RAW Deception (Round 2 in the RAW Instinct Series)

Chapter 2

Listen to the Music Behind RAW Deception: Haevn - We Are (Symphony)

Wednesday

Johannesburg. Sandton.

Detective Shane Devin checked the time the moment he arrived home. A habit he'd developed over the last few years as a plain-clothed investigative police officer. He placed his briefcase and keys on the hallway table, removed his brown leather jacket, and hung it on the curved coat stand. Today had been one of those lunchless-busy-days. His tummy grumbled as he caught the whiff of meat on the braai* coming off the pool deck.

"Look who's home," Beryl, Shane's sister, sang out loud. She stood behind the braai, sparkling glass of red wine close to her mouth, wearing a green filigree blouse and blue jeans. Her windswept hair hung in strands down her face, radiating a warm glow in the firelight as she turned the meat.

Joseph lay on a deck chair watching the stars blink in the sky. He turned to face the double glass doors and his eyes lit up like the northern lights when he saw Shane.

"You'd best remove the holster," Beryl said as Shane approached her. "You know how he dislikes weapons."

"And a warm hello to you, too. Did he take his tablets?" Shane asked, pecking her lightly on the cheek. He removed his holster belt and placed it on the round garden table.

"He doesn't want tablets," she said.

"He can't live without them."

She nudged her head in Joseph's direction. "He's been asking for you since two this afternoon. We were hoping you'd come home early seeing you're on leave from tomorrow."

"You know how it is. Lots of stuff to wrap up. But it's all done and I am soooo hungry," Shane said, approaching Joseph lying on a reclining deck chair beside the pool.

In Shane's mind, Joseph would always be that one muscular stud hanging on a bar counter patiently waiting to be served. You know, that guy with the tanned torso and tight abs and tattooed biceps. There's one of them in every gay bar. The guy with a full face, puffy lips, arched, thick eyebrows and five-day shadow. Too sexy to ignore, too masculine to approach. Shane noticed how the guys stared at him without making a move. Shane's modus operandi was simple: focus on the man who stands or sits on his own, or the guy who looks as though the world has ended. The single, lonely guy. Joe was no exception. Shane approached and didn't mince his words. "Hey. You alone?"

That was the start of a two year relationship.

Shane went onto his knees and kissed Joe on the forehead. "Hey there, sexy man. You're looking stunning."

Joseph grunted. He wasn't amused. "Liar. Being your last day at work they should at least have allowed you to leave early." His voice packed a huskiness only a real man possessed.

"It doesn't work like that, Joe. Have you been for a swim?"

"She said I should wait for you." He pointed a wavy finger at Beryl.

"It's only polite," she said. Joe pulled a tongue at her.

"How about we both take a dip right now," Shane suggested. "It's a beautiful evening. I'm sure the water's just right."

"Where have you been?"

"I told you, I had to finish a few things at work."

"You can fool some of the people some of the time, Shane, but not me."

"It's the truth. A ton of paperwork. Come on, sexy man, let's eat."

"I just want to eat and go to bed. I'm tired," Joe said, irritation skimming his voice.