Page 38 of Holding On to a Hero
I pushed Cole ahead of me up the steps. My hindbrain was screaming that we needed to run faster.
I made sure Cole was directly in front of me so the gunman couldn’t get a good shot at him. My back prickled in anticipation of a bullet. We were five feet from the door. Almost there. Cole was reaching out, ready to grab the door handle. Maybe we were going to make it.
But when the fiery pain tore through my shoulder, I wasn’t even surprised.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Jason
Brian pushed the second set of contract copies toward me. “You’re an idiot,” he announced as he slammed his pen down onto his desk.
I leaned back in his office’s guest chair. Satisfaction and a little relief at completing the handover filled me. “So you keep telling me. But I know what I’m doing. You’re the best person to run Shelton Security and I want you to have the biggest percent of the profits. Also, this way Mom will like me better.”
He stuck his tongue out at me. “Well, it’s a done deal now, but I would have settled for a lot less.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll still make my presence known.” He rolled his eyes.
“No shit.” Then he smirked and tapped his fingers together like a Bond villain. “So. You’ve quit your job to work on the rescue ranch. And the ranch is going to be up and running soon.” He kept smirking and leaned in meaningfully. “When is Cole going to make an honest man of you?”
I barked out a laugh and then found myself rubbing the back of my neck in the same gesture I’d seen Will make when he was nervous.
“Um, well.”
“Um what? Are you blushing? What – has he already proposed or something?”
“No! No. It’s just – there’s been a, um, development.” I darted a look at him.
“And this development is…?”
“Ah, you remember Will Graham? The photographer?”
“The one who you had me do a background check on? Sure, I remember.”
“Yeah. So Cole and I have been spending a lot of time with him, and –“
“Jason!” Brian leaned forward and slapped the table with his palm. “Tell me you arenotcheating on Cole! Are you insane?”
That had me freezing and looking at him with wide eyes. “No!” I put out a placating hand. His indignation on Cole’s behalf was heartwarming. “Calm down. No one is cheating. Cole and I have been dating Will.”
That shocked Brian into stillness. He blinked slowly at me. “Dating him. YouandCole?”
“Yes. Like a threesome. It looks like it might get serious.”
“Wow. That’s…unexpected. How does that work…exactly?” Then he looked horrified and held his hands out. “No, no, don’t tell me! Ugh.”
I laughed. “We’re still figuring out things, and it’s obviously going to be a little more complicated than anything any of us have had in the past.” I felt a smile come across my face. “But if it can work it’s going to be so worth it.”
Brian made gagging noises. “Oh, my God. You have it bad. For both of them? Wow.” Then he grinned evilly. “Have you told Mom yet?”
“Fuck!” A chill went down my spine. That would be an…interesting conversation. “No, no. We’re just dating right now. Taking it slow. You’re the first to know. And you won’t tell Mom.” I glared at him.
He shuddered. “Never. I mean, she’ll love whoever you love, but telling her you’re in a poly relationship? That’s all yours.” He paused. “Unless you really piss me off of course.”
I gave him the expected glare, then I rubbed the back of my neck again. That really was soothing. I could see why Will did it.
“Okay, new boss, you’re in charge and I need to get back to the ranch.” I stood up and patted my pockets. I must have left my phone in my office. I gathered up the contract copies.
“Fine, fine. But I’m coming out there this weekend to meet Will.”
