Chapter Thirty
Garett
Garett looked into a rear-view mirror and fixed his tie, a blend of nerves and determination in his eyes as he faced himself. Tonight was important. Not only for him, but for Torin. Liam’s spur-of-the-moment decision to fly in to meet him had tossed a wrench into their plans, though. Garett got it. He’d want to meet the man his brother was involved with, too, if he were in Liam’s shoes. He had specifically told Garett not to tell Torin he was on his way. He wanted to talk to Garett alone and see Torin for dinner at night. They had been together all afternoon, showing Liam where they lived, where they worked, then basically he gave him a tour through the Carrillo Ranch. Garett wanted to impress—not only Liam, but for Torin, too. Garett had to admit he was impressed with Liam, especially raising Torin alone, and told him so. The man walked and talked like a New York judge, fast and straightforward.
Torin walked beside him to the truck, and he watched as Torin fidgeted with the bottom of his shirt when he got in the truck. “You okay?” Garett asked.
“Yeah.”
Garett leaned over and squeezed Torin’s hand. “I’ve got a surprise for you waiting at dinner.”
“Really?”
“Yes, and oh, you’ll be so surprised, I promise.”
They drove in silence, the only sound being the gentle hum of the engine, until they entered the restaurant’s parking lot and parked. He wanted to ask what Byron called about, but there was no point before his visit with his brother. They could discuss the call when they were home alone. The restaurant was one of the better ones out of town, with soft light and an undisturbed, intimate feeling. It was chosen especially so Garett would look good.
As they walked into the restaurant, he spotted the judge straight away. The man was impossible to ignore—towering over the others, with the identical chiseled features of Torin, yet cutting a more influential image even in a crowded room. When they got close, he stood up, and his face was initially inscrutable.
“Torin!” Liam’s tone was affectionate as he wrapped his arms around his brother and squeezed him close.
“Liam! What are you doing here?”
“I wanted to meet Garett,” Liam said.
“I can’t believe you’re actually here,” Torin said, then faced Garett. “You weren’t kidding about a real surprise.”
A faint smile tugged at Liam’s lips. “Let’s sit and order. I have to leave tonight, so it’s a brief visit. Court tomorrow morning.”
They sat down in a booth; the conversation came rushing out at first.
“I was with Garett this afternoon,” Liam said, glancing at Torin. “And I’ve got to say, I totally approve. He’s a good man, Torin. Honestly, the best thing for you.”
Torin’s eyes went wide, color flushing his cheeks. “Really? I think so too.”
Liam nodded, his voice grave. “Really. And if you want to enter the world of BDSM with him, I support that, too. As long as it’s what you want, and you’re safe, then I’m okay with it. I trust Garett to keep you safe as he has so far here.”
Torin looked at Garett, relief and gratitude mixed in his expression. Garett smiled slightly, reassuringly, his hand on Torin’s knee under the table.
“There’s one condition, though,” Liam said, a seriousness in his voice. “You get to leave here after a year and go back to New York City and continue to attend the university. If you want to stay here with Garett, you have to go to a nearby university. Education is non-negotiable.”
Torin nodded. “That’s fair. I…I want to attend school somewhere.”
Garett squeezed Torin’s knee, and his heart swelled with pride. He respected Liam for insisting it was one of the things that mattered most in their lives.
When dinner finished, Liam looked at his watch and sighed. “I have a late flight back to New York City, but before I go, I want to stop by Dante’s. I want to see the man who thought he’d put his hands on my brother.”
Garett felt his stomach clench but nodded. “Alright. Let’s go. We have to park where the stagecoach is, though.”
“That’s fine.”
“Just follow us,” Garett said.
“Oh, I want my brother with me. Get in my car, Torin, we can talk more,” Liam said.
The drive to the stagecoach parking area was a short one. Liam had informed him he wanted to talk to Dante during the day, but he needed Torin with him for the meeting. As soon as they parked, they boarded the coach. Garett had called en route.
Dante met them at the door; his face unreadable as he stood aside for them to enter his office.
Liam didn’t waste any time. “Dante,” he said, cold and sharp. “I hear you had the nerve to slap my brother. Care to explain yourself?”
Dante tightened his jaw, but did not budge. “Torin disrespected me. He needed to learn a lesson.”
“And somehow that was the answer?” Liam retorted, his voice rising. “I was the one who raised Torin, and yes, he talked back to me as well, and got himself into a lot of bad situations, one of which is why he is here. I never once touched him. Why? Violence begets violence. We’ve had enough violence in our lifetime. Neither of us want any more of that.”
“You’re his brother. Out in the real world he won’t be dealing with a big brother. I wanted him to learn a lesson, a lesson to keep his mouth shut around men with power, so he can live a long life.”
“If you ever put a hand on Torin again, you’ll regret it. Torin is under Garett’s protection.”
Dante’s eyes narrowed, although he didn’t argue. His expression darkened, instead, and he turned to Garett. “Did you bring him here to aggravate me?”
“No,” said Garett. “I brought Judge O’Connor here because he asked to see you. After all, you’re the one repaying him a favor. Torin isn’t some ranch hand off the streets. He’s family. And we protect our own.”
Dante nodded as he shuffled some paper around on his desk.
“Dante, when you first agreed to take Torin, you promised me you would have minimal contact with him. Then I told you about the situation with Bishop, and I don’t want my brother around mafia bosses of any kind. You agreed. But you were close enough to him to slap him. Explain that to me.”
“I’ve not had much contact with Torin as you requested, but I need to see Garett as I always do. Torin was there instead, and I overheard Torin say he was Garett’s sub. Totally inappropriate. I was gonna pull Torin off from Garett’s watch, but later I found out Torin lied.”
“Excuse me, Sir,” Torin said. “I’m sorry I was disrespectful to you, and I can promise you I’ll respect you as you should be.”
“Apology accepted,” Dante said.
Liam smiled at Torin, then continued to speak to Dante. “I want Torin with Garett. I trust him with my brother. Whatever they choose to include in their relationship is approved by me. Are you able to say you will not involve yourself in their relationship and living quarters?” Liam asked.
The silence was penetrating, the tension oppressive enough to slice through. Dante finally exhaled slowly, his shoulders settling a bit. “Fine. Torin’s off-limits, Judge O’Connor, as we agreed.” Dante turned to Garett. “But don’t get me wrong, this changes nothing with us, Garett.”
Garett nodded. “Understood.”
As they left Dante, Liam patted his brother on the shoulder, his face softening. “I’m proud of you, Torin.” They boarded the stagecoach to their vehicles.
“You’re going to be okay., Torin. Just remember what I told you—take care of yourself, and don’t let anybody push you around,” Liam said.
Torin nodded. “Thanks, Liam. For everything.”
Liam smiled and squeezed Torin in one last hug before facing Garett. “Take care of him.”
“Will do,” Garett replied, tone undeterred. “You have my word.”
As Liam drove off to make his flight, Garett and Torin stood huddled together, the heaviness of the night creeping into them. Garett took Torin’s hand and tipped it gently, squeezing the palm to comfort him. “You okay?”
“Yeah. I think…I think I’m going to be O.K.”
Garett smiled, and his chest puffed up with pride. “Good. Because I’m not letting you go.”