“I’m here because of what you have on Owen.”
“Which is?”
Will takes a breath. “Those photos of him taking drugs.”
“Oh, right. Those. Junkies on probation shouldn’t take illegal substances. Don’t you think?”
Will looks away, his jaw tight.
“Don’t you think so, Will?”
“Yes. He was an idiot, but he doesn’t deserve to go to prison.”
“Of course he doesn’t. He’s a cool guy. I like him. That’s why I won’t say a word—I told him that.”
“That’s not all you told him.”
“Hmm, remind me. What else did I tell him?” Nate is starting to enjoy this. Now that his initial surprise has passed, he realizes how much he had waited for this moment, and he’s going to squeeze it till the last drop.
“You told him to cut ties with me.”
“Owen’s a big boy. He can do what the hell he wants. I simply gave him a choice, which was the decent thing to do.” He waits for Will to lash out, but he remains composed, even though there’s tension radiating from him.
“He did what you wanted,” Will says.
Nate stands a bit straighter. “Did he now? And are you here to fight?”
“I’m here to let you know that you should stop blackmailing him.”
Nate waves his hand. “No need for that if he’s done what he’s told. I’m a man of my word. Besides, you’re better off without him. He came here to get his shit together. Van Buren was always supposed to be just a stop on his way.”
Will gives a single nod. There’s something dark in his eyes that makes Nate think he should stop pushing. If Will is telling the truth, then he was just dumped bysomeone he cared about.
“If you’re here to make sure Owen is off the hook, you can relax. Assuming he really did do his part.”
Will nods. “He did.”
“And is there another reason for your visit?” He doesn’t dare to hope. In every path he had planned in his head, Will needed time and convincing before he returned to Nate.
“I need you to promise me you’ll never use what you have on him.”
“I don’t think you’re in a place to ask me that after the way you treated me.”
Will opens his mouth as if to argue, but he shuts it quickly, avoiding Nate’s gaze. He’s clearly not looking for a fight; otherwise, they would have had it already.
Should I push my luck?Nate takes a step closer. “I never got an apology from you. You attacked me when all I wanted was to do what both of us agreed to. Look at me. We started something special, and we never agreed for you to end it whenever you feel like it. Do you understand that?”
Nate holds his breath, thinking he might have gone too far.
“I’m sorry.”
Nate clears his throat. “Afraid I didn’t catch that.”
Will meets his eyes. “I’m sorry.”
Unless Nate is delusional, he can spot the sweet glint of submission in Will’s eyes.“I appreciate your apology,but I think it will be more convincing if you say it from the ground.”
Will shuts his eyes and takes a breath while Nate holds his. Then, slowly, Will goes down to his knees, his face level with Nate’s crotch.
