Dash sighed, closing his eyes and pressing his forehead against Emerson’s. Never before had he felt such peace—even as a war waged within him. It was as if all the stars and planets had aligned in that moment. There was suddenly no doubt. This was his alpha. The man he was meant to be with. The man he’d been fated to love.
He leaned back enough to hold Emerson’s stare.
“I didn’t think you believed in all that fated mates bullshit?” Dash asked, fighting a smile.
“I’m big enough of an alpha to admit when I’m wrong,” Emerson said, grinning. “And I’ve never felt such great pleasure inbeingwrong.”
23
Emerson suddenly remembered they weren’t alone. He turned his gaze towards Randall, who sat quietly watching them. Emerson cleared his throat, squeezed Dash’s hand, and tried not to let the joy spreading through him force a broad smile on his lips—not when he wasn’t completely sure Randall would approve.
“Does anyone else know?” Randall asked. “Family-wise?”
“Harrison found out last night. He’s the only one.”
“How’d he take the news?” Randall asked.
“Better than you,” Emerson replied.
“I wasn’t upset you were with Dash,” Randall said. “I was scared for you both.” He looked away for a second and then back. “When I was searching for the arrested men, I saw the way some of those alphas lived. I guess I can kind of see why you might’ve been hesitant to share. I guess I saw… but didn’t connect that with you… and us.”
“I’m glad you can see why,” Emerson said. “And I want you to know that I didn’t hide away because I wanted to. I felt like I had no other choice. It hasdestroyed meto keep you all at a distance.”
“Now that I know, does that mean I get my brother back?” Randall asked him.
Emerson fought the sting at the backs of his eyes. He nodded, worried the second he spoke, he’d lose it. After wiping at the wetness under one eye and clearing his throat, he sighed. “I’d love nothing more.”
Randall wore a small smile. “I’d like that, too.”
Emerson grinned.
“Maybe you could take us all out fishing on this heap of yours. After we take a look at that motor.”
Emerson chuckled. “You alwaysdidknow your way around an internal combustion engine.” He nodded. “Help with that and fishing is absolutely on—but you and Harrison are the only two who know about the boat. I can’t have family stopping by and seeing something they shouldn’t.”
“How could we go fishing without Luke and Fitz?” Randall asked, scowling.
Emerson hedged.
“Maybe it’s time to tell everyone,” Randall said. “You know us, Em. We’re not the turn-our-backs kind of family. You’d have to kill someone for that to happen and even then, we’d check first to make sure the other guy didn’t have it coming.”
Emerson barked with laughter, yet the idea of sharing the news with the whole Walker clan made him nervous. He’d lucked out so far, but what if that luck ran out? “I’ll consider it.”
“You should,” Randall said. He turned to Dash. “Maybe you should, too. Even if you have to hide this from the outside world, you might have people in your corner who will accept who you are—and help protect what you both have here.”
Dash held Randall’s stare before it turned to Emerson. He saw panic growing in Dash’s eyes and completely understood it.
Emerson squeezed his hand. “You don’t have to decide anything now.”
Dash nodded but didn’t speak.
Quiet filled around the table. A ship horn sounded in the distance.
“Maybe I can listen closer to that motor on the way back to the marina?” Randall asked. He drained the rest of his ginger ale. “And I’ll take that beer now.”
Emerson grinned. “Let’s go.”
Once Randall departed,Emerson walked back into the belly of the boat and eyed Dash. He remained sitting in the booth, pouring over the files Randall had reluctantly agreed to leave with him. Emerson scooted in beside Dash again, the unfamiliar alpha’s scent once again coming to his nose. He fought a growl but couldn’t fight his curiosity.
