“This better be important, I’m in the middle of something.”
“Pike made his first move,” I say without preamble, crossing to the window to stare out at the city skyline. “There’s a photo of Ryder and me at Purgatory in today’s paper. Nothing explicit, but enough to raise questions about my... sexual orientation.”
I pause, waiting for Dominic’s reaction. “My secretary wants to know if I should make a statement.”
Dominic is quiet for a moment, and I can hear papers shuffling in the background.
“So, Pike’s playing dirty already,” he finally says, his voice low. “Did he expose your relationship with Cora?”
“No, simply made implications about my sexuality. The photo only shows Ryder and me.”
“Interesting,” Dominic muses. “He’s testing the waters, seeing how we’ll react.”
I pace to the window, watching the city below. “My firm’s already feeling the pressure. Three clients pulled their cases this morning—all connected to families who’d rather their attorney not be caught with men.”
“And you’re considering a statement?” There’s a hint of judgment in his tone.
“I didn’t say I wanted to make one. I said my secretary suggested it.”
“Good. Because a statement would be a mistake,” Dominic says firmly. “Making a statement suggests there’s something to defend, something shameful about what you’re doing.”
I nod even though he can’t see me. “That’s my read too. If I address it, I legitimize the attack.”
“Exactly. These things die down if you don’t feed them. Pike wants a reaction. The bastard wants to see you scramble.” Dominic’s voice hardens. “Don’t give him the satisfaction.”
“So, we do nothing?”
“Not nothing. We continue as normal. You show up to court, win your cases, and act like nothing’s changed. Because nothing has.”
He’s right. I’ve spent my career defending people society condemns. I’m not about to start apologizing for my own choices.
“Agreed. We’ll let it die down.”
“Good. Now I have to go. Keep me updated if anything else happens.”
“Before you go,” I say, my tone shifting to something deliberately lighter, “I hear we’re having dinner together again tonight.”
“Ryder’s cooking again.” There’s a pause, and I can practically see Dominic adjusting his tie at his desk. “Something Mexican, he said.”
“I’ll bring wine. Red or white?”
“Red.” Another pause. “You know which one I like.”
I smile into the phone, unable to resist pushing. “I know what you like in many areas, Dominic. Some you’re only beginning to discover.”
His sharp intake of breath is audible. “Liam?—”
“Relax. The door’s closed. No one’s listening.” I lower my voice. “Besides, we live together now. Hard to maintain plausible deniability when you fucked me during the Hunt.”
“That was... different,” he mutters. “The Hunt is different.”
“And yet you couldn’t look away when Ryder and I were rubbing our dicks together.” I lean back in my chair, enjoying hisdiscomfort perhaps more than I should. “Don’t worry. I’ve seen how you watch when you think no one’s paying attention.”
“We’re not discussing this now.” His voice is tight.
“Fine. Tonight, then. After dinner.” I pause. “All four of us together.”
“You’re impossible.” But there’s a new roughness to his voice that tells me he’s riled up.
