Home > Sleight of Hand(9)

Sleight of Hand(9)
Author: Charlie Cochet

As someone who lived with PTSD, Red needed to keep to his routines as much as possible. He also required quiet time, and the constant phone calls coming through Gio’s phone to the video conferences and meetings were anything but quiet. Red was a good man, and he’d done so much for Laz, Gio refused to do anything that would cause him any setbacks.

After just a few days of watching the sunset from his bedroom balcony, Gio informed his broker to find him something on the beach. He’d also insisted on being near his brother. His broker had come through for him, finding him a gorgeous five-bedroom house on the beach smack in the middle between Colton and Ace’s Ponte Vedra mansion and Laz and Red’s condo in St. Augustine Beach.

Gio closed his eyes as he listened to the lulling sound of the waves crashing against the shore. The night sky was cloudless, with twinkling stars scattered here and there. When sleep crept up on him, he dragged himself inside. He locked the balcony doors behind him, then dropped onto the comfortable recliner, his feet propped up. He drifted off soon after and managed to get about four hours of sleep.

By the time he’d dressed and wandered downstairs, Ace was in the kitchen serving Colton breakfast.

“Good morning,” Gio chirped. “Thank you again for letting me stay last night.”

Colton waved a hand in dismissal. “As if there was any question. Did you sleep well?”

“I did,” Gio lied. His best friend didn’t need to know he rarely slept, or when he did, the nightmares were so terrible they left him shaken and even more tired in the morning.

“How’s your arm?” Ace asked.

“Sore, but on the mend.” Gio slid into the chair at the counter next to Colton and thanked Ace for the plate of scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast placed in front of him. He still marveled at his new family. At one point, it had just been him, Laz, and Colton. Now his days were filled with the boisterous sound of laughter and hijinks, thanks to the rowdy and lovable mischief-makers who’d embraced Gio upon his return without hesitation. It’s what Gio hadn’t even realized he’d been missing for so long.

After breakfast, Ace kissed Colton. “Okay, I’m heading out to get the new showerhead and the, uh, the stuff to replace the tile. Let me know if you need anything while I’m out.”

Gio opened his mouth to ask, but Colton gave a slight shake of his head, his smile barely suppressed.

“I will,” Colton replied. He waited until Ace had left before turning to Gio. “Fancy a morning run?”

“Sure. What happened to the showerhead? I thought he fixed it last night?”

“He did,” Colton said, standing. “He also fixed the water pressure. The showerhead is now embedded in the tile. Thankfully, he hasn’t lost his killer reflexes, or the showerhead would have knocked him out when it shot off the wall.”

If Gio hadn’t known Ace, he would have thought Colton was exaggerating. The two of them laughed on their way upstairs to change for their run. One thing was for sure—his best friend would never be bored.

Once changed, they headed down to the beach and the wet sand by the shore. The day was beautiful, and although still hot even at this time of the morning, a nice cool breeze was coming off the ocean. They jogged up the beach, greeting fellow joggers and several dogs. Gio stopped to pet each dog, because how could he not? He loved dogs, had always wanted one, but his busy schedule didn’t leave room for a furry friend. It wouldn’t be fair to either of them, especially with all the traveling.

“And here I thought you’d slowed down,” Colton teased.

How he’d missed Colton. “Are you saying I’m getting old?” He wiped the sweat from his brow and slowed to a walk.

“Never. Especially since we’re the same age.”

“Ah, of course.” Gio smiled warmly at him. “Though I have to admit, some days I can certainly feel myself aging.”

Colton’s smile turned sympathetic. “When was the last time you took some time off? And I mean real time off. You haven’t stopped since you got back, and I can only imagine what kind of schedule you kept while you were abroad.”

“What are you talking about? I’ve traveled the world for years, met all kinds of amazing people. I’m incredibly lucky.”

“And you’ve made such a difference in people’s lives. You’re an inspiration, Gio. I mean, look at Nia. You helped her make her dream come true.”

Gio waved a hand. “I’m just a guy with a shit ton of money.”

Colton didn’t appear impressed, but then no one knew Gio like Colton. “Right. Tell me, which other billionaires were out there with you, living in unholy conditions, almost dying while transforming people’s lives?”

“Thank you, by the way, for not telling my brother about my brush with death.” Gio hated lying to his brother, but Laz had spent so much time worrying about Gio while he was away, the last thing he needed was to know Gio had been in some makeshift hospital somewhere fighting for his life. What good would it have done?

Gio never discussed the dangers he faced while abroad with Laz. His brother wouldn’t have understood why Gio had to be the one to go out there, spend time with the people he was trying to help, live in the conditions they did, get to know the challenges they faced. Some problems couldn’t be solved by throwing money at them. What he did was more than charity. He helped people set up and maintain a new, better life, one they’d been too afraid to dream of. After that, he made sure they had the support they needed every step of the way to continue operating in their new life, checking in with them and offering support.

“I only did it because you promised me you’d tell him eventually.” Colton stared off at the ocean. “I felt like such a bastard, telling him you had no phone signal when we had no idea where the hell you were. If I had known you were in some godforsaken hospital hanging on by a thread, I would have gone out there and dragged you home myself.”

Gio smiled and patted Colton’s arm. His best friend didn’t even know the half of it. “I know you would have.” Colton would have at least tried. Lord knew, there would have been nowhere for any kind of plane or helicopter to land. Hell, the tent they’d set up as a hospital for the tiny village would have been nearly impossible for anyone to find. Would Sacha have found him? Gio was pretty sure Sacha could do whatever he put his mind to.

“You’re thinking of him again.”

Gio lifted an eyebrow. “Oh?”

“Yep. You get this look of deep concentration on your face whenever you think about him.”

“You know me too well.” Gio wiped his brow again. The humidity was intense, and it was still early in the morning.

“Yep. Which is why, as your best friend who knows you so very well, I’m going to say this with nothing but love. Please be careful. Joker isn’t like anyone you’ve ever dealt with.”

“Oh, I know.” The mention of him had Gio’s entire body buzzing.

“I’m not saying he’s not a good guy, because he is. If you’re in trouble, in danger, hell, if someone so much as looks at you funny, he’ll probably launch a counterstrike.”

The thought warmed Gio all over. “You think so?”

“You’re family, so yes. You’ve seen the way Ace and the guys are. Family is everything, whether through blood or bond. Joker might act like a jerk at times, but he’ll never let you down.”

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