Page 1 of Edge
Chapter One
ThewayHenry’sfacelit as he joked with Beau always fascinated Mickey. The salt in his pepper beard caught the light as he threw his head back and roared with laughter. Mickey found the entire scene riveting. No one acted this way with Beau. Beau Bosi was the biggest weapons dealer on the west coast. He was deadly and could be extremely cruel. Yet there was this whole other side to him at home. Just like Beau, Henry was also two different people. One was the guy who ruthlessly protected everyone under Beau’s roof and killed without guilt or mercy. Then there was this guy who cut up with Beau like they were both high school pranksters. Sometimes, Mickey wondered if there was something wrong with him for the way that made him feel.
“You’re in love with him.”
Mickey blinked. His gaze jerked to Kylo. Kylo was Beau’s adorable husband, who was as sweet as they came. He was a Little and a breath of fresh air. Mickey worked as his personal guard. Watching Henry and Beau had given him something to do while Kylo painted him.
“What?”
Kylo nodded toward where Henry still teased Beau. “Henry. You love him.”
A bright smile exploded across Mickey’s face. “What did I do to make you think that, and how can I make it stop?”
Kylo shrugged. His baby blue eyes stayed locked on the canvas. “It’s in your eyes when you look at him.”
“It most certainly is not.”
Kylo’s gaze moved to hold his stare. “It’s okay. I think we’ve all hopelessly loved at least one person.”
Mickey huffed. He adored Kylo, but Kylo was a romantic. Mickey realized that actually made him easier to talk to, but fuck. “Life would be easier if I was in love with him, but I’m not. He’s more like a dad to me.”
Kylo’s eyes twinkled with mischief. “Sometimes a daddy is so much hotter.”
Mickey snorted. “No, thank you. I’m not interested in being spanked. Sometimes, their relationship mesmerizes me.” He nodded toward where Beau and Henry laughed together. “I don’t think either of them is like that with anyone else. Maybe it makes me lonely, I don’t know, but I’m definitely not in love with him.”
Kylo glanced behind him. He shrugged. “Henry has been with Beau more years than he hasn’t. Of course they’re close.” He smiled. “Just think, one day, we’ll be just like them.”
Mickey snorted again. “Are you kidding? We’re already like that.”
They exchanged a look and burst into laughter. Kylo was definitely every bit as much his friend as his responsibility. He had no reason to be lonely. Kylo was right. They had each other. His humor disappeared as a familiar face strolled into the room. Edge Agafonov was a Russian-born assassin. A sniper—one known for his ability to hit any target from any height. He was brown-haired and brown-eyed, which sounded unremarkable but was anything but. His eyes had a bit of gold to them, and he was just sex on two legs, and no, Mickey didn’t know how to explain that. He just had a sultry walk, voice, and stare. The guy would make one hell of an actor for any part where he had to seduce someone. If they had run into each other on the street, Mickey would be obsessed. He would chase the guy so hard, Edge would be forced to kill him. Unfortunately, that was not how they had met.
Out of the blue, several months back, Edge had held a gun to his head and forced him into a van. They’d gone on a short ride to an even shorter interrogation session. Henry had shown up andmade it clear to the Agafonov boys that Beau wasn’t a man to be fucked with and his people were off limits. Don’t get him wrong, Mickey hadn’t been worried or hurt. He had known Henry waited in a nearby car, and followed. There hadn’t been a second where he felt in danger, but still. The move had not endeared Edge to him. Oddly, though, Edge acted like that day made them besties and it confused the fuck out of Mickey.
Beau appeared behind Kylo. He set his hands on Kylo’s shoulders and eyed the painting. “It’s looking amazing, baby.” He bent and kissed Kylo’s neck.
The instant hot lust that etched Kylo’s features had Mickey turning his head. Unfortunately, that left him staring into slightly golden eyes. That wasn’t a better choice. He couldn’t look away.
“We should take a nap. The boys are going for a ride.”
“Okay, Daddy.” Kylo stood. “Thank you for sitting with me.”
A smile tugged at Mickey’s lips at Kylo’s words. He always acted like Mickey wasn’t an employee doing his job. It was nice. Kylo made the place feel like a home—like this was a family. Like Mickey had a choice. He would choose Kylo, but it was still his job.
“Of course. I had fun. Enjoy your nap.”
Beau winked as he walked away, with Kylo in tow.
Mickey shook his head. Everything had changed since Beau met Kylo. He prayed that never changed. Unfortunately, Kylo and Beau’s departure left Mickey with nothing to do but focus on their visitor. Still, he let Henry take the lead.
“We have a warehouse to check.”
Mickey nodded and held his silence. Outside of Kylo, he never talked much. He didn’t have anything to say.
Edge watched him with so much intensity, it was almost uncomfortable. He couldn’t look directly at the guy.
“Hello, Mickey.”
Chill bumps rose on Mickey’s skin. Heat, humor, and condescension coated each heavily accented word. It didn’t even make sense the way his voice affected him, and Mickey wanted to feel it against his skin. The fucking bastard.
