Colton narrowed his eyes, and Frank cursed under his breath. Great. Nothing and no one was more of a pain in the ass, or diva, than a pissed-off Colton.

  “Now you listen to me. You’re going to fix this.”

  Frank opened his mouth to reply, but Colton held up a finger to stop him. “I love you, you know I do, but right now, you’re being an ass. One thing you have never been is a coward. Don’t start now. You care about him. I know you do.”

  Feeling deflated, Frank dropped down onto his chair. “That’s not enough to make a relationship work.”

  “Bullshit. For the first time in your life, you’ve found someone who can hurt you, really hurt you, and you’re scared. No one understands that better than I do, believe me.” Colton’s blue-gray eyes filled with love as he turned to his husband, his smile radiant. “I took a chance, Frank, and I have never been more grateful that I did.”

  Ace stood and joined his husband to pull him into his arms. He grabbed Colton, dipped him, making him laugh, and kissed him.

  “You’re both disgusting,” Frank grumbled.

  “You too can be disgusting,” Ace said with a big dopey smile as he pulled Colton back up with him. “With Joshua.”

  “You’re not going to let this drop, are you?”

  Ace put a hand to his heart. “What kind of friends would we be if we didn’t meddle in your life? If it weren’t for me, King would have never admitted he was in love with Leo. I united those two love doves.” He brought his hands up, fluttering his fingers, then laced them together. “I’m a love master.”

  Frank was unimpressed. “Love master, huh? Weren’t you the one who fell in love with your client while on the job?”

  “Client’s son,” Ace corrected. He blew Colton a kiss. “It worked out for the best.”

  “Right. After your brothers-in-arms, who you kept your secret love affair from, had to help you clean up your mess when your client found out.”

  Ace pursed his lips. “You know, it’s that kind of negativity that’s going to keep you from your love dove.” He fluttered his fingers once more, but before he could lace them together, Frank jutted a finger toward the door.

  “Get out of my office.”

  “Okay.” Ace kissed Colton’s cheek. “I leave the grumpy dove in your hands.” He hurried out of Frank’s office.

  “At what point did you think marrying a man who refers to people as love doves seemed like a good idea?”

  Colton laughed. “He’s nuts. I know that.” He shoved his hands into his pockets and shrugged. “I wouldn’t change a thing. The way that man loves me?” He shook his head. “No one’s ever made me feel as cherished.”

  Frank nodded his agreement. As over-the-top as Ace was, the guy had a heart of gold. Hell, he’d almost died for Colton, and they all knew Ace wouldn’t hesitate to do it again. There was nothing on this earth Anston Sharpe wouldn’t do for the man he loved. Frank could have that, if he wanted it.

  “Just… think about it, Frank. It’s not too late.” Colton patted Frank’s shoulder, then left.

  What the hell was wrong with him? Colton and Ace were right. Joshua had the power to really hurt him, so the first opportunity Frank had to leave, he took it. Fuck, he was such a coward. Was he really going to let Joshua walk out of his life because he was too scared to take a risk? The fact he was this scared should have told him how much Joshua meant to him. His laugh held no humor.

  “Un-fucking-believable.” He’d spent years running into burning buildings. His entire fucking life had been one risk after another, and now when he needed to get his shit together and go for it, he’d let his fear get the better of him. He needed to call Joshua and fix this. A knock on his door stopped him reaching for his cellphone. “Now what? Yeah?”

  Seth opened the office door and stuck his head in. “Jack and Joker are here.”

  Ah, the dastardly duo. “What mischief have they come to unleash in my club?”

  “I don’t know, but they have their bestest boy with them.”

  Frank couldn’t help his smile. “Bring him in through the back.” Just because he couldn’t have Chip in the club, didn’t mean he couldn’t sneak the beautiful boy in through the back of house. Seth nodded excitedly and was off, making Frank chuckle. His staff had met Chip during the Four Kings Security annual charity gala a few months back. He’d been an added bonus during the bachelor auction when Joker had gone up on stage to be auctioned. As if one cute guy hadn’t been enough, the crowd had lost their fucking minds when the spirited black Belgian Malinois took the stage. Joker ended up raising the most money in the history of the event.

