“Hey, beautiful. How are you?”

  “Missing you.”

  “I miss you too. Things have been a little crazy here, what with getting ready for the storm, plus all the issues coming in on security systems I personally installed. I’ve been putting out fires for days. Thankfully, without my security clearance they can’t do any real damage, but it makes us look incompetent, and that really pisses me off.”

  Fitz shivered and wrapped his sweater closer to him. “Is it them?”

  “I don’t know.” Jack’s sigh was heavy and weary. “Possibly? Everyone on my team has been questioned by the police, and they’ve been ruled out as suspects. I can’t see any of them doing this. So far our only suspect is the waiter from Sapphire Sands, and the guy’s vanished.”

  Fitz nodded, forgetting Jack couldn’t see him. The man in question had been a new employee hired by Frank’s club manager. The guy had all the right credentials and a list of glowing references. The police showed up at the man’s apartment with a warrant, only to find it completely empty. Neither Jack, Joker, nor any of the Kings recognized the guy from anywhere other than Sapphire Sands.

  “You sound tired,” Fitz said. “Have you been sleeping?”

  “I’m okay.”

  That wasn’t what Fitz had asked, but he’d let it slide for now. Jack had a terrible habit of getting lost in whatever had his focus, to the detriment of his own health. Fine. All Fitz had to do was put in a call to Joker, and he’d knock some sense into Jack. If he did so literally, well, maybe that would teach Jack a lesson in taking care of himself. Fitz wasn’t going to let him run himself into the ground because of some bastard.

  Fitz worried his bottom lip. “I was hoping you could come over tonight for dinner. I’m cutting a friend’s hair this afternoon at home, so I have the evening free.”

  “You know what? Yeah, let’s do that. I miss you so fucking much, sweetheart.”

  “Miss you too. Seven?”

  “I’ll be there. Oh, Sacha can come by in the morning, and we’ll get your shutters up. Do you have enough supplies?”

  Fitz couldn’t help the dopey smile on his face. His boyfriend was so damned thoughtful and sweet. “I’m stocked up on all the essentials, but I need a few more things.”

  “Okay. If you want, Saint can go to the supermarket for you and pick up what you need, since Sacha and I will be there. Do you have a generator in case the power goes out? I don’t think you’ll need it, but since you’re so close to the beach, it’s not a bad thing to have.”

  “I don’t. I’m in an evacuation zone, so if a storm is bad enough, I’ve always stayed with Laz.” Of course, Laz now lived with Red on the beach, so they’d likely be staying with someone else as well if ordered to evacuate.

  “Anyone who lives on the beach stays with King and Leo if the storm hits hurricane category, but I don’t think we’re going to see that here. Don’t worry. We’ll take care of it.”

  “You don’t need to, but I appreciate it.”

  “Hey, you’re family, and we take care of family, okay?”

  Fitz opened his mouth, three little words hovering on the tip of his tongue. He swallowed them back and smiled. “Thank you. See you tonight.” He hung up and took a sip of his tea. Feeling incredibly comfortable, and lazy, he sent a text to Laz. A sip later, Laz slid the balcony door open.

  “Really? We’re texting each other from outside the apartment now?” Laz closed the door behind him, his eyes alight with amusement.

  “I was comfy.”

  Laz took a seat in the chair next to him, his smile warm. “You do love your comfort.”

  No denying that. Over the years, plenty of people had called him “high-maintenance.” Fitz didn’t care. He liked things a certain way and had his comforts. Why shouldn’t he? He worked hard for them. Like his grandmother used to say, “Live your life however the hell you want, Fitzy. Make it the best life you can, because you only get one, and no one’s going to live it for you.”

  “How’s Jack?” Laz asked, placing his socked feet on Fitz’s chaise.

  “Tired. I can tell he hasn’t had enough sleep, which means he’s probably eating nothing but takeout. I feel so helpless, Laz.”

  “Hey, this is what they do. This is their job. Except now their job has taken on a whole new meaning because you and Jack are the ones they’re trying to protect.”

  “I’m sorry Red got roped into this.”

  Along with Jack, the rest of the guys were putting in extra hours, pulling in favors, making the most of every resource and contact they had. Someone out there wanted to hurt their own, and that included Fitz, who’d become a member of their family. Jack, Joker, and the Kings weren’t going to stop until whoever was responsible was brought to justice. While the police ran their investigation, the Kings ran their own.

