Page 16 of Without Fail

His trip with Bishop back to Cobalt on Wednesday had been nixed the moment he informed Brick about Ryker’s blood found on the threat.

Instead of going to Cobalt, Bishop along with Tanner, Rock, and a few others joined him at Langston’s estate along with the FBI.

He knew the extra people inside the house were making Ryker freak the fuck out, but it couldn’t be helped. The more people they had on site that Marshal trusted, the quicker they’d be able to solve what the fuck was going on.

Entering the main room, a familiar face in the crowd had Marshal gritting his teeth.

What the fuck was Donald Bass doing there?

He started through the crowd just as the man squatted down to offer some colorful stickers to a few children. Soon Bass was surrounded by kids of all ages wanting stickers and Marshal was blocked from confronting the man.

Now was not the time nor the place to haul Bass out of the building by the scruff of his neck.

But he was tempted and squeezed his hands into fists to keep a rein on his temper.

Ryker watched as Hailey put the stickers on the airplane, but the joy of creating was gone.

She did an okay job with finishing up and when she held the plane up for his inspection, he offered her a half-hearted smile. Shoving back from his chair, he left the plane and started toward the door. Hailey latched onto his arm and held tightly as he made his way back through the crowd.

It was easy to spot Marshal in the crush of people and he kept moving until he reached the bodyguard’s side. When Hailey tugged his arm toward the exit, Ryker pulled his arm out of her grip. She gave an annoyed sound and latched back onto him.

“Marshal.” A handsome-looking man who’d been handing out stickers walked toward them.

“Donald.” Marshal clipped the man’s name out.

The guy’s eyes went from Marshal to him and Hailey and widened slightly.

“Aren’t you going to introduce us?” Donald asked and didn’t wait for Marshal to speak, but rather stepped forward, offering Ryker his hand.

Ryker shook the extended hand and smiled, although it was hidden by his mask.

“Ryker Langston,” he said. “And this is Hailey Baldwin.”

“Donald Bass. It’s very nice to meet you,” the man said and then grinned at Marshal. “Don’t be a sourpuss. I only came to help.”

Ryker shot Marshal a glance and at that instant, a hard look of anger flickered in the glare that Marshal gave Donald.

Ryker grew more curious. Who the hell was Donald Bass and more importantly, what was he to Marshal? The guy was hands down attractive, no doubt, with his tall, lean frame, brown eyes, and curly blond hair.

Were they dating? Ryker didn’t think so, and even though Marshal preferred women, Ryker knew the man was bisexual.

That particular day had been eye-opening to him. He’d been twenty-one at the time and following Marshal around like a puppy during each college break.

He had overheard Marshal talking to Chad in the rear of the house.

“This is the guy I’m dating,” Chad showed Marshal his phone.

“He’s cute,” Marshal had agreed.

Chad glanced at Marshal in surprise.

“What?” Marshal smirked. “I’m bi.”

Two children running by knocked against him, bringing Ryker back to the noisy facility and he swept his eyes over the man talking to Marshal.

Maybe Donald was an ex-boyfriend? Was Donald the reason Marshal had left his employment? The thought sat like lead in his gut.

What about the moment in the closet? Had it all been in his head thinking there was something between them? Thinking that Marshal had wanted to kiss him?

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