“Clothes. Music.”
“Where did you take it?”
“Nowhere. He’d chucked it years ago.”
“That was nice of him.”
“He’s a nice person.”
A slight smirk graced the police officer’s face. “So I’ve heard. On that note, I should tell you he’s also under arrest for drug and firearm offences, for which he’ll be interviewed as soon as he’s fit to do so. When he’s out of hospital, you should expect him to go straight on remand. I can’t imagine a circumstance where he won’t be charged.”
“Give a shit.”
“You’re not close then?”
“Not since I did my bird and came out. I’m not about that road life anymore.”
“I’d heard that too.” The officer glanced around the kitchen. “Have you been working here long?”
“Since I got released.”
“How often do you work?”
“Every day,” Paolo said as he bustled in with a tray of dirty cups. “And he spends every night with me too, so tell that brother of his to do one.”
The officer laughed. “I’m not planning on talking to Dante Pope anytime soon, but I take your point. It’s nice for us to see an offender making a go of their life on the outside. That’s all I meant.”
Paolo scowled and left as abruptly as he’d arrived.
Luis shook his head. “Sorry. My boyfriend’s Italian. There’s no reasoning with him.”
“I get that. My wife is the same.” The officer closed his notebook and straightened up. “We won’t take any more of your time, but if I may make one suggestion?”
“Go on.”
“Your brother stands to go away for quite some time. That leaves a power vacuum in the Moss Farm towers. I’m sure you understand what I mean when I say it’s a place you’re best giving a wide berth for however long it takes things to settle.”
“If you’re asking me not to start a turf war with whatever idiot wants Dante’s crown, trust me, I’m not interested.”
“Glad to hear it. Take care, Mr Pope.”
The police left via the back door. Luis shut it behind them. Locked it with steady hands, and felt another heft of weight shift from his shoulders. His chest moved freely, and green shoots of hope sprouted in his gut.
Paolo returned to the kitchen with more dishes. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude. It’s just how I am.”
Luis laughed loud enough that even he heard the joy in it. Paolo looked startled. Luis lunged for him and swept him up in an embrace that drove the breath from both of them. “I love that you’re rude, and I loveyou, so fucking much.”
He swung Paolo around without waiting for his response, only setting him down when equilibrium deserted him.
Laughing, Paolo steadied them on the countertop and planted the mother of all kisses on Luis’s lips before he pulled back with a shit eating grin. “That’s a bit of luck, mate. Because I love you too, and I was kind of worried it was gonna be a problem.”
“Really? You love me?”
“Course I do, you fool. I don’t give my pasta secrets away to just anyone, you know.”
“But you gave them to me?”
“I did. And I’d do it a hundred times more if you promise me one thing.”
