Chapter Nine
The house seemed unusually quiet as JJ headed for Beau’s office.
He knew Beau’s husband, Kylo, likely played upstairs in his playroom.
Still, maybe it was only him, but each hollow step made him feel like he headed toward judgment day.
Beau’s office door stood open. No voices came from inside.
He wondered if he would have to wait for Beau while sweating bullets and chewing off his nails.
JJ peeked inside the room.
Kylo sat next to Beau’s chair, wearing a slinky maid costume while painting Beau.
Beau sat still as death while Kylo worked. He came back to life when he spotted JJ lingering in the doorway.
“Right on time.”
Kylo looked JJ’s way at Beau’s greeting. “Hi, JJ.”
JJ flashed Kylo a sweet smile. “Hey. Are you showing off your talents today?”
Kylo laughed. “Nah. I’m just keeping Daddy trapped, so he’s stuck at my side.”
JJ chuckled as he sat across the desk from Beau.
Beau stared at Kylo with one eyebrow raised. “You know damn well you don’t have to trick me into spending every second with you.”
Kylo winked.
Beau visibly melted. To JJ’s surprise, Beau’s expression didn’t return to his usual cold demeanor when he focused on JJ.
He motioned JJ forward. “Let’s see this thing. I hear the latest bionic models are amazing.”
JJ smiled and pulled his chair closer to the desk. He reached across the desk with his arm outstretched, and as close as he could get it to Beau.
Beau turned his hand from side to side, inspecting it.
Kylo moved to sit on Beau’s lap so he could see too. “Whoa. That’s really cool. I didn’t realize you’d look like you’re part cyborg now.”
JJ chuckled at Kylo’s words. “Yeah. They make extremely realistic-looking skins, but the extra weight makes it harder to control. He tapped his fingers on the desk to prove he could. “My current goal is to be able to flick a cigarette lighter. Between the child lock, the perfectly timed wheel spin, and button press, a lighter is one of the more complicated fine motor skills.” He sat back. “I can’t say this entire thing hasn’t been frustrating as hell, but it’s worth every second of aggravation.
” He held Beau’s stare. “Thank you for this.”
Beau snorted. “You shouldn’t thank me. I’m responsible for the order that led to your injury. That means I’m responsible for correcting the situation as much as I can. The mark of a man is accepting responsibility for every decision made.”
JJ dipped his chin. Beau was a lot of things, but he was also solid in all the ways that counted. That was one of the biggest reasons JJ hadn’t hesitated to sign on with him.
Beau shifted in his seat and pulled Kylo into a more comfortable position. “My youngest son called me last night and pointed out some things I hadn’t thought about. It’s my understanding you’d like to move to first shift.”
JJ had no fucking clue how anyone knew that. This was his opening, though. He would never get a better chance. “Yes, sir.”
Beau nodded. His expression turned calculating. “I assume you’re aware that your boyfriend’s father is a congressional representative.”
A groan rang through JJ’s head. “Yes, sir.”
Beau kept nodding. “Congressman Justice is someone I’ve kept under my thumb for years. I’d like to get a tighter grip on him. Let’s make a bargain.”
Fuck his life. If he had to do anything to Leary’s dad, Leary would never see him the same way again. Unfortunately, there was no saying no to Beau. “Okay.”
Beau flashed him a kind smile. “Don’t worry. Your man doesn’t even need to know.”
JJ dipped his chin. “Okay.” All the curse words rang through his mind.
Beau reached inside his desk and pulled out an envelope.
“I’ve arranged for the congressman to invite Leary and you to dinner tonight.
While you’re there, I want you to place these listening devices around his home.
Any place you suspect he might say anything incriminating.
He thinks you’ll be there to deliver a message.
I’ve written instructions on what to say.
” Beau held the envelope out but pulled it back when JJ reached for it.
“Don’t you want to know what you’ll get in return? ”
“Of course.”
Beau smiled. “In exchange, I’m prepared to move you to first shift when you return to work, and with certain provisions, I’ll also allow you to live with Leary.”
Holy shit. This couldn’t be for real. Leary would die when JJ told him the news. This time, when Beau held out the envelope, JJ didn’t take it. “What are the provisions?”
A huge grin split Beau’s face. “You’re learning.
Good. Never agree to anything unless you know all the traps.
