Page 70 of Vail

It wasn’t until much later when we were home that I heard about two of my men being shot. None were killed, but Alton had his hands full for a bit. There was a room in my building much like the safe house. This one was concealed, so the cops never found it when they searched the property. Both of my men would be fine. Alton stressed they needed to rest and heal.

Every person who aided in the recovery of Vail and his family would be given a hefty bonus. I had never been more grateful for the people I had with me. They came through, ending the lives of those against us and doing it with precision. Every person was trained and more than capable. This was why I had the best working for me. Hopefully, I wouldn’t need to use them ever again to rescue the men I loved.

Vail sat in bed, warm pajamas covering him, and the blankets pulled up. He still reeled from the events of the day. If I had been arrested or Raiden and Reghan, it would have been worse. As it was, I could tell the cops were leery of Barrett’s account of what happened. We were able to rehearse it once more before the local cops showed up so when we were questioned separately, it lined up. My reputation as a master of lies held true.

The cops would no doubt have more questions for me, Vail, and the others. They’d find new excuses to arrest me or issue a search warrant. There would always be someone on my ass, waiting for me to slip up so they could haul me in. With Vail and Hartley in my home, I had to be more careful. The chief was pissed he couldn’t nail me for a crime, or so Barrett said. The fact I told them I didn’t have a gun on me made them more suspicious. It also kept me on the right side of the prison bars. Barrett was in a shit ton of trouble for not following protocol and not calling it in sooner. But he was already neck deep in it so he kept up the lie he'd crafted.

Hartley and I crawled into bed with Vail and kept him close. He shook against us but eventually calmed enough to sleep.

I wasn’t sure how long I lay awake before my phone vibrated, Sylvan’s name on the screen.

Sylvan: I’m so happy you’re all okay. Please don’t stay away for so long again. I enjoyed having you here. Maybe not all of you but a small group is fine.

Me: Vail and Hartley liked meeting you. We’ll be by again.

Sylvan: I’m looking forward to it.

I didn’t need him to craft a story for me today; however, his importance in my organization was as strong as ever.

At least I had my men safe in bed with me. There was no more Gil taunting Vail, trying to get him back, torturing him from afar or in person. We’d take the house in Vail’s name and tear it down, donate the land like we did with the other one. Someone could use it, though it wouldn’t be us. Even if there wasn’t death and destruction inside, a home Gil bought would never be lived in by us.

In the morning, I’d drag Vail to a chiropractor. I’d caught him repeatedly rubbing his neck.

It was hard to believe the day started with Vail and Forest visiting his sister. After all the events that came after, it felt like a year had passed, not a single day.

At least my men were safe and well. Vail would probably want to start therapy again. I’d find him the best therapist in the whole fucking city if he wanted me to. There was nothing I wouldn’t do for him and Hartley. No amount too high, no road too far. I would go to the fucking ends of the earth if it meant they were safe and healthy.

They mattered.

They were loved.

And I was the lucky fucker who was on the receiving end of their affection.

31

VAIL

“If one of you doesn’t put your hand on my dick today, I’m going to fucking explode,” I stated, walking into the kitchen.

Then I realized Irene was standing there and Reghan also heard from where he was near the elevator. I didn’t care about him hearing it as much as I did Irene.

“Dear, if I was younger, I wouldn’t protest one bit about touching you,” Irene said. “And if you weren’t Mr. Altair’s and Mr. Weathers’s as well. I think you need to speak to them, not me.”

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t know you were still here.” It was after eleven in the morning. She was usually gone by now.

“Saturday cleaning.”

“Shit.” That was right. She stayed longer on Saturdays to thoroughly clean the home, more than the daily chores she normally did.

“Mr. Altair is in his office and I’m not sure where Mr. Weathers went.”

Just then, the elevator dinged, and Hartley stepped out with Tahoe. Tahoe’s tail started whipping wildly when he saw me. He rushed forward, at least until he got to the end of the leash.

“If you’d wait one second, I’d unhook you so you can see your daddy,” Hartley told him.

As soon as Tahoe was free, he came toward me for his morning pets. I rubbed his ears and hips, giving him sufficient attention.

“It’s so nice out,” Hartley said. “Not warm like in late spring but it’s not freezing.”

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