Page 72 of College Town

Tommy does so: “There are really only two options. We either spread our Eastman resources thin, or call in reinforcements from New York, keeping Lawson and his family safe. Or we make him a harder target.”

Ray looks thoughtful, Natalia nods, but the others look uncomfortable and, in Noah’s case, angry.

Lawson swallows hashbrowns. “What does that mean? A ‘harder target?’”

Tommy takes a long, hard slug of coffee as though it’s whiskey – maybe it’s laced, who knows; now that Lawson looks him full-in the face from close up, he can see the bruise-like, sleepless smudges beneath his eyes and realizes while Lawson tossed and turned, Tommy mulled this problem over – and turns to him. “The Giacolettis are using locals – we don’t know if they’re family, or friends, or hired thugs – to push the fentanyl-laced heroin.”

“This is a terrible idea,” Noah mutters.

“Shut up,” Tommy says, eyes still fixed on Lawson. His tone shifts, softens when he addresses Lawson again, and Lawson fears that everyone else can hear it; that they’ll know too much about both of them at sound of that slight bit of respect. “If the Giacolettis think you’re important to me” – God, he doesn’t stumble over the word, and that puts another roller coaster swoop in Lawson’s stomach – “then they’ll try to take you or hurt you as a way to hurt me. They could” – his mouth twists unhappily – “kidnap you for leverage.”

He presses a hand to the blotter between their plates, head tilting and brows going earnest. “I’m not going to let that happen, so it’s not an option at all. I think the best approach” – he takes a deep breath – “is to make it appear that you’ve come into the family. Officially. That you have power with us, locally and nationally.”

Lawson hears the words, but shakes his head. “I…what?”

Mrs. Cattaneo speaks, finally, her voice high and wavering. “Tom, this is dangerous. I don’t like it at all.”

Tommy turns to her. “Mom, it’s okay.”

She shakes her head, and her gaze drops. Natalia pats her knee and murmurs something soothing Lawson can’t make out.

Addressing Lawson again, Tommy says, “We’ll make it very obvious that you’re in my closest confidence and that it would be a very stupid idea for them to fuck with you.”

Tommy stares at him with his jaw firmed, his eyes gleaming with a conviction that Lawson can’t bring himself to believe.

He turns to the room at large. “Would anyone actually buy that?”

“No,” Noah and Frank say together, and Tommy shoots them a dark look.

Ray lifts a one-shouldered shrug and mops egg yolk with a toast triangle. “Paul and I aren’t blood related to Tom. So it could work, technically.”

“But not practically?” Lawson guesses.

“Like I said: we’d have to change up your look. Do something about your hair.”

“You don’t project an air of authority,” Paul says, lip wrinkling in clear disdain.

Lawson rakes a hand through his hair and realizes just how long and unruly it’s gotten. When did he cut it last? Two months ago? Three? It’s a wheaten tangle that runs to curls when it gets shaggy. Tommy liked it. Once upon a time. But Tommy wears a Rolex now, so…

He blows out a breath. “And I’m guessing I can’t just go back to my regular life, huh?”

Tommy shakes his head.

“You could have,” Frank says, “if every goddamn member of my family didn’t make a habit of being seen with you in public.”

Tommy frowns. “Frank, we’ve been over this.”

“Do you know what I think?” Natalia asks, and heads swivel her direction. She’s stunning, yes, but Lawson has the distinct impression they turn to her out of respect rather than physical admiration. “I think that Tom should break off our engagement, and that he should come out. That he should date Lawson, and maybe propose to him instead.”

“Why the fuck would he do that?” Frank demands.

Natalia sends him a fierce look, chin lifted. “Because Tom is gay! And he loves Lawson!”

A strangled sound draws his attention back to Tommy, who’s gone cutely bug-eyed and red-faced.

Lawson feels his own face do something similar, and his heart tries to leap through his ribs for the second time this morning.

He clears his throat and says, “Okay, so,that’snot true, but thanks, Nat, for the vote of confidence.”

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