“He’s distraught, and God knows what he’s been through. He needs our help.”

  “He needs to be in jail,” Lucky hissed. “And I’m going to make sure he ends up there.”

  Mason shook his head, tears in his eyes. “I won’t let you do that.”

  “Mason, the man shot you.” Lucky’s eyes went to the guy in question. Ryden didn’t seem aware of his surroundings as he paced, talking to himself, his fingers in his hair, and tears rolling down his cheeks.

  “Darlin’, look at me.”

  Lucky dropped his gaze to Mason’s beautiful face. He placed a kiss to his brow. “I’m listening.”

  “I know every man forges his own path, but I started something that night. His father died because of me, because of my actions, and what he’s been through? Baby, he’s a man at the end of his rope. He has nothing and no one. I won’t be a part of his destruction. Please, darlin’. For me. Do this for me.”

  Lucky was on the verge of arguing, but Red came running into the room with his medical kit. He froze when he saw Ryden and the gun in his hand.

  “Red, take care of Mason.”

  Red walked slowly over, his eyes never leaving Ryden as the guy continued to pace, unaware of anyone else around him. Suddenly, Ryden took off toward the stairs at the end of the room, and Mason grabbed Lucky’s lapel.

  “Go after him. He’s gonna do something stupid. You gotta stop him from hurting himself, Lucky.”

  Unable to deny Mason anything, Lucky kissed him. It was a sweet but quick kiss before Lucky slipped out from under Mason and took off after Ryden. The guy might not have meant to shoot Mason, but there was no telling what he’d do if he came across one of the Kings or one of their security personnel. Lucky wouldn’t let him hurt anyone else. Everything in him screamed to take the guy down, but Lucky listened to his heart instead. To Mason.

  He found Ryden upstairs on the deck near the front of the boat. He stood with his back to Lucky, the gun in his hand at his side as he stared out at the ocean.

  “I know you have no reason to believe me, but I really didn’t mean to shoot him.” Ryden snorted softly. “Ironic, huh? I came all this way thinking I’d be able to pull the trigger, but when the time came, I couldn’t. I wanted him to pay for what he’d done. Then I end up shooting him, and he wants to fucking help me.”

  Ryden turned, the pain and self-loathing squeezing Lucky’s heart. He knew that look. He’d seen it in the mirror every day for weeks on end when he’d returned, after losing his brothers.

  “I’m so sorry,” Ryden said through a sob. “You’re a good man, Eduardo. Even if you are a snake eater.” Ryden laughed, then sniffed. “He’s a good man too. You take care of each other.”

  Oh fuck no. Lucky sprang forward, grabbing Ryden’s arm before he pointed the gun to his own head and shot. He knocked the gun out of Ryden’s hand, and it fell into the dark water below. Ryden broke then.

  Lucky threw his arms around him, grabbing him before he slipped to the floor. He wrapped Ryden in his embrace as he wept into Lucky’s chest, his body racking from the sobs.

  “It’s going to be okay,” Lucky said softly. He swallowed hard. “Mason and I, we’re going to help you, but right now, I need you to come with me. I need to know Mason is okay.”

  Ryden nodded. He stood, and Lucky wrapped an arm around him, leading him back downstairs, the sound of sirens in the distance made Ryden flinch. When they got downstairs, Mason sat on the couch, shirtless, an IV attached to him, and a bandage around his shoulder. When he looked up at Lucky and smiled, it was the most beautiful thing Lucky had ever seen. He told Ryden to sit, then joined Mason on the couch, ignoring the questioning looks from his brothers, who were gathered to one side, their eyes filled with concern. They were not happy right now. Lucky guessed Mason had told them about Ryden.

  King stepped forward, his arms crossed over his chest as he addressed the room, his narrowed eyes on Ryden. “The official story is one of our own thought he saw someone sneaking onto the boat, and when he came to investigate, mistook Mason for a thief. The shoddy lighting made it seem like Mason had a gun, so Ryden was defending himself. Mr. Foster, consider yourself very lucky that Mason Cooper is a good man and that his boyfriend actually listens to him, or your ass would either be at the bottom of the lagoon or on your way to jail.”

  Ryden nodded. The guy couldn’t look any smaller. “Yes, sir.”

