9. Shaw
CHAPTER NINE
SHAW
Ishi waited for me in the hallway, her composed expression betraying nothing of what she might have heard from Dante’s suite. As she escorted me to the elevator, guilt twisted in my gut. “I’m sorry we ran a little long.”
She gave me a reassuring smile. “It’s not significant enough to merit a surcharge. You needn’t worry.”
“But I don’t want either of you getting into trouble.”
“I appreciate your concern.” As the doors opened on the ground floor, she smiled warmly. “Have a great night, sir. We look forward to seeing you again soon.”
I liked imagining she meant her and Dante. “Thanks, same to you.”
After composing my face into a mask of casual indifference, I approached Jace and Trent in the lobby.
Jace elbowed my cousin. “Uh-oh, someone was having a little too much fun.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Laugh it up. Let’s go.” I chuckled, acting casual.
“Who’d you decide to fuck this time?” Jace asked the second we hit the sidewalk.
I kept my tone light, hoping the guessing game would last until the subway station. “Who do you think?”
Trent’s guess shocked both of us. “President Dragon?”
I forced an awkward laugh.
“Dude, don’t be fucking disgusting!” Jace snapped.
Trent shrugged. “I don’t see anything wrong with it.”
“It’s bad enough you’re implying he was with a guy,” Jace snarled, stepping closer to Trent. “How could you say you don’t see anything wrong with him fucking a Dante look-alike?”
Trent seemed unconcerned by Jace’s growing rage.
“I don’t see the problem. If my cousin wants to fuck a guy who looks like Dante, that’s his business.
Besides, Dante’s hot as hell. I’m straight, but even I can recognize he is objectively attractive without it threatening my sexuality, unlike some people.
” He gave his best friend a pointed look.
Jace scoffed. “What the fuck is wrong with you? Did you lose your tiny brain when you came? The only thing that would be a bigger betrayal would be Shaw fucking the real one!”
The irony burned. What Jace considered the ultimate betrayal was exactly what I had just finished doing upstairs. I could still taste Dante’s cum on my tongue.
Trent heaved a weary sigh. “You know what? Forget I said anything.”
Jace wouldn’t let it go. “I’m supposed to forget you insinuated your cousin would hook up with a guy who looks like that asshole?” Jace’s hand curled into a fist. “You have some fucked-up issues.”
“No, he doesn’t,” I interrupted. “Why are you getting so worked up about it?”
Jace turned on me. “You’re defending him? What the hell, Shaw? You should be furious because he insulted you!”
“Nothing he said was insulting because there’s nothing wrong with being gay, bisexual, pansexual, asexual, whatever-sexual.
” My voice remained steady despite the sudden spike of adrenaline.
“Why would I be upset about my cousin supporting me, regardless of who I want to be with? That’s what you do for friends and family. ”
I should have stopped there, but my morbid curiosity got the better of me. “Are you saying if I was into guys, you wouldn’t be my friend anymore? Because that’s what I’m hearing.”
Jace grabbed my arm, fingers digging into my muscles hard enough to make me gasp.
“Listen. As long as I don’t have to see you making out with some dude or hear about it, we’re cool.
There are about four billion guys out there that I don’t care if you’re with them.
” His grip tightened. “Dante is the only one I couldn’t accept.
That asshole doesn’t deserve to breathe the same air as you, let alone have the privilege of fucking you. ”
Shame flooded me, not for wanting Dante but for betraying Jace’s trust while standing in front of him.
Before I could respond, Trent threw his arm around my shoulders, pulling me out of Jace’s grasp.
“Family sticks together, Jace. If my cousin was queer, you better believe I’d be right there supporting him at a Pride parade while you’re busy having your little homophobic meltdown.
Seriously, grow the fuck up. This gayphobic shit is getting old. ”
Jace went still. The familiar resentment vanished from his expression, leaving behind a flat, dead stare. “You better be fucking with me. Tell me you’re not implying what I think you are.”
“I’m not implying anything. I’m explicitly saying you’re being a huge asshole right now,” Trent said. “Stop being such a dick. Shouldn’t you be in a better mood after coming on that hot chick’s tits?”
Jace stepped into his space. “Are you trying to make me hurt you tonight?”
“Go ahead and try,” my cousin challenged. “I’ll have you laid out on the sidewalk in one hit. Or maybe I’ll let you punch me so that redhead will kiss me to make me feel better. I can make her dress up like a nurse, too!”
“You’re so dead.” Jace lunged, but Trent was already running, forcing Jace to chase after him. “Yeah, you better run, asshole!”
I stared after them as Trent’s laughter echoed down the street.
The fear that followed me home that night had nothing to do with the Gennaro family and everything to do with the terror Jace’s bigotry had inspired.