Chapter Three
Duke Of Gordon’s
Castle.
Their New Home
When Gamble came to a dead stop, Poe had to look over at him to see what was the problem. He wasn’t moving, and up to that moment, he’d been perfectly fine. Only, now, it was clear he wasn’t.
His face said it all as he was taking it in. Yeah, it was crystal clear that someone was overwhelmed.
Oh, well, he got that.
For.
Damn.
Sure.
Each and every single time he came into this castle, he was assaulted by what used to be, and how vastly different his life was now. Instead of having a staff wait on him back in America, he was mucking out stalls and taking care of his equine facility.
Here…
It was a whole different thing. Here, Poe was a different person, by birthright.
There was no doubt that Gamble was shocked by the wealth as Poe was assaulted by the ghosts of his past.
Maybe he’d been wrong.
There were ghosts.
It was obvious that this place had many of them, and that he was haunted.
“Are you okay, Mate?” he asked his man, touching his arm gently.
Gamble blinked.
Was he?
Honestly, he wasn’t one hundred percent sure. This was something to get accustomed to, and he was trying to catch up on the fly.
Poe had a very different life here.
Now, they both did.
All around them, the whole place was bustling with people, setting up for the Duke and Duchess of Gordon’s memorial service tomorrow night was going to be a big affair.
Apparently.
Then add in the party after for Poe, and Gamble was associating this to a coming out party for the new person in control of the estate.
This was going to be interesting, and Gamble knew it. Now, he had to get accustomed from going to a life where no one saw him as a ghost to being out in the open.
“I just didn’t expect it to be so…castle-y,” he admitted, “and with so many people around.”
That was the actual issue for Gamble. There were way too many people near him for his comfort.
Poe actually laughed.
That was the perfect way to put it, and he was well aware that this would be difficult for Gamble.
Oh, and he appreciated that he was trying.
As someone who grew up here, running around, skateboarding through the place—despite his mother’s yelling, it was definitely a castle and not something you lived with if you were born into a normal family.
Only, his family was anything but normal from an outsider. They were nobility, for what it was worth, and to him, it wasn’t worth a whole lot.
Give him some horses and his job helping soldiers any day of the week.
On one wall not far away, there was a tapestry with the family’s coat of arms, and Gamble was staring at it. Adorning it, there was a golden stag with a crown over its head. It had been there for so damn long.
Honestly, Poe knew it was also a bit much. If he and Gamble were going to live here for the rest of their lives, so many things would have to change.
Poe was going to have to Americanize the place for his man to adjust, and he was fine with that. Give him a big comfortable couch, and a big screen TV any day over a suit of armor that was outdated.
The only thing he wouldn’t change was the library because, well…
Books were a good thing.
As for the rest, it could go.
Dukes three hundred years ago were a different kind of nobility than they were now.
For Poe, it was more of a worthless title. While he was a citizen of the UK, and a dual citizen in America, he didn’t bow to a king anymore.
America had broken him of that, thankfully. Only, here, there were protocols, and he was going to have to get Gamble up to date on them.
FAST.
For the most part, Poe Seville-Gordon was a normal man, who had a job, and a life that he had loved.
Until he was sucked back into it.
Between him and Hemmingway, the plan had been for his brother to do this part, have the kids, and keep the legacy going while he took care of soldiers to live a normal life.
Only, that wasn’t what had happened. This fell into his very gay lap.
“I know it’s a lot,” Poe said. “If you can’t do this…,” Poe offered, knowing it was overwhelming.
Only, Gamble stopped him.
“It’s really nice, Baby,” he said, starting to smile. “It has history, and I’m glad I’m getting to do this with you. I’ll adjust. Just be patient with me. The hardest part is the people everywhere.”
Well, shit.
He hadn’t seen that coming.
Not.
At.
All.
“Will you be okay?” he asked, knowing about Gamble’s past.
He hesitated.
“I’ll adjust.”
Poe wanted to make this as easy for Gamble as humanly possible.
“When this memorial is over, and the party afterwards, we can get rid of everyone who works here. It can just be us,” he said. “I don’t need anyone to take care of the horses, or make food.”
Gamble stared into his eyes.
“This is your life.”
Poe stopped him.
“No, Mate, it’s our life. If this makes you uncomfortable, we adjust it. I understand as someone who has lived in America for almost two decades. I know that this is weird for you.”
