“Being vulnerable and enjoying the pleasure you’ve felt doesn’t make youanyless alpha,” Emerson told Dash, sensing he needed to hear that.
“Maybe next time, you get to be the vulnerable one,” Dash whispered.
Emerson leaned forward and pressed his lips to Dash’s. “If you want.”
“I want,”Dash said.
A shiver raced up Emerson’s spine. He slid his hands over Dash’s asscheeks, stretching them apart to expose the part where his cum leaked from.
Dash chuckled. “But can we have a little more time to regroup first?”
Disappointment filled Emerson. He was more than ready to go. “If we must.”
They held one another’s gazes for a few seconds before Dash slid off his lap. Emerson was reluctant to let go of his hand. Thankfully, Dash turned and sat on his lap, wrapping both hands around Emerson’s neck.
“I didn’t think you were a fan of sitting on my lap?”
Dash fought a smile and nearly lost that time. “It’s growing on me.”
Emerson sighed silently when Dash rested his forehead against the side of his head. He’d craved touching Dash all day, and he’d take all he could get for as long as he could. After a few minutes though, he sensed Dash traveling a million miles away. Emerson sensed his mind was back on his case.
“What’s going on in that head of yours?”
Dash got a faraway look. “I’m wondering now if this goes back even farther than I first imagined. I assumed these men would eventually have missing persons cases opened, which meant it couldn’t have been happening too long. Of course, I’m getting ahead of myself. I haven’t even verified the reporter’s claims.”
“What reporter?”
Dash sat up straighter, and his gaze whipped back to Emerson’s. “When I arrived at the Municipal Center today, there was a press conference going on outside. A reporter confronted the Commissioner of the Guard.Heclaimed there are several missing alphas, each of them coinciding with a raid on the Dragon.”
Emerson frowned. “That’s disturbing.”
Dash nodded. “I approached him afterwards. He didn’t have the time to answer my questions, so I gave him my card. If he doesn’t call me in a few days, I plan to seek him out.”
“Do you think Jaye’s disappearance might be linked to these others?”
“It’s possible, and if it is, that means this is a much bigger investigation than what I was hired for—and could be much more dangerous.”
“Are you really equipped for something like that?”
Dash glared at him.“Yes.”
“You have a small security firm. This sounds like a job for the Guard.”
“The Guard might be the ones causing this, Em.”
“I meant theBlackGuard, not the locals. Isn’t this something they do? Hold provincial law enforcement to task?” Emerson lifted a brow.“Amongst other things.”
“They do,” Dash replied. “But I would need to gather enough intel to show probable cause before I can reach out to my contacts there. I sense your brother might have some of the information I need—but I can’t be sure he’s not involved. I fear he might try to shut me down.”
“He’s not involved,” Emerson said. “You’re as safe with him as you are with me.”
Dash scowled. “He already tried to warn me off the case.”
“So did I. Just now. If he knows something is off and recognizes there’s danger, in moving forward, he might simply be trying to protect you.”
“I don’t need his—or your—protection. This is what I do, Emerson. And I’m sorry, but I don’t know your brother well enough to trust him. My gut’s being oddly silent. I want to meet with him and see what he knows,” Dash said, searching Emerson’s face. “I’d feel more comfortable having you there with me—here on this boat, where it’s quietandprivate.”
Emerson stared at Dash a moment, thoughtful. “This boat is my secret hiding spot—away from my family.”
