups together, especially when there were strong personalities involved.

  David shrugged lightly. “I have something in mind for them anyway. I’ve just been letting them...get acquainted is all. Once the last of the paperwork has gone through, I’ll give them something else to focus on besides how much they obviously don’t like one another.”

  “Mm, another dastardly plan?”

  “Something like that.”

  “I’m sure they’ll love it.”

  David leaned forward. “So, I did have a reason for asking.”

  Christian looked up, blinking. “Oh, what’s that?”

  “Is there any point during this week that things can be shuffled around so both of us can get out of here a little earlier than usual? Or better yet, a lot earlier?”

  Christian cocked his head before turning his attention back to the computer. After a moment, he nodded. “Yeah, looks like Wednesday would be the best time for that. If I move things around a bit, Tuesday and Thursday will be a bit stuffed, but we could get out two whole hours earlier if we wanted. Why?”

  David reminded himself silently that there was nothing wrong with what he was going to say.

  David hummed. “Well, I’ve been thinking, considering what you did for me.”

  Christian interrupted. “I told you, don’t worry about it.”

  “But I am worried about it, and you’re going to like it.”

  “Is that an order?”

  David continued on as though he hadn’t been asked that. “It’s going to be tricky, trying to find a way to pay you back that won’t get you all...puffy.”

  “I do not puff.”

  “But I think a good start would be treating you to what I hope is a good meal, with what I know are some good drinks.”

  Christian’s prepared protest stopped short, and he looked quizzically at David. “Wait, dinner?”

  David chuckled. “Yes. At my home, Wednesday night?”

  “Are you cooking?”

  “Believe it or not, I’m actually pretty good in the kitchen when I want to be...and have the time. I can make you something delicious, and you can come over and enjoy yourself.”

  Christian stared at him for so long that David began to second guess himself. He’d been pretty sure it would be a perfectly reasonable offer, without anything coming off as inappropriate or presumptuous. He didn’t think it was either, since, quite frankly, he didn’t even know if there was anything to presume. David was quick to remind himself that even if there was something to presume, nothing was going to happen.

  Just a nice dinner.

  Christian’s face broke into a wide grin. “Alright, I think I can agree to that.”

  “Please, don’t let me twist your arm,” David said dryly.

  Christian opened his mouth, then closed it with a snicker. “I’m not responding to that.”

  “Why?” David asked suspiciously.

  “Because I’m not getting accused of sexual harassment in the workplace.”

  David couldn’t help the widening of his eyes, which only made Christian laugh even harder.

  “I’m kidding, c’mon. I would love to come over to your place and have dinner. But I’d rather do it because you want to, not because you feel like you’re obligated,” Christian told him.

  Was that the reason behind his initial hesitation? David couldn’t help his scoff.

  “I don’t invite people to my home very often, and if I really felt like I needed to give you something, it wouldn’t be a visit to my home. Truly, I’m grateful for what you did for me, and I would like to do something nice for you in return, even if you’ll only allow this one small thing.”

  Christian smiled in a way that David almost thought was coy. “Okay. What time?”

  “Would eight work for you? It’ll give me time to get home and start cooking and have everything ready,” David offered.

  “Eight it is.”

  “Good.” David smiled, delighted at how pleased Christian was.

  It was only dinner.

  Christian

  Nervously fiddling with his shirt, Christian checked the address on his screen again. Looking up at the house in front of him, he squinted at the number printed on the side of it in bold, large numerals. All in all, it looked like he was in the right place, but somehow, he didn’t quite equate the house with General Winter.

  In the low light of the dying evening, Christian could see that it was a one-story, and what he believed to be ranch style. The house had a sizable porch, where a couple of chairs and a small table sat, looking out over the sea behind him. The lawn was well taken care of, full and green, and he couldn’t make out a single weed. More surprising was the lush growth in a flowerbed running all along the front of the house, against the half-wall that marked the perimeter of the property and around the majestic weeping willow in the front lawn.

  “Didn’t even know those grew here,” Christian commented as he eyed the tree.


  There was a simple beauty to the design of the flower beds that Christian didn’t see very often. It was obvious that everything was well taken care of, probably with a dedicated and attentive hand. But instead of looking carefully laid out and meticulously planted, there was a sort of chaos to it, albeit a controlled one. Daisies mingled with lilies, and a few large flowering vines crept up trellises placed against the outer walls of the house.

  Grunting in approval, he stepped onto the front walk, which was also clear of any weeds or overgrowth. The front steps looked well-used but safe, and as he looked over, he saw only one of the chairs had a cushion on it, while the other, shoved between the wall of the porch and the small table, was bare.

  Looking at the front door, Christian cleared his throat and took a deep breath, forcing himself to knock. It felt oddly like showing up for a highly anticipated date, and he hadn’t been able to shake the butterflies in his stomach from the moment he’d left work. Showering, shaving, brushing his teeth, and choosing his outfit had all been done with the care of someone going for a big night out. It didn’t matter how much he told himself it was a perfectly friendly invitation, that meant absolutely nothing, he couldn’t relax his nerves.

  The door swung wide, and General Winter stared out at him through the screen door dividing them.

  “Christian, you made it. And early, as usual.”

  “Ah, sorry, General, I guess I wasn’t thinking about it. Hopefully, I didn’t put you off schedule?”

  “I can promise you, I’m just as prone to being early as you are, so really, you’re just in time. Come on in, and...call me David, please. This isn’t supposed to be a formal occasion.”

  Christian nodded, taking the door as the general pushed it open for him. Almost immediately, he had to remind himself to think of him as David. It’s not like Christian didn’t know General Winter’s first name or anything, but he’d never called him by it, not even in conversation with another person. It seemed disrespectful to refer to the general he respected highly by his first name when his title and surname were far more appropriate.