LIMERENCE S1: Make a Long Story Short 0.1

"Where did you go before meeting Jacob at the scene?" An investigator asked the same question as the first time he was questioned.

"Yakiniku West," Joey answered, looking back at the middle-aged man in front of him who was taking notes on his answers. "At 218 E 9th St." Not forgetting to mention the address.

"When was that?"

"Ten o'clock, I don't know the exact minute. With Charlie Douglas. Once it was over we parted ways, he went home and I went to Prima neve Miracles." Joey almost remembered every sequence of questions asked of him by the investigator. This was the fourth call by the police for his status as a witness.

Bill Peterson continued to take notes, a voice recorder to his left.

"To spend the night before the new year, I'd like to find some entertainment." Joey still maintained his casual demeanor, occasionally shrugging his shoulders.

"Go on," Bill pleaded as Joey took a pause.

"Until I met Jacob."

"What did you talk about?"

"I don't remember for sure, we just greeted each other, until the BMW came at full speed and shot Jacob."

Bill Peterson squinted at Joey who showed no lies in his movements, but the investigator was sure that what Joey said was not the truth.

A few questions later, the investigation into Joey ended after three hours had passed.

Bill Peterson closed his notes and turned off the recorder. Before that, his eyes couldn't leave the young man's figure. Folding his arms across his chest, his back resting on the chair, Bill asked Joey a question that took his breath away.

"What is your relationship with Domenico Cassano?" His tone was firm, as was the man's.

"Just acquaintances," Joey replied quickly, his voice sounding trepidatious. For reassurance, he looked the investigator right in the eye.

A rough snort came from Bill's side, the middle-aged man's lips curving into a lopsided smile.

Joey let out a long breath. "I'm sure, you must know how the entertainment industry works behind the scenes. Apart from bribery, sleeping with senior actors, producers or those in important positions has a big impact on building a career."

Contrary to what he said, Joey built his career from scratch, starting as a supporting actor, until he got the lead role without auditioning, all because of his hard work, as well as the support of Charlie, who was the most instrumental for Joey.

Bill Peterson was quite interested. He was sure that Joey wouldn't dare to leave before he actually ended this investigation session. All the years he had been an investigator, instinct drove him to dig for more questions.

"As far as I know, Cassano is not interested in the entertainment industry where celebrities are involved." Bill thought Joey needed time to think about his answer, but he didn't, the young man immediately explained in a clear and concise manner.

"Indeed." Joey leaned back in his chair, his gaze never leaving the pair of hazel eyes that stared at him probingly. "It just so happens that one of his close acquaintances is a producer whose movie I'm currently starring in. So, I asked him to introduce me to that producer. In return, you know yourself."

"I don't think someone like him would immediately want to meet, let alone fulfill a favor from just anyone who came along."

Joey smiled slightly. "My mom knows him, and vice versa." Let's just say he let slip.

What Joey said just now surprised Bill. When another question was about to be asked, Joey interrupted first.

"My examination is over, right, Mr. Peterson? You have no right to keep me here and ask me questions that have nothing to do with this case." Joey stood up first, his expression flat, staring coldly at the investigator's figure. The wooden table dividing them hid Joey's fists as he blocked his emotions. He hated someone trying to dig into him, his relationship with Dom, especially his past—even a little.

Bill nodded. "Report immediately if you receive threats from someone or something, evidence that you recall and that relates to this case."

Joey nodded silently. Not that he doubted the police-their work didn't have much effect on the mafia, including the intruder who broke into his apartment. Joey stuffed his hands into the pockets of his gray top coat that kept out the cold. He left the interrogation room with an officer at his side.

Along the corridor, Joey looked down. He was in a bad mood, not to mention the swarm of reporters waiting for him in front of the police station. His lips were stiff, even smiling slightly was difficult. Joey glanced back, checking if the investigator was following him.

Joey's attention was keen enough to make sure he wasn't being followed. Because after this there was someone he had to meet.

No matter how cold it is, it's a journalist's job to chase down the latest news, especially those that spread like a virus. The camera shots and chatter of those waiting for Joey Carter buzzed in his ears.

Joey followed the instructions of a man he knew-before the inspection took place; turn left at the lobby. He quickened his pace-before his figure was spotted by one of the reporters. The left wing of the New York Police Dept. office was lined with police cars and parked vehicles. There, a man in a black leather jacket she recognized as a bodyguard was waiting for her with a Mustang Shelby.

"Mr. Cassano is waiting," he said, walking one step ahead of Joey. The man opened the back door. Joey entered without prompting.

A handsome man in his early forties greeted him with a charming smile, sitting back and waiting. Joey and the man exchanged a brief glance as he sat down next to him.