Henry has put together a team to move you and your belongings today.
While they’re there, they’ll install real-time monitored cameras inside, leaving you your privacy, of course.
However, I can’t risk you being taken again.
” His gaze hardened. “I won’t let you be taken again.
You’ll need to stay under my protection, or the deal is off. ”
He already lived like that. JJ could do it somewhere else. Especially if that somewhere else was with Leary. “I’m cool with that.”
Beau passed JJ the envelope.
Kylo smiled. “It’s been a pleasure doing business with you.”
The laughter that burst from Beau caught him off guard and surprised a laugh from him.
JJ couldn’t stop himself from playing along. “I hope this leads to a bright and prosperous future for us.”
Kylo laughed and clapped.
Beau looked Kylo’s way and then focused on JJ again.
He winked, shocking the shit out of JJ. An invisible weight lifted from JJ’s shoulders.
He saw the human side of Beau. Beau understood better than JJ how to be a daddy.
He would give JJ the chance to do the same.
JJ couldn’t wait to tell Leary the news—minus the bugging his dad’s home bit.
For a moment, he wondered if he should surprise him at work.
JJ shook off the idea. He had to pack first and get everything moved.
Then he would launch himself into Leary’s life, no holding back.
JJ tucked away the envelope. “Thank you for this. I should get started.”
Beau waved him away. “Go. Find Fletch, and he’ll gather the team Henry assigned.”
JJ didn’t need to be told twice. He was on his way to a beautiful future.
JJ: I have a huge surprise for you when you get home.
Leary: Oooh, I can’t wait. Any hints?
JJ: Nope.
Leary: Dang.
As hard as Leary tried, he couldn’t do anything except think about his last text exchange with JJ. Traffic felt like the biggest nightmare he had ever dealt with. He caught every red light on the way home. When he finally pulled into his driveway, Leary was just confused.
A black sideboard van with no markings sat parked on the lawn and close to the front door.
Men swarmed outside, heading in and out the front door like they paid the bills.
Leary dodged bodies on the way to the door.
Each person he passed smiled and nodded.
When he walked through the door, he found Fletch mounting a camera.
JJ shot from the couch at the sight of him. “Hey, baby. You’re home early. I hoped all this would be done by then.”
Leary turned in a circle. “What is all this? Why are there cameras in my house?”
Guilt passed over JJ’s features. He took Leary’s hand and led him to the couch. Once they sat, JJ turned sideways and gave Leary his full attention. “Do you know how I promised you I would find a way to live here?”
A mixture of excitement and fear had Leary’s heart pounding. “Yes.”
JJ didn’t smile. He looked every bit as scared as Leary felt. “Well, this is the compromise. Beau says he’s fine with me staying here with you, as long as he has eyes on me. He doesn’t want to risk me being taken again. So, if you’re okay with high-level security in your home, I can stay.”
JJ looked so hopeful. Leary’s heart was bursting with love. “To keep you safe, I’d agree to anything. But to also get to keep you full-time, you were right not to even bother consulting me. I don’t care as long as I have you.”
A bright smile exploded across JJ’s face.
Leary couldn’t contain his happiness. He launched himself at JJ, uncaring of who watched. “Oh my God. I can’t believe it.” He kissed JJ everywhere he could reach. “You get to stay with me forever.”
JJ laughed. He swiped a kiss across Leary’s lips. “There’s more.”
“Shut the fuck up. What else could it be?” Leary immediately covered his mouth. It was rare for him to curse. “Sorry.”
JJ's smile never dimmed. He chuckled. “You’re funny. But guess what? He’s also moving me to first shift when I return to work.”
“You’ve gotta be kidding me. Holy crap. I’m so freaking happy. I knew you would figure it out, but wow. This is better than I dared to hope.”
Fletch cleared his throat. “I hate to interrupt, but we have to talk.”
JJ nodded and stood.
Fletch handed a small box to Alexander, another daytime security guard. Fletch waited until Alexander walked outside before speaking. “That box was filled with bugs and a GoPro camera we found stashed around the house.”
“What the fuck?”
JJ said the words at the same time as Leary.
Fletch’s gaze swapped between them. “They’ve been deactivated, but I left one activated for a purpose.
” He focused on JJ. “Here in a second, we’ll step outside and let whoever’s done this overhear us.
