an ache Ethan

and nothing felt

, rehearsals, staged public appearances with a new bodyguard w

every hotel room, every waiting car, every hollow moment when Et

nowing Nathan was near

done, grabbing him from that ledge

or him , Ethan

n't let

han paced the hotel suite. The city lights s

m. The new bodyguard was stationed in the

e quickened

He needed to talk to him

te space, locked whenever they traveled. But Ethan knew th

et, he crept to the door. His fingers trem

7-

ock c

lipped

ather. A massive desk stood by t

by one. Contracts, booking forms, receipt

wer, he saw files written

h the files, h

w it: Nath

Nathan's résumé, employment contract,

t

ge, then slid everything back carefully. He reset the dra

t slow. He barely

ame cold

at. He dressed carefully-black jeans,

dia and paparazzi's, If anyone saw him o

to

s at a breakfast meeting downstairs; the new bod

ok the staff elevator, and di

er apartment block a few miles across town. It wa

e front door. He hadn't planned what

g the

g moment,

kled through the

o I'm looking for Nathan c

le

unlocked wit

, hair mussed, clearly not expecting company. His expre

ietly, stepping asi

partment was small but tidy-a couch, a modest kit

ouch. "What are you doing he

... p

gers twisting in his l

handed it to him, and sat across the ro

ere," Nathan said sof

nd your file. In dad's off

t his voice stayed gentle.

e who's honest with me. You're the only one who... ca

ust trying to protect you and maybe he thought I was a threat and I might ta

saved me. And I trust you. I need you to com

ked away,

t just physically. Emotionally. I'm not sure you want to

y life now ," Ethan said quickly.

lease . I ne

for a long moment,

tter so much?"

ause... I don't know, I ju

product. A machine. You see me. I trust you. I rea

out in a rush, t

I had to protect you, and you

er for long, but I already feel like I kn

expression softened slightly, someth

out this?" he a

ed firmly.

ed, I mean he fired me

at to me, I'll handl

wly, running a han

ht , E

lot " Etha

on, they return

t, head held high, N

suite, pacing, phone in han

ll is this?"

ut cold. "Nathan's back.

that, you hav

ire him again, I'll go public. I'll tell ev

. "You'd ruin yourself,

ly don'

silence stretched

ented. "Fine. If anything happens it

Ethan sa

s room, Ethan finally exhaled. Natha

aid softly. "For agr

steady. "I'm here

in days, Ethan allowe