  A bark had him turning in his chair, a huge smile on his face when the door opened and Chip came bounding over like a giant black bunny. With the size of his ears, he certainly could get mistaken for a rabbit. They were glorious.

  “Hello, fella. Who’s a handsome boy?”

  Chip barked and sat in front of Frank to get ear scratches.

  “That’s right. You’re handsome.”

  “Frank, thank God you’re okay,” Jack said, hurrying over to Frank’s side.

  “What? Yeah, of course. What’s going on?”

  Joker stepped up next to his best friend and partner in crime. The non-furry one. “Have you heard from Troy Ross?”

  At the mention of the name, Frank glowered, though not as darkly as Jack, who balled his fists at his sides. “That son of a bitch? No. Not since I kicked him out for trying to take advantage of Fitz. Why?” What a mess it had been. The night of the bachelor auction, someone had targeted Jack’s boyfriend, Fitz, drugging him in the hopes of getting Jack away from him. And Troy Ross, one of Frank’s clients, had found Fitz, and instead of being a decent human being, decided to be an asshole. Jack had punched the guy in the face, and Frank had revoked his club membership and kicked him out on his ass.

  “He’s the one behind the raid,” Jack said.

  “What?” Frank stood, his blood boiling.

  Jack nodded. “The judge? He’s an old golfing buddy of Ross’s father. It took some digging, but we were able to make the connection. The thing is, no one’s heard from Ross in weeks. That night at the club started a chain reaction.”

  “There were business associates here with him that night,” Joker continued. “They were embarrassed and appalled by his behavior. They ended up cancelling contracts. Word spread and the guy started fucking up all over the place. Got in deep with the wrong people. He lost his business, and my gut says he’s gunning for you, Frank.”

  “I can handle Ross.”

  Jack shook his head. “A rich guy who’s lost everything and blames you? He’s desperate. Who knows what this guy is capable of? You should probably tell Joshua. He was in the VIP section with Colton a few minutes ago.”

  Frank’s heart slammed in his chest. “Joshua’s here?”

  “Yeah, he came with Colton,” Joker replied. “I was with Jack when the intel came through. We stopped to talk to you before we head back to HQ to speak to Mason. Until the police locate Ross, we need to reassess the club’s security.”

  “Fine. Do whatever you need to do.” He gave Chip one last scratch before heading for his office door. “I need to talk to Joshua.” They walked out into the hall, the double doors that led into the club swinging open. Frank had been about to thank the guys when Chip sniffed the air, then bolted toward the swinging doors and into the club. “Shit. Your dog just took off.”

  Joker’s eye went wide. “Fuck. We need to evacuate.”

  “What?”

  “Get everyone out of the club,” Joker yelled as he took off after Chip.

  That’s when Frank remembered what Chip had been trained for, what his job at Four Kings Security was.

  Detecting explosives.

  Frank snatched his radio off his belt as he bolted toward the double doors, Jack on his heels. “Security, get everyone out now. Protocol signal thirty.” By the time he was on the floor, security was quickly and calmly moving everyone to the exits. Where the hell was Colton? Joshua would be difficult to spot, but at six foot five, Colton was easier to find. Spotting Colton, Frank headed toward the VIP area.

  “Calling it in now,” Jack said, phone to his ear. “Where the hell are you going?”

  “I need to find Joshua. He’s somewhere in the club.”

  Jack grabbed his arm. “Frank, if this guy’s targeting you—”

  “I’m not leaving without Joshua,” Frank growled. Thankfully, Jack released him. They headed for Colton, and Frank’s heart dropped when he saw Ace but not Joshua.

  “Where’s Joshua?” Frank asked.

  “He went to the men’s room,” Colton said. “Ace got a call from Joker. He said Chip found something in one of the back rooms. He’s clearing everyone out.”

  “Okay.” Frank turned to Ace. “Get him outside to safety. I’m going to find Joshua.”

  Ace shook his head. “He’s probably already outside, Frank. You need to leave the building.”

