Nada. Another dead end.

They had been combing through videos and filed for three weeks with nothing to show. Toni and Jaiden had chased every lead they could think of, even the smallest thing, but I lead to nothing but more questions. How could someone commit such a horrendous crime and leave no evidence?

Cynthia Silva had been meeting her secret lover for at least five months before her death. Only Darlene knew about it but was only made aware of the fact two months ago.

After checking everything they could, they finally had to ask her husband, Danny, about it. Jaiden was the one who broke the news and had to watch the man crumble even more. He watched as Danny's shoulders shook and he sunk to the table, his strength leaving him. His sobs shook the room, and Jaiden was left helpless. He couldn't help this man or comfort him.

Jaiden had never experienced betrayal like this before. Loss, yes. But he never cared about his partner enough to feel so broken if they cheated. He never cried for them. He never pleaded. He never compromised. He simply turned and walked away with a shred of sorrow.

I thought that something was broken inside of him that made him incapable of caring. But he was starting to notice that something was changing when he was with Toni.

They had their moments together, but between work and the increasing nightmares, their intimacy has stagnated. It was like going through withdrawals because Jaiden was craving Toni. Their 12+ hour workdays combined with Jaiden practically living with Toni these last three weeks had turned into a torturous tease. Jaiden had found himself paying increasingly more attention to Toni, making him hyperaware of him.

He started to see countless aspects of Toni that made him admire him even more, like how seriously he handled his job. In truth, Toni loved his job. Solving cases wasn't about his ego, but a sincere desire to resolve a mystery.

But Jaiden was also learning Toni's habits and body language. His jaw would clench slightly when he was frustrated. He would stand taller, and his arms would flex when angry. When they thought they had a lead on the case his warm eyes would carry a spark. And the rare (but not so pure) smile that he would flash Jaiden from time to time was knee weakening.

What Jaiden truly appreciated was that he was an extremely curious soul, always trying to find an answer. Jaiden was nothing but a mystery with everything he kept inside, and he could see Toni desiring to learn more. However, he respected Jaiden enough to limit his questions and to give him time.

What Jaiden loved about this new chapter in his life was that he was starting to live again. He used to avoid everything he would do with Carlos before, like watching the sunrise and sunset. He never wanted to do it by himself because the absence of Carlos would amplify his loneliness.

But now he was finding himself sitting out on the porch with Toni watching the sunrise and marvel the sky when it exploded with colors. He now had someone to join him and admire Carlos' beloved sun.

Sometimes the smallest things were the biggest gifts.

While he was enjoying the experiences and the things he was learning about Toni, the more he felt fear. He liked the life he was living now. He liked being a part of Toni's life, but he didn't know how long it would continue. When would Toni tire of him?

However, his fears were pushed to the back of his mind this Saturday night. He was dressed in tight pants and a shirt, being led by Toni through an obnoxiously loud club.

Toni (with Nate's obnoxious prodding) suggested that they go club hopping. Jaiden immediately hated the idea, but that damn smile made him tag along.

They decided to scout the clubs that Cynthia would always disappear to. The cell towers could only triangulate the last location of a mobile phone's ping on the network. It wasn't an exact location, but if gave them an idea. Compared to older technology, it was thankfully a small radius. However, that radius meant jack shit when the street was packed with clubs and bars. There were at least five locations she could have visited.

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

The only redeeming factor of going to this horrendous club was the shirt Toni was wearing. It was black V-neck that dipped beautifully low on his chest, and it was tight enough that it could have been painted on him. It accentuated every muscle and line of his body and Jaiden found his mouth watering.

There were drunken bodies packed on the dance floor, grinding on top of each other. They didn't care about how they were spilling their alcohol. They were letting go of their inhibitions with the beat of the electric music. The flashing lights distorted perception and seemed to make the people freer.

Jaiden just wanted to get to bar and do his job, but he kept getting bumped into and the crowding people were agitating him. He tried to keep his eyes on Toni's backside. Not only was it a good view, but it was a sense of comfort, which was what he needed in a place so cumbersome.

Toni turned to make sure that Jaiden was still behind him, and saw the tight expression on Jaiden's face, as well as the unease in his eyes. He reached out and pulled Jaiden close until he was flushed against him. He bent a little, his lips brushed against his ear.

"Let's stay by the bar. We can see who lingers here and maybe ask the bartenders a couple of questions." Toni suggested.

Toni was about to break away but stopped when he felt Jaiden's hands wrap around his waist and held him close. Toni chuckled from Jaiden's actions. It had been difficult for him as well to refrain from expressing his desires. Jaiden had spent weeks with him, to the point where it was becoming natural.

Jaiden was still closed off, and he only got glimpses of his fears through the yells and cries his nightmares elicited. Toni never forced Jaiden to explain and had decided to be patient because he believed that it would be worth it in the end.

