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Beau didn’t make Fletch ask him twice. He picked up a file in front of him and tapped the edge on the desk, as if making sure nothing fell out. “It seems Rex has no intention of letting July go. He doesn’t know if July is alive or not. All he knows is the last few places July’s phone pinged that day: the airport and The PlayPen. I imagine he also knows there isn’t a secret July doesn’t know about him. He can’t afford to let this go without proof of death. July, in the wrong hands, is his death sentence.”

Fletch nodded along. “Or a prison cell.”

“Or a divorce.”

The weak-sounding words had Fletch spinning toward the doorway. July hobbled into the room wearing a silk housecoat with faux fur around the neck and wrists.

Fletch shot to his feet, but July motioned for him to stay put. When July reached him, he crawled onto Fletch’s lap and settled down in his arms. He panted from the exertion. It would take July a while to recover from coming so close to death.

July focused on Beau. “Sorry for bursting in. Rex’s wife, Catalina, is the only person who scares him. I don’t know much about her. We had been dating for over a year when I found out he even had a wife.” July swallowed, as if all this talking tore at his still-healing throat. He didn’t let that stop him. “By that time, I was already a hostage. He never spoke about her. He made sure he never gave me that fodder to use against him. That didn’t stop me from snooping. Her name is Catalina Kharti. Her father is Gael Kharti.”

An evil smile stretched across Beau’s lips as if July had just given him the keys to the kingdom. A wicked laugh rumbled from him that made the hair on Fletch’s arms stand. A shiver of fear ran through him. Fletch saw the man many had seen in their final minutes of life.

The same laugh sounded from Henry. They exchanged glances.

Beau’s smile somehow grew bigger. “Well, isn’t that just like winning the lottery? Do you want to make the call, Henry?”

Henry looked more terrifying than Fletch had ever seen him. “It would be my pleasure.”

Fletch looked between them, confused as fuck. “What do you know that I don’t?”

Beau leaned back in his chair, looking like a satisfied lion. “Catalina Kharti is the head of Peru’s leading cartel.”

“Holy shit.” Even though the words came out in a whisper, the shock deserved a yell. July had been trapped by a monster, but that monster had a leash. One that would likely take his head off.

Being in Fletch’s arms, while he carried July back to bed, felt like the safest place in the world. He couldn’t stop staring at the man holding him. Too many times to count, July had wished to be right where he was. He never wanted Fletch to let go.

“I used to dream about you carrying me away just like this.”

A sweet smile shaped Fletch’s lips.

July kept going. “You’d come in like a white knight, guns blazing, and sweep me away.” He should be embarrassed. July wasn’t. He couldn’t stop now. “You’d beg me to stay with you and tell me how much you love me. That fantasy gave me an escape I can’t thank you enough for. You didn’t know you were saving me, but you were. I always hid in the fantasy of your arms during the worst times. Maybe that wasn’t fair.” That thought washed over him and hurt his chest. July had belonged to someone else the whole time he had been falling in love with Fletch. He really was wrong for that. “I’m sorry for that.”

Fletch’s gaze snapped to his as he tucked July back into bed. “What the fuck?”

July shrugged. “I know it was wrong to get close to you when I knew I belonged to Rex. That first time you read to me, I sat back against your chest, and I felt so safe.” July swallowed hard. “I’d never felt that before you, and I couldn’t stay away. When you left for Hawaii to work there for six months, I almost ran to you then. But I knew I’d only get you into trouble, and you didn’t seem to want me as much as I wanted you. So I just kept the dream alive and disappeared inside it sometimes. Thank you for giving me a place to go.”

Fletch kissed him before settling in next to him. “I wanted you back then and still do, if you hadn’t noticed. When I met you, I had just gotten out of a long-term relationship. You’re special. I recognized that right away and didn’t want to shortchange you. You deserve someone free to love you with their whole heart. I just needed time to be the man you deserve. The man who loves you with his whole heart, the way I do.”

July almost jackknifed all the way out of bed. His gaze snapped to Fletch’s so fast, his neck hurt. “Wait. What?”

Fletch held his stare. “I love you. You’ve been the brightest light in my life for a long time. The thought of never seeing you again is like a shot to the chest. Your smile, teasing eyes, and good humor just sucked me in. I never stood a chance.”

Tears filled July’s eyes. He was more moved than he had ever been. July sniffed. “I love you too.”

Fletch’s mouth covered his. Their kiss deepened but remained sweet. Fletch’s hands were respectful, and July kind of hated that. He knew he was in no shape to go any farther with Fletch, but his heart refused to accept that. The gnawing craving to be as close to Fletch as possible was like a rat in his gut. One day soon, July would make up for every aching night. Now he had to settle for a kiss. He wasn’t complaining.

Chapter Ten

A bunny hopped across the grass. July couldn’t stop cooing over it. He had followed the little one, surprised by how unmoved she was by his presence. She led him to a tiny burrow filled with babies. July sat on the grass, uncaring of his light pink skirt. The baby buns had him transfixed. Animals were so amazing. They were pure of heart, even when they had to kill to survive. Their hearts weren’t malicious. They didn’t hurt anyone to be cruel. Their violence was always based on survival. Sometimes, July wished he had that instinct. He stared down at the bruises covering his arms. Handprints that kept him trapped in his home. Even if he wore his cute leather jacket, he couldn’t hide the handprints around his throat. He might be able to pull off a turtleneck and pack on the makeup heavily enough to cover the black eye. Unfortunately, a capillary had burst and he couldn’t do anything about that. Well, he supposed sunglasses, but then he couldn’t go inside anywhere. A tear rolled down July’s cheek. He swiped it away. He shouldn’t cry. July knew he was bad and deserved it. Having that knowledge didn’t mitigate the damage, and July wasn’t sure his mind could take much more. Maybe it was time he ended it all. Rex wouldn’t have to be angry all the time if July didn’t exist. It was something to think about.

July walked the property with a guard following him. He understood he couldn’t be let out of sight, but he never forgot he had company. A bunny hopped out of nowhere and darted past. A smile exploded across July’s face. He loved nature. Plus, he had the cutest stomping boots ever. Some people called them military boots, but to July, they were stompers. They were loud when he walked. He knew there was no way he could follow the rabbit without scaring it. Still, the sight reminded him that he should be looking for more animals. That was much safer than anything inside his head.

He headed in the bunny’s direction, moving slowly. As he passed a large tree, he found his quarry sitting in the sun. A big smile stretched July’s lips. He crept forward, trying not to spook the animal. When the little guy didn’t take off, July dropped to his knees to get a closer look. The rabbit closed its eyes and tilted its head up as if enjoying the warmth. July sat back on his heels and watched.

“Are you an animal whisperer?”

July chuckled. “They know I won’t hurt them.” He looked over his shoulder and focused on his sentry. “Do you like any tiny beasties?”