This was so stupid. “I hate people.”

  “Me too.”

  “Maybe we should take some money from my dad and we can move to an island somewhere.”

  His eyes widened. “I’m down with that.”

  I rubbed my temple. “I can’t believe this is hurting my dad’s reputation. He didn’t even do anything.”

  “It’s okay, Roland. It doesn’t seem like he cares.”

  “It doesn’t matter,” I argued. “He shouldn’t have to go through it at all. He makes so many charitable donations anonymously and no one even knows about it. He’s been through so much but he never talks about it because he doesn’t want anyone’s sympathy. It’s bullshit that people turn on him this quickly.”

  He shrugged. “I don’t think your dad cares about anything besides his family so I wouldn’t let it weigh you down.”

  “He’s the greatest guy in the world…he doesn’t deserve this.”

  He gave me a look of pity. “We’ll get through it—like we always do.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Sean

  Reporters flooded the lobby but security made sure they didn’t enter the building. My phone kept ringing so I took it off the hook. My secretary kept speaking to me through the intercom, telling me about all the reporters who asked to be put through.

  I ignored everything and continued on with my day.

  People were ignorant in this world. They read one thing in a tabloid and immediately followed the general opinion. One minute I was the most devoted husband and family man in the world, and the next minute I was a terrible excuse for a father.

  Like I give a damn.

  This was why I shut myself away from the rest of the world. This was why I never tried to make new friends. This was why I was cold, calculating, and unforgiving.

  The only people I cared about were my friends and family. I could always rely on them to support me implicitly. I never had to ask for anything. They just did it. Like today, they all had my back. It was an unspoken alliance.

  I wore a rainbow shirt to work because I refused to wear anything else. I wanted to be seen this way. It was much worse to turn my back on my son and ridicule him for his lifestyle choice rather than support and love him unconditionally.

  What kind of father would I be if I did otherwise?

  That’s how I wanted to be remembered. I stood by my son no matter what. It didn’t matter what he did or said. It didn’t matter if he even killed anybody. He was my son and that would never change.

  “Mr. Preston.” My secretary spoke through the intercom. “Your wife is here.”

  That changed my attitude immediately. “Send her in.” There was one woman in my life whom could brighten my day like no one else. She was the only person who really understood me, who knew me underneath all the layers I’d packed on through the years.

  Scarlet stepped through the door, wearing a strapless maroon dress with a gray cardigan. Her chest was noticeable in the dress, and not her cleavage. Her curves could never be hidden no matter what she wore. It’s what I loved about her body most. “Hey, honey.” She walked inside.

  I left my desk and walked around it. My hands ached in anticipation. Anytime I was near her I wanted to snatch her and keep her all to myself. When I reached her I gripped her harshly then crushed my mouth to hers. Her lips tasted like honey, like always.

  She kissed me back, her full lips caressing mine.

  I gripped her ass then lifted her onto my desk. I pulled up her dress then undid my jeans.

  “Whoa…” She steadied my hand. “What are you doing?”

  “Making love to my wife.” My lips sought her neck and I kissed her aggressively.

  “We can’t do that anymore. Remember?” She pulled her dress down and looked at me. “In case you forgot, our daughter and nephew work here now.”

  “It’s called locking the door.” I lifted up her dress again.

  “Sean, no.” She pulled it down and gave me a defiant look.

  I growled at her. “Come on, baby.”

  “It can wait until we get home.”

  “Then why did you come down here?” I nibbled on her ear slightly. “Dressed like that? Are you trying to torture me?”

  “What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?”

  “Absolutely nothing.” I kissed the hollow of her throat and inhaled her scent. “It’s just distracting to a poor guy like me.” My hand gripped the top of her dress and pulled it down slightly. When her breast was exposed, I sucked the nipple and pulled her closer to me.

  She moaned against her will before she pulled her dress back up. “What’s gotten into you today?”

  “Today?” I asked as I gave her a grin. “I always want you. You know that.”

  She cupped my face and gave me a gentle kiss. “All of this is really stressing you out.”

  “No.” I held her gaze as I said it, wanting her to believe me.

  But she didn’t. She knew me too well. “There’s no point in stressing out over something you can’t change. Just let it go.” Her hands moved up my shoulders and down my tight stomach.

  “I’m not upset over this,” I said quietly. “I couldn’t care less what they think of me. If this company went under, we’d have more than enough money to live out our lives as very wealthy people.”

  “Then why are you so worked up?” She felt the fabric of my shirt, noting the splash of color in the threads.

  “I’m afraid for Roland.”

  “You really think someone would hurt him over this?” She seemed skeptical.

  “It’s unlikely but…he doesn’t have the protection I do. If he were some other gay man no one would care. But since he’s my son it’s different. It’s not fair…all of this is happening because of me.”

  Her eyes fell in sadness. “Don’t say that. It’s not true.”

  “Yes, it is,” I said miserably.

  She cupped my cheeks. “This is completely out of your control so don’t feel that way. We are going to be fine. Roland is going to be fine. Don’t be so hard on yourself.”

  “You know me,” I said. “I’m always hard on myself.”

