Nineteen

For a minute, he forgot to breathe.

Hearing his late boyfriend's name on the crime boss' mouth seemed surreal until asked him to repeat it again.

"Zack Ryder," Damien said in an offhanded manner. "I've never met him personally but we corresponded through emails and Skype phone calls."

Dean felt his heart sank. Zack? Zack was alive? He had spent a good seven months in therapy because of Zack's death. Now he was alive? Was he working undercover? But if he was, wouldn't Captain have told him?

But if what Damien said was true about Zack running the whole operation, then that meant Dean had to go after him. But Zack… He threw away everything he had learnt as an officer. That made him dangerous.

How could you, Zack, he thought. I trusted you. It took me a while to get over losing you. Thanks to Roman-

Roman.

Dean had to make sure he was okay. He felt something funny at the pit of his stomach so he slumped against the seat. If Zack was the mastermind, he knew those men who had tried to attack Roman; he could possibly know what Roman meant to Dean.

He had to make sure Roman was safe.

"Are you okay?" Damien asked with concern when Dean rubbed his temples.

"I don't feel so good," Dean replied.

"Do you want me to drive you back?"

"Would you?"

"No problem."

Roman put his cue stick down and went to the bar to place an order of beer. Rusev was dancing with his fiancee, Lana. Chris was twirling Kevin around who was laughing. The Samoan chef smiled at that sight from the bar as the bartender prepared his order.

"It's on me," a man said from behind him.

He turned around and found a brunette with moustache and beard whose looks reminded him of someone he had seen before somewhere. He just couldn't tell who.

"That's nice of you but I can pay for my own," he declined.

"Nothing wrong with buying a beer for a handsome man like yourself. I mean I hope I'm not barking up the wrong tree."

"You're not. But I have a boyfriend so…"

The man nodded. "Dean Ambrose?"

Roman froze. "How did you know?"

"Pleasure to meet the man who managed to make a cold man like Dean fall in love." He took Roman's hand and shook it. "Oh come on. Why the shock?"

"Who are you?" Roman pulled his hand away.

"Zack. Zack Ryder. I'm sure he's mentioned me. I mean how could he not?"

Roman was shocked. "But… you're… you're…"

"Dead?" Zack laughed. "Oh on the contrary… I had some help from the inside."

"But why?"

"That's none of your business."

"It was because of you that Dean was depressed and-"

"Yeah. I feel really bad about that," he replied sarcastically. "I'm not at all concerned about what Dean is doing. You, my friend, are in the way."

Zack took a step towards Roman, a sneer on his face. Roman didn't like the vibe he gave off. Surely he wouldn't attack him in front of all these patrons-

"Get away from him, Zack."

Zack laughed at the sound of the voice. Roman sighed in relief inwardly when he caught sight of Dean standing behind Zack, his face twisted in a sneer too.

"Darling… guess who's back?" Zack cooed.

"Fuck you, Zack," Dean countered.

"We used to. We went at it like crazy, remember?"

"I remember you being dead."

"You should be happy, Dean. We can continue our plans."

"Plans? What plans? Unless you're some damn magician, you better have a damn good explanation for the things you did."

Zack threw his head back and laughed. "Now why would I want to explain myself to you?"

Dean stretched his hand out to Roman. "Come on, Roman." He quickly pulled Roman and pushed him behind protectively.

"You forgot about me so fast?" his "late" boyfriend asked. "So it's like that, Dean?"

"It's like a lot of things, Zack."

Roman could feel the tension radiating between both men. Dean's fists were clenched and Zack looked amused.

"Tonight's not the night, Dean," Zack said. "I know how you work."

"Don't flatter yourself, baby," Dean taunted. "I know exactly how you work too."

Zack conceded and bowed his head before he sauntered out of the bar slowly. His boyfriend turned around and looked at him. "You okay?" he asked, his blue eyes filled with concern.

Roman nodded. "Yeah. That's… Zack. How-"

"I'd like to know that myself." He looked at Roman slightly upset. "I'm sorry for tracking you even though it's not been twenty four hours."

"I'm glad you did. Really I am." The thought hit him and he tried to shove it aside but it failed. "I… now that he's back, what does it mean for the both of us?"

"We're still us. You're mine. Besides, I wouldn't want to date a criminal."

"Criminal?"

"I'll explain at home. I had John send our things back."

"To the apartment?"

"My other home."

"You have two homes?"

"Yep. You shouldn't be surprised knowing how wealthy my family is."

Dean's second home was unknown to many people except Dwayne and John. It was a penthouse apartment overlooking the city. His apartment was at the highest floor - the fifty second floor - and had two bedrooms with two bathrooms a with spectacular view of the park which they had their first date at.

There was also a granite eat in open kitchen with custom made oak cabinets, refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave, & stainless steel hood. The kitchen overlooked the living area with French doors to guest bedroom.