  King walked over to Ryden and took a seat beside him. “I hear you were a Marine.”

  As King spoke with Ryden, Lucky turned his attention back to Mason. “How are you feeling?”

  “Like I’ve been shot.”

  Lucky scowled at him, and Mason chuckled. He took Lucky’s hand in his and brought it to his lips for a kiss.

  “Thank you, darlin’, for giving me the benefit of the doubt. I know your every instinct was screaming otherwise.”

  Lucky grunted. “You’re a little crazy, you know?”

  Mason’s deep rumble of a laugh made the butterflies in Lucky’s stomach go wild. “I think I am. I’m certainly crazy about you.”

  Lucky swallowed hard. He put a hand to Mason’s cheek. “Don’t do that again. Por favor. Nunca quiero perderte, Cariño. Te amo mucho.”

  Mason’s smile was blinding. “I’m, uh, I’m gonna need you to say that one more time. In English, please.”

  With a soft laugh, Lucky leaned in and brushed his lips over Mason’s. “I said, I don’t want to ever lose you, sweetheart. I love you too much.”

  Mason’s contented sigh lifted the heaviness in Lucky’s heart. Being mindful of Mason’s wound, Lucky kissed him until the ambulance arrived. Red had stitched him up, but they needed to examine him. Lucky rode with him after King promised he’d look after Ryden. As much as the rest of the guys wanted to join them, they had a job to finish. Ace promised they’d be there as soon as the event was over.

  Lucky sat at Mason’s bedside in the private recovery room at the hospital. The doctor had all kinds of tests run and checked Mason’s wound, stitches, and ordered his bandages changed. The doctor told Mason he’d been very fortunate to have walked away with only a flesh wound. Lucky shrugged at Mason’s scowl when the doctor left.

  “Eh, just a flesh wound. It’s not like you lost a limb or anything.”

  Mason narrowed his gaze at the door the doctor had left through. “I feel like I was being judged. Was he judging me? Like, a ‘don’t waste my time with your pathetic little holes’ kinda judgment?”

  “This is Florida. Who knows?”

  “Something tells me unless I show up here with a gator wrapped around my head, he won’t be impressed.”

  “I would not recommend it. Green is not a good color for you.” Lucky chuckled at Mason’s pout, his smile fading when Mason checked his bandage. He was a big man, and he looked big in the inclined hospital bed, but the white bandages against his tanned skin were a stark reminder of what almost happened. “I could have lost you.”

  Mason held out his hand, and Lucky scooted closer, lacing their fingers together. “None of that now. No what-ifs. I could have easily been shot on the street while on patrol or working a homicide.”

  “That… is not helping.” Lucky let out a shuddering breath, and Mason squeezed his hand.

  “My point is, we can’t start down that path, darlin’. We both work dangerous jobs, and we knew that going in.”

  “Yes, I know.” But it was different now, wasn’t it? Mason was a part of his life. They had given their hearts to each other. He supposed it was something he would have to get used to. He’d never loved someone the way he loved Mason. Never worried for them, feared for them. “I’ll try,” he promised.

  “Thank you.” Mason shifted over and patted the bed beside him. Lucky took a seat, perching on the edge facing Mason. He brushed Mason’s hair away from his brow. It was getting long in the front, but the long strands drew attention to his brilliant blue eyes. He was such a beautiful man. And he was all Lucky’s.

  “What are you thanking me for?”

  “For saving him. I know it went against everything you were trained to do.”

  “I’m still very pissed he hurt you, but I understand it was an accident.” Lucky worried his bottom lip, and Mason arched an eyebrow at him.

  “You’re not gonna get all shy on me now, are ya?”

  “No. Ass. I’m worried. Ryden has a lot of issues to work through. I think maybe he is suffering from some PTSD, but I don’t think he’s getting treatment. He was going to shoot himself, Mason. Maybe he should be in a hospital.”

  Mason met Lucky’s eyes. “Is that what you fellas did when you got back?”

  “Fuck.” Lucky shook his head and let out a heavy sigh. “No. It’s not what we did, but even with Red, King was able to convince him to get treatment.”