  “I do know.” Amusement was in her eyes. She rubbed my shoulders then kissed the corner of my mouth. “How about we sneak out the back then head to The Plaza…?”

  My cock twitched in my pants. “I think that sounds like a great idea.”

  She felt my shirt in her hands. “I really like the way this looks on you.”

  I gave her a smolder. “I think it’ll look even better on you.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Slade

  I called my wife and she answered after a few rings. “Hey, hubby. I’m busy right now. Can I call you later?”

  “It’ll only take a second,” I said quickly. “You and Skye are going to head home without me tonight.”

  There was a pause on the phone. “Why?”

  “You heard about Roland?”

  “Yeah,” she said. “Everything okay?”

  “I just have to make sure he gets home okay. Conrad and Theo are coming too.”

  “Gets home okay…why wouldn’t he get home okay?”

  “Because people are stupid,” I said darkly. “Can you manage without me? I can just leave it to Conrad and Theo if I need to.” My wife came first but I really wanted to be there for my cousin.

  “No, Skye and I will be fine.”

  “You’re sure?” I asked.

  “Totally.”

  “Okay. I’ll talk to you later.”

  “Love you.”

  “Love you too, Wife.”

  ***

  Conrad, Theo, and I met at the shop then headed to Roland’s office.

  “I really don’t think anyone is going to mess with him,” Theo said. “This isn’t sixth grade.”

  “I don’t think so either,” Conrad said. “But let’s just be supportive. I’m sure he’s had a shitty day and having us there will make it better.”

  “Couldn’t we just send flowers?” Theo asked.

  I didn’t agree with Theo’s skepticism. I’d seen a lot of shady stuff in my life. My wife was almost raped, and Skye almost died because her psychotic ex was off his rocker. I didn’t exactly have a lot of faith in humanity. “Let’s just do it. It’ll give us a peace of mind anyway.”

  We took the elevator to his floor then stepped out. People worked in their cubicles and it was oddly quiet. The sound of fingers hitting the keyboard sounded on our ears. We walked forward until we found Roland’s office to the side. He had a view of the city from his window.

  “Yo.” Conrad walked inside first.

  Roland was sitting at his desk and typing on his computer. He turned to Conrad with a raised eyebrow. “What are you doing here?”

  “Friends can’t stop by anymore?” Theo asked as he fell into a chair.

  “Aren’t you getting off work soon?” I glanced at my watch.

  “Yeah.” Roland raised an eyebrow. “Do we have plans or something?”

  “We just want to make sure you get home okay,” Conrad said.

  Roland released a heavy sigh and his shoulders slumped. “I’m fine, you guys. Really.”

  “We’d rather not take any chances,” Theo said.

  “No one is going to bother me,” Roland said. “They might glare at me or give me the bird but that doesn’t bother me. Seriously, I’m fine.”

  “Well, we’re already here,” I said. “We may as well walk you.”

  “You guys are totally overreacting,” Roland said. “This will blow over in a few weeks and it’ll be like it never happened.”

  “How are people treating you here?” Theo asked.

  “Well, it’s a little weird,” he said. “I can tell they don’t like me but since I’m their boss there’s nothing they can really do about it. So they avoid me and try to speak to me as little as possible. Most of them have resorted to emails.”

  “So weird,” I said. “They really didn’t know you were gay before?”

  “Not sure,” he said. “But I’m always with Heath so they should have figured it out by now.”

  “Either way, we’re acting as your entourage.” Conrad crossed his arms over his chest and he stood in front of the desk.

  “But I don’t need an entourage,” Roland argued. “You guys are being ridiculous.”

  “We’re already here,” I said. “So just deal with it.”

  “Whatever,” Roland said. He returned to typing on his computer.

  Heath walked inside with his bag over his shoulder. “Full house today?”

  “Something like that,” Theo said.

  “Are we going out tonight?” Heath asked. “To celebrate…?”

  “No.” Roland turned off his screen then grabbed his bag. “My friends think we’re going to get jumped so they want to walk us home.”

  “Oh…” Heath examined us. “Well, that was really thoughtful of you.”

  “And unnecessary,” Roland said.

  “Shut up and stop arguing,” Conrad said. “We’re doing it more for ourselves than anything else.”

  Roland and Heath walked out first and we followed behind them. Everyone in the office glanced our way as we walked out as a gang. We didn’t mean to come off that way but I guess it might have appeared like that. Conrad was the size of a beast, and I was covered in tattoos. We didn’t exactly look friendly.

  We left the building and joined the pedestrians on the street. People gave Roland glares as they passed but no one seemed dangerous. It was clear a lot of people knew exactly who Roland was now that his face was on every magazine and newspaper.

  We made it to Roland’s apartment without a fuss. Everything seemed to be quiet, and there were no nasty notes on his door. Perhaps everything was a lot calmer than I thought. Maybe we were overreacting.

  “Told you,” Roland said as he walked inside. “No one is going to bother us.”

  Heath walked in behind him and tossed his bag on the couch.

  We followed them inside, Conrad taking the lead.

  “I guess you were right,” Theo said.

  “Better to be safe than sorry,” Conrad said.

