Chapter 17
AIDEN
I was the first one to wake the next morning.
Instead of staying where I was, perfectly content with my arm wrapped around Alex and Jared and sporting a morning hard-on that just wouldn’t quit, I quickly slipped out of bed and headed back to my cabin.
I needed a cold shower, a hot cuppa, and fresh air.
I didn’t regret staying last night, but given what Alex had told us, I knew he’d be feeling raw this morning. And I didn’t want to cause him any more discomfort.
I wanted to give him space and time to process.
And I needed distance from the two men who were carefully unraveling my resistance.
How much longer could I deny what I was feeling? It was bad enough I wanted one of them, but both?
A threesome with strangers sounded sexy as hell.
A threesome with Alex and Jared? I’d be fucked, and not just in a sexual way.
I walked out to the bridge deck to find Rafe and George having breakfast together.
I’d never been one to envy lovesick couples, but even my cynical heart warmed at the sight of them holding hands.
“Good morning,” I greeted them. “May I join you?”
“Of course,” Rafe smiled. “How did you sleep?”
“Pretty well, all things considered,” I replied. “I’m sorry that we scampered off last night right after dinner. There was an important discussion that just couldn’t wait.”
“No worries. I hope everything is all right?”
I nodded and let it go at that.
Jana appeared and took my breakfast order, then headed back inside.
“How was the rest of the evening?” I asked.
“Reed fell asleep on the sundeck while Tate, Dylan, George, and I played cards until 1 a.m. Then we wrangled Reed to bed. He’s going to have a hell of a headache today.”
I let out a big sigh. “I should apologize for snapping at him yesterday.”
Rafe gave me a smirk. “You and Jared are very protective of Alex. In fact?—”
“Rafe—” George interrupted with a warning tone.
“It’s all right, George,” I replied and met Rafe’s curious gaze head on. “We are. And that’s all I’m going to say on the matter. I’m not ready to talk about it.”
“Fair enough. What are you up to today?” Rafe asked.
“Work. I had some interesting developments on Jared’s case yesterday, but I didn’t get a chance to tell him.”
“Tell me what?”
I turned at the sound of Jared’s voice and watched his approach.
He’d changed into black shorts and a matching t-shirt, his long hair still wet from a morning shower. I wanted to walk over and touch him, to be as close as we were last night.
Closer.
Naked.
Just me, him, and Alex in that big fucking bed. That dirty image had my dick twitching and I shifted in my chair.
Fuck me.
I cleared my throat. “An update on your case. We’ll talk about it after breakfast. How’s Alex?”
“Still sleeping soundly,” Jared replied and sat down opposite me, his eyes filled with concern. “He’s completely wiped out. Last night’s discussion was a lot.”
“Is he okay? Does he need to see a doctor?” George asked.
“He told us that he was fine, but let’s see what happens when he wakes.”
George took a sip of his tea. “Jared, since you have a day off today, the plan is to drop anchor near Ko Phi Phi Don. The island is known for excellent snorkeling and rock climbing. Charlie can help you plan any activities that interest you.”
“Thanks, George.”
Jana returned with my breakfast, Jared ordered his, and we all enjoyed the beautiful sunny morning.
Just as we were finishing up, Alex appeared.
He approached the table with wary eyes and sat down beside me.
“I can’t believe it’s ten. I never sleep that late. Ever,” he admitted and reached for the pot of tea on the table and an empty cup.
“I have to get back up to the wheelhouse,” George announced. “Let Charlie know what you’d like to do today.”
“I will, thanks,” Jared replied as George and Rafe made their way upstairs.
Leaving us alone.
“How are you feeling?” Jared asked Alex.
“I’m good. I mean, I slept well. Better than I have in ages.”
“We’re sailing to a different island today, and George mentioned snorkeling and rock climbing. Is that something you’d like to do?” Jared asked in between sips of his espresso.
“Rock climbing? Hell yes. That’s exactly what I need right now. I go to that indoor gym in L.A., but it’s not as good as the real thing.”
