Chapter Thirteen
Kash did his best to slip quietly from the bed, leaving Valon and Ledger behind.
The pair needed their sleep, and Kash had some shit to do.
After taking a shower in the guestroom, Kash checked on the pair one more time before heading for the living room.
He needed to run a quick but important errand before Marc showed up for their meeting.
Thankfully, he was out and back home in under half an hour.
Marc waited for him in the driveway. Kash climbed out of the SUV and opened the side door for Marc.
Marc was a big, cuddly-looking guy. While he could be a scary motherfucker, he had a sweet edge that Kash knew was needed right now. Marc smiled as he approached. “Hey.”
Kash returned the smile. It was genuine. Marc was seriously just a nice guy. “Hey. Odd request, but do you mind joining me in the SUV? I don’t want to take any chances of being overheard.”
Marc’s forehead furrowed, but he didn’t argue. “Sure.”
Kash waited until they were closed inside the vehicle before jumping right in. “I’d like to hire you to guard Valon.” He rushed to clarify. “I mean, you’d still be part of Steel’s company. But Steel has agreed to let me steal you and put you with Valon, if you’re willing.”
“Sure. No problem. What’s up?”
Marc needed to know what he walked into, but Kash wasn’t sure he came out looking very good in this situation.
“Valon is… difficult.” Marc nodded, and Kash pressed on.
“I also think he has some sort of huge issue going on that he’s not talking about.
The combination will likely make him a bit of an explosive client. ”
“No one can be worse than this one bank CEO who made my life absolute hell.”
Even though Kash chuckled, he wasn’t as sure about that. All of Valon’s guards kept quitting for a reason. Considering how well-trained Steel’s employees were, Valon had to be something else.
Marc’s smile slipped away. “I’m guessing there’s a reason we’re having this conversation out here. Is Valon against this idea?”
“No, that’s not the case at all. He doesn’t even know about this plan.
I wanted to make sure you’re cool with this first. I think the real Valon is still there, hiding behind this spoiled rock star persona.
He’s nothing like he’s been behaving.” At least, Kash hoped that was the case.
Once upon a time, he thought he knew Valon better than anyone.
It was possible the bitterness he witnessed yesterday had changed Valon permanently.
Either way… “I think he’s one rejection away from being capable of anything.
He told me he doesn’t have anyone. If you didn’t want this job, I couldn’t let him hear that. ”
Marc nodded along. “I get it. He does have the look of someone ready to break.” He cleared his throat. “You know the drill. I need to know everything if I’m going to be of any use. It seems like there’s been a bit of discourse.”
Yeah. This was the part where Kash didn’t come out looking the best. Kash cleared his throat.
“I met Valon on the first day of his freshman year of high school. He wasn’t anywhere near to being where he is now, and I was still starstruck.
Valon was scrawny as fuck, but he was adorable.
There was just something about him. I wanted to be in his company.
He’s always been special. You can feel it when you’re near him.
It’s like he was born to be a star. We were a couple until his sophomore year of college. ”
Marc’s eyebrows rose when Kash said “couple,” but he didn’t speak.
Kash had to get everything out. “A very long story as short as possible, I convinced him to quit college and take a risk on his talent. He did, and a month later, he had a record deal and basically just disappeared. For three months, Ledger and I sat by our phones every day, waiting to hear if he was even alive. He seriously just walked away from us. That’s why Ledger keeps his location on his phone now.
For real, he just vanished. After three months, I finally broke and hunted him down in L.A.
He looked at me like he didn’t even know who I was.
Valon was too busy for me. He had just ‘forgotten’ to keep in touch.
I knew it was purposeful. He tasted stardom, and I wasn’t part of his dream. ”
“Jesus.”
At Marc’s quiet curse, Kash took a breath.
“Well, I’m marrying his dad now, so…” Kash fought a nervous chuckle.
He hated talking about his past. “Valon acts like he’s perfectly fine and unbothered.
Maybe he is. I don’t know him anymore. But I think he’s falling apart, and I doubt my marrying his dad is making anything better.
I don’t know. He just needs a closer eye from someone who can show him grace and keep me in the loop.
He’s Ledger’s son. Ledger’s pride and joy.
I have to know Valon is safe and in good hands.
Ledger is my whole world. I need him to know Valon will be okay. ”
Marc reached over and squeezed Kash’s shoulder. “I’ll do what I can.”
