Well, shit.How was I supposed to stay mad at that?
I’d come over here guns blazing, wanting King to answer for all his transgressions, wanting exactly this moment. But as Istood there with Shep by my side, his hand in mine, with King looking so dejected, all I felt was empathy.
I’d been so focused on myself and how I was feeling and what I’d gone through that I hadn’t taken a moment to think how King would be feeling.
Neither had Shep, apparently.
“We can forgive you because people make mistakes,” Shep said, making more sense than I could of my thoughts. “Even you, Ty.”
King scrubbed a hand over his face like he could erase everything that had happened with a quick swipe.
If only it were that easy.
“He could’ve died,” he said again, voice pained as he looked at me. “Youcould’ve died.”
“But I didn’t,” I finally said, and let go of Shep’s hand to lean on the table beside my leader. “I’m still here, ruining your dinnerware and peace of mind.”
“Still doesn’t change the fact that all of this is happening because of me. I might’ve had an excuse for being distracted in Brazil, but not back then. I was arrogant.”
“Which is why you’re the boss,” Shep pointed out. “Should you have looped someone in? Yes. But you did what you thought was right at the time. If we second-guessed every move we made, we’d never get anything done.”
“Shep’s right,” I said. “A quality I like a little less every time I’m reminded of it.”
King snorted. “Oh yes. That’s definitely one of his most annoying qualities for sure. But also the reason he’s the perfect second-in-command.”
“You do both know I’m still standing here, right?” Shep said, crossing his arms over his broad chest.
“Oui.” I nodded and winked at him. “But I think it’s time you hear this about yourself.”
“Well, as much as it pains me to admit it, I’m notalwaysright. I think this whole situation proves that. If I’d been honest with King, told him about us from the beginning?—”
“Then I still would’ve been distracted.” King shrugged. “I wasn’t ready for it.”
“Me in particular, or Shep with anyone?” I asked, needing to know for some fucked-up reason whether it was just me he objected to, or if he would’ve reacted the same way to anyone.
“Anyone,” King said, his eyes trained on Shep. But then he turned his head in my direction and shrugged. “I never thought about it, after we were over. The way it would feel to watch him move on. But it was harder than I expected.”
“I’d kill them,” I said matter-of-factly. “Whoever he moved on with.”
King’s lips pulled tight as though he were trying to hide a smirk. “I believe you.”
“So do I,” Shep said, and shook his head. “So let’s not put anyone in that position.”
I grinned and pushed up off the table, then walked over to Shep and pressed a kiss to his lips. “Aww, feeling sorry for my make-believe victim?”
“Yes. I don’t relish the idea of being the reason you end up in a jail cell.”
“Oh please, as if they’d ever catch me.”
King chuckled and got to his feet. “I’m not sure the promise of murder is the healthiest for showing affection, but I’m really happy for the two of you. But that still doesn’t mean I don’t want to catch and punish the motherfucker who is coming for us. I left a loose end, and it’s time to tie that shit up.”
Then, as if he’d somehow heard our entire conversation—which I wasn’t entirely sure he hadn’t through some sort of computer or listening device—Alessio’s name flashed across the phone that had been tossed to the floor along with King’s omelet.
“Okay, that’s just freaky,” I said, and bent down to pick it up and hand it to King. “Looks like it’s time to tie up those loose ends.”
17
SHEP
