Page 51 of Barrett

“Only because Reghan stopped me. I wish you wouldn’t have heard that.”

“It’s fine. Honest.” Vail put the now wiggling puppy on the floor and leaned forward to kiss Jordan.

I moved my gaze from them, focusing on the hallway in front of me and the piece of artwork that hung at the end of it. The painting had become a focal point for me over the years. It was where my eyes stayed instead of watching Jordan, and then watching him with his men once they were in a relationship. What went on in here wasn’t my business. Sure, I heard everything, but I didn’t need to see it too.

As I stood there, eyes ahead, I wondered what a piece of Marshall’s work would look like there. Jordan had seen what I’d bought and reached out to Marshall. The rest was between them. I wasn’t going to hide the art from my boss. He knew everything. Plus, Jordan was already aware of Barrett’s brother.

Jordan entered my line of sight and stopped in front of me. Vail was headed upstairs to their second floor. “I’d put his work there if I could,” Jordan said quietly. “It would draw too many questions though. I see the way your eyes are always on the end of the hall. It would be a privilege to have his art displayed. Maybe in the future.” It was one of the nicest things Jordan had ever said to me.

“Thank you, sir,” I whispered, emotion getting to me.

“Fuck’s sake,” he muttered. “How much softer can I get? Jesus!” He yelled, “It’s your fault, Vail!” He turned and walked up the stairs. “You and Hartley. Pretty soon, I won’t be able to leave the goddamn building because people will take advantage of me.”

I could hear Vail’s laugh. “You’re so full of shit. No one’s going to take advantageof you.”

Their bedroom door shut, and my eyes were on the painting again.

23

BARRETT

It was after five when I got home. Marshall didn’t have to go into work today and said he was going to spend his time painting. He loved sitting in front of the easel and getting lost in his world of colors and shapes, of lines and brushstrokes. Every time I saw him in there, I knew I did the right thing by covering his insurance and giving him whatever he wanted and needed.

The apartment was dark when I unlocked the door and stepped inside. Marshall was probably in his studio with the door shut and no idea when he last ate.

I put my things on the counter, flipped the light on, and went down the hall, but Marshall wasn’t in his studio. A moment of panic washed over me. Did he run out earlier and not come back? Another man had been taken. A bunch of us got chewed out at work today. I couldn’t wait to get my fucking hands on the asshole behind this. At this point, I’d give him to Jordan as a fuck you to the chief.

But Marshall was home. He was curled in a ball on his bed with the lights off.

“Mars?” I whispered before toeing off my shoes and entering his room.

“It hurts,” he whispered, his voice pained.

“Did you take your medicine?”

“No refills. No tablets left.”

I mentally thought back to the last time he saw his doctor. He mentioned something yesterday about having to reschedule an appointment. I didn’t know why and didn’t ask. He was an adult. I trusted him to handle it on his own.

“Were you supposed to go yesterday?” I asked.

His voice was quiet. I hated making him talk, but I couldn’t fix the situation if I didn’t know what was going on. “Yes, they rescheduled because of an emergency the doctor had. I didn’t realize I was out of medicine.” It was an honest mistake. It was also one that cost him.

“Did you take anything?” He could take aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and other over-the-counter medications.

“Didn’t work.”

“Okay. I’ll be right back.” I spun on my heel and exited the room, nearly tripping over my damn shoes. I kicked them across the hall into my bedroom and then walked toward the kitchen. There were ice packs in the freezer, but I had a feeling they weren’t going to touch his pain.

I wondered if I could get him to go with me to urgent care. In the past, he’d just ride the pain out, rather than show up at a place with bright lights and lots of noise.

My hand was on the freezer door when someone buzzed my apartment. Goddammit, I didn’t have time for this.

Stalking over to the door, I pressed the button far harder than I should have. “What?”

“Bear, it’s me. Let me in.”

I didn’t bother responding, just pushed the button and unlocked the door. It was easier letting him up than telling him why he shouldn’t be here. Reghan could see himself inside. I had to take care of my brother.

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