I’ll tell you about finding the devices, and you just play along as I say they’ve been destroyed.
I need you to tell me all about how there’s no way they have anything to do with you because you’ve never even set eyes on Beau.
You’re a perimeter guard who’s positioned far from the house.
You literally know zilch about the Bosi family beyond them signing your checks. Got it?”
JJ nodded. “I can do that.”
Fletch patted JJ's shoulder before squeezing it. “When I leave here, I’ll destroy the final bug and dump them. First, we just have to ensure whoever did this thinks you’re nobody.”
JJ motioned toward the door. “Let’s do it.”
Leary stood to follow, but his phone rang, stopping him. With an irritated huff, Leary dug his phone out and headed to the bedroom at the sight of his dad’s name.
“Hello?”
“Hey, son. Be at the house at seven for dinner. Your mom says you’re dating someone. Bring them.” It was an order. It was always an order. His dad didn’t ask for anything.
“I kind of have plans tonight.” Like celebrating this miracle he had been handed, while fretting over who and why anyone would spy on him. Where had that camera been? Had they watched JJ and him when they were intimate? Had they heard them? How horrific. He was pissed. How dare they?
“Cancel them. You made your bed by hiding this person from us. I thought you knew by now that we accept you. Bring the damn guy. Unless you’re ashamed of him.”
Rage consumed Leary. His dad always knew how to get under his skin. “Of course I’m not ashamed. It’s just that I’m not always free to drop everything.”
“Nonsense. You’ll be here at seven. Your mother and I didn’t sacrifice everything for a son who can’t even spare two hours for us.”
Leary’s shoulders fell.
JJ appeared.
Leary spotted his chance. “Is it okay with you if we have dinner with my parents tonight?” Leary fully expected JJ to curl his nose at the idea. That would give him the backbone he needed.
JJ smiled. Happiness sparkled in his eyes. “You’re finally going to let me meet your parents? Of course, we’ll go.”
A groan rang through Leary’s head. He couldn’t let JJ think he was hiding him or anything. The problem was his parents. They were a lot. “We’ll see you at seven.”
“That’s the spirit.” His dad disconnected the call without saying goodbye. Typical.
JJ beamed. “I can’t believe it. Everything feels so permanent. I love it. We get to have a real life together—minus the cameras, of course. Don’t worry, nothing was placed anywhere that would really invade our privacy.”
There was that.
“But we’re like a real adult couple now. Holy shit. You have no idea how happy I am.”
There was no way his irritation over going to his parents could ruin the happiness he saw in JJ.
That happiness was for him. About him. JJ looked as if he walked on cloud nine, and it was all because he got to be with Leary.
That was surreal as hell. There was no description good enough to cover the way he felt.
“I love you.” That was the best Leary had.
JJ’s smile softened along with his eyes. “I love you too.”
They held each other’s stare for a solid minute, basking in the miracle they had been given.
Leary broke first. “Who in the heck would spy on me? I’m no one. Do you really think there’s no way it could be about you? Or was that whole act really only a safety precaution?”
“Oh, it’s definitely about me. Beau is putting all this protection in place for a reason. He personally knows every guard. There’s no one who works for him that never sets eyes on him. He would never have anyone in his house and around his husband that he doesn’t fully investigate and trust.”
“He has a husband?” Leary didn’t know why that shocked him. He had just never paid too close attention to Beau’s life. Leary only knew his sons because one of them owned The PlayPen. He had to pass a lot of barriers to get that membership. Otherwise, he wasn’t sure he would know Beau if he saw him.
“Yeah. His name is Kylo. He’s a part-time Little. You’d love him.” JJ paused and looked thoughtful for a second. “Come to think about it, I’m not sure if he’s a Little or if he’s just extremely eccentric. You’d have to meet him to understand.”
Leary nodded along, fascinated. “You’ve never talked to me this much about your job. Would you get into trouble for this?”
JJ laughed. “Probably, but I doubt Beau would get upset over me praising his husband. They’re a beautiful couple. Seeing their happiness reminds me so much of us. That’s how I know we’re perfect.”
Dang. He really always said exactly what Leary wanted to hear, even when Leary didn’t know what he wanted JJ to say. No matter what, Leary would love and cherish this man until his last breath. JJ was the one for him. He would never let him go.