  “Red loves you, just like the rest of the guys. Colton and I are frustrated too. At least Colton can throw his money around. What the hell can I contribute?”

  Fitz narrowed his eyes at Laz. “You keep me from going out of my mind with worry, and I think everyone would agree how absolutely critical that service is.”

  As much as Fitz had wanted to stay with Jack after the night his salon went up in flames, he needed some time alone, and although being with Laz wasn’t exactly time alone, his best friend understood what Fitz needed. The moment he’d arrived, Laz had taken one look at him, hauled him over to the balcony overlooking the ocean, brought him a soft blanket and a cup of tea. He hadn’t even asked Fitz what was wrong, just gave him some time to himself to process things, then returned to check up on him. Fitz had promptly burst into tears again before getting ahold of himself long enough to tell Laz what happened.

  That night, Fitz fell asleep on the balcony, stars in the sky, a cool breeze, and the sound of the ocean. The next morning Red fed him, hugged him—which in itself was amazing because no one hugged like Red—and assured him everything would be okay. Fitz had learned a long time ago that there was nothing wrong with letting those who loved you take care of you when you needed it, so he soaked up all the love and affection. It also made him miss Jack, his smile, his kisses, the way he made Fitz so damned happy. He’d never laughed so much in a relationship the way he did with Jack. Even while at work he’d send Fitz the most ridiculous memes, or photos and short video clips he’d sneak of the guys getting up to mischief.

  “I know I’ve asked you this a hundred times, but how are you really holding up?” Laz asked softly, tapping his foot against Fitz’s.

  It was surreal. Fitz glanced at the couch in the living room, where Saint sat doing something on his iPad. During the course of his career, Fitz had been around plenty of people who had bodyguards, but he’d never expected to be one of those people. True to Jack’s word, Fitz often forgot Saint was there. The man was silent, speaking only when it concerned his job or when Fitz spoke to him. When Fitz left the house, Saint remained close, which should have freaked Fitz out, but Saint had a calming vibe that went a long way to help. He was a big guy, almost as big as Red, with beautifully tanned skin, stunning hazel eyes, and dark hair. It was easy to feel safe with him around.

  “It’s weird,” Fitz replied. “It’s one thing to know what Jack does for a living, and another to experience it. I mean, I know he works mostly behind a computer, but he’s still out there working cases like this, doing surveillance, putting himself in danger.” He moved his gaze to Laz. “How do you do it? I know Red does a lot of risk assessments, but he still works some of the protection jobs with Ace and King, or events with Joker and Lucky.” They might all head their own departments, but Jack had explained to Fitz how he, Joker, and the Kings often worked on jobs with one another, especially when it was a big event or protection job that required elements from several departments.

  Laz shrugged. “It’s who he is. I have to trust in him and his skills.”

  “Trusting Jack or the rest of the guys isn’t the problem. It’s everyone else I don’t trust.”

  “I get it, but we can’t control that any more than they can. All we can do is support them and love them.”

  Fitz took a sip of his tea, his expression not giving anything away. “Who said anything about love? I mean, I know you love Red, obviously, but, um, I didn’t… say anything.” He glanced over at Laz, and the expression on his face had Fitz choking on his next sip of tea. “What?”

  “You did not just pull that bullshit on me. Your best friend. Let’s try that again. But Fitz, all we can do is support them and love them.”

  “You’re right,” Fitz said, putting his cup of tea down. “I’m in love with him.”

  Laz sprung from his chair and shouted so loud Saint jumped to his feet.

  “See what you did? “Fitz threw his arms up in Saint’s direction. “You activated the supersoldier.”

  “Oops.” Laz sat back down and put a hand up as Saint approached the balcony. “We’re okay! My bad!”

  Saint arched an eyebrow at Fitz, who rolled his eyes and shook his head. With a quirk to his lips, Saint went back to the couch.

  “You’d think all that muscle would slow them down,” Fitz said thoughtfully.

  “Are you kidding? Ace and Lucky are fast, but they got nothing on Red when he’s trying to be the first one to the Georgia peach stall.”

