“An admirable quality in a partner, don’t you think?”
“Yes.” Colton’s brows furrowed, his expression one of confusion. “He’s… so unlike anyone you’ve ever dated, Gio.”
“And you and Ace are alike?”
“We both know that’s not what I’m saying. Joker is… intense. He’s got a lot of baggage, and he doesn’t open up the way the rest of the guys do.”
“Who doesn’t have a lot of baggage?” Gio had plenty, that was for damned sure. Between his father, his brother, what happened before he ended up almost dying, and the ramifications of it? He had his own airport terminal’s worth of baggage.
“He’s also the most volatile. The guy has one hell of a temper.”
“He’s… expressive.”
Colton laughed. “Is that what we’re calling it?”
“Do you think he’s dangerous?”
“Do I think he’s dangerous to you physically? No. Of that, I’m certain. Do I think he’s a danger to your heart? Absolutely. Gio, he doesn’t date. And believe me, we’ve tried.”
Gio narrowed his eyes behind his sunglasses. “Are you still setting him up with people?”
“Um, no. Joker’s been too busy with work lately. Or so he says.”
“That so?” Interesting. Gio’s heart did a little flip. “I’ve been around him long enough to know that everything you’re saying is true, and I appreciate your concern, but there’s something about him that calls to me. I think he needs me.”
Colton’s eyebrows shot up. “Is that so?”
Gio nodded. “He simply doesn’t know it yet.”
“And you need him?”
“I think I might,” Gio replied softly, his gaze off toward the house as they approached.
“What aren’t you telling me?”
“I’ll let you know once I’ve figured it out myself. In the meantime, please, trust me.”
“Always have. Please be careful. I don’t want to see you get your heart broken.”
“Don’t worry. I’m rather experienced when it comes to broken hearts.”
“Gio…”
“It’s okay. Thank you.” Dating when he’d had nothing had been a challenge. Between working several jobs, taking care of his little brother, and going to school, Gio had barely had time to sleep, much less date.
Dating once his investments paid off and made him rich had been a more significant challenge. Suddenly people who’d never given him a second look were calling him, messaging him, flirting with him. On the few occasions he’d taken a chance, he’d ended up with a broken heart. One guy had even tried suing him, stating Gio breaking up with him had caused him such deep anguish he couldn’t work—but not enough anguish to keep him from going clubbing and fucking some stranger in the back room. Suffice to say, the guy hadn’t gotten a penny.
They returned to the house in companionable silence and spent the morning and afternoon hanging out. Gio managed to doze for a couple of hours while Colton watched a movie and Ace fixed the showerhead, water pressure, and tile. Soon the house was filled with rowdy conversation and laughter as the guys started to show up. Colton and Ace’s house was a home away from home for everyone, and it showed.
Outside on the pool deck, Mason stood at the barbecue with Red, chatting and drinking his beer, while Laz sat with Ace, Lucky, and Colton, laughing so hard he was in tears. Gio made his way down the private walkway that led to the beach and stopped at the end, where King sat on the steps, smiling contently as he watched Leo running and laughing with Fitz and his black poodle, Duchess. A Frisbee whizzed by, chased by Chip, who leaped and caught it before darting back to Sacha and Jack.
Gio was mesmerized by Chip’s skills. The speed at which he took off after the Frisbee, the way he tracked it as it soared through the air, knowing precisely when to leap and chomp down to catch it, landing gracefully on his paws. He then trotted proudly over to Sacha and dropped it at his feet, tail wagging. The second Sacha picked up the red disc, Chip took off in anticipation.
“How’s the arm?” King asked in his deep rumbling voice, his gaze still on his boyfriend. He moved over, and Gio took the hint, sitting beside him.
“Sore, but healing.” The sharp pain had lessened to an annoying throb, but in a couple of days he wouldn’t even need a bandage.
“Glad to be back?”
“I should have returned sooner,” Gio admitted. “I owe you and your brothers a debt.”
King shook his head. “You owe us nothing. Laz is family, as are you. We take care of family.”
“Thank you.” Gio’s words were quiet. No matter what King said, Gio would forever be grateful to King for what he’d done. The man had flown across an ocean and hunted down the bastard who’d hurt Laz. He’d brought the monster back to the United States and handed him over to the FBI, where the guy faced a lifetime in prison for the dozens of young men like Laz that he’d preyed on.
Despite King’s words, should he or his brothers need anything, Gio would make it happen. He might not have the skills the Kings had to pull off a manhunt across the globe, but being rich had its perks, and if he couldn’t use his wealth to help those he cared about, what good was it?
“I approved Joker’s security proposal. Frankly, you should have had a security detail the moment you landed back on US soil.”
Gio could feel King’s gaze on him, which was impressive, considering the man wore sunglasses.
“Google is a thing,” King grumbled. “All it takes is for the wrong people to look you up and realize you don’t have security. What were you thinking?”
“That I’d settle in and have somewhat of a normal life before I was back to having suits standing outside the bathroom door while I took a piss.”
“I hate to break it to you, buddy, but you gave up normal a long time ago. Hard to remain anonymous after all the press you’ve had.”
Gio sighed. King wasn’t wrong. He’d appeared on the cover of Forbes magazine more than once and even been featured in People magazine, as well as several other high-profile editorials. He’d lost count of how many interviews he’d done over the years, how many charity events he’d attended or photos he’d posed for.
“Now that I’m home, I’m thinking of pulling back a bit. Enjoy time with my family.” Chip barked, getting his attention. He smiled at Sacha playing tag with his best boy.
“You strike me as the kind of guy who doesn’t shy away from a challenge,” King said, surprising Gio.
“You’d be right.”
King seemed to think about something, then nodded. “Good. He’s worth it.”
“I know,” Gio replied quietly, his stomach doing somersaults. There was something special between him and Sacha. He just needed to figure out why Sacha was so afraid to let Gio in, give them a chance.
They sat in companionable silence, watching the guys play with their furry friends until Mason called out that dinner was ready. Standing, King laughed softly when Leo ran to him and jumped on him. He wrapped himself around King’s back, arms around his neck as King carried him down the walkway, asking him if he’d had fun.