23

A loud knocking on his front door woke Adrian in the early hours of that morning.

Rachel came running into his room and shook him awake.

"Daddy! The door!"

Adrian rolled out of bed, still half-asleep, and went to answer the door, Rachel clinging to his leg.

"Dom?" Adrian growled. "What're you doing here? It's half past three."

Dom stared at Adrian's bare chest for a moment, before he met Adrian's eyes.

Adrian, on the verge of turning away, found himself stopped dead by the look in Dom's eyes.

"What's the matter?"

"Can I have a word?" Dom asked, glancing at Rachel.

"Go back to bed, Rach," Adrian said quietly, kissing her forehead.

She scampered off as Adrian took Dom through to the living room.

"What's going on?"

"Jamie King escaped from prison this evening."

Adrian paled instantly.

"What?" He squeaked.

"He was being transferred from the van to the prison. He stole a pen from the desk sergeant before he got in the van, and used it to unlock his cuffs. He killed two of the guards, and badly injured another, and disappeared."

"Right..." Said Adrian slowly. "So... what do we do?"

"We stay calm," Dom said firmly, squeezing Adrian's shoulder. "Jamie probably knows where you live. Barnett thinks he's seen Jamie on several weeks of CCTV footage near your restaurant, and Rachel's school."

Adrian looked like he might be ill.

"You and Rachel can move in with me, if you like. Until he's caught. You've got no connection with me, and I live in the middle of nowhere."

Adrian nodded dumbly.

Dom leant forward and kissed him gently.

Adrian shifted forwards and nestled against Dom's chest.

"Thank you," he whispered. "I love you."

"I love you too, baby." Dom stroked Adrian's fringe smooth and smiled at him. "Come on. Get some clothes together for you and Rachel."

Adrian quickly pulled some clothes from his wardrobe and shoved them into a duffel bag. He fetched some of Rachel's clothes, and her favourite teddy bear, and gently woke her.

"Where're we going, daddy?" She asked sleepily as he coaxed her into a warm jumper.

"We're going to stay with Dom for a few days, honey."

"Why?"

"I'll explain everything to you in the morning. For now, I just need you to come with me, alright?"

She yawned widely, and went out to Dom's car with Adrian.

Dom brought out their bags, and started the engine.

Rachel snuggled beneath a blanket and fell asleep again.

Adrian sat tense and pale in the seat beside Dom, his hands shaking in his lap.

When they arrived at Dom's house, Dom told Adrian to go ahead, and gently lifted Rachel from her seat. He carried her inside and settled her down on the massive sofa in his living room, and tucked her neatly beneath a thick blanket.

She stirred as he gently stroked her forehead.

"Is my daddy alright?" She asked sleepily.

"He's fine, Rachel," Dom told her quietly. "He's just... something's happened, and it's made your dad worry about you. So you're going to stay with me for a few days, until your dad feels better."

"Is it the man who took me? Does daddy not like him?"

"That's a story for your daddy to tell," said Dom. "But you know your dad loves you. And he's just doing what he thinks is best for you."

"I know."

Dom stroked her fringe lightly back from her forehead.

"Dom?"

"Yeah?"

"You're looking after my daddy, aren't you?"

"Yes, honey."

"I don't mind you being my second daddy."

Dom didn't have an answer to that, but when he turned and saw Adrian watching them from the doorway, he couldn't stop a huge grin spreading over his face.

"I think you're in there," Adrian said, wrapping his arms around Dom's neck.

Dom smiled, and kissed Adrian's cheek.

"Are you tired?"

Adrian shook his head.

"I won't be able to sleep."

"Well..." Dom smirked. "We could sort out a bedroom upstairs."

Adrian raised his eyebrows.

"If you want sex, just ask."

Dom gave a low laugh.

"Actually, I meant, there are several spare rooms upstairs. We could go and get one ready for Rachel for tomorrow night."

Adrian smirked, and followed Dom upstairs.

"Whatever. You just want to get me near a bed."

Dom pressed Adrian back against the wall, his blue eyes burning.

"How about a compromise?" He suggested, his voice low and husky.

Adrian shivered at Dom's suggestive tone.

"Oh?" He whispered.

"How about... we make a room up. Then we have sex in it."

Adrian laughed.

"You're on, big guy. Which room?"

Dom showed Adrian into the room just down the hall from his own large room.

Furniture was already in the room, covered with large white dust sheets.

"The entire house was furnished when I bought it," Dom told Adrian as they worked. "The old lady who lived here died, and her family didn't want to spend the time and money disposing of everything."

They quickly rearranged the bed, wardrobe, dressing table and mirror neatly in the room.

As Adrian straightened the wardrobe, Dom came up behind him and wrapped his arms around Adrian's waist. He nuzzled against Adrian's neck and gently bit down on his collarbone.

Adrian smiled and snuggled against Dom's body.

"I love you," he murmured.