Page 64 of Sebastian

Fuck.

Had we really earned such official attention?

Surely one private investigator getting blown up didn’t warrant the director of the FBI getting personally involved.

I put on the best smile I could manage when I couldn’t properly feel my face.

“Director? What an honor. I’d get up and shake your hand, but I think my nurse will actually tie me to the bed if I even try.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Damien glaring at me. It was a clear message that said, “Don’t be an ass”.

I’d never been very good at obeying directions.

Director Thornton stared at me for a moment. His gray eyes were flat, like he didn’t know what to make of my flippant tone. But then a smile turned up the corners of his mouth.

“Mr. Roth. Your brother has mentioned your attitude before. I see he wasn’t exaggerating.”

It was my turn to shoot Damien a disgruntled look. I knew my brother maintained contact with the FBI, but when had he dealt with the director?

The FBI director took no notice of my silent conversation with Damien, or if he did, he chose to ignore it. “I’m glad to see these events haven’t dampened your spirit. We’re arranging protected accommodations for you as we speak. They should be ready soon so we can get you transferred.”

Damien and I certainly had things to say about that, but surprisingly it was Newt who spoke up first. He shot to his feet, staring up at the director with hard blue eyes, despite being a whole head shorter than the other man.

“Sebastian can’t go anywhere. It’s important for his healing that he not be moved too much while the pins and stitches in his leg settle.”

A sense of pride swelled in my chest as I watched Newt so fearlessly standing up to a man much bigger and more powerful than him. I shouldn’t have been surprised. Newt was shy about a lot of things, but he had always been dedicated to his patients.

The director looked down at Newt, his smile still glued to his face. “Ah, the civilian nurse. Newton Clary, right? Not to worry, our people have been advised of the situation and will provide him with the care he needs.”

Their people?

I didn’t like the sound of that.

“Tell your people not to worry about me. I’ve already got a great nurse taking care of me.”

Even in this tense situation, I couldn’t help the softness that filled my eyes when I looked over at Newt.

In response, the director’s smile grew stronger, turning his eyes into barely visible crescents. The only thing that kept the expression from looking like a snarl was the fact that his teeth weren’t showing.

“I’m sure Mr. Clary has done well, but he won’t be needed any longer.”

“Won’t be needed?” Damien stepped protectively in front of Newt. “You make it sound like he won’t be coming with us.”

Watching my brother protect my boyfriend without a moment’s hesitation should have brought a whole slew of warm emotions. Damien hadn’t approved of most of my previous partners, mostly because I’d focused on quick hookups rather than actually dating. So, his easy acceptance of Newt was refreshing.

Unfortunately, it was tainted by the current situation.

The director’s smile never wavered. “Witness protection is a means of preserving individuals that are important to an investigation. Mr. Clary will be sent home, and the two of you will be brought into our custody.”

With one hand on Newt’s shoulder, Damien shuffled him as far away from the director as the small room allowed. “That’s not a good idea. We suspect the explosion at the apartment was an inside job. There’s a traitor in your department, just like there was when Sebastian and I went into witness protection the first time. Gabe, tell him. You agreed with me when we talked about it earlier.”

Until that moment, Gabe had stood like a quiet sentinel at the director’s back, watching the exchange with sharp eyes. However, when Damien called out to him, his gaze locked onto the floor. His stance and posture never changed. His body may as well have been carved from marble, but the effort he put into avoiding eye contact spoke volumes.

“I do agree that it was likely an inside job.”

His voice was even more stoic than usual. After living in the same apartment for weeks, we’d spent enough time together to no longer be strangers. While I still didn’t know much about Gabe, we had at least been on casually good terms. Yet, it may as well have been my first meeting with the man, for he was even more rigid than usual.

After that one sentence, he fell silent and refused to say anymore.

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