Page 56 of How Much For A Broken Heart?

“Do you trust him not to go off-book? Do you trust him to play his part in the team?”

“I’ll watch him every moment.”

Ethan sighed. “That wasn’t what I asked you.”

“I don’t have an answer.”

“I can’t put the team at risk on you saying you’ll watch him,” he said.

“I understand, but he’s a team player, a SEAL to the core, and he’s got a heart, Cap.”

Ethan was lost in thought for a moment. “I’ll work something up with Aria, ask for volunteers to go in alongside you and August.”

“Thank you.”

We stood and met in the middle, clasping hands before he pulled me into a bro hug. “Watch him,” was all Ethan said, and then, we separated, him back to Swim Central, and me to find August.

As I contemplated the decision to trust August, I did wonder for a moment if I was being led by my dick, seeing things in August that weren’t there, then placing the weight of an entire team’s safety on his judgment.

So how did I fix this feeling?

First off, I needed to track August down.

I found him on the walkway and stood close to him, inhaling the scent of the leather jacket he’d borrowed from someone, and the citrus of his shower gel. I wanted to hold hands, but it was stupid. Both of us watched Annie as she played tag with one of the other kids. Her laughter echoed in the air, and a faint smile tugged at my lips, but when I glanced at August, he was distracted, torn, and I wished I knew what to say. His hands were in fists, he was vibrating with tension, and every time it seemed she might look up at us, he moved out of sight. Eventually, she grew tired and settled on a sofa with a teddy bear, drifting into a peaceful slumber. Josh, along with his son, Ben, were down there with some other kids, and I knew Josh kept a protective eye on her.

“Annie is safe here,” he whispered, “all these people care for her.” Then, he turned to leave.

I couldn’t help but break the silence. “You doing okay?”

He hesitated for a moment before responding. “Yeah, I’m fine. I just need to find Amos.”

My gaze remained steady, and I voiced a question that had been lingering in my thoughts. “What’s your plan when you do find Amos?”

His jaw clenched. “What do you want me to say?”

I leaned against the wall. “What do you want to say?”

“More fucking questions,” he muttered, then scrubbed at his hair. “Fuck, I don’t know,” he admitted, frustration lacing his voice. “Amos took Annie, he had no reason to, which means he had to be responsible for killing James, which… look; I can’t let him continue to affect our lives. I have to confront him, for Annie’s sake, for the people he’s hurt, and for closure.”

I reached out a hand and waited for him to take it, only a little surprised when he grasped it and laced our fingers. August and I stood there in silence.

“We’re leaving in the morning,” I said.

He nodded, then tugged me closer for the gentlest of kisses. I wished for a moment that the world would fade away, that we could escape the shadows of our past, but reality had a way of holding on, and we had to confront it.

“I need…” he began.

I knew what he meant, and it was right to head back to my room. I squeezed his hand gently, signaling that it was time to go, then I turned and started walking, leading us through the corridors of the facility. August followed, our steps matching, tension so thick I could cut it with a knife.

As soon as my door shut, I crowded him against the door. He could take me down in seconds—I’d seen his moves—but I’d fight him for every inch.

“This could be more,” I said, leaving no room for discussion.

“Yes.”

“I’m negative, PrEP, condoms, vers, you?”

He blinked at me, as if getting that out of the way was something he hadn’t done in a long time.

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