That made him happy.
Now, if only his past wasn’t putting them in danger, and he could have a chance at real love in his life. Without Poe, he didn’t think he’d ever heal and be able to function as a partner.
The man was that missing piece.
TRUST.
He trusted him with everything he had.
As for the other man, Poe needed to change the subject.
FAST.
“What are your parents like? Are they aware of your career choice?”
He actually laughed.
“I was abandoned, neglected, and told my whole childhood that I was nothing. My life was nothing like yours. Dirty mattresses, shithole apartments, drugs, alcohol, and abuse were the gifts from my egg and sperm donor. Let’s just say that your mother would never want you anywhere near me or my lineage. I left to become something, so I didn’t become them.”
Poe heard the pain, and he watched him struggle to be honest about his past. If anything, it was a testament to how strong and tenacious Gamble was.
What he’d overcome…it wasn’t shameful.
It was impressive.
“I like who you’ve become. You’re a good, kind man, Gamble. I can tell that. You’re compassionate, and you’re gentle when you need to be, funny when it’s important, and stronger than anyone I’ve ever met—and that’s saying a lot. I shared a womb with a war hero.”
Was it wrong of Gamble to want that fantasy of him and Poe, a Duke and the soldier?
Yes.
It was.
This man was too good for him, and he knew it. Now, he had to keep him alive, so he didn’t cost him everything.
Right afterward, he’d disappear so this man had a better life. There wasNOTHINGhe could give him. What was he going to do?
Accompany him to the UK, meet his parents with his tats, bad attitude, and shady past?
Please.
That wasn’t happening.
They’d run him off. He might be a decorated soldier, but he wasn’t from a good family or place. He was not even in this man’s league. Maybe working for him in a stable, but not being by his side.
“Then you don’t know me well, Doctor. I’ve done a lot of things I regret in the name of service to my country. My only honor is to the soldiers I helped save. Trust me. I’m no one’s hero.”
He was his.
This man was keeping them alive.
That made him a hero.
Poe rounded the one big stone, and that’s when he saw something that caught his attention.
There was a big tree growing beside the stones, and that wasn’t the odd part. When he touched the tree, the bark moved.
“What are you doing, Poe?” Gamble said, materializing behind him.