  “How do you know Ryden won’t? Maybe he can’t afford it or whatever they’d been providing him with wasn’t the right treatment for him. Who knows? Ryden deserves to heal, to have a happy life. He deserves a second chance, Lucky. I don’t know much when it comes to military veterans, but maybe you can help me learn? I want to do more. Not just to help Ryden, but others like him, like you.” Mason put his hand to Lucky’s cheek. “Baby, he’s got no one and nowhere to go.”

  “He does have someone,” Lucky said, smiling tenderly at Mason. He was such a good man with so much love in his heart. Lucky was so proud to have him in his life. An idea occurred to him, and he brightened. “Maybe he could have somewhere to stay also.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Maybe you move in with me, and we can move Ryden into your apartment?”

  Mason’s smile was huge. “That so? You gonna take care of me, Eduardo?”

  Lucky rolled his eyes and huffed, pretending to be put out. “Yes, well, someone clearly has to. Besides, your apartment is not as bad as you make it out to be. I think it would be perfect for Ryden.”

  “It’s small.”

  “Only because you are a wall of muscle. Ryden is my size. He’ll do fine. I think having his own place will help him feel like he’s on a new path, and he’ll be close by so we can check on him.”

  “And you think he’s gonna say yes? If you fellas were that easy to persuade, I reckon you wouldn’t have joined the military in the first place. Any of those mottos say anything about stubbornness? Seems to be a prerequisite for joining.”

  Lucky crossed his arms over his chest. “You know, I could move Ryden in with me instead.”

  “No, sir. That will not be necessary.” Mason tapped his cheek. “C’mere and give me a kiss.”

  Lucky arched an eyebrow at him, and Mason held his shoulder.

  “Ooh, being shot sure does hurt.”

  “Oh my God,” Lucky said with a laugh. “You’re really going to play that card?”

  “You bet that fine ass I am. I will milk this for all it’s worth. Now come here, Eduardo, and kiss me.”

  Lucky leaned in and kissed Mason, joy flooding through him as Mason deepened the kiss, his strong arm wrapping around Lucky and holding him close. Lucky put his hand to Mason’s chest, caressing his soft skin as he opened up for Mason, smiling against Mason’s lips when his man let out a little hum.

  “Tell me again.”

  Lucky smiled. “I.” He punctuated the word with a kiss. “Love.” Kiss. “You.” Kiss.

  Mason brushed his fingers down Lucky’s jaw. “And I love you too, darlin’. Te amo.”

  “Now it’s your turn,” Lucky insisted. He wasn’t normally so needy, but it had been a very eventful few weeks, and Mason had scared the hell out of him, so he’d earned the right to ask for additional reassurance.

  Mason smiled warmly before kissing Lucky’s palm. “I’m not going anywhere, darlin’. I will follow you like a lovesick fool to the ends of the earth.”

  Someone cleared their throat, and they turned to the door. Ryden stood there, his face flushed.

  “I’m sorry for interrupting. I came by to see how Mason was doing.” He quickly put his hands up. “But I understand if you want me to get lost.”

  “It’s okay,” Lucky said as he got up and returned to his chair beside the bed. “Actually, we wanted to talk to you.”

  “Oh?” Ryden nodded and waited patiently.

  Looking at Ryden now, Lucky’s heart went out to him. In the black Kings hoodie that was too big for him and baggy sweatpants, he looked so small. He was thinner than a man his height and build should be. His black hair was a mess, and there were dark circles around his eyes. It seemed fate had put Ryden in their path at just the right moment.

  “Yeah.” Mason motioned over to the empty chair next to Lucky, and Ryden quietly shuffled over. He took a seat, and Lucky was forced to look away. It pained him to see a fellow brother-in-arms so broken. Ryden had been a Marine, a soldier who prided himself on being the best, a pillar of strength, will, and determination. Lucky might not know Ryden’s history, but it took a hell of a lot for him to make it as a Marine. Something told Lucky there was more to Ryden’s story, more to how he’d lost his vision, in addition to the confessions of his mother.

  “Lucky and I have been talking, and we’d really like it if you moved into my old apartment after I move in with Lucky.”

  Ryden laced his fingers together on his lap, his leg bouncing. “That’s really kind of you both, but I… I don’t have any money, so I can’t pay rent.”

  Lucky had a feeling Ryden couldn’t pay for most of the basics he needed, like food, clothing, and shelter.

