Love Lies Bleeding by Remmy Duchene Read Free Book Online

supposed to ask her."
    "Haven't you heard? We live in enlightened times. A woman can do whatever she wants, including popping the question."
    Leo's heart broke then. A part of him was hoping that sexy, dark-skinned morsel was single and into men. Repeatedly he'd had thoughts of Anderson Williams—raunchy thoughts that would get him in serious trouble if he ever acted on them. At least now he knew he could just suck it up and do his job without worrying about anything happening before them.
    "What's going on in your head, detective?"
    "Leo… please. And I was just thinking of who would break into a house like yours and take nothing. You have plasma screen televisions, expensive artwork, jewelry on your dresser, and it's all there—all of it, right?"
    Anderson nodded. "Nothing was taken. Even my mom's wedding ring is still there. Whoever broke in was looking for something else."
    "Can I take your orders?" a friendly voice asked.
    Leo told Anderson to go ahead. While Anderson ordered, Leo couldn't help watching his thick, full lips move.
    "And for you, sir?"
    "Coffee and a muffin."
    The waitress took their menus and left. She returned to fill their water glasses and was gone again. Anderson was sitting, staring out the window so intently, Leo had to look. There was nothing out of the ordinary there.
    "What are you thinking?" Leo asked.
    Anderson inhaled and turned. "This diner—my father and I came here once when I was about nineteen. I was home for the summer from university and he wanted to spend some time with me. I wanted desperately to be on a plane heading to South Korea with Byung."
    "Byung is Korean?"
    "Half. His mother is Chinese and his father Korean. He was born in Korea, lived in China for a while, then moved here. He was still young so he was raised here. Anyway, dad and I sat right over there. That's when he asked me if I thought he had been a good father to me. I was offended he'd even ask that and I told him so. Eventually I answered his question."
    "And? Was he a good father?"
    "I can't believe you had to ask that. He was like a father to you, right? What do you think?"
    Leo nodded and said, "Touché. A part of me is happy my mother isn't alive now to go through this. She looked up to your dad. I remember when she started dating again she asked Jazmon what he thought, then the man had to meet Jazmon for the stamp of approval."
    Anderson chuckled. "I can just imagine how that ended."
    Their food came then and Leo took a sip from his coffee without adding anything to it. "Yeah, about as well as you thought. He was a leech and Jazmon saw that. I used to pray she'd date him but it never happened."
    "Every child wants their parent to be happy."
    "Yeah. I was too young then to understand what marriage was. I was thinking about where you're staying tonight."
    "Oh?"
    "My place is a decent size. I mean it's not what you're used to, but its mine and safe. You're welcome to stay there tonight. Even though I offered to stay at your place with you tonight, that was kind of thoughtless of me. You probably don't want to stay here since… well, you know…"
    "I couldn't ask you to do that. I can stay at a hotel or with Byung—either way I won't be completely homeless. The thought of knowing someone was in my house—a stranger was in my house without me. It just makes my skin crawl. I don't know if I'd be able to sleep even if you were there with me."
    "You're not asking, Anderson. I'm offering."
    "If you're sure. I just don't want to get in your way—you know? And I'm not a baby. I can still take care of myself."
    "Are you always this infuriating?"
    Anderson shrugged.
     
    * * * *
     
    After leaving the diner, they went back to Anderson's place so he could grab a few things. The forensic team was finished but the cleaning crew was still at it. The place still looked like a bomb hit it. Anderson felt violated. Strangers were in his house again, touching everything, sticking things against his furniture. He could still see