Order (Tattoos and Ties Duet #2)(96)

Key just gave a huff and rolled his eyes at something he clearly saw as absurd. “Yeah, stupid fuck tried to pull it, but I used his bat on him.”

“Did the gun discharge?” Alec asked, carefully holding himself in check. He moved around the counter to stand beside Key, fighting his overwhelming need to reach out and touch his man.

“Stop lookin’ so worried. Yeah, the gun went off, but I was never in danger. I could wipe the goddamn floor with that motherfucker.” Key stated that with all certainty as he got to his feet, rounding past Alec. He watched Key carefully pick up Nash and nuzzle him as he went toward the living room. Alec stood there dumbfounded as Key looked back over his shoulder. “I was thinkin’ about how much bigger he’s gotten. He’s growing up so fast.”

“Key, are you telling me a gun fired at you this evening?” Alec asked, feeling the bile of panic clogging his throat. This was something Alec wasn’t prepared for, reality staring him in the face.

“Alec, don’t start.” Key took a seat on the sofa. Alec followed, sitting on the coffee table directly in front of Key, reaching to place both his palms on Key’s thighs. Every worry about what Key knew was now gone. If a stare could communicate anything, his was imploring Key to never allow himself to get in a position like that ever again.

“What would I do without you? I’d never get over the loss,” he explained simply, his voice turning soft in its sincerity. “I couldn’t live without you.”

“That’s dramatic,” Key replied, clearly unimpressed with Alec’s concern.

“Because it is dramatic.” Alec pushed back, crossing his arms over his chest, holding himself together. They stared at one another for several long seconds while Alec willed his worried glare to penetrate Key’s nonchalance. “Key.” Alec sighed as all their differences settled heavily between them. “Baby…Keyes… I appreciate you wanting to help me, but you can’t put yourself in harm’s way like this, not anymore. Your life’s bigger than just you.”

Key only stared at Alec who couldn’t find it in him to accept anything less than Key’s oath to never do anything like this again. The quiet stare between them continued for some time. It wasn’t until Key moved Nash and patted the cushion beside him that he knew he’d been heard. Not the vow he was hoping for, not by a long shot, but he’d take the invite. After a second of staring at the man who could have been so easily taken from him tonight, Alec did finally move, needing Key’s comfort and reassurance more than ever. He took the seat next to Key, sitting as close as he could, letting the tension go as Key slid an arm around him, drawing him closer.

“There were people there watchin’ in the doorway. How much trouble am I in?” he asked, kissing Alec’s forehead.

“I’m not sure. I thought matters of the club stayed inside the club. Will he talk or keep to himself?” Alec asked, back to his original concern. Key’s hold loosened, and Alec turned, angling his body to better see Key.

“Yeah, I thought about that on the ride back here. Normally they are club business, but he had no respect for me,” Key said, his head lowered to the back of the sofa, staring at the ceiling.

“What will the club do if he talks?” Alec asked, watching the fine lines around Key’s eyes become more pronounced. That question seemed to hurt Key more than anything else.

“Don’t know. I wasn’t in the vote to add him as a prospect.” Key turned toward Alec. Such rawness reflected in that unguarded stare. Deep sadness lingered there, but something was off in the tone of his voice. Was it regret because things went sideways with the prospect? He seriously doubted it. Surely, the club would back a brother over a prospect. Alec knew Key well enough to know he was loyal to a fault when it came to matters of the club. They were family to him.

Key’s words came rushing back along with the answer. Key hadn’t been included in the vote. Betrayal…the word was a slap of disbelief. His foundation must have been shaken to the core with that knowledge. Damn, Alec had such ricocheting emotions tonight. His aggression spiked, and he wanted to watch them all burn for excluding this dedicated member who had been nothing but loyal to them.

“What’s that mean to your overall future with the club?” Alec asked, lifting a finger to move a strand of Key’s long hair that had fallen into his face. His fingertips lingered on his lover, caressing Key’s bearded cheek until Alec lifted to press his lips to Key’s in a soft kiss. “You aren’t going to answer?”

Key shook his head no, his direct gaze unwavering.

“How badly was Cummings hurt?” Alec asked.

“I fucked him up.” Key gave a satisfied nod as if he approved of his fighting skills, making Alec smile. He’d have to remember to coach Key if he did in fact have to go to court. Key needed to show remorse, not pride, in his actions.

“Any priors?”

“You never ran me?” Key asked, giving him a sideways glance as he picked Nash up.

“No, I didn’t care. I had a hunch about you,” Alec said, knocking him in the shoulder, letting their natural easiness soothe him at least for this minute. Alec leaned back into the crook of Key’s arm, resting his head against Key’s firm shoulder, bringing a tired Nash to his chest for warmth.

“That’s not too smart, Pierce. I could’ve taken you for everything.” Key circled a strong arm around Alec, drawing him closer as Key’s hand came to rest protectively on Nash. They were a family. A loving, well-suited if slightly unusual family.