Gamble held his hand.
“It’s not weird. I’m just a loner. That’s a lot.”
He kept his voice low.
“When this is over, tomorrow, we’ll adjust for both of us. It can just be us here,” he offered again.
Gamble needed that.
Not because he couldn’t assimilate with people, but for the fact that Von Donore was out there, and that crypto key was still lost.
He worried about Poe’s safety.
Only, he didn’t want to make him freak out.
“Thank you,” he said. “I appreciate it.”
There was no need to thank him. Honestly, why wouldn’t he want to be alone with Gamble in a castle every single day?
Sign.
Him.
Up.
Poe was honest.
“I thought you were going to take one look at this monstrosity and run,” he admitted.
Poe obviously didn’t know him well enough.
“It’s an adventure, Poe. I’ve always loved one. That’s why I became a Marine. Well, that and because I didn’t have a chance at a real life. The Marines became my home, and now you are my home. I’ll work through it. I’m not the runner here.”
Poe laughed.
“You’re never going to let me forget that, are you?” he asked.
Gamble shook his head.
“Nope.”
Well, he deserved it.
Truth be told, he was thrilled. The man he loved wasn’t going to mock him or run from this spectacle. That was huge. Just a day ago, he’d planned on batting away the women who wanted to become the Duchess of Gordon. Now, he had a sexy man to play Duke with him.
“What are they doing?” Gamble asked as someone carried a table past them toward another space in the castle.
“That was for the title party afterward. It’s weird to me since I was never going to be the Duke. I’m the spare child, so to speak. Hemmingway was older by a few minutes, and this was going to be Hemmingway’s party. At some point, he was going to step in, and my father was going to be done.”
He sighed.
“We just didn’t think it would be like this, and that Hemmingway was going to die too. Now, it’s mine.”
Gamble held his hand.
“I don’t mind it. It’s kinda sexy how I’ll be shacked up with a Duke. Show me around. I want to see your castle.”
He laughed.
“Oh, no. It’s ours. You signed up for this nightmarish tour of duty by my side. I’m not letting you get away from it now. I need a partner in crime. This being the crime against humanity.”
Gamble winked at him.
“I’ve got your back,” he said, checking out Poe’s ass because he could.
Why the hell not?
The whole time he was being shown around, Gamble knew there were a million places that crypto key was likely hidden.
For all they knew, Poe’s father knew his son took it, and hid it for him.
Hemmingway could have mailed it back.
This was like finding a very pricey needle in an equally as pricey haystack.
As they encountered a group of people who clearly worked for Poe, he cleared his throat.
All of the staff glanced over at them, and Poe did the introductions.
So it began.
“This is my boyfriend, Arthur Doyle. He’s going to be living here with me. He’s as much in charge of this place as I am. I want you to make him comfortable, and if he needs something, there is no reason to ask me. This place is his home now too.”
Those words hit Gamble in the feels.
He had a home.
With Poe.
This was all he wanted a month ago, but he never expected it to bring him to a castle in another country.
Not.
Even.
Close.
They all smiled, and then went back to doing their prep work for the castle without batting an eye. It was clear they weren’t shocked Poe was gay, or they didn’t give a shit.
Good to know.
Poe focused on his man.
“Can I ask you something?”
Gamble glanced over.
“Always, Poe. What’s up?” he asked.
Keeping his voice low, he went there.
“Is it weird that I’m having a memorial wake for my parents, and then a party right afterward? I wanted to get both over with, and this was in the will. If anything were to happen to my mother and father, then I have this wake for them. Well, both of the functions.”
Gamble thought about it.
“Is it unusual? Yes, but these are unusual circumstances. If they retired, tacking a party onto someone’s wake is strange, but your parents, both who held the title passed. It’s not odd to move onto a new person as quickly as possible.”
Poe was honest.
“I don’t plan on being that kind of Duke. I’m going to just exist here. I don’t want to be out and about, making a stir in the media. I like privacy. I wanted to get it over with.”
Gamble touched his cheek.
“That’s understandable. You’re still in mourning. No one is going to find it odd, and if they say shit, I’ll smack them around for you.”
Poe laughed.
“Why I found that incredibly hot, I have no clue, but I did,” he joked.
Gamble grinned.
Oh, he’d be lying if he said he wasn’t thinking about Poe and the last time they had sex. He had an erection, and the man beside him was the reason.
