Page 66 of Fatal Temptation

A smile tugged at his lips.

“Thank you, Sir.”

“I’m working with the DOJ and OPR to ensure Gemma gets the best outcome possible.”

Words clogged his throat and all he could do was nod. Gemma had impeded investigations and conspired with criminals, and though it had been under duress, that only helped her so far. Sanchez having her back was good, though. Last he’d spoken to Gemma, she’d told him she didn’t care what happened to her because her niece was home and safe.

He knew exactly what she meant. There was nothing he wouldn’t do, no laws he wouldn’t break, to keep Akio safe. He would tear down the world for him. It was why he’d gone into his bank box to retrieve his parents’ wedding bands earlier today. They were simple bands of gold, the smaller one with three in-set diamonds. He wanted to put that ring on Akio’s finger immediately, but he had to go get both rings resized before he got on his knee. He wanted that ring to slide onto Akio’s finger with ease.

He hadn’t even considered his parents’ rings with Chris. He’d bought something new. With Akio, though? Their history was important to them both so he knew how much Akio would appreciate Lucas including him in his.

Noise from the living room startled him and he was surprised when Sanchez reached out to squeeze his shoulder and motioned with a tilt of his head to get him walking.

He led the way to the living room and the absolute carnage they stepped into had him rolling his eyes. He had a feeling that today would be a long day, but he would end up enjoying it despite himself.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Akio

HE PULLED out the key Lucas had given him just a few days ago and unlocked the front door of his apartment. He was surprised to hear quite a bit of noise as he stepped inside.

“Luc?”

He heard hurried footsteps coming from the living room. He placed his bag on the floor and shrugged out of his jacket. He was hanging it up when Lucas appeared at the other end of the hallway.

“Hi, what’s?”

He had his face pressed against Lucas’ chest before he could finish his sentence. He huffed out a breath and rubbed his hands over Lucas’ back.

Lucas moved back with a deep sigh.

“I needed that,” Lucas said, smiling softly at Akio.

Akio put his hands up and said, “I wasn’t complaining.”

“I know,” Lucas said and stole a quick kiss before taking Akio’s hand, lips pressed together as if to stop a smile. “They’re here. My team.”

“Oh?”

Lucas’ eyes gleamed as he said, “They came to show their support.”

“That’s very nice of them.”

“Let’s see how nice you think they are after you see what they’ve done to our apartment,” Lucas said with a chuckle.

His heart fluttered at that word; our. He didn’t think Lucas had meant it as such though he did have a key burning a hole in his jacket pocket.

Lucas reached for him, fingers hooking into the belt loops on his jeans.

“Guess I’m not the only one that frowns when I’m stressed out,” Lucas said, leaning down to run his nose along Akio’s, their mouths so close they shared a breath.

“I’m not stressed out,” Akio said, the high tone of his voice betraying him.

“You certainly don’t need to be,” Lucas said, leaning back to smile at Akio who glared when he didn’t get the kiss he thought he would.

“You better kiss me,” he said, eyes narrowing. “Like you mean it.”

Lucas’ laughter was impossible to resist, and he was smiling when the man did kiss him. Arms wrapped around him, tugging him against Lucas’ bigger body. The lips on his were heavenly, Lucas’ stubble rubbing lightly against his skin and causing a delicious shiver to run through him.

---