  “The what now?”

  “There’s this little fair that comes to town every year, and one of the stalls belongs to a lovely couple who bring in all kinds of peach-related goodies from their farm in Georgia. You know Red’s a Georgia boy. Anyway, his dads are amazing cooks, and they raised him on all kinds of peachy goodness. Nothing and no one will get my man running faster than Georgia peaches.”

  Fitz could just imagine Red hauling ass across a grassy field toward the peach stall, bulldozing through his friends and sending them flying like bowling pins. The two of them laughed until they were in tears. When they sobered up, Laz smiled at him, his eyes filled with affection.

  “I’m happy for you both.”

  “Thank you.”

  Laz cocked his head to one side and peered at him. “You haven’t told him yet.”

  “No. But he hasn’t said anything either, so…”

  “So…?”

  Fitz picked at the fluff on his sweater. “I’ll tell him.”

  “Good. Now let’s eat. I’m starving, and there’s leftover chicken and dumplings from last night and Red’s honey cornbread.”

  “I changed my mind. I love Red,” Fitz said as he scrambled out of the chaise. He playfully elbowed Laz out of the way to get to the sliding door first.

  “I don’t blame you. Sexy and an amazing cook? I mean, Mason asks Red to marry him every time he has Red’s chicken fried steak.”

  Fitz laughed as they headed for the kitchen. This was exactly what he needed. To laugh with his best friend, have some delicious comfort food, and forget about the mess that was his life right now.

  After lunch, Fitz headed home to prepare for his client’s appointment. Until his salon was restored, his stylists were working out of salon space in another building not far from Hair Comes Trouble, and thanks to Jack and the guys, Fitz had turned his spare room into a mini salon. The trickiest part had been the plumbing, but Jack had taken care of it in one afternoon. Fitz had been amazed. Was there anything the man couldn’t do?

  Saint’s shift was due to end just after Jack arrived, so for now he sat in the living room while Fitz did Chloe’s hair.

  “You have no idea how much I appreciate this.”

  Fitz waved a hand. “Don’t even mention it. You know I’m always here for you.”

  There were a few clients whose hair he did after hours, but Chloe wasn’t just a client. She’d become a friend, and Fitz felt a responsibility to her. He only wished she’d let him help beyond giving her the perfect hair.

  Chloe was a gorgeous woman, a former beauty queen who always looked the part, smiling beautifully for her politician husband’s cultish following. On the inside, she was terrified of what her abusive asshole husband would do next. She lived in constant fear that he would make good on his threat of using his influence to take her baby boy away from her. Theo meant everything to her.

  Fitz smiled at the five-year-old boy swinging his legs as he sat on the chair beside his mother, an iPad on his lap as he played his game.

  “I can’t believe how big he’s getting,” Fitz said as he worked on the loose dark curls around Chloe’s shoulders. Chloe and Theo had been coming to see Fitz for months now, unbeknown to her homophobic husband. She never needed an appointment with Fitz. Not that she could make one, knowing her husband would lose his shit if he found out she was associating with Fitz. She’d accompanied her best friend during an appointment, and she and Fitz had hit it off from the first day. “Are you sure you want to keep doing this?” Fitz asked, his concern for her and Theo growing with every appointment.

  Chloe met his gaze in the mirror in front of her. “It’s worth the risk. Everything in my life belongs to him. Not this. Not you. I need this, Fitz.”

  He nodded, his heart breaking for her. There was no need for him to tell her how he felt about her situation. They’d discussed it plenty of times, but Fitz couldn’t do much except be there for her.

  Fitz’s smart watch went off, and he checked it, his smile widening.

  “Is that your new man?” Chloe teased.

  “Maybe.” Fitz did a little shimmy. “You’ll get to meet him tonight. He’s running a little late but should be here just as I’m finishing up.”

  “You hold on to him, Fitz. Any man that puts that look on your face is worth holding on to.” Her sad smile wasn’t lost on Fitz.

  “You’re pretty,” Theo said, and Fitz dropped his gaze to find Theo staring up at him with big brown eyes.

  “I am? Why thank you. You’re a handsome fellow yourself.” Fitz tapped the end of Theo’s nose, making him giggle. “So young, and already he has fabulous taste.”

