Cash
For years,Cash had tried every trick he could think of to take down Horizon. He’d climbed the ranks of high society, devoted endless hours to training himself in hacker and mercenary skills, and disavowed anything that wasn’t revenge.
It struck him as funny, that he succeeded not by scheming and plotting but by finally letting his guard down and welcoming something different into his life.
For a couple of days, Raiden, Lawrence, and Cash all hung out at the safe house. The guys cooked for Lawrence while he recovered, and Cash busied himself at the computer. He destroyed every record of himself that Reed might find, trashing fake identifications, private email accounts and cell numbers, and burning any trace of the life he used to live. It felt like the final step, after Fox had taken him for all his gear, and Cash was strangely free from it all.
With the computer Raiden had lugged from the black site, he was also able to put together a serious case against Reed. The man had placed far too much faith in his guards and left records in that basement that he carefully concealed everywhere else. Putting the pieces together to take him out while they prepared their next move against Horizon was like the icing on the extremely delicious cake.
It definitely helped that Cash didn’t have to wait for his new life to begin. After going on his own for so long, he forgot how good it felt to have someone else to take care of and to feel taken care of himself. With Lawrence and Raiden, there was an easy, natural back and forth. And even though Cash still doubted himself sometimes, fearful that he didn’t deserve the forgiveness and acceptance that Lawrence and Raiden offered, the second the three of them met in a brief touch or shared kiss, the truth became obvious again.
On their third day at the safe house, Declan and Seb drove up in Declan’s old truck, the rear packed with boxes and equipment. Cash and Raiden jumped into action, unloading it all into the tiny house while Lawrence and Seb reintroduced themselves to each other, falling into a quick and easy friendship. They set up a few computers at the kitchen table and the countertops, pinned papers all over the walls, and spread out stacks of research and file folders on the coffee table. On his own, Cash had never quite been able to build a case like that against the corporation. But with the talents, resources, and history that Declan and Seb offered, things finally clicked into place.
“Are you okay?” Lawrence asked. He appeared by Cash’s side as they stood in the kitchen, looking out over the living room.
Cash shook his head and laughed softly. “I’ve literally never been better.”
“What’s that funny look on your face, then?” Raiden asked, appearing at his other side.
“I was just thinking I probably won’t run another job like this again,” Cash said. “At least for a while, there won’t be any more hackathons or sneaking into office buildings or dodging bullets.”
Lawrence pressed his cheek against Cash’s arm with a laugh. “I’ll be glad if neither of you have to dodge another bullet ever again.”
“Me, too!” Cash laughed. “It will just be different, that’s all.”
“It’s hard to stop fighting, when that’s all that you’re used to,” Raiden agreed, then pinched Cash at the hip. “But we’ll make sure to keep you occupied.”
“I’m sure,” Cash answered with a purr. He kissed Raiden on the cheek, then turned to Lawrence for the same.
“Bingo!” Seb said brightly, standing as he waved a piece of paper in the air. “I found some bank transactions that link Lawrence’s dad and the senator to the paramilitary groups around the coltan mines!”
“You found the bank accounts?” Cash asked, excited to reveal one of the key missing pieces.
“With the files you encrypted from the senator’s office,” Seb said with an approving nod.
“Does that mean we go ahead?” Lawrence asked, excited. “Is that everything?”
“We’ll strengthen up our case a bit first,” Declan said, his eyes down as he took the paper from Seb. “But we should move fast. The company is still disoriented from the scandal with Rios, and Mackey has been quiet since we rescued Lawrence. That window won’t last long, and we need to strike first.”
Lawrence took Cash by the hand, and Raiden casually draped his arm over his shoulder. Taking down the corporation wouldn’t bring his parents back, but at least he would know that other people had been spared the same fate. And while it would never replace the one he lost, Cash had a new family now.
“Mom, Dad,” he whispered to himself, “I’m going to be okay.”
* * *
Cash buttoned up Raiden’s dress shirt for him, then fussed with the collar.
“Is this really necessary?” Raiden asked, frowning. They were in the blue-tiled bathroom in Mayer’s apartment. Lawrence’s friend had generously taken them in and offered a spare bedroom while they waited for the axe to fall on Horizon and Reed, and the guys had happily spent the week holed up together, distracting themselves in bed.
“Not necessary, I suppose,” Cash answered. “But it’s a special evening. Besides, you look hot as hell in a dress shirt, Raiden.”
Raiden snorted. Buttoned nearly to the collar, the gray shirt hugged his big frame comfortably, and Cash took his time tucking it into Raiden’s trousers and fiddling with his belt. “If you say so,” he answered.
Cash laughed, then fixed his hair in the mirror. He was glad that he and Raiden hadn’t lost their playful edge, now that they didn’t have to hide their feelings. Cash had dragged his favorite Tom Ford suit back out of the closet, and it gave him a thrill how nicely he and Raiden complemented each other in the mirror.
“Are you both ready?” Lawrence asked, peeking his head in. He had on his own light teal suit and a bright floral tie in blues and purples. “Oh, wow. Raiden in a collar. Who would have guessed?”
Raiden chuckled. “All right, guys,” he said, then nudged Cash playfully in the shoulder. “Showtime.”
