Page 22 of Single Greatest Threat
“Is he tattling on you to your mom?”
Joesph laughed. “Yeah. I think she loves him more than me.”
Shaw shot him an annoyed look while Haven went into action. “Okay, I’m grabbing my keys. Don’t worry about a thing. I’ll swing by his house and grab everything he needs. Is there anything you need? Are they feeding you? Are you hungry?”
“No and a little, yeah.”
“Okay, sweetie. I’ll be there as soon as I can, but you know I’m fast.” She cackled.
Despite everything, he couldn’t stop smiling. “Don’t get a ticket, speed racer.”
“Meh. See you soon. Love you. I hope you get to feeling better. You can tell me all about it when I get there.”
“Thank you. I love you too.”
Haven disconnected first, and Shaw set his phone aside.
“Mom has things under control.”
Kace stared at him, looking slightly confused.
Joesph shook his head, but there was no missing his smile. They held each other’s stare. Everyone else disappeared. They would be fine. After all, they had each other. There was no better team.
Chapter Nine
It had been yearssince Kace set eyes on Joesph. At one time, he had thought he would ask Joesph to marry him. Of course, life had taken a different turn when he had been offered a high-paying job at a hospital in Nashville. Kace had been forced to choose. He had chosen his career. Joesph never seemed to begrudge him that. In fact, they had tried to do the long-distance thing. That had failed miserably once those night shifts hit. Fuck. He was still sexy as hell. Kace had lain awake all night for two nights, thinking about him. Then a messenger had shown up with an invitation to Joesph’s wedding. Reality truly dropped the hammer. When he had moved home from Nashville three years ago, he had thought several times about Joesph. At one point in his life, Joesph had been the greatest love of his life. Too many times to count, he almost looked him up. Several thoughts had always stopped him. What if he hated Kace for choosing a job over him? Maybe he was married. No doubt someone treated him the way he deserved. Now he headedto the man’s wedding. It was surreal. He was so fucking pissed at himself. Kace had looked this Shaw guy up online. It seemed he was money come from money on top of money. Joesph deserved that life. More than that, he deserved to have a man treat him the way Kace had watched Shaw treat him. The guy had been way more worried about Joesph’s health than his and he was the one in the hospital discussing his heart.
Kace pulled into the parking lot of the tiny chapel where the wedding was being held. He wanted to beat his head against the wall. This should’ve been his life. It should be his wedding, although Kace would like to think they’d have a nicer venue. The vineyard was pretty, but it was odd to see such a powerful and wealthy man choose this place. With a sigh, he climbed from the car. He headed for the door with his head held high. The moment he stepped inside, his curiosity flew through the roof. Prince Noir was there with a full royal guard. Everyone knew him. He was constantly on TV, fascinating the world with the wild notion of a prince living in America. It looked like he sat on Joesph’s side of the chapel, since Haven sat in the front row. She turned her head and caught sight of him. A huge smile exploded across her face. Kace felt the same smile on his. She stood and met him halfway.
When they hugged, Kace fought the urge to close his eyes. She always gave the best hugs. Mom hugs. No one knew how amazing those were until they were gone.
She pulled away but held on to his hands. “It’s been so long. You’re even more handsome.”
“And you’re twice as beautiful.”
She swatted his chest. “I’m so glad you came. Joesph worried you wouldn’t.”
“Of course. Joesph has been my friend for a long time.”
“Well, more than a friend,” Haven tacked on to his claim. “But I knew you’d be here.”
“So.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I met Shaw briefly.”
“Yeah. Joesph told me you treated Shaw at the hospital.”
Kace nodded. “Are we happy about this wedding?”
Haven laughed. Her bright smile never dimmed. “I won’t lie and say they haven’t had hard times. Shaw’s family is…well, Shaw’s family. They’re rich and pretentious. It’s always been more important for Shaw to be successful than loved. But he desperately loves my son. He treats him like a king and puts him first. Shaw would give up everything before he let go of Joesph.”
Kace didn’t miss the dig. He glanced around. “I guess I should find a seat.”
Haven took his arm. “Nonsense. You’ll sit with me. I want you to meet my nephew.”
Kace suppressed a groan but let himself get dragged along. Damn. He hoped this wedding wasn’t about to go from a bad day to a total nightmare. There was nothing he hated worse thansomeone playing matchmaker. It happened way more than he liked since he was a doctor. It seemed everyone suddenly had a nephew. He already felt like this was hell just because of the occasion. The idea that things couldn’t get worse flew straight out the window at the sight of Jamison waiting for Haven. Time stopped. Jamison’s closed expression gave away nothing. After all, it wasn’t every day a man ran into the professional he hired about once a month to snuggle with him. Holy shit. This day was even worse than he could have dreamed. Not only was he humiliated, but he also had the horrible realization the guy was Joesph’s cousin. He wanted to die.
There was so much happiness bubbling inside Shaw. He had been married exactly one day, and he was still riding the high. He hit his blinker.
“This isn’t the way to the airport.”
