I hate that the one thing he truly wants is something I’m never going to be able to give him. Is that why I asked the question? Is that why I’m here?
I’m not a stupid man.
If there’s one thing I’ve spent my life doing, it’s making sure I always know just as much if not more than anyone who’s in front of me.
I know what the feelings Colby has sparked in me mean, and I know what follows.
“I guess it’s pretty dumb of me that I never even imagined something like this would happen.” The self-deprecating smile on his face iswrong. Just plain wrong.
“You’re not dumb,” I growl, shoving off the couch, and I start pacing because I need to stand. “I don’t like that I didn’t think it would happen either, son. So if anyone here is missing a few neurons, it’s me.”
“Please,” he scoffs, and settles in more comfortably on the couch. Then he just stares up at me with a normal smile. “But if it tookyouby surprise, then it’s gotta be a big deal, huh?”
I stay silent. There’s no need to point out the obvious, and I owe Bran a few more minutes to assimilate... everything. Hell, I need more than a few minutes myself.
Bran is one of two people I can be one hundred percent myself with. It’s only him and Harry, and now that I’mhere, I can feel the shock of it. I can reel and be unsure. So yeah, I’m just going to keep pacing.
“To answer your question,” he starts out, in a slow, measured voice. “I’d say I’m happy for you. I wouldn’t have anything against you... seeing someone. Though I doubt you’re going to do it like a normal person.”
Now I’m the one snorting.
“You’ve got that right. I don’t have that luxury.”
“And you wouldn’t want to go on dates and take things slow even if you could.”
I stop and look at him with a raised eyebrow. The way he holds my gaze, challenging me, is something few people dare to do. But Bran’s always challenging me. It’s a good thing. Well, I think so at least.
“No,” I relent. “I’ve never wanted to do things the usual way.”
“That’s an understatement,” he says with a laugh in every word. “So, come on.” He pats the couch. “Settle down and tell me about thisperson.”
I roll my eyes but walk over and sit. After a long sigh, I admit to myself that I want to tell someone about Colby.
“It’s the man your uncle told us to check on after he woke up.”
“The one you suspected the Italians had.” He fills in the blanks. He never misses much, and he was right there, wasn’t he? When we ran out of the clinic and went to save Colby.
“Colby . . . Colby Major,” I tell him.
“Why does that name sound familiar?”
I have to laugh, then let out a groan while I rub a hand down my face. This is so fucked up and tangled.
“He’s a journalist, or was, but he got canned about a year ago for starting an investigation on the Italians. Anyway, he was a news broadcaster, so that’s probably why you recognize his name.”
There’s only silence from my right, and when I finally look, Bran’s open mouth is accompanied by wide, surprised eyes.
I give him another minute. I get it.
Me and a journalist?
In what universe does that make sense?
Someone with the socially acceptable kind of integrity and values, someone who investigates criminals, someone who has never lived in my world.
“Okay, start from the beginning,” Bran demands, then brings his leg up to sit sideways on the couch, facing me. Imimic him and get comfortable, because I doubt I can get through this quickly.
“Your Ma, Mac, and I went to the warehouse where I was told Di Leo was supposedly holding an informant of ours.”