He had John leave their bags at the concierge which he took with him upstairs to the apartment. Once the doors were secured, he opened the refrigerator and tossed Roman a bottled water.

"He's the one who's been running this whole operation," he revealed.

"What?" Roman replied. "But why-"

"I'm just as clueless about it as you are."

Roman frowned. "What happened to Damien?"

Dean took off his t-shirt and wiped his face with it. "I faked an illness so he dropped me off at the hotel. I snuck out again and tracked you."

"You knew he'd be after me."

"I wasn't sure of that to be honest. I just found myself being worried he may go after you. After all, three of his men tried to hurt you." He sighed. "And now I know why."

"Wait. Doesn't Damien know who you really are?"

"Damien has never met the guy before. They correspond through emails and Skype. If anything, Damien seems to be a pawn in the scheme of things. But I'm not taking any chances. I'm starting to wonder how deep this whole thing is. Did he even have help from the inside? Captain? His dad?"

"Dean, he said I was in the way."

He found Roman looking a bit shaken. "You're not, Roman. If anything, he's in the way. He's supposed to be dead."

"What I meant was he may come after me."

"And I expect him to. That's why I have Dwayne take time off to help me look out for you while I finish this thing between me and him once and for all. John will help me out at the station."

"Dean, I'll be fine. You already have a tracker on me. I don't think I want a person looking over me."

"But-"

"Please? I'll be okay."

"No, you won't, Roman. I know this guy. He was my brother. He was my friend. He was my lover."

"Dean…"

"No."

"Are we seriously doing this again?"

Dean shook his head and headed to the room. "Do whatever you want, Roman." Why his boyfriend wanted to argue with him on this he'd never understand. But he was in no mood to fight with him.

He took a quick shower and changed into a pair of boxers. Roman was in bed when he came out of the bathroom. "Dean? You're angry with me, aren't you?"

"Nope. It's your life. You can do whatever you want. If you think you'd be fine against a man who has specialised training in various techniques, then hey good for you."

He got into bed and turned away from Roman.

Still his boyfriend persisted. "You are angry. Dean-"

"I'm trying to get some sleep," he said through gritted teeth.

"But you have to understand. I just want some privacy and-"

The auburn haired cop didn't want to hear anymore. He woke up and took his handcuffs from his jean pocket. "I'm placing you under arrest, Roman."

His boyfriend panicked. "What? Dean, why?"

"You are under arrest." He slapped the cuffs over Roman's wrists in front. "You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say-"

"But what am I being arrested for?"

"For being a stubborn headed man."

He yanked Roman's boxers down. His boyfriend squirmed. "Dean!"

Blue eyes stared into brown eyes before lips were furiously engaged in a passionate snare. Roman moved slowly and Dean pinned him while he tried his best to drive him out of his mind.

"Dean…"

"Beg, Roman."

"No."

"Stubborn again, are we?"

He frowned. "I have rights."

"Which have been stripped." He glanced at Roman's exposed flesh. "Literally."

"You-!"

Dean's lips came crashing over his to silence him. He coaxed him gently to open his mouth and when he did, their kissing became more intense with the undercover cop's hands groping him at his arms, butt and thighs.

Roman's cuffed hands were fidgeting against Dean's abdomen. The auburn haired cop moved his lips lower and lower until he reached Roman's length.

He softly kissed Roman again who moved about wildly. "Dean… please."

And Dean grinned. "Now you're talking."

"Shouldn't you remove your clothes too?"

A flashback to their first time together.

His boyfriend was gazing at him with desire, his lips swollen from the kissing.

Dean got out of bed and took off his boxers. He nudged Roman's thighs apart and continued to kiss him. "I love you," he whispered into Roman's ear.

After prepping him, he thrusted slowly into him watching Roman's facial expressions. How lucky he was to have met him; to have him love him.

He was a beautiful person. He was naive yet stubborn. He was a dreamer yet a realist too. He had the power to melt Dean's heart and possibly break it.

When Roman came, his voice was music to Dean's ear. The blue eyed man gave in to his own pleasure not long after and slowly withdrew.

When he removed the cuffs, Roman threw his arms around his neck and kissed him with tenderness.

He wished Roman would listen to him but he wouldn't push it.

At least not in front of his face.

He was just about to fall asleep when his cell phone buzzed with a message. From the same unknown number from the day before. Meet me at the alley near Joe's at eleven. Don't be late.

He glanced up to see Roman sound asleep with a smile on his face. A rush of love overcame him. Anyone who wanted to hurt him would have to go through Dean. And if Dean was not around, he knew he could count on Dwayne.

He found Zack standing by the red bricked wall with a smirk on his face at eleven. As Dean approached, he said, "I was so sure that the picture would break you both up."

"You underestimated how much I love him," Dean remarked. "Then again, you always underestimated things."

"You love someone? You're so damn cold I find it hard to believe that you met someone and fell in love with him."