  “Ryden, don’t worry about the rent. We can take care of that until you get back on your feet.”

  Ryden’s head shot up, and he jumped from the chair before he began to pace nervously. “I can’t do that. I mean, I shoot you, and you want to pay my rent? That’s just… no. I appreciate the gesture, I do, but I’ll work something out. I’ve survived this long, right?” He meant it to be a joke, but it fell flat.

  “Looks like the gang’s all here,” King said as he walked into the room, the rest of the guys behind him.

  “I should go,” Ryden mumbled, heading for the door.

  “Easy there.” King held out a hand to stop Ryden. “Red and I would like to have a word, if that’s all right.”

  Ryden looked worried, but visibly relaxed when Red came to stand next to him, his smile reassuring. If anyone could find a way to reach Ryden, it was Red. No one was better at putting people at ease than he was.

  “It’s okay, Ryden. Why don’t you let me buy you a coffee, and we can talk? King will join us in a bit.”

  Ryden returned Red’s smile and followed him out of the room. He paused outside the door and gave Mason a nod of thanks. Once they were gone, King took the seat Ryden had vacated.

  “He’s got a long, tough road ahead of him,” King said, sitting back with a sigh. “But we’ll do everything we can to help.”

  Mason sniffed and blinked back the wetness in his eyes. “Thank you, King. I really appreciate that.”

  “I know you want to help him,” King stated carefully, “but if you’re doing this out of some sense of guilt—”

  “Let me stop you right there.” Mason put a hand up and shook his head. “It may have started out that way, but that’s not what this is. Working with Lucky, seeing what you fellas do, how you help people. I realized there’s so much more I can do. I know come Monday, I won’t be a member of Four Kings Security anymore—”

  “You could be.”

  Mason stared at King. “I’m sorry?”

  King shrugged. “I still need a team leader.”

  Mason opened his mouth to reply, then closed it. Lucky had to put a fist to his lips to keep from laughing at Mason’s expression.

  “But I thought you said you’ve already found someone to fill the position?”

  King nodded. “I did, and I have.”

  Mason blinked, and this time Lucky couldn’t help but laugh, especially when King arched an eyebrow at Lucky.

  “Does it always take your boyfriend this long to figure things out, or is it the painkillers?”

  “Screw you, King,” Mason grumbled before peering at him. “Are you offering me a job?”

  King squinted back. “Is that not what I said?”

  “No, it ain’t. You did not say, ‘Hey, Mason, do you want a job?’ You were doing that thing you do where you say something and everyone else has to read between the lines, solve the fucking Rubik’s cube, beat the Minotaur or some shit!”

  Lucky blinked at Mason before he let out a bark of laughter that startled both King and Mason. He doubled over laughing, tears in his eyes. King shook his head at Mason.

  “Jesus Christ, Cowboy. I think you broke him.”

  “Oh fuck.” Lucky wiped a tear from his eye. “I love you guys.” Man, he really needed that. And he thought King and Ace were entertaining. Ace had nothing on Mason.

  King sighed like they were both too exhausting for words. Hmm, his expression was very similar to the one his tía—Ace’s mother—got all the time when he and Ace were younger.

  “Mason Cooper, I have a team leader position open at Four Kings Security that I think would make a great fit for you. I am extending you a job offer. Should you accept said offer, I will give you a new contract, and we’ll discuss your training.”

  “You’re a dick,” Mason told King.

  “I was looking for more of a yes or no answer.”

  “Yes.”

  “Good.” King stood and headed for the door. “I’ll draw up the contract, and you can come to the office tomorrow morning.”

  With that he was gone.

  Mason tilted his head to one side. “What just happened?”

  “I think you have a new job,” Lucky said with a snicker.

  “Holy shit.”

  Much to Lucky’s amusement, Mason repeated the words several times during their drive back to Lucky’s house in St. Augustine Beach. The doctor had cleared him for the drive, but they were instructed to stop a few times so Mason could walk around and not get stiff. His handsome cowboy seemed to be having trouble wrapping his head around his very sudden shift in employment.

  “Maybe you want to take some time to think about everything?” Lucky asked as he pulled into the driveway of his house. He worried Mason had been hasty in his decisions and might come to regret them sooner rather than later.