Page 12 of Adored
Yeah, well…
“About that,” he said. “Von Donore got his hands on my military record. Unfortunately, Gamble had to die.”
In that moment, Poe knew that was his fault too, and he felt horrible.
“Oh, God, I’m so sorry. The file…”
Gamble put his finger over his lips to silence the man he loved.
“Hush, my love. It’s okay. It’s poetic that the man had to be recreated in order to move on. That was Storm’s man. I’m Poe’s man, now. So, I’d like to introduce you to Captain Arthur Doyle.”
Poe stared at him.
Did he just say…?
What?
Poe went there.
“As in Arthur Conan Doyle?” he asked, laughing at the man’s sense of humor and how he’d picked a name that was similar to his and Hemmingway’s.
Oh, there was no doubt that was intentional.
“The British writer and doctor?” he asked, amused.
From where he stood, Gamble grinned.
“On paper, yes. To you, I’m still Gamble, and I’m worth the risk.”
He touched his face.
“You’re worth everything to me,” he admitted. “Absolutely everything, Gamble. That will never change either.”
When Poe said it, Gamble absolutely believed every single thing he said. He’d never lied to him before.
“Anyway, that’s what took so long. Well, that and getting out of the hospital. Elizabeth had to make me die. Gamble Holloway checked in, and he died of blunt force trauma wounds. As far as Von Donore knows, I’m deceased and buried.”
At the words, Poe’s lower lip quivered.
Gamble reassured him.
“And from those ashes, Arthur Doyle was born. What took time was that Elizabeth had to get all of my military records handled. She had to move carefully since Von Donore has his claws in the military too.”
“I’m sorry,” he said.
He stopped him.
“I’m buried beside Maura and Jagger at Arlington,” he said. “My remains were interred there yesterday with full military honors. I’m at peace with it. It was time for that man to die. He’d lived through so much, and he wanted peace.”
Poe touched his cheek and stared into his eyes.
“I love you, Gamble. I’ll always love you. Thank you for being reborn for me.”
Oh, well, it was his pleasure.
Because he needed him, Poe found his mouth with his, and kissed him. He loved him for everything he’d done for him.
He’d sent his horse here, and their dog.