  Frank met Ace’s eyes. “Would you leave Colton’s safety to chance?”

  With pursed lips, Ace shook his head.

  “I didn’t think so.” Frank turned and pushed through the crowd, calling out over his shoulder. “Take Colton outside.”

  Knowing Ace would keep Colton safe, Frank hurried against the current of men toward the men’s room. He threw the door open and froze.

  “Ross?”

  “Hi, Frank.” Troy Ross waved at him, a gun in his hand, but there was no sign of Joshua. Frank prayed he’d made it outside. “Nice of you to remember me.”

  “How the hell did you get in here?”

  “One of the construction workers let me in. He believed me when I told him I’d left my wallet inside but couldn’t go in through the front in case my date saw me. I was skipping out on account of it being a disaster. Which pretty much defines my life, thanks to you. Do you have any idea what you did to me?”

  “You signed a contract. You knew the rules, knew what would happen if you broke them.”

  “Come on, Frank. You saw the way he was dressed. If not me, it would have been someone else. What do you care?”

  Ross’s words sent a fierce rage through Frank. “I care because you’re a vile predator. I care because someone just like you raped my sister. I care because I wasn’t there to stop her from killing herself after she was told she’d asked for it. I care because as long as guys like you exist, I will take joy in putting you behind bars, or in the case of my sister’s rapist, in the hospital, then behind bars.”

  “Poor Frank.” Ross pretended to cry. “Always too late to save the one he loves.”

  A chill went up Frank’s spine. “What are you talking about?”

  “Couldn’t save your sister. Can’t save your boyfriend.”

  Frank took a step forward. “So help me, if you’ve hurt him—”

  “You’ll do nothing, Frank. Like you did nothing to help your sweet sister.”

  “Fuck you!” He lunged at Ross, only to have the gun thrust in his face.

  “Let’s take a little walk.”

  “No.”

  “If you want to see Joshua, you’ll take a walk with me, Frank.” He motioned toward the door with the gun.

  Frank turned and left the men’s room, Ross close behind.

  “The room all the way at the end on the right.”

  Doing as Ross said, Frank headed down the hall, the doors on either side belonging to the back rooms open and empty. A familiar scent caught his nose, and his heart all but stopped when he spotted the faint wisps of smoke coming from under the last door on the right.

  “No.” Frank bolted to the door, skidding to a stop in front of it, the curtain of the small glass window open. Terror filled him as he stared at Joshua pressing himself into the far-left corner of the room, the right side engulfed in flames. “Joshua!”

  At hearing his name, Joshua’s head shot up, the fear in his eyes something Frank would never forget. Relief quickly followed, and Joshua ran to the door.

  “Frank! The door won’t open!”

  “I’m going to get you out of there,” Frank promised.

  “You shouldn’t lie to him, Frank.”

  Fury filled him as he spun toward Ross. “What the hell did you do? Open this door, right now!”

  Ross’s laugh sounded unhinged.

  Frank remembered his training. As much as it killed him, he had to approach this the way he would have when he was still part of Fire Rescue. He slowly held his hands up in front of him.

  “Troy, I’m sorry for what happened to you. I never wanted this. Please, let me help you.”

  “How are you going to do that, Frank? Are you going to recover my business? All my clients? What about my house? You going to kick out the asshole that lives there now? How exactly are you going to help me?”

  “We can discuss this, get you help. You’ve been through a lot.” To Frank’s left he could hear Joshua coughing. He didn’t have long before the fire spread, and he had even less time before the smoke would damage Joshua’s lungs, then kill him. “Troy, you can still turn this around. Joshua didn’t hurt anyone. Whatever revenge you want, I’m right here, but leave Joshua out of this.”

  Ross appeared to think about it, then shrugged. “Nah, I think I’m going to watch you watch your boyfriend die and your precious club go up in flames. A very apropos ending, don’t you think?”

  The police and fire department had been called and were most likely on their way, but Joshua didn’t have that much time.

  “Frank!”

  Frank put his hand to the door beside the window where he could meet Joshua’s gaze. “I’m so sorry, sweetheart. I’m sorry I hurt you. It’s going to be okay. You’re going to be okay.”

