Chapter Seven
The first free moment Kash had, he called Ajax.
While he had lived in Atlantic City, he had made the mistake of doing collections and making drops for the biggest drug lord on the east coast. Noir ran Atlantic City with an iron fist. Not to mention, the guy was certifiably insane.
He didn’t send anyone to do his dirty work if he wanted someone dead.
It was rumored he had once stabbed a man to death, leaving behind enough holes to make anyone else drop in exhaustion.
People said the coroner gave up trying to count them.
Noir wasn’t one to be fucked with. Ajax guarded a psychopath.
What did that say about what he was capable of doing?
The absolute dumbest thing he had done was leave Atlantic City as if he planned to return.
He hadn’t covered his tracks and led this entire mess straight to Ledger’s door.
The only defense he had was that he hadn’t expected to see Ledger and have every feeling rush back to him like he had been kept in stasis since they last saw each other.
Kash hadn’t experienced more than lust for anyone since walking away from this town.
There was no way he could’ve known there was a reason for that.
It turned out Ledger had been more than a temporary, secret obsession; he had stolen Kash. He couldn’t see anyone else.
Kash sat on hold for longer than necessary. He knew Ajax did it on purpose. Kash had once flirted with the man Ajax had been head over heels in love with for years. He had not made any friends in that one.
“You’ve been dodging me.”
No hi or checking to see if Kash was actually on the line.
“I’m sorry you see it that way. I spoke with Noir before leaving town.
You two know where I am. That’s not dodging.
My life just doesn’t revolve around you.
” It was a calculated risk, feeding Ajax attitude, but he wouldn’t let Ajax think he was some weak-ass bitch he could push around.
A moment of silence lingered. Someone spoke in the background. Ajax released a loud, put-upon sigh. “You’re lucky my man likes you.”
He was lucky he had dirt on Ajax’s man. Kash was the only person who knew he had given Lucas an out card, in case he ever needed to leave Ajax.
“I like him too.” Kash ensured he poured as much sexual promise into the words as possible.
Ledger glanced up from cooking with raised eyebrows.
Kash winked.
Another loud sigh brushed his ear. “Yeah. I think I like you better on the opposite coast. I don’t put it past you to keep trying your luck until I’m forced to kill you.”
A smile exploded across Kash’s face. He might not have much going for him, but Kash knew how to drive people in the direction they needed to go.
“I’ll inform Noir this move is a permanent one. Do not lose touch with me again. Same rules apply. Do your job. We’ll keep you safe. Everyone makes money. Don’t make a liar out of me, Kash. This move is permanent, even if I have to come there to kill you. Understood?”
“I’m not worried. You know I’m a good boy.”
Ledger smiled and shook his head.
Ajax snorted and disconnected the call. With a chuckle, Kash tossed the phone aside.
There. Ledger protected. He still had a source of money and the prince’s protection.
More than anything, he had Ledger all alone.
To himself. Bonus points, Ledger wanted him too.
Kash didn’t know how much patience he had in him tonight.
They had moved Kash’s things in, along with his car.
Kash had canceled his storage unit. It had been a full day.
Now they were home. Truthfully, it still didn’t feel like home.
He was still braced for this to fall apart before things even got started.
After all, Valon always won. The moment he caught wind of this, Ledger would be done.
Right now, though, Kash could do this. He moved to stand behind Ledger and molded against his back. He buried his nose against Ledger’s neck. “Mhmm. Something smells good. I’m excited to taste it.”
He felt more than heard Ledger chuckle. “I hope you’re not disappointed with your decision. With everything going on, I haven’t hit the gym in the last few days. I’m already turning into flab.”
Kash gave Ledger his space. “I’m not worried.
You make me way too hot. But you should let me know your usual gym schedule.
I’ve been lax too. While you’re at it, I need your typical schedule for every day of the week, so I can set up a solid security plan.
We’ve been winging it, and that’s not smart.
If someone’s determined to get to you, they’ll follow your normal path.
