“The swelling is,” Tex said, wrinkling his nose. Peter’s bruises were still very much present, and probably would be for a while yet.
Every time Tex saw them he felt a pang of regret that he’d held off on killing Peter’s imbecile of an uncle.
“My uncle’s lawyer called me today,” Peter said. Tex couldn’t help the growl that rumbled in his chest, and Peter slapped his arm. “Stop that! I told him to fuck off.”
“Good,” Tex said.
Peter’s uncle was still in the hospital, his shoulder requiring surgery, and he was officially under arrest with an officer guarding his room.
Tex could see why his lawyer would ask if Peter was willing to help his case. It was the kind of information they’d need before negotiating a plea bargain with the prosecutor.
From what Tex understood, Peter’s uncle was involved with some very shady people from South Africa, and if he cooperated might see a dramatically reduced sentence for his crimes.
It made him sick.
Peter’s sister, on the other hand, had vanished without a trace. Tex had a strong suspicion that Carver’s mother had dealt with her, given the woman’s utter lack of urgency when Carver asked her what she had planned for the blackmailer, and he was almost scared to ask what had happened to her.
Carver’s mother was terrifying when someone threatened her family. Tex wouldn’t be surprised if Peter’s uncle found himself shafted the minute he stepped foot in a prison, either. That, or he’d have a car accident a few days after he got out.
“I want to forget about them,” Peter said, jaw clenched and looking right ahead.
“I understand that,” Tex said, reaching over and squeezing the back of his neck. “But if you change your mind and want to talk about them, then that’s okay too.”
“Thanks,” Peter said, turning his face and rubbing his nose against Tex’s wrist. “I love you.”
The unexpected declaration made Tex grin so wide that it hurt. His chest felt like it was exploding with frantic, glorious butterflies.
“You do?”
“You and Carver.” Peter sounded sure like this was something he’d been thinking about.
“I love you too,” Tex said, wishing that Peter hadn’t told him this while he was driving. He wanted to pick him up and hold him.
Pulling over on the side of the highway, putting on his warning lights, he did the next best thing and reached over to kiss him.
Peter laughed, grabbing the lapels of Tex’s leather jacket and kissing him back. “We can’t stop on the side of the highway!” he cried, scandalized and happy.
“It’s okay, I have a badge,” Tex said, closing the distance between them and licking into Peter’s mouth with unrestrained passion.
After a good five minutes of making out, Tex broke the kiss and leaned back in his seat. He adjusted the bulge in his pants, turning off his warning lights and pulling back onto the highway.
The rest of the drive to the restaurant happened in silence, Tex and Peter basking in the warm glow of love and emotion between them, neither one of them needing to say a word.
They arrived at the restaurant twenty minutes late, Mike and Gloria rising when the hostess showed him and Peter to their table.
“Sorry we’re late,” Tex said, hugging Mike and shaking hands with Gloria. He pulled Peter forward, holding him under his arm. “This is my omega, Peter. Peter, this is my friend Mike and his girlfriend, Gloria.”
Peter shook hands with both of them. Neither Gloria nor Mike commented on his bruised up face, for which Tex was grateful.
“It’s nice to meet you,” Peter said, all of them taking their seats. “Tex talks about you a lot.”
Mike blushed, and Tex grinned. He hoped that Mike realized how much he valued him as a friend. He’d have to be better at telling him.
“Same with this one,” Gloria said, patting Mike on the arm.
“So should we order drinks?” Mike asked, looking both pleased and embarrassed.
“Sure,” Tex said, taking the drinks menu and handing it to Peter. He already knew what he wanted. Peter accepted the menu, opening it up and studying it intently. Tex looked at him, love making his heart swell, only to look up to see Mike and Gloria smirking at him.
