Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 70115 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 351(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70115 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 351(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
And they had questions.
But he only had one answer. His relationship with Hugo was on probation.
“We had something good and I wasn’t ready for it or for him. I don’t know how I’m going to earn his trust back, but he’s giving me a chance and I’m not wasting it. I’d appreciate it if I had your support in this. Your silent support.”
Brady, Noah, Wyatt, Rory and James had stopped their jokes and the incessant barrage of questions immediately. Of course they were on his side. He shouldn’t have been surprised at how easy it had been.
The knock at the front door had the three men turning as one.
“Oh I forgot to mention,” William said, a slight snarl enhancing his accent. “I saw Green Eyes parking with the senator. What did I tell you? He follows me everywhere.”
What the hell?
He walked toward the door, remembering the last year when he’d had nothing but his routine to keep him company. Now his small house had developed a revolving door.
“Time to vote again?” he joked when Senator Stephen Finn strolled inside, loosening his tie as James fell in behind him.
His smile was tired. “If I have to work for your vote, I’m definitely doing something wrong. Hey, Wyatt. I just got off the phone with my wife. I think the ladies are ready for Zachary’s favorite uncle to pick him up. Would you mind?”
“I was about to head that way, anyway.”
William chuckled. “Sure you were. Bet you’re dying to know why our busy politician is paying a visit. You haven’t had anything good to gossip about this week with your luscious bartender.”
Solomon physically turned Wyatt away from the troublemaker and toward the door. “The best way to upset him is to not give him what he wants. Go. Take care of Zachary so Noah can get some sleep.”
“I’m going.” Wyatt shook his head. “Just don’t leave your wallet lying around. Or anything else you care about keeping. I swear, I’m throwing a party the second he’s gone.”
Knots of tension were already forming on Solomon’s neck when he turned to see James and William squaring off in his living room with equally hostile expressions.
“Damn, William, you’ve clearly discovered the secret to making friends in this family.”
Stephen was staring between the two men with concern. “What’s going on here?”
“That’s what I’d like to know,” James growled.
William stepped further into his space. “I don’t appreciate your brand of familial concern is all. You should rethink your nightly haunts, James Finn. Some people might take offense.”
Solomon’s eyes narrowed when he noticed James flinch and automatically step back. “I don’t know what business it is of yours where I go, but you can back the hell off now.”
“It’s my business when you harass me for no—”
“William,” Solomon interrupted sharply. “You said you came to help.”
The big man rolled his shoulders and nodded once, taking a deep breath. “I did.”
“Help me by leaving now and coming back tomorrow. I need to stain some shelves.”
Icy blue eyes clashed with his for a long, tense moment, then he stepped away from James and jammed his hands in his pockets. “I’ll be here.”
He watched their wayward cousin’s belligerent stride until he disappeared out the back door, the same way he’d come in.
Stephen whistled. “That boy has some anger management issues.”
So did James. His fists were clenched so tight at his side Solomon was worried he’d sprain something.
“And then there were three. Let’s all calm down so you can tell me why your unlikely duo has shown up on my doorstep.”
He had a feeling he didn’t want to know.
Wyatt mentioned not seeing him for a while, and his uncle had called once or twice with the same concern. They were giving him space and for the first time in his life, he wanted it. He didn’t want to resolve issues or be the one his family relied on. Not right now.
It was selfish, but all he wanted to be responsible for was painting his kitchen the soft shade of buttery gold he knew Hugo liked, and then celebrate that home improvement by fucking his lover on the kitchen table.
But now, getting a visit from the two relatives he saw the most sporadically—the ones coincidentally most connected with his previous career—told him his selfish plans might get put on hold.
He stopped in the living room and turned to face them. “I take it you aren’t here to plan a surprise party for Aunt Ellen’s birthday.”
“You know Mom hates surprises.” Stephen opened his jacket and cupped the back of his neck with a sigh. “I’ll get right to the point. I’ve been in contact with the mayor’s office, off and on for the last few months, and I thought it was time to bring you in the loop.”
“Sounds serious. Why would a retired civilian be in a loop like that, Stephen?”