Domenico Cassano examined every detail of the young man's face who now wore a sullen look.

"Let go." Joey dismissed Domenico's hand holding his head several times as the man gazed more intently with compulsion, continuing to briefly explore the body. Domenico stopped when he felt he had not found the slightest abrasion on Joey.

"Where's my longing hug?" asked Domenico, his fingertips feeling the softness of the young man's right cheek.

Joey immediately looked away from Domenico's seductive gaze. "You shouldn't be here." He knew that the mafia boss' return from Sicily was not to hear that sentence.

"You told Sicily for a month," Joey added, staring ahead as Domenico's bodyguard entered the car, sat in the driver's seat, and sped the Mustang Shelby to its destination.

Domenico didn't reply. He didn't need to explain, and he was sure Joey knew why he was leaving early. No words came out of the man's mouth. Instead, Domenico put his arm around Joey, bringing the young man to lean on his shoulder. There was no resistance. A resigned Joey made himself comfortable with Domenico throughout the journey.

*

"It's good to see you home, Joey." Domenico spread his arms, expecting the young man to rush into his arms.

"Home?" Joey asked, unconcerned, in a room with an all-white, romanesque interior. There were Romanesque carvings in the corners, columns, fireplace, and the upper wall where the chandelier hung.

"This is where you live-no, this is where you live with me. Not the apartment, not where you stayed last night." Domenico explained clearly.

Joey was surprised. It turned out that Domenico had been spying on him since yesterday.

"Stop watching my life, Dom," Joey protested. Feeling annoyed that his life was being watched.

"Stop? Ahaha." Domenico laughed briefly. "I've been doing it for a week while I was in Sicily. And look what happened to you." His feet took one step forward as he watched Joey who was now looking down, staring at the gray marble floor he was standing on.

"It was just a coincidence. Everyone has bad luck in their lives." Joey didn't want the frustration he harbored over the case to be known to Domenico when their eyes met, so he turned to the fireplace. A small fire ignited the pieces of wood inside. Joey walked over to the hearth in search of warmth, ignoring his host.

Domenico let out a long sigh at the stubbornness of the young man who kept trying to ignore him. "This cruel world is no match for a kitten who has spent most of his life being loved, even a lion with its own territory has to compete with other animals," he said as he approached.

Joey snorted when he heard the word affection Domenico said. Adding dry wood to the fireplace until the flames ignited and grew.

"You know I love you, Joey. I don't want you to be bothered by strangers, let alone get hurt." Domenico was already standing behind Joey, wrapping his arms around the young man's waist, showing his embrace was warmer than a fireplace burning in winter.

"You're the one who hurt me, bothered my mother." Joey's blue eyes were glued to the fire that was slowly burning the dry logs, creating sparks and smoke that soared up the chimney.

"Do you still hold a grudge against me about that, after all these years?" asked Domenico, whispering in Joey's ear as he tightened his embrace. The young man didn't answer, so Domenico continued, "Your mother knew what the consequences of waking a sleeping lion would be, but she did it."

Joey was silent, his hands grasping the larger hand that was like a shackle.

"Don't be so tough, your acting doesn't fool me."

"I'm not ..." Joey held his breath as Domenico's lips kissed the skin of his neck, coming into contact with the manly jaw that was covered in fine hair, tingling yet transmitting warmth to the deepest parts of his body. Closing his eyes, he was passive as the kiss was more sustained, swept by a warm, swept by a warm, wet tongue that caused the kind of excitement Joey had felt before.

"What's so hard, tell me you miss me." Domenico smiled slightly at Joey's silent reaction as if enjoying his touch. The hand that had been wrapped around the young man's waist reached down to stroke something down there. Joey reflexively bit his lower lip.

"Bullshit," Joey responded to what Domenico had just said. He turned around, fully facing the man who had his arms around his waist again.

Domenico laughed for a moment, then brought his face closer to the handsome face that could be said to be beautiful with its blue eyes and soft blond hair. Joey lifted his gaze to the taller man, as Domenico's hand brushed the side of his head fondly with his fingers.

The dashing scent of musk ignited Joey's desire, as the low voice whispered. "Want me to help you get rid of that frustration?"

Joey chose to remain silent, knowing that Domenico was not done with his words.

"That tight feeling in your chest. You need a release, to calm your mind, at least for a while," Domenico continued.

"No," Joey refused, knowing full well that Domenico would ask him to serve his deviant activities again.

"No ..., no handcuffs, no whips let alone my toy collection, I promise." Domenico coaxed, thumb brushing Joey's lower lip gently. "You can do whatever you want."

Joey gazed into hazel eyes that held a warm glow. Then, with full realization, Joey kissed Domenico's lips

[]