The way Edge smiled gave Ridge hope. He hated the idea of anyone thinking Shadow was dumb to take him back. They all knew what he had done.
“That’s good to hear. I know how much you love him.” He should. Edge had been his roommate back in those days.
Ridge nodded. “I’m hoping he doesn’t realize what he’s done and take it back.”
“It won’t happen.” Edge sounded so certain. “There’s no way he would choose this after all theseyears if he didn’t want it.” Edge’s gaze slid past him. “Speaking of which.”
Before Ridge had time to decipher his words, Shadow was there. His fingers buried in Ridge’s hair before he tugged, urging Ridge’s head back. His mouth covered Ridge’s. Ridge forgot where they were. He fully enjoyed the experience with no fucks about who watched. In fact, he had never been prouder. Everyone would know Shadow was his, and Shadow was the one ensuring it.
Shadow pulled away, sounding breathless. “Hey.”
Ridge felt how big his smile was. “Hey.”
“Are you finished for the day?”
Ridge looked Edge’s way.
Edge waved them away. “Go.”
That was all Ridge needed to hear. He was on his feet.
Shadow took his hand and headed for the door. “Come on. I have to show you something Clay told me about this morning.”
Ridge’s eyebrows snapped together. “When did you talk to Clay?” He had no idea why he was suddenly so jealous. Well, he was always jealous, but with Clay? Ridge was fairly certain that guy was straight.
Shadow didn’t seem to read anything into Ridge’s question. “I saw him at breakfast.” He tugged Ridge’s hand. “Just come on.”
Shadow seemed excited, so Ridge let the Clay part go. The dance studio where they practiced for jobs was anew building on Beau Bosi’s property, where they now lived. Beau was a huge weapons dealer. He was rich and dangerous. They needed that last one to keep them safe, so they partnered with Beau. Sometimes they did his dirty work. They got his protection from the Russian government. Shadow headed for another of the new buildings Beau had built since they arrived. Ridge had no idea what was going on. Beau had built five new structures: the studio, Tracker’s security building, a garage, and two other buildings he hadn’t visited. This was one of those two. Shadow pushed open the door and dragged him inside. It was a house. Large living room and kitchen. Huge bedrooms were on the main floor, fully decorated. He assumed the upstairs was the same. The bedrooms were much larger than the mainhouse where they lived. He supposed Beau had a massive bedroom, but these were different. They were like homes inside a home. It was actually pretty cool.
“Pick a room.”
Confusion had Ridge looking Shadow’s way. “I already have a room.” One next door to Shadow. Besides that, he didn’t relish moving again.
Shadow rolled his eyes. “Pick one for us to share.”
Ridge froze. He couldn’t look away from Shadow. “Are you sure? I don’t want you to regret me.”
Shadow laughed. His eyes danced with good humor. He looked happy. Ridge could barely breathe. He hadn’t thought he would ever see Shadow like this again. Shadow’s hands rose and fell. “Ionly chose the main house to be close to Field, in case he needed me. Now he’s married and living with Henry. It’s time for us to carve our own space.”
“You’re really serious.” Ridge just couldn’t believe it.
Shadow rolled his eyes again and closed the gap between them. He wrapped his arms around Ridge. “Are you trying to talk me out of it?”
“Hell no. Let’s take that room.” He pointed to the left. Ridge didn’t even know if there was a room in that direction. All he cared about was accepting this future Shadow offered.
Shadow shook with laughter. “Okay. Maybe let’s find one a little more specific.” He kissed Ridge’s chest before backing away and tugging him towardthe direction Ridge had indicated. Shadow peeked inside the first door he came to and then continued moving. At the second door, he stepped inside. “How about this one?”
Ridge didn’t even look. His gaze stayed locked on Shadow. “Okay.”
Shadow turned his way, wearing a huge grin. “What color is the couch?”
Ridge shrugged. “Whatever color that has you choosing this life with me.”
A bark of laughter burst from Shadow. “That’s what I thought. You didn’t even look.” He reached past Ridge and threw the door closed. “There. We can make sure the mattresses are comfortable.”
Ridge shook his head as Shadow headed for the bed with him in tow. “You’realways choosing places where there’s nothing to make things easier.”
Shadow didn’t respond. He opened the bedside table and pulled out a bottle of lube. Shadow held his stare as he tossed it onto the bed.