He smelled so goddamn good.
“Want to see more?” Poe asked.
Of Poe naked?
Yes.
Of the castle?
Sure.
As they walked toward a space off to the left, Poe opened the doors with a grand flourish.
Inside, it was a library.
It was floor-to-ceiling books, and every shelf had so many that it would take a lifetime to read them all.
“Holy shit,” he said, staring up at the twenty-foot ceilings with rows upon rows of books.
This was something.
Poe explained.
“Some are as old as the castle,” he admitted. “Some were my father’s favorite books. When we redo the space, to make it more OURS and less my parents’ space, I’d like to keep this space as it is. I love this room.”
Gamble looked around.
“Poe, Baby, I’d never touch this room and change it. I happen to love books. I can picture us on that couch, reading on a rainy day. Sign me up.”
Poe felt daring.
“Is that all you see us doing on that couch?” he asked.
Gamble grinned wickedly.
He slipped his hand into the back of Poe’s hair, and pulled him toward him. When he did, he captured his mouth, and owned that kiss.
Oh, and what a kiss it was.
Poe fell into it, and he forgot everything around him but the man masterfully driving that mating of mouths.
When he slowly broke it, he answered him.
“Absolutely not. I want to christen that couch by bending you over the arm, and having your ass, Duke of Gordon,” he admitted.
Poe was rock hard, and he wanted that in the worst way.
“Yes, please,” he whispered.
Gamble stared into his eyes.
“When we’re alone, I’ll make that happen, Doctor. We can play patient and doctor. It’s a little fantasy that I think about all the time.”
Well, yeah.
Because they’d been doctor and patient.
Now, Poe was fixated on it too.
As quickly as the seduction began, it ended with Gamble focusing on something else.
“Nice suit of armor,” he stated.
Poe laughed as he tucked his arm around Gamble’s waist, and slipped his hand into his back pocket, proprietarily.
Yeah, this man was his.
“That was the original for The Duke of Gordon when he was at war way back when that’s what they wore into battle. My father loved that armor. He had it shined twice a year.”
“In case he needed it?” Gamble asked, grinning.
Poe found that amusing.
“Yeah, in case he needed it. You know, to fight the dragons we keep in the basement.”
Gamble took Poe’s hand and kissed their joined knuckles.
“Don’t worry about me,” he said, feeling the man tense. “I meant what I said, Poe. I can live here. This place is fascinating. I’m not going to run from it.”
That was good to know.
Only…
Poe was struggling.
“I lied to you,” Poe said.
Gamble stopped moving.
“About?” he asked.
“I do believe in ghosts. They live here,” he said, being honest with his partner. “And they haunt me. I’m going to struggle with that.”
Oh, he knew about ghosts. That was for damn sure.
Gamble wanted to be there for him.
“Will completely redoing this place make it harder or easier because I can live in a box. I’m easy, Poe.”
He didn’t hesitate.
“I don’t want to be haunted by my parents and my brother. I know they kept Hemmingway’s room the same, but I can’t bear to be around it too much. He was my identical twin, Gamble. I lost a part of me when he was killed.”
He hugged him.
“I got you, Poe. We’ll redecorate the whole place to make it easier for you. We can put Hemmingway’s things away. We can do whatever makes it a smooth transition.”
He was relieved.
“Thank you, Mate.”
“Well, I am your mate,” he admitted, winking at him.
And he wanted to be his husband.
“How about you show me the rest of the castle?” he asked, wanting to move this along for Poe’s sake. He saw him struggling.
He needed a distraction.
Poe nodded.
“Are you hungry?” he asked. “You had to have a rough day of travel yesterday with the horses. We can grab a bite to eat.”
He actually was.
Gamble couldn’t remember when he ate last. It had been a mad rush to get to Poe, and food had been inconsequential.
Now, he needed to keep his strength up in case they had a Von issue.
“I’m kinda hungry. Does this castle have a kitchen?” he asked, keeping it light. “Is it near the dragon?”
Poe snorted.
“Yes, he is responsible for flame broiling everything,” he joked.
Gamble laughed as he led him out of the library, down a corridor, and past a ballroom.
“Are we going to ignore that room?” he asked, curious why the man hustled past it.
Poe laughed.
“I was trying. Since this is your official tour, let’s go inside,” he said.