"Don't be jealous."

Zack laughed. "Oh I was always jealous, Dean. You just never noticed."

Dean was furious."I cared about you like a brother. I grieved for you."

"Oh and I appreciate it."

"Do you?"

"Oh yes. I know it's bugging you to no end why I did it."

Dean nodded before grabbing him by his collar and slamming him against the light post. "I don't give a fuck why you did it. I'm more interested in kicking your ass."

Zack laughed. "You've changed."

"Shut up."

"I always wanted money and power to prove to your dick head father I was the best candidate. He slammed me down… he shamed me. He thought I wasn't good enough for you. He called me names."

"Those were your reasons? As far as reasons go, those are dumb."

"And then there was you. Always the favorite in our squad. Always had to go out of your way to prove you were better than the rest of us."

"That was never my intention!"

"I never needed your help all those times. I was fine on my own!"

"I saved your ass all those times. You were nearly decapitated during one of those stings."

"You had it all. Don't think I don't know that they gave you a huge bonus for cracking the McGee case. I was stuck on a cop's salary, Dean. You are just Daddy's little rich boy playing cop while millions sit in your bank."

You think you know someone only to find out you didn't. Dean was beyond pissed. Years of brotherhood shattered because of envy, gluttony… "I'm taking you down, Zack."

"Oh I don't think so, Dean," the brunette said. "Your precious Roman will pay for it if you even get an inch near me. I'll auction him off so fast you won't be able to find him. And people will pay good price for someone who looks like him."

Threatening Dean - especially when it was about Roman - didn't sit too well with him. The undercover cop gave him the middle finger. "Watch your back, Zack. It's me you don't want to be messing with."

Zack gritted. "You smug assed prick-"

"Heard it all, Zack."

"Of course you have, my love. Let the games begin."

"You'll be wishing you hadn't played games with me."

Roman had woken up to Dean doing push ups in his living room the next morning. "Babe?" he said.

His boyfriend continued with his exercise. "Yeah?"

"I'm heading to work. You told Dwayne to back off right?"

"No."

"Dean-"

"I'm not going to, Roman. I don't think you realise how serious this is. He wants to auction you off."

Roman felt the wind knocked out of him. "He said that?"

"Yes."

"Maybe he's bluffing."

"I doubt it."

"I'll talk to Dwayne."

"Roman, stop being stubborn. I'll have someone watch over you and that's it."

Roman shook his head. "Fine."

As the warm water poured over him, his thoughts wandered to Zack. Auction him. Those were the exact same words Braun had used.

"Auction him? I hope he fucks as good as he looks."

When he was ready to leave, he found Dean waiting for him in the living room with a mug of coffee. "Roman," he began in a voice filled with remorse. "I hope you understand. I know Zack. He's quite relentless. I won't have Dwayne follow your every move but just when you arrive to work and leave to get back here. Okay?"

"Okay," he agreed "Thanks, Dean."

He kissed Dean before he took the mug of coffee. "One more thing," his boyfriend said. He opened his bag and took out a small chip. "I need you to hide these in the pocket of your boxers."

"Another tracker?"

"Just in case. Please? For my peace of mind?"

"Okay." After all, if he was what Dean said he was, Roman didn't want to take any risks.

"Stay safe," his boyfriend said before kissing him.

"I will."

There was a seminar by Standard Chartered bank at the hotel so they had coffee breaks to prepare for. Roman took out the tray of freshly baked croissant in the bread basket and went out to the reception area where the coffee break was held.

A wide selection of assorted muffins, quiche and now croissants were being served.

He arranged neatly on the serving dishes and placed the name tags accordingly while thinking of what his next task was.

"Nice. Very nice."

That voice.

Roman turned behind and found Zack in a business suit smiling at him. "What? Did you think I was going to confront you outside your workplace? No, Roman. I'm smarter than that."

He frowned. "You… you wouldn't dare in front of all these people…"

"Wouldn't I? Do you even know who you're messing with? You're going to follow me, Roman. And then I'm going to need you to strip out of your clothes in this club I'm bringing you to."

"Back off, Zack. You lay a finger on him and you're dead."

Roman was surprised to find Dean standing behind again. He was decked out in a suit but his face was one of a deadly stare. Zack put his hands up and smiled. "Wow, Dean. You really do love him."

Dean merely glared at him and he smirked before striding out like he owned the place.

"Dean?" Roman was surprised. "How did you-"

"I know him, remember?" His boyfriend shook his head. "Now do you know why I'm so hell bent on getting someone to follow you?"

"Yeah. I'm sorry, Dean. I mean, all those times… Maybe you should track me if I don't pick up the phone the second time you call."

And Dean smiled. "That's better. But trust me, Roman. This is far from being over."

A/N Zack's just getting started… Thank you for the favorites/follows/reviews. I appreciate it.