Lucian had never been in a serious relationship before, but despite his inexperience, he got the feeling that they could make it work. The way he felt for Marcus wasn’t caused by shallow lust or financial greed. Lucian wanted Marcus for Marcus, and he knew the feeling wasmutual.
“Adrian has pictures of us in the alley,” Lucian admitted. The truth was harsh in his mouth, and his tongue wanted nothing to do with it, but he pushed the words out anyway. “He knows what we’re doing. He told me that if I wanted to keep my job, I needed to break up with you. If I didn’t, he said he was going to go straight toSterling.”
The shadows on Marcus’ face shifted. Lucian watched them move, witnessing the transformation between sorrow and stern,measuredrage.
“It was wrong of me to think of breaking up with you,” Lucian admitted. He hung his head, ashamed of himself. “It’s just, I was only recently released from inpatient therapy at Stonecrest, and it was the first time in my life that I ever had a job I could call my own. Since I don’t have any experience and nothing more than a GED to fall back on, I’m in this place where I know if I lose my job, I won’t have an easy time finding another. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you before. I didn’t want you to know who Ireallywas.”
“There is no need to explain.” Marcus’ voice bore the same dominant qualities it so often did in the bedroom, but tonight, it was different. Tonight it was steeped in anger rather than desire. “Your next shift istomorrow?”
“Yes.” Lucian said. He dared glance up, studying the disciplined look on Marcus’ face. “Tomorrow at seven, just likealways.”
“Then we still have some time.” Marcus held out his hand. Lucian took it, closing the small distance between them. Marcus’ scent was a promise that everything was going to be okay, and Lucian was drawn to it. His head rested on Marcus’ shoulder while Marcus strokedhishair.
He didn’t have to be afraid. Independence didn’t have to mean solitude. Marcus was there for him, and it was Lucian’s prerogative to ask for his help, or towalkaway.
“I don’t know how we can make this work,” Lucian admitted in a small voice. He closed his eyes, giving control to Marcus. The bliss of release soothed him. “I don’t think there’s a way we can turn thisaround.”
“Of course there is. I’m going to make this right for you, fledgling,” Marcus whispered. He kissed the top of Lucian’s head. “I promise that no matter what, I willalwaysmake things right. All you have to do istrustme.”
And Lucian did, fully and withoutreserve.
29
Marcus
“KnobCreek,neat.”
The drink hit Marcus’ open palm and came to a stop. Marcus took a moment to appreciate the stones inside, then looked up to meet Clarissa’s eye. One of the part-time bartenders, Madeline, worked the busier side of the bar while Clarissa cleaned and prepped for the rest of the night. It was closing in on one in the morning on a Friday one week after Lucian’s heartfelt confession behind The Shepherd, and the crowd wasthick.
“You look tired,” Marcus remarked, keeping his tone conversational. “Is somethingbotheringyou?”
“Bothering me? No. But my full-time bartender quit last Saturday, so I’m scrambling to make up for him.” Clarissa shook her head, but didn’t take a second to slow down. Even as she spoke, she hooked up a bottle to a dispenser and measured a shot for a mixeddrink.
“I know,”Marcussaid.
Clarissa arched an eyebrow. “Youknow?”
“It’s a shitty situation, and we’d like to extend our apologies.” From the inside of his suit jacket, Marcus drew a small envelope. He slid it across the table to Clarissa, who’d put the bottle down to stare in wonder at the crisp white stationary. “This is for you, and onlyforyou.”
“What the hell are you going on about?” Clarissa asked. She set the bottle back in place and picked the envelope up, holding it to the LED glow lining the shelves behind her to try to see inside without opening it. “It feels likeacard.”
“Astute observation. You’re absolutely correct.” Marcus cracked his knuckles, then stretched his arms over his head. It was almost time. “Open it when you have a second, and make sure you use it on something that’s going to make you happy. Lucian wasveryclear that he wanted to apologize to you personally, and this is what we cameupwith.”
The several thousand dollars loaded onto the prepaid Visa inside would brighten Clarissa’s week while she searched for Lucian’sreplacement.
“You’re only making a little bit of sense here.” Clarissa tucked the envelope behind the counter, but her eyes stayed on him. “Rewind a little bit so I can get the beginning of your story, because I’m not sure what’sgoingon.”
“You will soon enough,” Marcus promised. He took a sip of his drink, letting the smooth bourbon wash over his tongue and warm his gullet. “Everyonewill.”
Marcus wasready.
Lucianwas,too.
All the small details had been worked out, and tough decisions had been made together. What they did tonight wasn’t something they did lightly, but it was something that needed tobedone.
Marcus would not allow what belonged to him to beintimidated.
“You’re kind of freaking me out,” Clarissa said. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “What’s going on,Marcus?”