When they did, Gamble saw it.
On the wall over the fireplace, there was a family portrait. In the middle were an older couple, Poe’s parents. On either side of them, like bookends, there were Hemmingway and Poe.
And they were, indeed, identical.
There was no doubt there.
“Wow. You and Hemmingway…”
“I guess it’s a good thing he’s not around. You wouldn’t know which brother was which. I wouldn’t want you falling for my twin,” he semi-joked.
Only, that was a worry.
Would Gamble be attracted to other men? Not so much his brother, but if someone handsome walked past them, would he be curious?
It was silly, but it was there.
When he heard the tone, Gamble wanted to reassure the man he loved.
He hadn’t fallen in love with Poe’s attractiveness, but instead, his heart. Oh, don’t get him wrong, the man was handsome, but it was the love he gave him that made him want to be with him.
To reassure him, Gamble wrapped his arm around his waist and found his mouth with his. The kiss was filled with love, and not like the heat in the previous one. It was meant to reassure, and prove that love lived between them.
When he broke it, Gamble stared into his eyes.
“Oh, I would know,” he admitted. “I’d know my other half anywhere. There is only one Poe, and he’s mine.”
Poe was overheating.
Then again, this man seemed to know how to do that with him. It was his body, his mouth, and his hands. One was currently on his ass.
And he liked it.
Oh, he liked it a lot.
When one of the staff opened the door, she stopped dead in her tracks.
“Oh, I’m so sorry,” she said, pausing. “I apologize, Sir. I was coming in to…”
She didn’t get to finish.
He reassured her.
“No worries. I was just taking a moment with my boyfriend,” he admitted.
As soon as he said it, Gamble fought not to cringe.
There was that horrible word again, and Gamble didn’t like it. That had to change, and soon.
He wanted ALL of Poe.
“Has the chef made anything for lunch?” he asked, feeling the need to take care of his Marine.
She nodded.
“Yes, Sir. He’s just wrapping it up and was waiting for you to show up.”
Well, it looked like it was time to eat.
“Thank you, Nicolle,” he said, as the woman nodded and backed out of the room to give them privacy.
“We’re definitely going to fire everyone,” Poe said, feeling a little sorry that he’d just hired them. “I want to have my alone time with you.”
Gamble grinned.
Poe was still against him, and they both had erections. They’d have no use for a ballroom, but he wouldn’t mind christening this room too.
“Where were we?” Gamble asked, finding his mouth again, and knowing what he’d rather have for lunch.
His man.
Poe slipped his hands into the Marine’s hair, and held on for one hell of a ride. The whole time, he was calm, cool, and collected.
That was all because of Gamble.
He was sure of it.
When one of them moaned, Gamble broke the kiss to stare into his eyes.
“God, but you make me want to do really crazy things, Poe. Here. On the floor.”
Jesus.
Poe wanted that.
Only, there were people everywhere, and Poe wanted them to be uninterrupted.
“For the record, Mate, I’m never saying no to that. I would love to see us rolling around on the floor. We’ll turn the painting around. That’s weird.”
Gamble laughed.
Poe was a funny man—if you got his humor.
“How about we finish the tour, and then we see your bedroom?” he asked.
Poe licked his lips and could still taste Gamble on them. Oh, and he liked it.
A.
LOT.
Only, now, he was curious.
“For a tour or…?” he asked, letting that hang there for the man to answer.
Gamble grinned wickedly.
“The tour of your body,” he whispered, teasing his earlobe with his teeth. “I want to get naked with you, Poe, and revisit our fun in the grotto. Desperately. I crave you.”
God.
No one in his life ever made him feel like this. He felt so good in his arms, and Poe finally was safe. This was a good day for him.
Earlier, he figured he was doing this alone.
It was nice not to be.
Taking a chance, he cupped Gamble through his jeans, testing the waters, and when he did, the man’s bi-colored eyes dilated in response.
Oh, and he went harder beneath his hand.
“I like touching you, Gamble,” he admitted. “I’m glad I can now.”
He was to the point.
“I’m never saying no,” he admitted, saying the same thing Poe had said to him.
When Gamble’s stomach grumbled, Poe put that first on the list of needs. Sex could wait. He knew Gamble was hungry, and he wanted to take care of him.
As he set him free, both men had bumps in the front of their pants, and that said it all.
They were definitely feeling that kiss.
