Operation 23 Premature Celebration #2
In the chair on the other side of the couch, a younger man sat on the lap of a big, broad-shouldered man who favored God so much Xander did a double take.
Same powerful build, and intimidating bone structure. Same Godfrey energy, though he wore it with a less authoritative edge.
The young man in his lap was handsome in a sweet, pretty-boy way, with bright blue eyes, a soft mouth, and an open expression that changed the second Xander moved from behind Cassidy. He slammed both hands over his mouth and gasped so hard, it sounded as if he’d choked on something.
“You’re alive!” Wes shouted.
Law threw both hands up. “Didn’t we tell you we knew the best?”
Everyone laughed.
Xander smiled, agreeing wholeheartedly. “You did indeed. I had to come make sure I told you guys thank you again.”
God waved one hand, batting the words away. “You’ve thanked us more than enough.”
“No,” Xander said, looking around the room. “I haven’t. You guys did a lot more than just protect me. You made me feel like more than just a principle. I won’t forget it.”
Day’s expression softened. “You’re welcome, kid.”
God gave a single dip of his head.
The young man from the chair jumped up suddenly and took several stunned steps toward Xander.
Xander smiled. “Hello.”
The man waved. Still gaping.
Free came up behind Xander and draped both arms around his shoulders like they were already old friends. “Xander Vale, this is Curtis, Green and Ruxs’s son.” He pointed toward the broad man rising from the chair. “And this is Genesis Godfrey, his fiancé, and God’s little brother.”
Xander extended his hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Curtis took it as though he was being offered a royal artifact. “I am such a huge fan. I mean, huge. I’ve seen all your stuff, but I watched What Breaks in Silence seven times in theaters and so many times at home when it dropped.”
Xander could feel his blush as Curtis continued to steadily pump his hand up and down. “Thank you for supporting the film.”
Curtis’s eyes widened. “You were incredible. Like, incredible. I told Genny, I said, this man better win everything or I’m writing letters.”
This guy was too sweet-faced for Xander not to be charmed by him.
“I’ll have to make sure to get you all access passes to the sequel’s premier,” he offered.
Curtis looked as though he was about to pass out.
“You’ll be my special guests…all of you.”
Genesis came up behind Curtis and pried his fiancé’s hand away from where it was clutching Xander’s. “That’s really generous of you. Thank you.”
God eyed him and Cassidy. “So what’s up with you two today?”
Cassidy went and sat in the other chair. “I have something important to discuss with you and Day. Ruxs, Green and Steele too, if you have a moment.”
God leaned forward. “Sounds serious.”
Cassidy’s expression didn’t change. “Business meeting.”
God nodded once. “Sure. We don’t fly out for a couple more days. We promised Free he could do some touristy shit, so, deal’s a deal.”
Free clasped his hands together. “That’s right. A binding verbal contract.”
Tech groaned long and loud.
Free grabbed his tablet, and a tattered, army-green messenger bag. “You promised Tech. Come on, move it. Daylight’s wasting.”
“I’d much rather go with Gen to Wes and Law’s tour of the studio,” Tech said, still staring at his laptop screen.
“Too bad. And you’ve already seen plenty of the studio.
” Free tapped on his tablet with excitement.
“I have our entire itinerary planned. We’ll start with Hollywood Boulevard, and the Walk of Fame.
Then lunch at the Farmers Market. After that, we’ll go to The Grove so Curtis can shop.
A drive through Beverly Hills so I can get some landscaping ideas.
You know me and Ivan have been gardening.
And when it’s dark enough, we’ll hike up to the Griffith Observatory.
It’s supposed to be pretty clear tonight, so we can stargaze. ”
“That sounds fun.” Curtis beamed. “Especially the shopping.”
Tech adjusted his glasses. “Of course you’d think so.”
Xander smiled before he could stop himself. “Can I come?”
Tech, Free, and Curtis answered at the same time, “Yes!”
God, Day, Ruxs, Green and Cassidy answered just as fast, “No.”
Wes and Law cracked up.
Curtis’s face fell. “But that would be so amazing.”
Cassidy flexed his hand against his back. “No, Lane.”
Xander turned into him, sliding one arm around his waist because he knew exactly how unfair that was but chose to do it anyway.
“Not without some men with you.” Cassidy looked down at him with a glare that’d lost half its power since they’d made love.
“What am I? Chopped liver?” Tech stood and lifted his vest just enough to flash his badge and the gun at his hip.
Xander smiled. “See. I am protected.”
God dragged a hand over his face.
Xander turned back to Cassidy. “I’ll be fine. I used to go out by myself all the time before all the crazy shit happened. I was really hoping things could go back to normal again.”
