“What the fuck? Why?”
“We don’t know, but I plan on finding out. Head out, kid. I’m sure you have better things to be doing tonight than sitting around here.”
“Are you sure? I don’t mind sticking around.”
“There’s nothing for you to do tonight. Go on. The night is still young. Go have some fun.”
He doesn’t need to be told again; he heads on out, leaving us alone with Richard.
“Where are we putting him?” Jake asks as he hauls Richard to his feet.
“My space. All my tools are in there, and there’s more than enough space for Anarchy and Phantom to join me when they get here.”
“Seriously?” Jake says, sounding disgusted.
Looking over, I see why. Richard has pissed himself. A wet patch has started to spread out across the front of his pants. Guess he didn’t like hearing about who will be joining me. Can’t really blame him there. Anarchy and Phantom’s reputation precedes them just as much as mine does.
I leave my brothers to handle locking up Richard. I have some other things that need my attention before I can head back to Dre. I need to contact my mother and let her know the mole’s identity and that we’ve got him in custody. I also need to let Anarchy and Phantom know that they’ve got the all clear to move Beau and Annmarie here.
As soon as that’s all handled, I’m going home, grabbing Dre, and going to bed. I hope he doesn’t want to sleep in separate beds because after everything I need to hold him. To remember there is some fucking goodness in this fucked-up work. It’s been a long time since all the crap I deal with on a daily basis has gotten to me, but this latest shit is having an impact. Especially when I think about the fact that it’s someone I worked with on a regular basis who betrayed us, and I didn’t have a clue.
How did I miss it? Surely there must have been signs that he was up to no good. Was I so preoccupied with my own work that I missed something that was right in front of my face? I have no idea, and until I sit down and really think about it, I doubt I’ll ever know. I have a feeling I’ll be going over all my memories with a fine-tooth comb. I don’t think I’ll be the only one either. Ithink everyone who has ever worked close to him will probably be doing the same thing.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Dre
Waking up with Rex’s strong arms wrapped around me is honestly the best feeling in the world. I’ve never felt more cherished or safer in my life. It means fucking everything to me after all I’ve been through. I never could have imagined a week ago I’d be in this position, that’s for sure. My life has taken a serious turn for the better, and I couldn’t be happier about it.
When Rex came back last night and asked me if I was okay with sharing a bed and just cuddling because he needed a reminder that not the entire world was fucked up, I jumped at the offer. Without a second thought. There was nothing more I wanted than to fall asleep wrapped up with the man I was falling for more and more as each moment passed.
I’ve always thought people who fell in love so quickly were nuts; there was no way someone could fall in love that fast. They had to be mistaking lust for love. Then I met Rex, and everything I thought went out the goddamn window. I might not love him yet, but I know I’m on the way there. It’s inevitable at this point. He’s such a fucking extraordinary person. He doesn’t feel the need to do anything over the top to show he cares. He does it constantly with little things. It’s those little things that mattermost. They show that no matter what, he’s thinking about me on some level, and that means the world to me.
Last night he probably should have been dealing with everything to do with the whole Richard situation. Just because they now had him in their custody didn’t mean there wasn’t more that Rex needed to be doing. That there wasn’t so much more that needed his attention. Instead of dealing with any of that, he came to me. He showed a vulnerable side of himself that I’m pretty sure not many people have ever witnessed. It’s doubtful he’s ever felt comfortable enough with anyone but his family to show that side of himself. Being vulnerable doesn’t fit the image the world has of him.
He may have been beyond furious about what Richard had done, but he was also hurting. Hurting because someone he’s worked so closely with for years had been the person to betray them. He needed someone to comfort him. To remind him that not the whole world is bad. I was that lucky fucking person who got to give him what he needed. I was able to help him deal with some of the pain and anger he was feeling. I feel beyond blessed that I got to be there for him.
The last thing I want to do right now is disentangle myself from him. I’m so comfy and relaxed, but I know I need to get up. Immy will be waking soon and wanting her bottle. For the first time since she came into my care, last night I wasn’t the one to do her night feeds. Rex somehow managed to wake up and deal with her before I was any the wiser. Allowing me a full night’s sleep, and I can’t say I’m not thankful about that. I really did need sleep, but now that means I want to give him the option to sleep in. So that means I need to move my ass.
Slowly and ever so carefully I manage to slip out from under Rex’s arm. It isn’t an easy task. I know it’s only going to take the slightest mistake in the way I move, and he’ll be awake and wanting to get up. He deserves to sleep in after what he did forme last night. I blow out a quiet breath of relief when I manage to get out of the bed and not disturb him. It’s a fucking win in my book.
Grabbing a pair of Rex’s sweats, I pull them on and tie the waist as tight as I can. They’re massive on me, but I need something to put on right now, and I really don’t want to be putting on my dirty clothes from yesterday. I seriously need to sort out my clothing situation when I get a minute. I can’t be going around wearing Rex’s things for long. I must look like I’m playing dress-up.
Leaving Rex’s room, I head into the room next door, which his brothers set up as the nursery for Immy. What I wasn’t expecting to see when I entered was Immy lying in Seth’s arms. He’s sitting in one of the rocking chairs feeding her. From the looks of the bottle, he’s been in here for a little while, as it’s almost empty.
“Good morning, Dre. I hope you don’t mind me helping out. I popped my head in on her earlier and saw she was awake. I figured I could deal with feeding and changing her so you could get a bit more sleep.”
“It’s more than okay. I’ve been doing this on my own for so long now; it’s just a little startling realizing I have help. I appreciate it all, though.”
“She’s a cutie. I don’t mind helping out when I can. She’s a great reminder of why we do what we do.”
“Are you okay, Seth?” I ask, worried he might be struggling the same way Rex was last night.
“Yeah. I’ve just got a lot going on right now.”
“Well, I’m here if you ever need to talk. I know we don’t know each other well, but hopefully that will change.”
“I have no doubt it will. I see the way you and my brother look at each other. You’re here to stay, and I couldn’t be happier about it. If anyone deserves to find someone, it’s Rex.”