The door from the kitchen into the garage opened, and Valon peeked out. He looked like an unsure child.
Kash immediately jumped from the vehicle.
Before he could ask a single question, Valon held up a small bag. “Some guy just delivered this for you.”
Kash smiled so hard, he almost hopped in place in happiness. “Yes! Come on. I want your opinion on this.” Kash steered Valon back inside with Marc on his heels. There was no time like the present to mend what he could while solidifying their family.
Valon looked over his shoulder, obviously confused by Marc’s presence.
Kash dropped the news quickly, hoping to move on before Valon could argue. “Valon, Marc. Marc, Valon. I know you two haven’t been formally introduced. Marc is your new bodyguard.” If Valon could buy Ledger a friend, Kash could buy one for Valon.
Valon flashed Marc a shy-looking smile. “Hi.”
“Hey there.” Marc sounded calm, peaceful, and friendly.
The way Valon’s shoulders relaxed couldn’t be missed, making Kash realize how tightly Valon had been holding himself. Relief filled Kash. Everything would be fine. They would make it through this.
The bed shook slightly, startling Ledger awake.
His gaze shot to where he had found Valon the night before.
Bright sunlight filled the room, and Valon was gone.
The shaking had to be from Kash crawling back into bed with him fully dressed, like he had been up for hours.
Ledger’s gaze slid toward the clock. It was nearly noon.
Damn. He never slept late. It seemed all the stress had finally caught up with him.
“Hey. Why are you dressed?”
Kash scooted beneath the blankets and snuggled close. “I had to go out this morning.”
Ledger had already decided he wouldn’t ask questions anytime Kash had to run out for a quick errand. Ignorance and bliss and all that. He didn’t want to know when Kash did anything illegal. Ledger wondered what it said about him that he was so unbothered. Likely nothing good.
“Where’s Valon?” He braced himself to hear that Valon had already left. Ledger would never find out what in the hell was going on with him if Valon didn’t sit still for a little while.
“He’s hanging out in the garage with Marc.”
“Marc’s here?” Ledger felt like he had slept for three days and no longer knew his household.
Kash tugged Ledger closer. “Yeah. I talked to him this morning about taking on Valon full time. He’s a talker and is used to snobbish CEOs making his life miserable.
I think he’s a good fit with Valon. He’ll treat Valon like a friend while also being unaffected when Valon turns into the raging asshole that’s obviously cost him several bodyguards. ”
“Sounds like he’s the perfect choice.”
Kash shifted around as if uncomfortable while answering absently. “I guess we’ll see.” His hand appeared from beneath the covers. “Here.”
It took Ledger a second to focus on the velvet ring box held three inches from his face. “What’s this?”
Kash pulled a confused face. “You accepted my marriage proposal last night. I can’t have you running around here without a ring, letting all these obsessed men think they have a shot.”
Ledger’s mind raced. When had he accepted a marriage proposal?
It hit him. They had been joking in the kitchen.
Ledger had accepted his proposal. He hadn’t even entertained the idea that Kash was serious.
While his thoughts raced, Ledger accepted the box and flipped it open.
The last thing he wanted was for Kash to see how scattered his thoughts were.
Kash had been neglected and rejected his entire life.
Ledger couldn’t add to that by seeming unsure.
It turned out the most beautiful ring Ledger had ever seen waited for him inside. His mind blanked as he pulled out the ring and slipped it onto his finger. It fit perfectly.
Ledger shook his head. “I’m a little scared to ask how you got this gorgeous of a ring in my exact size in one morning.”
Kash’s bright smile proved how important this was to him. “I have connections with connections. All I needed was the ring on your dresser to get a measurement. Do you really like it? It’s not over the top or anything, is it?”
Ledger couldn’t stop staring at the sparkling band on his ring finger.
Never in a million years would Ledger have thought to see another marital ring there.
Even six months ago, if anyone asked, Ledger would have said he would rather set himself on fire and run into traffic than be married again.
This was completely different, though. It was Kash.
“I love it.” The way his voice shook was the nail in the coffin. Ledger had to admit he had never wanted anything as badly as this family they were creating.
Kash kissed his cheek.
A soft knock landed on the bedroom door.
Ledger bit back a sigh. “No rest for the wicked.” He turned his head. “Come in!”