Iago stood and shook his head. "He's going to break your heart, O. And when he does, I'll be here."
Why the fuck isn't he listening!"Weren't you the one who told me to find someone to love? Why do you keep doubting him?" Othello snapped.
"Because he's not worthy of you. Okay, fine, you don't think he's working with Ricci. What about his father?"
"What about him?" Othello shouted, but Iago didn't back down.
"Are you an idiot?"
"Watch your words, Iago!" Othello growled.
"I won't," Iago argued back. "Someone has to knock some fucking sense into you. It's like when you get some ass, you forget you have responsibilities. You did the same thing with Phillip, and you're doing it with this guy. His father is running for senate, for god's sake. And by the looks of it, he'll win. What if your doctor tells him about us, and they bring everything we've built down? You can't tell me the raid on the auction house was a coincidence. After what just happened with Falcon, we're about to go head to head with the commission."
Iago pinched the bridge of his nose agitatedly. "You can't be distracted right now, O. Besides, are you sure he'll stay by your side when everything is said and done? You should dump him and find someone better before he does. Someone who wouldn't run to the cops the first time they see the real you. Let me set you up with someone, please, O. I'm just trying to protect my family."
"I heard everything you're saying, Iago, but there are a few things wrong with your logic." Othello sighed, reining in his anger. "One, there's no one better than Des. Two, there's no guarantee his father will win the Senate race. And three, I never have to ask Des if he'll choose me over his family because I know I will be his choice. What Des and I have cannot be compared to what I had with Phillip or anyone else. I'm not like you, Iago; I can't flit from one lover to the other when I know I have someone who loves me to hell and back."
"If you weren't my brother, I would punch the shit out of you for saying that," Iago spat.
"When has that stopped you," Othello shot back.
"Now, you have the power I don't have," Iago mumbled, but Othello heard him perfectly.
"What in the fuck are you talking about?" he asked, tightening his brows.
"You're in love with him," Iago said, not answering his question, but his face registered shock at the thought of Othello falling in love was a novelty.
"I am, and I am certain he loves me too," Othello said confidently.
"Have you told him?"
"No." He smiled. "I'm waiting for the perfect moment to tell him."
The tension that had enveloped them simmered, but he didn't want to deal with Iago anymore. He wanted to finish his work, head home, and sleep in his own bed, even though he still had a room at the Romanos' house.
"Go." Othello looked away from Iago.
Othello dropped in his chair, pinching the bridge of his nose. He didn't want to doubt Des, but he also didn't want to admit that some of what Iago said made sense; the shooting at the docks and the cops searching the auction house were the top two on his list. But as he told Iago, Des knew nothing about their family business.
Iago didn't know Des the way he did. Hell, his brother had never even spent a second with his lover, even after Des delivered the twins. If he didn't know how devoted Iago was to the family, Othello would think he was the one working against him. Shaking his head, Othello put a full stop to that thought. Iago might’ve been a bastard regarding his relationships, but family was very important to him, especially the one that rescued him. He appreciated Iago worrying about him, but Othello felt his brother should focus on his own relationship.
Late into the middle of the night, closer to the morning, Othello entered his apartment and instantly knew something was different. Although he didn't sense any danger, he didn't let his guard down.
He was about to reach for his gun but stopped when he noticed Des's coat thrown over the back of the sofa. A smile graced his tired lips. Des had planned to call him later, but this was a pleasant surprise. He removed his outer coat and jacket, threw it on Des's jacket, and headed to the bedroom.
Othello walked over to the bed and saw the lump on the bed. Slowly, he removed the cover and saw Des's sleeping face. When Othello trailed a finger down the bridge of his nose to the tip, Des scrunched it cutely. His long lashes trembled as his eyes tenderly opened, and he stared up at Othello with moist eyes.
"You're home?" he said in a sexy, sleepy voice.
"I am," he said, kissing him quickly. "I'm going to shower."
"No, come hold me," he said, pulling Othello to the bed. "I miss you."
Othello sighed, toeing off his shoes and allowing his lover to pull him easily to the bed, where Des snuggled into his arms. Although Othello was one of those people who had to shower before going to bed, he couldn't deny how comfortable he was at the moment. Or maybe he just enjoyed spoiling the former doctor.
"I can't say I'm unhappy to see you, but why are you here?"
"I needed a place to hide from my mother," Des responded groggily.