  Joshua’s eyes widened, and he shook his head. “Frank, don’t. Please.”

  Frank turned to face Ross. He ignored Joshua’s hoarse pleading and the way he slammed his hands on the door to get Frank’s attention.

  “I won’t let you hurt him.”

  “Nothing you can do.”

  Frank started removing his suit jacket.

  “What the hell are you doing?”

  Everything happened in a heartbeat. Frank tossed his jacket in Ross’s face and lunged, grabbing the gun with his left hand and punching the guy across the face with his right. The gun went off, a searing pain in his side making Frank cry out, but he didn’t let go of the gun. They struggled, and Frank could feel the blood soaking through his shirt. He punched Ross again, and the gun went off a second time. This time, Ross crumbled to the ground, blood pooling beneath his head.

  Snatching the gun up off the floor, he placed his left hand to his side and hurried to the door. “Stand back!”

  Joshua ran to the corner of the room, and Frank shot at the lock. It didn’t help that the bastard must have somehow sealed parts of the door. Tossing the gun on the floor, Frank inhaled deeply, fortified himself, and slammed his good side into the door.

  “Frank!”

  The door creaked but didn’t open. He did it again, crying out when his wound tore a little more.

  “Frank, stop!”

  No way. Instead, Frank slammed into the door over and over until the thing splintered and swung open. Joshua ran to his side in time to stop Frank from hitting the floor.

  “Oh my God, he shot you!”

  “We need to get out of here,” Frank murmured. In the distance he heard shouting and barking. He smiled as Joshua slipped an arm around his waist. They hurried out of the back rooms just as the fire crew arrived. Joshua told them about Ross on the floor in the back. Outside, Frank welcomed the brisk winter air. He closed his eyes, brushed his lips over Joshua’s brow, and murmured quietly, “You’re my love dove.”

  “What?” Joshua asked, bemused. “Frank? Frank!”

  It was all Frank heard before the darkness came for him.

  EIGHT

  Three weeks later.

  “It looks amazing.” Joshua stood by the VIP section and stared at the gorgeous display of winter out in the club—from the huge sparkling snowflakes and clear baubles filled with glitter in Sapphire Sands’ signature blue that hung from the ceiling, to the faux ice sculptures of frolicking reindeer and white trees with twinkling white lights. The whole thing was magical, like something out of a winter fairy tale.

  “Thanks to you,” Frank said, wrapping his arms around Joshua from behind. Joshua turned in his arms and smiled up at him. To think how close he’d come to losing Frank.

  Being trapped in that room engulfed in flames, with no way to get out, had been the first most terrifying moment of his life. Seeing Frank bleeding out after Troy shot him had been the second. Thankfully, it had been a clean shot, the bullet having gone straight through, away from any vital organ. Frank had been lucky. He’d also been questioned over Troy’s death by the same asshole detective who’d raided the club. The detective had tried to make it sound like Frank’s prejudice against men like Troy had led to the shooting. Frank’s lawyer and Ward Kingston had stepped in and eviscerated the guy, who’d made the mistake of letting slip more than one derogatory remark against Frank’s sexuality and ethnicity. He’d be lucky to still have job by the time Frank was done with him.

  Once Joshua was sure Frank was okay, he’d lost his shit. Frank had listened to Joshua rant and rave about how he could have died, then promptly told Joshua it had been worth it. Then he laid a truth bomb on Joshua that made his knees weak, and his heart immediately surrendered.

  They’d talked, Frank promised to take his recovery seriously, Joshua kissed him, and Frank had passed out from the meds they were giving him.

  “I thought you were going to take a nap,” Joshua said, eyebrow arched.

  Frank wrinkled his nose. “I got bored.”

  “The agreement was, you could be here tonight if you took it easy.” He gave his boyfriend a pointed look, which clearly wasn’t intimidating in the least since Frank merely chuckled.

  “I will nap. I promise. First, I want a dance with you.”

  Joshua eyed him. “Did you forget you’re still in recovery from having been shot?”