  “But we really do appreciate it.” Heath gave us a grateful look. “It makes me happy knowing Roland has so many people who really care about him.”

  “Roland?” I asked. “We did it for you too, man.”

  His eyes softened, and he seemed so caught up in emotion that he didn’t know what to say. “Well…thanks.”

  “Of course, man.” Conrad patted him on the shoulder then turned to Roland. “Call us if you need anything.”

  “Thanks,” Roland said. “But we’re good.”

  We said our goodbyes then walked out.

  “Phew,” Conrad said. “I honestly thought someone was going to attempt a hate crime.”

  “Me too,” Theo said. “It’s nice to be wrong.”

  “Yeah…” I just hoped it stayed that way.

  ***

  I knocked on Skye’s door.

  “Come in.”

  I opened the door then stepped inside. She was sitting on her bed with her computer beside her. She wore flannel pajamas, and her nightstand had a few pictures of she and Cayson. Sadness was etched into the small lines around her lips, and her eyes looked hollow.

  “What’s up?” she asked without looking at me.

  I wasn’t very good at this sort of thing…talking about feelings and such. Well, I could tell my wife anything and be totally open with her but with anyone else…it was just weird. I cleared my throat then approached her bed, sitting at the edge. “How’s it going?”

  “Good.” She finally looked at me, and the sadness was still there. “Why?”

  “I just…I’m here if you need to talk.” She had Trinity to pour her heart to but I felt obligated to step in. Cayson was my best friend and I had to take care of his wife while he was away. It was the right thing to do. I’d known Skye all my life but we’d never been close. She and I never had a serious conversation in our lives. But I had to try.

  Her eyes softened when she watched me. “Thanks…”

  “And not just about Cayson…about anything.” I rested my hands in my lap. “Even if you just want to talk about your day I’m all ears.”

  She shut her computer. “That’s very nice of you, Slade. But I’m okay.”

  I remained in my spot. “Does your stomach feel better?”

  Her hand immediately moved to her belly. “It hasn’t bothered me since. It was just that one night.”

  “Good. I’m glad you’re better.”

  She stared at me then returned her hand to her lap.

  I cleared my throat. “So…what are you doing?”

  “Just some work. I don’t have anything else to do so I may as well work ahead…”

  “Are you hungry?” I asked. “I can make you something.”

  She smiled slightly. “I’m okay, Slade. You don’t have to wait on me hand and foot just because Cayson is away.”

  “Actually, I do.” I held her gaze as I said it. “I want to. I miss my best friend a lot and it doesn’t feel right not having him here. And I know you miss him just as much if not more. At least we can get through this together.”

  “I guess we can,” she whispered.

  “So…” I was really bad at this. “At least three weeks have come and gone. That’s almost a month.”

  “Yeah…” That obviously wasn’t enough time for her.

  “Maybe we should go out and do something to get your mind off it.”

  “Nothing will get my mind off Cayson.”

  I tried to think of something. “Not even hot wings…” I gave her a smile.

  “I’m not hungry.” Her hand went to her stomach. “I haven’t had much of an appetite lately.”

  “I’ve noticed.” It was extremely odd.

  “I think I’m just too depressed to be hungry.”

  That made sense. “I’d probably do the same thing.” I’d be a total wreck if I couldn’t see Trinity for three months. I’d be a walking corpse.

  “Thanks for trying to make me feel better,” she said. “But I don’t think anything can possibly cheer me up.”

  “Just remember that he’s going to come back. It’s only a matter of time.”

  She nodded.

  “And then you can begin forever.”

  “I know…I just wish I could start forever now.”

  My hand went to her shoulder to console her. I immediately felt awkward for touching her. It wasn’t something I usually did.

  She eyed my hand, slightly amused.

  “Well…let me know if you need anything.”

  “I will,” she said quietly.

  I left her bedroom then shut the door behind me. When I entered my bedroom, my wife was sitting up in bed reading.

  “How’s she doing?”

  “Okay,” I said. “I tried to cheer her up but I don’t think I did a great job.”

  She shut her book and gave me a fond look. “That was really sweet of you to try. You’ve been doing such a good job of taking care of her.”

  I stripped my clothes off then got into bed. “I’m just doing the best I can.”

  She moved over me, arousal in her eyes. “You’ve been taking care of her and now I think someone should take care of you.”

  My cock grew at her words. “Yeah?”

  “Yeah.” She pulled the sheets down and revealed my long cock against my stomach. Then she grabbed the base of my dick and pressed her lips to my tip. She gave me a long and slow kiss.

  My hand immediately fisted her hair. “I have been working really hard…”

  “You have.” She took me into her throat slowly then pulled me out again.

  I laid back and enjoyed everything my wife did to me, and for the first time I was glad Cayson was gone.

  Chapter Twenty

  Roland

  I refused to let the press bother me.

  Sure, the stares were annoying. The glares were more annoying. And everyone treated me differently, which was a pain in the ass. But it would pass like everything else. In a few weeks everything would be back to normal. This would blow over. And as long as no one attacked me, like my friends wrongly feared, I was okay.

 

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