“Sounds like you’ve got them exactly where you want them,” Dawson said.
“Yes and no.” Natalia sighed. “I’m willing to consider it. I wanted to get your temperature on it first, though.”
“How much jail time?”
“Less than a year. At a low-security prison. It might be what he gets with a lenient judge. But it would mean he would have to file a guilty plea, Dawson. And it would mean we could start moving forward with a restitution plan for you and the other victims.”
Dawson didn’t know what to say. “What do you think?” he asked, because hewasn’tsure.
“I think it’s honestly a good compromise, and it frees up resources to go after more criminals,” Natalia said. “And it freesyouup.”
“Me?”
“I know what kind of burden this is on you, with your career. You’ve given a lot of time and attention already, and with your job and your stature, that’s not easy. I know that. This would allow you to put it behind you, forever.”
There was no way that didn’t look appealing. Itdid. Natalia was right, as she usually was.
She was right about everything, except one thing.
“I don’t care if it’s easier or not. I don’t wantmyease to be part of this,” Dawson argued. “I don’t care what this means for me, as long as justice happens. I’ve got a good—agreat—support system, here. My agent’s working on the lawyer angle.”
“He’s been great,” Natalia inserted.
“And to be honest, it doesn’t feel like Ihaven’tput it behind me.”
Dawson froze.
Hearing what he’d just said. Realizing he meant it. Hehadput it behind him. The legal issues were just that—wrapping it up in a pretty bow, sure, and making sure Ackerman paid for his crimes was appealing, additionally—buthe was over it.
He’d gotten past it.
And maybe it wasn’t just Cam, but it was alotCam.
His love and support had been there when he’d needed it most, and now all Dawson wanted to do was tell him . . .well,shit. To tell him he loved him, too. That he was the most important person in Dawson’s life, and that he couldn’t see that ever changing.
“If that’s the way you feel about it, then I’m considering proceeding,” Natalia said cautiously.
“You should,” Dawson said. “I’m sorry, though, I . . .there’s something I have to do.”Something I have to say.
Aidan was right; he’d been incredibly stupid and even more incredibly dense.
This feeling, buoyant and certain, wasn’t new. He’d been in love with Cam forweeks, and he hadn’t told him. That wasn’t okay, and what was even morenotokay? That he’d been trying to be better. To do better. To dorightby Cam.
How could he do that if Cam didn’t know how he felt?
“No worries,” she said, chuckling under her breath. “I’m just glad I caught you. I’ll send the plea deal over, and you can let me know if you change your mind.”
“I’m not going to change my mind.”About this. Or about Cam. Ever.
“Alright, then. I’ll keep you updated.”
Dawson had just hung up, ducking out of the game room when a person he hadn’t expected to see intercepted him. And before he could find Cam.
But he couldn’t look frustrated, because this was Cam’s dad, carrying two drinks, making it obvious that his destination had always been Dawson. He couldn’t look impatient or frustrated.
Dawson tried not to tense and failed.
“Hey,” Shane said, setting the whiskey in front of Dawson. “Saw you were empty.”
