Leo reaches down and brushes his thumb over Jordan’s lips, smiling down at him with love and devotion so achingly sweet and strong that it makes up my mind for me.
I know that look, too.
I know that love, that devotion.
That’s the look Leo’s always has when watching me, thinking about me.
Thinking about our future together.
He’s looked like that countless times throughout the years when he talked to me about the future. About our future.
Aboutthisfuture.
“We have a perfect boy, don’t we, Mister President?”
I sip my coffee. “We do,” I eventually say.
Leo presses his thumb to Jordan’s lips. After a moment the boy’s breathing slows, quiets as he realizes what Leo wants. His lips part and his tongue flicks out, licking Leo’s thumb. “Our good boy,” Leo whispers. “Ours.” His thumb disappears between Jordan’s lips as Jordan’s fear finally,finallytransforms into lust.
“Ours,” I agree. “Allours.”
Leo lays his other hand over Jordan’s eyes. Meanwhile, Jordan works Leo’s thumb like it’s his cock. In fact, Jordan’s cock now lays proudly rigid against his abs.
Leo’s, on the other hand…
I take another sip of coffee, and now Iknow.
Leo’s trained us too damned well. Jordan and I could have entire conversations without saying a word, because for years before that Leo and I had entire conversations without saying a word.
There are few constants in life but I can state two with completely certainty. That, right or wrong, Leo’s irrational level of love and loyalty means he will always put himself last when it comes to me and Jordan. And that because of that same irrational level of love and loyalty Leo would give his life without hesitation to protect me and Jordan.
Stella wasn’t capable of love or loyalty, irrational or otherwise. She never put anyone else first. Ever.
Neither did Grace Martin.
But Leo never would have allowed Jordan to remain in our lives if he didn’t know for certain Jordan possessed equal or greater levels of love and loyalty. An irrational level of love and loyalty that would make a guy hang around for twenty-plus years desperately hoping that the man he loves will eventually de-ass his head so they canfinallyhave their happily ever after. Even when that man could easily walk away with another man who loves him despite—or in spite of—that irrational level of love and loyalty.
An irrational level of love and loyalty that would lead a man to kill or die for those he loves.
I think about the night I was first elected, of the private moment Leo and I shared in the hotel suite after he first arrived.
“I bet my life and yours that Jordan can take anything you or this job will ever throw at him.”
Said with a certainty Leo never invokes unless he has facts.
Hard facts.
Leo looks me in the eyes again and, imperceptibly, shakes his head, just once.
Then he looks down at the boy, at our beautiful, innocent boy who now squirms between us as he sucks Leo’s thumb. Our shared indiscretion.
Leo’s gaze returns mine, a silent plea there.
I have a choice to make. Even if I were to pursue this, no matter what the truth, Leo would ultimately be the one to pay the price.
He’s always paid the price, in countless ways large and small, and always will. Because something else Leo said that night in the hotel suite comes to mind.
“Jordan’s word to you is law even if it pits you against me, even if it guts you to do it—always obey Jordan. Promise me.”