"Jaiden." He called out in a low voice, feeling the temptation of just turning around and taking him to bed.

Jaiden looked up at him, his hazel eyes nearly burning into him. He was just a little shorter than him, so he had to raise off his heels to reach his lips. But when he connected, Toni groaned from the sensation.

Their lips moved in sync, hungry for each other. The noise seemed to have disappeared when they were connected and there was a mutual desire for more.

Toni sighed as Jaiden pulled back and broke the kiss. He brushed Jaiden's hair back a little. "If you're trying to seduce me to get out of clubbing with me, it might just work."

Jaiden grinned. "Good to know."

"Might work. But unlikely." Toni tried to steel himself. They still needed to get as much information as possible here. Although Jaiden had a dangerous look in his eyes, Toni knew that he would keep to his code and focus on work.

Jaiden laughed and kissed him quickly. "Come on, let's get this shit over with."

Still holding hands, they made their way to the bar. Jaiden found an empty stool and sat down. Toni leaned in. "I'll go to the other side for now and ask about our victim while you cover this side."

Jaiden nodded and watched him walk away. He felt a little irked noticing that he wasn't the only one keeping an eye on Toni. He rubbed his eyes for a second and waved at the female bartender with a low-cut shirt. She grinned and moved towards him and leaned on the counter, exposing more of her plunging neckline.

"What can I get you, handsome."

He smiled a little. "Just a moment of you time." He pulled out a picture of Cynthia with his badge. "Just checking if you have seen this woman here before. Probably on a Saturday."

She frowned little. "Doesn't look like my usual customer, but we get a lot of people on Saturdays." She turned to another bartender nearby. "Hey, David, come here."

David gave her a curious look but still came over and looked at the picture that she was pointing at. "Seen here before?"

David's eyes narrowed. "She looks a little familiar, especially if you put her in something a little skimpier. The clothes she's wearing in the picture doesn't fit the unspoken dress code of the club. But I think I have seen that face before. It's been a while and she never came to my area."

"Do you happen to remember whose area?"

"I think Marcos." David answered and the female let out a disappointed click of her tongue.

Jaiden looked around. "Marcos?"

"He doesn't work here anymore. Moved out of town about two, three months ago. The boss should have a little more information about him when he is back on Monday."

"Would you say that's the last you saw this woman?" Jaiden asked.

David shrugged. "I can't say for sure. She may have come a couple of times after him, but after a while all the faces blend together."

Jaiden nodded and passed over his business card. "If you happen to recall any more details, give me a call."

The female bartender looked at the card. "Jaiden Ryder? I'm Sierra."

She held out her hand and he shook it. She held on and leaned close. "Can I just get your number for fun?"

Jaiden laughed. "You're beautiful, but just not my type."

She pouted. "And what is your type?"

Jaiden bent over the counter a little as if he was going to tell her a secret. "See the blonde at the other side of it the bar?"

"The one who is wearing less than a stripper on a pole?" She pursed her lips. "I guess all men are into that."

"My type is the handsome man standing next to her and talking to the bartender." Jaiden said with a laugh.

Sierra's mouth fell open as she looked at Toni, the man Jaiden pointed out. "Shit... please tell me you are hitting that."

As if he could tell that someone was looking at him, he turned and locked eyes with Jaiden. He smirked and gave him a wink before he continued with his conversation.

Sierra hit Jaiden's arm. "Holy shit, you are hitting that." She fanned herself. "That's fucking hot."

Jaiden laughed and sat back down without answering.

She sighed and grabbed a few glasses. "Well, if you ever considered a fun third once in a while, I wouldn't mind being in the middle of you two." She winked and went to finish up her orders.

Jaiden's eyes widened and he couldn't find words to respond, which only made her laugh as she continued working. He finally shook his head and decided to watch the people dancing in the club. Occasionally he would watch Toni as he talked to the bartender.

David tapped him on the shoulder after a while and handed him a drink. Jaiden could tell that it was a Long Island Iced Tea, but it wasn't a drink he had touched in a long time. "What's this?"

"The guy at the end of the bar wanted to buy you a drink." David said and nodded his head in the opposite direction of Toni. Jaiden didn't bother looking in the direction of the person who bought his drink. He instead looked at Toni, but he seemed to still be caught up talking with the bartenders. He had no idea who would send him a drink, but he was not interested it.

"I can't handle this type of drink. Do you mind if I leave it here?" Jaiden said and pushed it back towards David.

"I already got paid, so I'll just toss it." He chuckled.

Jaiden nodded his thanks, and turned back around; however, he could feel someone staring at him, and he knew it wasn't Toni. Needing to sate his curiosity, he finally decided to look around and felt a heat of anger rush through him as he found a pair of blue eyes boring into him.