Cassidy’s hardened expression lost a bit of its heat.
Xander softened his voice. “And now Bennett is gone. The hired men are dead or in custody. The threat is over.”
“You can still get mobbed,” Cassidy said. “You’re going to huge tourist attractions.”
“I’ll wear my hat and sunglasses.”
“If anything happens, we can notify you in seconds,” Tech said. “You guys know that.”
Curtis peered up at his fiancé with sparkling bright blue eyes. “Oh my god. Babe, I’m gonna hang out with Xander Vale.”
Genesis cupped Curtis’s cheek and kissed him gently. “Have fun.”
Curtis nodded. “Okay. You too. I love you.”
“Love you more.”
Free clapped once. “Excellent.”
Cassidy still seemed unsure, but Xander wasn’t backing out. His boyfriend would have to get used to allowing him out of his sight sometimes.
Everyone began gathering things.
Curtis shoved the credit card Gen gave him into his wallet and grabbed a pair of sunglasses from the coffee table. “Ready.”
Free put his tablet in his bag and slung it crosswise over his chest.
Tech went to Steele and whispered something into his ear that made his grey eyes darken to graphite before he turned slightly and kissed the side of his throat.
Holy shit.
Wes and Law came over and hugged him again.
“We’re really glad you’re okay, Z.” Wes clamped his shoulder.
“Thank you.”
Cassidy hooked his arm before he could follow the others to the door and pulled him close. “You be careful.”
It’d be the first time they’d be out of each other’s sight in weeks. Xander understood, but it was time he took back control of his life. “I will.”
“I mean it.”
“I know.”
“If anything looks off, or if the crowd becomes too much, or if Tech says move, you move. No arguing.”
“I’ll be careful. Promise.”
Cassidy searched his face, his posture still radiating tension and hesitation, but he didn’t stop him.
That mattered more than Cassidy probably knew.
Xander rose onto his toes and kissed him. Not long enough to embarrass him in front of the team, just enough to tell him he’d miss him.
When he eased back, Cassidy brushed his thumb once over the panic ring on Xander’s finger.
“I won’t need it.
Cassidy nodded. “I’ll call you after the meeting.”
“I’ll answer.”
Cassidy’s gaze heated for one quick, private second before he murmured, “Have fun.”
Xander put his sunglasses back on before his face gave too much away, then went toward the door, where Free, Tech, and Curtis waited.
He glanced back once before stepping into the hall.
Cassidy was watching him.
Xander gave him a small dip of his head.
As he followed Free, Tech, and Curtis toward the elevators, hat low, sunglasses on, his heart felt strangely light.
Xander finally believed for the first time in a long time…he wasn’t in danger.
God
God relished the smile on his husband’s face.
He didn’t get to see that kind of smile anymore. Not the sharp grin he used before he said something that’d get them both in trouble. Or the cocky one he flashed when he had the upper hand.
This one was different.
Pleasantly surprised. Excited. As if his prayer was being answered much sooner than he’d expected.
God leaned back in his chair and watched him across the table in the semi-secluded corner of the infamous 71Below restaurant in Downtown LA, letting himself enjoy the sight.
Because this news was almost too good to be true.
They were seated behind a screen of tall palms and dark wood partitions, tucked far enough away from the main dining room to keep their conversation private.
The restaurant had the kind of California elegance God didn’t have a liking for. Ambient lighting even in the daytime, overpriced mineral water, waitstaff that was stiff and impersonal, and plates arranged by chefs who thought empty space was the main entree.
Cassidy Morrison had arrived with his briefcase and laptop, set both near his chair, and waited until the meal was eaten before he decided to get to the reason he’d brought them there.
“What’s the plan when you get back to Atlanta?” he’d started.
God shrugged. “Clean out the office, I presume.”
Day told him what the procedure was, but also how none of his guys would ever partner with anyone else.
“Ruxs and I talked about maybe opening a self-defense school or something.” Green shrugged.
Cassidy had listened, sipping his Cognac, eyes moving from man to man.
“So, what’s up Morrison?” God said. “The view from up here is great, but I don’t think that’s why you invited us.”
Cassidy pulled out a folder and opened his laptop.
Then dropped a warhead in the center of the table.
“How would the five of you like to become equal partners with me in West Protective Solutions?”
God stared at him.
So had Day.
Ruxs stopped with his fork halfway to his mouth. Green’s brows pulled together. Steele crossed his arms, chewing on his toothpick.
For a long moment, the only sound came from the quiet clink of dishes somewhere beyond the palms.
Day was the first to recover.
His smile started small, then widened into that bright, disbelieving expression God felt behind his ribs.
“Are you serious?”