Oh Jesus. Did they used to have a thing?
No, surely that would have come up before now.
Sawyer then had to wonder if Tobin didn’t like him personally or if it was that he didn’t like the fact that an outsider, a human, had been brought into their group. At any rate, he didn’t seem too impressed.
And that was, Sawyer could admit honestly, totally fair.
He was a risk.
Sawyer realised then that he was a risk to all of them, Ciaran included, and that struck like a hot iron in his heart.
Ciaran made an unsettled sound and slid closer to Sawyer, his leg now touching Sawyer’s, and the relief was immediate.
The connection.
And he knew, somehow, that Ciaran needed the connection just as much as he did.
Sawyer reached out and took Ciaran’s hand, threading their fingers, and didn’t even realise he was smiling up at him until someone mumbled. Tobin, of course.
“They can’t help it,” Kellan said quietly.
“Are there any more questions?” Tobin asked, pushing off the bars of the jail cell. “Or do we have to stay here just to watch them fawn over each other, because I’d rather fucking not.”
Yeah, Tobin was pissed off. Or disgusted. It was hard to tell.
Ciaran shot him a glare and made that damned sexy growl noise again and bared his teeth, but then Fray was between them, facing Ciaran, his smile long gone. “You’re not gonna do that.”
Sawyer didn’t want them to fight. Not because of him.
He stood up. “I’m not a threat,” he said loud enough to get everyone’s attention. “Or a risk. I would never tell your secret. Not because no one would ever believe me, but...” He looked at Ciaran. “But because it would hurt Ciaran, and that’s something I can’t do.” He put his hand to his stomach, then brought it up to rub his chest and ease the sudden ache. “Physically. Even the idea of hurting him is painful. I couldn’t.” He met Ciaran’s eyes. “I wouldn’t.”
“I know,” he murmured. “They don’t blame you. It’s... it’s a consortium issue. And the timing isn’t ideal.”
Tobin scoffed. “Isn’t ideal,” he repeated, heavy on the sarcasm. He rolled his eyes but went back to his spot leaningagainst the bars of the cell and crossed his arms. “Whatever. Just get this over with.”
“The consortium,” Sawyer said. “Tell me what it means to you. To all of you,” he added, deliberately meeting Tobin’s nonplussed gaze. Then, seeking reassurance and calm, he needed to touch Ciaran. He moved closer, almost standing between his legs. “I’ve been a cop since I was eighteen. I understand hierarchy. Protocol. Rules. It’s ingrained in me. And given you’re a family of sorts, it stands to reason you’re no different.” He met Ciaran’s eyes, which were soft, as was his smile. “You’re the leader, right? Ricky Carpenter, the cop before me, left me a note. It said you were the leader.”
Ciaran almost smiled. “A note, huh?”
There were some whispers from the three younger guys on the cot.
“Yeah,” Sawyer said. “It was frozen and stuck to the inside of the freezer, covered in ice. I only found it because I defrosted it. He said he expected the office to be rid of any evidence. Said that you guys don’t need keys.”
Fraser snorted. “That sneaky fucker.”
“We can fit through the smallest of holes,” Ciaran murmured.
Sawyer met his heated gaze, his smirk laced with the innuendo and double entendre.
Someone cleared their throat.
Ciaran continued, “Every consortium has a leader. But everyone here is free to do what they want. We share responsibilities, we look out for each other, and we maintain our secret above all else.” He flinched then. “As a cop, it would mean?—”
“I will keep your secret,” Sawyer replied adamantly. “And I will keep no secrets from you. If you want to know something, just ask. Any of you,” he said, looking around the room.
“You volunteered to come here,” Tobin asked. It wasn’t a question.
“Yes,” Sawyer replied. “I never fit in with the police clique, ya know? I never had a work partner; I preferred working solo. Still do. I like being alone.”