  “Can I have some?” Theo tapped his lips, and it took Fitz a heartbeat to realize Theo was asking for his lip gloss.

  “Oh, um…” Fitz turned to Chloe, who blinked, then giggled.

  “If Fitz doesn’t mind sharing.”

  “I don’t mind at all.” Fitz walked over to the little makeup bag on the counter and picked a clear lip gloss that smelled like strawberries. He unscrewed the lid and crouched down in front of Theo. “Let me help you.” He held his hand out, and Theo didn’t hesitate. He put his little hand in Fitz’s. With a smile, Fitz took his index finger and placed it in the gloss. “Now just tap it to your lips.”

  Theo did as instructed, tapping the gloss to his lips oh-so very carefully. “It smells like strawberries,” he said, eyes wide and a huge smile.

  “I know,” Fitz replied, unable to contain his smile. Theo was adorable. “Now go like this.” He demonstrated pressing his lips together, and Theo mimicked him. Theo clapped his hands excitedly, and Chloe laughed.

  A knock on the doorframe had Fitz turning his smile to Saint. “Hey.”

  “Sorry to interrupt, but do you mind if I make a quick phone call?”

  “Of course not. Everything okay?”

  “Oh, yeah. I just need to move my dinner reservations. Jack took Ryden off the schedule since he’s going to be here, but he’s running a bit late, so just need to make a quick call.”

  “Oh my God, no. Just go.”

  Saint shook his head. “Sorry, Fitz. But until Jack gets here, I’m on duty.”

  “Saint, Jack just texted. He’s going to be here in, like, ten minutes. I’m home. It’s fine. I’ll make sure to lock up.”

  Saint’s patient smile told Fitz he wasn’t going anywhere. “I appreciate it, really, but I’m going to wait.”

  The lights went out in the room, and Theo cried, “Mommy!”

  “It’s okay, baby. I’m right here.”

  There was still plenty of light coming in from the rest of the house and the lights outside the window, but the last thing he wanted was to scare poor Theo.

  “I’m so sorry,” Fitz said. “We just set this room up recently. Must be the wiring or something.”

  “I’ll check the fuse box,” Saint said, voice gruff. “Fitz, can I talk to you a second?”

  “Yes, of course. Chloe, why don’t you and Theo wait in the living room. I’ll be right there.”

  Chloe and Theo left the room, and Fitz turned to Saint, the very dark and stern expression on his face scaring Fitz.

  “What is it?”

  “Probably nothing, but just in case, if I don’t come back in five minutes, call the police.”

  Fitz’s pulse went through the roof. “You think it’s them?”

  “I don’t know, so I won’t speculate. I’m here, okay. Just lock the door behind me. I’ll check the fuse box and be back in less than five minutes. If I’m not, call the police.”

  Fitz nodded. He followed Saint to the front door, his hands shaking as Saint moved him to one side while he checked the lookout hole and carefully opened the front door. Several heart-stopping seconds later, Saint slipped out.

  “Lock the door.”

  Fitz nodded fervently and did as he asked before heading back into the living room cursing himself. Damn it. He should have cancelled Chloe’s appointment. He’d tried to, but she’d been so desperate to spend some time with him, he’d caved in, and now he might have put Chloe and—oh God, Theo. He had to get Chloe to leave.

  “Chloe, I think you and Theo should—”

  “You son of a bitch!”

  “What the hell?” Fitz spun at the enraged male voice. A gasp caught in his throat. How…?

  “Clint!” Chloe jumped to her feet and pulled Theo behind her. “What… what are you doing here? How—”

  “You lying bitch!” Clint marched toward them, and Fitz stepped in his path, blocking his view of Chloe and Theo.

  “Get the hell out of my house!”

  “Keep the bitch. She’s fucking useless anyway.” Clint reached around Fitz to grab Theo’s arm, jerking him out from behind his mother. Theo shrieked in pain, and Fitz’s rage bubbled over.

  “Have you lost your damned mind? Get your hands off him, you fucking monster!” He got in Clint’s face, knowing there was a good chance Clint would recoil from him. Wouldn’t want to catch those gay cooties. Just as expected Clint dropped Theo’s arm and took a quick step back. Theo ran to Chloe, who swept her sobbing little boy into her arms.