Page 23 of Last Resort

Jaxon walked Erik back to the front entrance, chatting about the weather. Just as they reached the door, Jaxon put a hand on Erik’s arm.

“If either of you need anything, just call. I mean it.”

Erik smiled. “I know you do, and we appreciate it.”

His thoughts whirled as he drove back to Trinkets. He wondered whether Ben or the cops had turned up more information about the dead man and how—or if—there was a connection to the poker chips or something in his or Ben’s past.

“Find out anything?” Susan asked when he got to the shop.

The store was temporarily empty, so Erik filled her in on what he had learned.

“That’s a lot for a handful of old poker chips,” she said. “Do you think there’s any connection to the body Ben found?”

Erik wasn’t sure whether Susan kept a police scanner handy or just benefited from being the mother of the chief of police, but she always seemed to know what was going on.

“I hope not, but the way things seem to go for us, there’s probably something,” he admitted. “And we’ll find out when it bites us on the butt.”

The rest of the afternoon was uneventful, to Erik’s relief. He filled orders from the website while Susan took care of the handful of customers who drifted in to browse.

“Have a good evening,” he told Susan as they locked up.

“If you and Ben need anything, just let me know,” Susan replied, a standing offer that Erik deeply appreciated.

“I think I just need a nap,” Erik said. “I’ve had a headache since I got back from Jaxon’s.”

She checked her watch. “If you lie down right now, you might get some shuteye before Ben gets home. Sometimes fifteen minutes can do a world of good.”

He thanked her and climbed the stairs, promising himself Advil when he reached the kitchen. After swallowing a couple of tablets, Erik stretched out on the couch and pulled a throw blanket over himself.

Erik tried to relax and ignore the throbbing pain in his temples. He slowed his breathing and did his best to let go of the tension he felt in his neck and shoulders. After a bit, the pills kicked in, and the headache eased as he drifted off.

He found himself in the hallway outside his old apartment in Atlanta, the one he shared with Josh. His carry-on suitcase hugged his leg, and Erik moved his messenger bag out of the way as he reached for his keys. This last trip to Belgium had taken more out of him than he expected, and he had been happy for the chance to come home early.

Erik planned to freshen up and order dinner to surprise Josh when he got home from work. He’d missed his boyfriend. Constant travel wore on both of them, and Erik wanted to make it up to him.

His key turned in the lock, and he opened the door, then froze at the thumping noise he heard. Erik left his bags in the kitchen and pulled his phone from his pocket, ready to call the police if he had interrupted a robbery.

Moving silently, Erik entered the dining room—and saw two naked figures bent over the dining room table. Josh’s hips pumped as he fucked the man beneath him—Erik’s assistant, Lee.

Erik’s heart sped dangerously fast, and he felt the beginning of a panic attack rise.

“Get out!” he roared, and the two men uncoupled gracelessly.

“Erik—it isn’t…” Josh started.

“It absolutely is,” Erik yelled. “Get your pants and get out.” He looked at Lee. “You’re fired.” His attention returned to Josh, who didn’t even look ashamed. “You don’t live here anymore.”

“You can’t—” Josh protested.

“I totally can. My apartment. My lease. Now get the fuck out of here.”

Josh kept trying to argue, and Erik focused on breathing.

“Out!” he yelled to shut Josh up. Lee had already covered himself and fled.

“What did you expect when you’re never home?” Josh spat as he hurried into his clothes. “Did you think I’d wait forever? Lee’s more fun in the sack than you ever were.”

Erik picked up the closest thing at hand, a vase, and threw it down next to Josh. It practically exploded on the wood floor.

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