Promises Part 1 (Bounty Hunters #1)(40)

Duke separated his mouth from Vaughan’s neck, albeit begrudgingly. The gorgeous man smelled so fucking good and tasted like the finest wine, which was crazy since he was so young. But as he got to know Vaughan and spent more time talking with him, he was noticing how much of a man he truly was. Mature and strong. Fearless had been added to Duke’s long list of Vaughan’s admirable qualities. And the man loved him. Loved him enough to put his own life on the line to save him. Seeing those scars, exactly like his own, had completely undone him. Despite his suspicions, he wasn’t prepared to actually see the physical proof. How the hell would Duke even consider walking away? He’d wanted reassurance and he guessed he’d gotten it. This beautiful man intended to be with Duke forever.

“I guess the cat’s out the bag,” Quick said drily, as he strolled past, looking at his son’s open shirt, his surgical wounds on full display. Quick’s thickly corded forearms were loaded up with packed grocery bags as he made his way through the rest of the house.

Duke let go of Vaughan, but the man held on to him, still looking into his eyes, his hand still caressing Duke’s cheek. He had a bone to pick with his best friend. He wasn’t letting him off the hook as easily as he did Vaughan. He pulled Vaughan’s hand away and kissed a couple of his knuckles before dropping it and turning to follow Quick into the kitchen. “You asshole!” Duke thundered as soon as he turned the corner and saw his friend casually posted-up against the counter drinking a bottle of water.

“Here we go,” Quick mumbled under his breath.

“Seriously.” Duke gaped. “How the hell could you allow him to do something like this? It was dangerous and foolish, Roman. What if something had happened to him? You would’ve lost your best friend and your son, but you would’ve hated me. Probably wouldn’t have attended my funeral if Vaughan had died on that table. I can’t believe you let him do it!”

Quick’s green eyes flashed with anger before he took a breath to try and reel it in. “Have you fuckin’ met my son? Huh? What the fuck makes you think he asked for permission? He’s a grown man, Duke! He made a decision and that was it. No matter how much I disliked it, especially the part about being anonymous; I had no say! All I could do was pray for both of your lives, so that’s what I did.” Quick finished his piece and turned back to putting away the groceries.

Duke pushed his knuckles into his eye sockets. “He made the decision with his heart, not his logical mind.”

“That’s why nothing on this earth would’ve changed it. Not me, his momma, you, or any other thing on this planet. He’s in love, Duke.” Quick turned back, and Duke noticed his pal was looking over his shoulder, meaning Vaughan had to be standing there behind him. “He would’ve gave you both his fuckin’ kidneys.”

Jesus. He was in love with his best friend’s son. This was like a story out of a bad episode of To Catch a Predator. Duke had to shut down that thought. He hadn’t fallen for Vaughan when he was a teenager. Had never looked at him sexually for even a second. But before him stood a man who knew what he wanted and kept his own counsel. He was a good man for Duke. Quick must’ve seen a look on Duke’s face because his friend came over and guided him to one of the chairs at the small table in Quick’s eat-in kitchen. Duke looked out the bay window over the luxurious backyard he’d help his friend design.

“You remember what I said to you in the hospital before we got the bad news?”

Duke blinked. Remember… Remember what? Oh shit. Quick said he would’ve been proud to have Duke as a son-in-law. A coffee mug with piping hot tea was placed in front of him and he looked up to see Quick watching him, waiting for an answer. “Yeah, buddy. I remember.”

“I wasn’t blowing smoke, Duke. You’re my man, fifty-grand and all. We’ve been through so much together. Now here’s another. We beat this thing, man. All of us together. Let go of the anger and be happy. Be happy with my boy because he deserves it. He went through hell, Duke when he found out about you getting hurt so bad. It took him a while to calm himself down, but when he did, that brilliant mind of his went into solution mode. That’s what he does.”

“I’m lucky,” Duke whispered, sipping his tea.

“Well,” Quick drawled. “You’re dating my son now, and this is my first time getting to interrogate his boyfriend.”

Vaughan groaned from in the doorway, having been silent while Duke and Quick hashed it out. Now he was looking mortified. Duke laughed, but Quick had a deadly serious expression on his face. He watched his best friend sit down in the seat across from him and clasp his large hands together. “So Mr. Morgan. What are your future plans? Where do you see yourself in… say, ten to fifteen years? Long-term goals if you would.”

Duke tried desperately not to laugh but it was ridiculously hard. “Um. Since I’m headed towards fifty soon, I’m thinking of retiring around that time, then applying for Medicare. I figure having a lawyer boyfriend will be helpful filling out those long ass forms.”

Vaughan spit his water across the room as he exploded with laughter, but Duke held his in and so did Quick. He watched as his friend took another drink of his water; nodding his head like Duke had given a great answer.

“What about employment? Do you got a job, boy?” Quick said, pulling up his old drill sergeant tone.