Everyone has a daily pattern, whether they mean to or not.
It’s all well and good to say mix it up and keep them guessing.
But that’s not realistic if you want a settled life, and I want a settled life. ”
The sweet smile that touched Ledger’s lips made Kash’s heart beat a little faster. “Do you practice these lines in the mirror?”
That one confused Kash. “What do you mean?”
For a moment, Ledger just stared at him. Then he shook his head. “Wow. You really mean it. You’re ready to jump into life with me with both feet. No overthinking or regrets.”
It seemed Ledger still didn’t fully understand how serious Kash was.
Kash knew himself. Not only did he want to dive right in, Kash might do anything if anyone thwarted his plans.
He had waited a long time to have Ledger without all the guilt and ugly bits.
He didn’t know how long they had before they had to face the firing squad named Valon, but he needed to savor every second. Cooking was taking too long.
“No overthinking. No regrets. Just us.”
A slight blush touched Ledger’s cheeks, fascinating Kash. “What’s this about? Why are you blushing?”
Ledger looked away and focused on stirring pots. After a moment, he cleared his throat and met Kash’s stare. “I haven’t been with anyone since Ry left.”
Kash didn’t react. He wasn’t the least bit surprised.
Ledger was loyal and believed in love. He wouldn’t jump from bed to bed.
Ledger needed something real. He had found it.
“I can go slow.” In fact, he looked forward to savoring every second of a body he never thought he would have.
The heart attached was the sexiest part, but Kash would be lying if he said it wasn’t also about sex.
He very much wanted Ledger every way he could have him.
“That was a lot of flirting on the phone. What did you learn?”
“Ah. The deflection.” He would let it stand.
Kash understood Ry’s betrayal would linger with them for a while until Kash proved he would never do the same.
“There’re only two things Ajax loves: his prince and his man, Lucas, and Ajax is a jealous bastard.
The best way to stay on this coast is for Ajax to want me as far away from Lucas as possible.
” Kash spread his arms wide. “Here I am, ordered to stay right where I am for good.”
Ledger looked skeptical. “And they want nothing in return?”
Kash needed Ledger to know he would always be honest. “I definitely didn’t say that.
People don’t walk away from crime lords and live to talk.
Not to mention, there isn’t a single law or government agency that isn’t bought and paid for.
I’m sorry I brought this to your door. When I got here, I expected you to take one look at me and tell me to leave.
If I had thought there was a single hope you might love me someday, I would’ve covered my every step.
You know I can vanish when I want to. I never thought someone like you would ever touch someone like me. ”
“Don’t say shit like that.” Ledger looked fierce.
“Stop acting like I’m some prize who isn’t more than twenty years older than you.
I’m not Ajax. You don’t have to corner me with compliments or apologize for a bad decision when you never thought you’d be here again.
Granted, being tied to a crime lord is pretty fucking massive.
” Ledger made a gesture like wiping away his words.
“That’s not the point right now.” He took a deep breath, as if calming himself.
Ledger held his stare. “I know I’m a lot older than you.
Maybe I look good right now, but I won’t forever, so I fully understand you’ll eventually want someone else.
But I absolutely want as much of you as I can get until you move on. ”
Kash let Ledger unload that bullshit, so he didn’t have to carry it, but goddamn.
For a moment, he simply blinked while trying to decide how he felt.
“Well, that was the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.
” Kash couldn’t deny the anger growing inside him.
“No. I’m actually furious. I’ve spent years incapable of anything serious with anyone else because you’ve been lodged in my head.
” Kash pushed all the buttons to turn off the cooktop built into the island.
“It pisses me the fuck off that you could think I’m anything like Ry, but I get it.
He was a terrible person impersonating a good husband.
” Kash met and held Ledger’s gaze. “I’m someone who has been sickeningly in love with you for years, while disguised as a bad guy.
If you want to eat any of this tonight, then stop toying with me.
I’ll absolutely spank you until you learn your lesson. ”
Ledger visibly fought not to smile. “What lesson is that?”