Chapter Seven #2
Without knowing it would happen or what he would say, Atticus just started talking.
He couldn’t tear his eyes away from Foster’s profile as he did.
“I’d gotten so used to you being in the shadows that I actually looked forward to going home every night.
” Foster turned his head and met Atticus’ stare at the confession.
Atticus didn’t stop even as a sad smile kept trying to appear.
“At first, I thought it was the thrill of something different. Then it transformed into a feeling of safety. Obviously, I still had to be on guard all the time, but I knew I wasn’t alone.
I knew you were there, and if push came to shove, you’d have my back.
” The longer he spoke, the dumber he felt and the more tired he became.
The exhaustion no longer felt only physical.
“Never mind. Forget this conversation happened. I don’t know what I’m saying anymore, and I’d rather you have a life where you laugh.
” He shut his eyes and relaxed. If he accidentally fell asleep again, he wanted to be in a semi-comfortable position.
He didn’t want to end up with a sore neck on top of everything else. That would suck.
Foster watched Atticus pass out again as if he hadn’t been talking five seconds earlier.
His eyes burned from not blinking. It didn’t matter what Atticus said.
One thing Foster was an expert at was deciphering the truth from lies.
Atticus meant every word he spoke. There was an actual human inside Atticus he couldn’t afford to set free.
The thing was, though, Atticus was right.
Foster did have his back. He had just needed to see exactly what Atticus had just shown him.
Foster covered him, making sure Atticus stayed warm. He waited a few minutes to make sure Atticus was truly out before grabbing his phone. Foster also moved Atticus’ phone where he could reach it, in case he needed him, before leaving the bedroom. He needed to think.
Foster made his way down and into the kitchen. He caught Crisp filling two plates with tonight’s dinner. He froze when Foster came through the door.
Foster eyed the food. “Two plates? Damn. I know you’re a growing boy and all, but…”
Instead of laughing as Foster expected, Crisp turned cagey. “I haven’t eaten yet tonight. Everything Fabrice cooks is a masterpiece. So, I figured one for tonight and I’ll stick the other in my fridge for tomorrow night. You have to get yours around here before any of these other heathens.”
He was lying. Foster knew his every facial tick. He simply stared at Crisp until Crisp looked away.
“Let me have my secrets, okay?”
A wave of affection washed over Foster. “I never saw you.”
A sweet smile touched Crisp’s lips. He picked up the plates and eased toward the door. “Good night.”
Foster shook his head as Crisp disappeared.
Part of him wanted to follow just to solve a mystery.
Crisp was his friend. Foster would let him keep his secrets, as promised.
He grabbed a beer and headed for the glass door that led to the pool.
The whole setup was actually pretty cool.
While the entire wall was glass, bringing light and the perfect view inside, the wall could also be slid aside to open the entire wall, making it one big space.
Too late, Foster realized Beau and Kylo were in the pool.
They were nearly hidden by strategically placed tropical landscaping around one end of the water.
He heard Kylo’s chuckle before he spotted them.
In a pink one-piece swimsuit with ruffles covering the bottom half, Kylo climbed out of the pool, only to immediately leap back into Beau’s waiting arms.
Foster chose a chair at the outdoor table and sat.
He imagined he played a deadly game by watching the pair without permission.
Foster had met a lot of powerful, frightening men.
There was no one like Beau Bosi. It was chilling to be beneath his gaze.
There was no describing the stillness behind that unusual brown stare.
He was also likely the most calculating person Foster had ever met.
Beau saw three steps ahead and acted first. Then there was his husband, Kylo.
Now, there was a guy completely unlike anyone else.
He was like watching a physical manifestation of joyous freedom.
He was the perfect light to Beau’s dark.
Even though they lived on the same property, Foster didn’t see them often.
They lived a quiet life, completely wrapped up in each other.
Other than the occasional flex of power and huge weapons deal, that is.
Foster couldn’t look away from them now.
The way Beau smiled while Kylo swapped between climbing all over him and kissing him was fascinating. He looked like a totally different person. Kylo kissed Beau’s neck. Foster moved to stand to leave them alone. Beau’s gaze landed on him.
“I see we’re not the only ones having trouble sleeping.” He walked Foster’s way, carrying Kylo with him.
Kylo looked his way. “Hey, Foster. I fell asleep on the plane. I think I can sleep now, though.”
Foster dipped his chin, acknowledging the words. “Good to see you. Why do I get the feeling Beau warned you not to take a nap?”
A low chuckle rumbled from Beau, surprising the fuck out of Foster. He kissed Kylo’s cheek. “You should get our shower started. I’ll be there shortly.” Beau carried him to the stairs.
“Okay, Daddy.” Kylo gave Foster a little wave as he passed.
Beau’s hungry gaze followed Kylo all the way to the door. “Be careful inside. Your feet are wet.”
The statement made the strangest of questions hit his brain. Beau had two grown sons. He wondered if Beau had been a good dad. His daddy Little-esque relationship with Kylo had Foster’s inner nosey bitch on high alert. Beau was crazy protective and oddly gentle with Kylo. He was a conundrum.
Once they were alone, Beau focused on him. “How is your patient?”
Foster didn’t think Beau had ever said more than two words to him directly. But Foster wasn’t surprised Beau knew about Atticus. He knew everything. “Sleeping. I don’t think he’s been awake for more than ten minutes at a time.”
Beau nodded along. “Atticus is one of those people. Too cocky to die.”
A smile snapped to Foster’s lips. “He is that.”
Beau studied him. His inspection wasn’t comfortable. “He’ll need more than sleep.”
“I’m making sure he gets his meds.” Foster felt like he was proving he could take care of a pet.
“I was poisoned once.” That didn’t surprise Foster.
Thankfully, Beau kept talking, saving him from saying something monumentally stupid.
“It was my late wife.” Foster’s eyebrows rose.
Beau showed no emotion attached to the event.
“She had problems I couldn’t fix. That made the betrayal somewhat easier to swallow.
Atticus can’t even make excuses for his attempted murderer.
It was a relative who wanted Atticus dead for no other reason than greed.
At the bottom alone is a tough place to be, especially when there’s nothing left to fight for anymore. Atticus has nothing to fight for.”
The entire speech was as monotone as discussing the weather.
Still, Beau’s words hit him hard. He was right.
That was exactly what he had seen when Atticus said he could never make Foster laugh.
Foster had followed and observed for weeks.
He had noticed the exhaustion setting in.
Someone else pointing out the same thing had the rock in his stomach growing heavier.
Foster had his chosen brothers to lean on at the bottom. Atticus was alone.
Beau climbed the steps and moved to stand over Foster.
He looked every bit as powerful as he was.
“I can protect Atticus from his uncle. It’s up to you to protect him from himself.
Otherwise, there’s no reason for him to be here.
I built this place as a haven and playground for Kylo.
Don’t make me regret bringing him here.”
Foster dipped his chin. “Heard.”
As always, Beau knew everything. He saw inside Foster and recognized the same insanity Beau felt for Kylo. It was time for Foster to be honest with himself. He had stalked Atticus for a reason: Foster had never wanted anyone more. It was time to accept that and fight.