I’d never seen Alex so enthused, and it made my earlier concerns recede.
“Perfect, I’ll arrange it with Charlie,” Jared replied, then turned to me. “But before that, what did you want to tell me?”
“Seuter’s former assistant, Nita Donovan, is willing to testify against him.”
“Are you serious?” Jared leaned forward. “How did that happen?”
“He fired her shortly before he retired. Gave her the boot and no severance, and after twenty years of service. She’s angry. And talkative. And has detailed journals of everything. She said he had a drug habit and a routine of having sex with male actors in his office.”
Jared nodded. “I’d heard that rumor from Dylan back in the day. But that doesn’t prove anything.”
“No, but who’s to say all of those men consented? She also picked up his weekly drug supply. Pills, likely ecstasy. Sometimes cocaine. She picked up a batch of pills for him the day of your party.”
“Now we’re getting somewhere.”
“And I spoke to the admitting doctor. He remembered treating you.”
“What did he have to say? More homophobic comments?” Jared bit out.
“No, he was contrite about the whole thing. And he did confirm that your complaint was about being assaulted, not feeling sick due to alcohol ingestion. He was as shocked as I was about the hospital record. He’s willing to testify as well.”
“Well, that’s something.”
“Also, Nita confirmed that Seuter had a meeting with the accounts receivable manager at the studio a few days after the incident. I think he got the manager to reveal your credit card statements, which would lead him to your hospital visit. I’ve got Lairin tracking the AR person as we speak.”
“What about the blood test? Seuter must have bribed someone at the hospital to make that test disappear.”
“We’re looking into the lab. We just have to be patient. It’s slowly coming together.”
“Not fast enough.”
Alex’s mobile rang and he excused himself, stepping away from the table.
“You want to come with us to the island today?” Jared asked.
“Let me get some work done this morning. How about one o’clock?”
“That works. I have phone calls to return. And I want to talk to Reed and Tate. Especially Reed—I need to make sure he’s okay after yesterday. I feel bad about snapping at him.”
“I owe him an apology as well.”
Jana returned with Jared’s breakfast. “Jana, do you know if Reed is awake yet?”
She smiled in return. “He’s in the guest suite on the main level, last door on the left. I just dropped off breakfast to his room.”
Jared took a bite of his omelet and glanced at me. “You ready to talk to him when I’m done here?”
I nodded but my gaze caught on Alex. He sauntered back to the table, but the tense expression on his face had all the hair on my body standing on end. “What’s wrong?”
“That was the company that looks after your home security.” Alex sat down beside Jared. “There was a break-in tonight.”
“Did they take anything? Please not my antique film equipment.”
“No, nothing from your safe, and your panic room wasn’t breached.
The insurance adjuster is taking photos as we speak and will send them shortly,” Alex explained.
“It appears it was more about destroying your belongings than stealing them. They wrecked your kitchen and dumped paint in your pool. Not only that, but they ransacked your bedroom and…left something on your bed. I think this is your stalker at work.”
Jared’s face paled. “What did they leave?”
Alex paused and bit his lip. “A vibrator covered in what looks like blood. Likely red paint.”
Jared’s face paled. “It’s Seuter.”
“That’s what my gut tells me. A note was left as well. The police are analyzing it and will get back to me. I’m going to compare the content to the other emails you’ve received to see if there’s any similarity. Once the police and insurance are done, I’ll arrange a cleaning crew.”
“What if Seuter tries to get me when I’m back in L.A.? What if?—”
He pushed his mostly uneaten breakfast aside.
“Nothing is going to happen to you,” Alex insisted and took Jared’s hand. “I promise.”
I leaned forward and took Jared’s other hand. His palm was ice cold. “Alex is right. We’re going to keep digging until we get the answers we need. Then we’re going to bury Seuter in so much litigation that he will confess to just about anything. He will never come near you again.”
“Listen to Aiden. And trust me when I say we will do whatever it takes to protect you,” Alex whispered as he looked over at me.
I met his gaze and saw my determination reflected.
Whatever it takes.