Page 67 of Without Fail

Right now was not that time.

Ryker left the hospital three days later and Marshal moved into the man’s suite of rooms.

It wasn’t an overt thing that happened…like he didn’t move all of his shit in there at once, but he managed to add in things every day. A toothbrush, toiletries, clothes in Ryker’s closet, and he had taken to sleeping in either Ryker’s bed or the guest house, except on Christmas when he went home to spend it with his family.

He still hadn’t come clean about anything, but they had made a plan to get into the safe the following week.

After that, when Marshal got the flash drive, shit would happen fast.

And Langston and Armani would go down.

Then he would take Ryker away and tell him everything.

Ryker hadn’t questioned him either. It was as if they had a mutual trust. He trusted Ryker more than anyone.

And right at that moment, Ryker trusted him.

He only hoped to God that his actions didn’t damage the man’s trust beyond repair. It was that fear that had him using every waking hour to bring them closer.

“Why are you hiring a new model?”

“Because I’m tired. I want to step back a bit from running modeling and just keep an eye on the day-to-day business,” Ryker said with a soft smile.

They were sitting on the bench in the heart of the maze and Marshal had turned sideways to put his head in Ryker’s lap. He gazed up into the man’s face, memorizing each feature.

“Want to travel?”

“And see the world.” Ryker combed fingers gently through his hair.

“Where to first?”

“Rome. Wanna come?”

“Try and keep me away.”

“Never.” Ryker smiled.

“So, you’ll need to hire a new model,” Marshal said.

“I’m hoping that Aspen will take the job. I know he’s a minor, but if he’s interested, I’ll go through the hoops.”

Winchester Armani had yet to find Aspen and Cohen had started the process to emancipate the youth from the abusive asshole. The court date was set in March and Marshal planned on being there. That was if the court date happened. Because by that time, Armani might just be behind bars and Aspen won’t need to go through the courts to be separated from his father.

Of course, Aspen would lose all funds available when the courts locked up the money, but as of this moment, Marshal had plans to let Aspen live with them until he went off to college.

“What are you thinking about?” Ryker asked, cupping his cheek.

“About letting Aspen live with me and the kids.”

Ryker smiled and then grew pensive.

Marshal didn’t need to be a scientist to read the signs. “I want you to meet them.”

A bright light lit the blue depths of Ryker’s eyes and Marshal reached up to pull the man’s head down for a slow, aching kiss.

Ryker laughed at Real when the man gave a pained glance at his phone.

He’d met the guy several days ago at the hospital and liked him instantly. Real reminded him of Marshal.

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