Poe was excited that they were going to have a private moment in their bedroom after he fed Gamble.
That would be vastly different than in a grotto on a blanket.
He.
Was.
Curious.
What would it be like having sex in a bed with Gamble?
Would it be wild like he expected?
Sweet and gentle?
Oh, well, he couldn’t wait.
As they left the ballroom, the staff headed in, making sure to start the set up for tomorrow night. Meanwhile, Poe led his man down the corridor to the location of the kitchen.
The room was big, but it wasn’t what Gamble expected.
It was strictly a kitchen. It was clear they didn’t eat there. That meant there was somewhere else.
Poe saw the questioning glance and knew what he was thinking. He’d grown up with staff all around him, and unlike in America, there wasn’t an eat-in space for leisurely dining.
It was all formal, all of the time.
“We’ll get our lunch and move to the dining room. That is, if you don’t mind,” he said.
Gamble got it.
“Lead the way, Poe. This is your familiar territory. I will adjust.”
Somehow, he believed that. Gamble was very laid back, and he didn’t get rattled easily.
Clearly.
When they had the attention of the staff, Poe went there.
“Peter, this is my significant other,” he said, introducing Gamble. “This is Arthur Doyle. I call him Artie, and he loves it,” he teased.
Gamble stared at him in amusement. Oh, well, someone was busting ass. There was no way in hell anyone was calling him that.
He was forever Gamble.
But two could play that game.
“Oh, thank you, Poe-y pie.”
That made the man laugh as they shared a very private thing that no one else understood.
Well, at least they were going to have fun with it.
Why the hell not?
Lemons were had, and lemonade was made.
Peter carried on, not missing a beat.
“Sir, we have soup and sandwiches for lunch. Tomato soup and a cheese and pickle sandwich. Will that be sufficient?” he asked. “You said a light food day, and I was unaware you would have company. I would have made something different.”
Well, in Poe’s defense, he was not aware he was getting the gift that kept on giving.
A second chance with Gamble.
He nodded.
Then, he explained since his man wasn’t British, and the biggest thing he was going to have to adjust to was the food.
Well, and the weather.
“It’s a cheese toastie with melted cheese and what you’d call a chutney. It’s not a pickle, even if we call it a pickle.”
Gamble grinned.
He wasn’t picky about most foods. Gamble had traveled a lot as a Marine, and he ate many things. He’d had food from this part of Europe before, and it was nothing he would run screaming from.
To him, food was fuel.
His heart belonged in New Orleans and with Creole food, but he could survive on a sandwich.
Well, and dining on Poe.
“Ah, another adventure,” he said, when the man looked nervous like he wasn’t going to like it. “Bring it on. I’m starving.”
The chef was curious.
“And you like it?” he asked, putting the toasted sandwiches on plates.
Gamble was to the point.
“I was a soldier,” he said. “I was accustomed to either eating MREs out of a pouch, or skipping meals. Nothing you’re going to serve is going to shock me. I’m easy,” he said.
Peter was curious.
“If there is one thing you’d like to try, Artie, what would it be?”
Gamble gave Poe a look, and the man tried not to laugh. Later, he’d make sure he made him pay for saddling him with that name.
In bed.
“I would love to try some really good fish,” he admitted. “I’ve had some interesting things here once before. I’m good with bangers and mash. I’m not afraid of a mushy pea, and chips…I like them extra crispy with vinegar.”
Peter Childs looked chuffed that the American wasn’t going to be a dick about the food.
“Sir, just let me know what you would like later,” he admitted.
Poe knew it was going to be a long day tomorrow for the staff.
“How about we find our own food tonight, and after the memorial, you can throw all kinds of foods at Artie?”
He felt the slap to his ass, and it got him flustered.
Yes.
Please.
Peter nodded.
“Absolutely, Sir.”
When the chef put bowls of soup on the plates, Poe handed one to Gamble, and took the other. When they walked into the other room, it was a very formal dining room.
“We can eat here, or there is a patio overlooking the land. It’s not too cold out.”
That worked for Gamble.
“Dealer’s choice. You’re giving the tour. I’m enjoying the view,” he said, making Poe blush when he figured out that it was his ass that was the view.
“God, but you’re more than I can handle,” Poe admitted, and it was the truth. “Oh, I’m going to handle all of it later.”
He hoped so.
