Yeah. Salem knew. It would be vicious. He would be miserable. It was a mistake. They would do their damnedest to eat him alive. Apparently, Salem had been feeling destructive lately.
Portland strolled into the room, looking as deadly as ever. Of course, he softened the minute he kissed Tarek. Salem openly watched, wishing he knew how to bend the way Portland did. Blue eyes finally swung his way. “Salem. It’s nice to see you.”
Salem dipped his chin. “You as well. Sorry for dropping by without calling.I didn’t realize you planned to come home early. I’d never interrupt a newlywed couple’s time.”
Portland snorted and dropped into the spot next to Tarek on the couch. He tucked Tarek against his side. “You’re allowed to drop by whenever you want. I’ve just been having a harder time staying away lately. My schedule keeps getting shorter. Today, I kept things to one morning meeting. In fact, I’m thinking of retiring.”
“That’s what Tarek was just telling me.” Salem checked his watch. He felt a little too exposed today. “I guess I should head out if I intend to get toShaw’s office on time.”
Portland smiled. “Date number two. Shaw must be doing something right.”
It took everything Salem possessed not to look Tarek’s way. “He hasn’t bored me, but the day is young.”
A bark of laughter burst from Portland. “Try not to wreck him too badly.”
Salem genuinely liked Portland. Despite being a drug lord, he had that steel inside him that always appealed to Salem. “I feel certain he’ll survive it. His head is pretty big.”
“A match made in heaven,” Portland said with a chuckle.
Salem stood. “Or hell. We’ll see which soon enough, I’m sure.” He saw the way Tarek fought not to talk about Quest and Dodge. Salem had to get out of there.
Salem stood.
Tarek bounded to his feet. “I’ll walk you to the door.”
Fuck. “That’s not necessary.”
Tarek linked arms with him. “Sure it is. I have to get my hugs.” He practically dragged Salem to the door. Tarek barely made it out of earshot. “Please think about giving the boys a real shot. They love you. You love them. I’d hate for you three to miss something beautiful.Just give it some thought,” Tarek said before Salem could argue.
Instead of bothering to admit that was all he ever thought about, Salem kissed Tarek’s cheek and hugged him. “I love you. Go enjoy your husband. Being cherished is rarer than you think.” He barely heard Tarek returning his “I love you” before he was out the door. Behind the wheel of his Audi, Salem took a few steadying breaths before pulling away. There was no avoiding an early arrival to Shaw’s office unless he found something else to do. Salem didn’t need to be alone with his thoughts. His mind could be a dangerous place.
Still, when Salem arrived at Howe’s Law Offices, he sat for a minute before climbing from the car. The last thing he wanted was to seem too eager. He had a bad feeling everyone would get hurt before the end. Salem wished he hadn’t let his guard down. He owned toys. It wasn’t like he couldn’t take care of his own needs. Why in the fuck had he even let himself start thinking about being touched again? Nothing good ever came from him wanting things.
Salem hardened himself. This was lunch. He would keep their plans because he didn’t flake on people. Salem would also keep his plans to join Shaw at a society banquet.No one wanted to go to those things alone. Beyond that, he would pull back. He wouldn’t give Shaw any ideas. Salem hadn’t quite decided how he would rebuild the wall between the boys and him, but he would. Some people weren’t meant to have what Tarek had with Portland. People like Salem were better off if no one saw what was beneath the shell.
With shoulders squared, Salem headed for the door. He strolled inside like he belonged—the way he did everywhere he went. Salem was not the poor Louisiana boy with the tattered clothes and dirty hair. He had crawled his way from that version of himself and nowwas one of the richest men in America. It mattered not at all what anyone thought of him now. He could buy the haters.
“For fuck’s sake, Joesph. I gave you one job today and you couldn’t even do that.”
“And seventy-five yesterday. Fifty the day before that. How do you think shit gets done while you’re out having lunch dates and chatting with your little buddies? It’s me. I’m here pulling your fucking weight.”
Salem froze in the doorway. He had no desire to step into the middle of Shaw’s very loud argument with the mouthy employee. To Salem’s surprise, the pissed-off guy going toe totoe with Shaw rolled from behind the desk and wheeled his chair across the room. He disappeared into an office and came back out with a small box of stuff on his lap.
“All your shit was already in a box?”
“Goddamn right. No one should have to put up with the shit I do from you. Go play with your friend.” He motioned toward the door. “Let him think you’re important with all your bought and paid for judges, while I’m the one who actually does your fucking job.”
Salem jumped out of the man’s way as he awkwardlyshoved his way through the door, banging his wheelchair on everything as he went.
“Would you like—” The question died on Salem’s lips as rage-filled light blue eyes swung his way. Salem held his hands up and backed away, minding his business.
“Joesph.” Shaw sounded so defeated.
“Go fuck yourself, Shaw.”
Shaw pinched the spot between his eyes.
Salem waited until they were alone to speak. “It looks like you could use a rain check on that lunch.”