Poe opted to let the staff have the dining room, and led them outside where they could sexually harass the hell out of each other in some incredible foreplay.
That was for his ears only, and he wanted to be alone with Gamble.
He led him to a patio, and there was a café table there overlooking the estate.
Gamble put his food down and walked toward the wall surrounding it. They were up fairly high above the back of the castle.
“This is stunning,” he admitted. “This is quite the view.”
Poe joined him.
“My mother had this done when we were little. My insane brother used to rappel down the side when we were teens. She regretted it. One of us snuck out to go mess with the ladies. Spoiler, it wasn’t me. I’ve always been as gay as the day is long. I used to check out the stable help when they were shirtless. Sue me. I’m easy.”
He laughed.
“Oh, is that so?” he asked. “Did you mess with the boys?”
Poe was honest.
“Discreetly. Truth be told, my mother wasn’t keen on me being gay. She kept trying to have my father send me to some camp or school to get me interested in girls. It never happened. Hemmingway was trouble, and he was sent to an all-boy’s school so he couldn’t sleep with all the ladies.”
Gamble listened.
“When I went to boarding school at thirteen, I was sent to a co-ed one. I missed my brother in the worst way, but I discovered boys in showers. It’s still my favorite place to have sex. It brings back memories,” he teased.
Gamble saved that to his pleasure database. He loved a rousing bout of shower sex. With Storm, it was just one more thing he had to give up.
It was going to be healing to be able to experience everything with Poe.
And he meant EVERYTHING.
“Oh, you don’t say. Let’s sit down and you can tell me all about it. Gamble won’t tell a soul. You can trust him,” he said, in the third person.
Poe laughed.
Oh, this man was insane, and he was crazy about him. They never talked about sex because it was mostly inappropriate as his doctor unless it was related to his PTSD. They were going to have fun navigating their likes and dislikes.
Poe was looking forward to it.
How could he not?
Together, they sat at the café table, their knees touching beneath it.
They began eating.
Poe watched him bite into his toastie, and waited for his initial impression. It was going to be hit or miss, and he knew it. British food was…crazy at times.
The whole time, Gamble chewed.
“Well?” Poe asked.
He was honest.
“It’s not bad,” he said. “The chutney is a little sweet, and it reminds me of charcuterie. Like fig jam and cheese on a cracker. I don’t hate it.”
Poe relaxed.
“Would you eat it again?” he asked.
Gamble grinned.
“Not my favorite thing to put in my mouth, but yeah, I’d eat it again.”
Poe blushed.
“Exactly,” Gamble said. “Now, let’s talk steamy shower stories. If you tell me about your first, I’ll tell you about mine.”
Poe laughed and ate some of his sandwich, feeling much better.
He couldn’t remember the last time he ate since he’d been in mourning.
Plus, he was curious about Gamble’s past. He knew about Storm, but there had to be so many other women before her. Gamble was sexy, and there was no doubt women wanted on that ride.
You’d have to be blind to not notice the female staff checking him out.
“Well, his name was Thomas, and we shared a room at the boarding school. He was intelligent, funny, and he liked boys too. Apparently, his parents sent him there for the same reason. To get him straight.”
Gamble kept eating, and let Poe talk.
He loved listening to his voice. It was melodic with that British accent. When he spoke, it gave him chills.
Still, he couldn’t believe that this was his man. They survived being tracked by mercenaries, and they found their way back together again after Poe ran.
Life was looking good.
“We had football one day and,” he began, reminding him, “not your kind of football. Soccer,” he said, clueing him in. “We both headed back to our room, and there was a shower attached. A full loo,” he stated.
Gamble loved how thick his accent was now that he was back home in the UK.
It was kind of sexy.
When he was in America, it softened, and he sounded more like a local. Now, he was getting the full Poe experience, and it was alluring.
“I went in first, and I had to be giving off those gay vibes, I guess because as I was washing my hair, I felt a hand on my ribs. When I turned around, he kissed me.”
Gamble ate his soup.
He was curious about Poe’s past.
Mostly because he wanted to be the new memory that gave him all the joy.
“It was my first time with a male, and I’ll never forget it. He was definitely the Top in that situation. I don’t think I was his first, but he was mine.”
Poe ate some of his food.
Gamble was curious.
“And did you like him being the aggressor? Asking because I want what we have to be amazing for both of us. I don’t want to cross lines…”