ound as he stitched it. He worked with

et anyone ge

't plan

im. "What happen

dn't a

t either way,

ed. "I ki

mid-stitch.

in the eyes. "And

speak for a

o realize what th

"Yeah. I'm

hair. "You've done a lot of reckless things

there was a tremble benea

ed. "So wh

, it was like-like the world stopped ma

ou're not thin

first time, I

ent longer. Then he shoo

hing was

r eyes locked at the casino, or when they fought back to back

s fal

e hat

ind of protection in a world where love was a weapon waiting to be used. Jay was terrified. Terrified that if his father found out he had kis

he had built around his heart trembled. For

lips still lingered on his own like a promise he wasn't allowed

th him. He pressed a thumb to his bottom lip, closing his eyes.

nted

p inside, a quiet

r of his apartment, still in bloodsta

d, Rin, knocked gent

d anythi

idn't

d, "They're saying Jay

t look up.

t tr

raised his

s arms. "What

to himself, "I think

me, and i kissed him back. This may

out that... you need to think ten steps ahea

at his bruised kn

father, the entire organization-they won't just go after

cared of m

y. "You know what Mr. Charlie do

arrass him? Loving someon

ook. "In his wor

t the wall. "Then maybe it's tim

ent q

ed, voice low, "Do you

I think you're fi

bout the look in Jay's eyes. Like he s

efully. "But what ha

bli

not easy, Jack. You push people aw

n't pu

l. Because that's what you've always

ong time. Then: "I don'

irt. "Just... be sure. Because once this starts-o

odded

odded

ndle my

d J

n handle himself. The quest

nough to breathe, sharp enough to notice. No one had ever truly understood him, not even the ones who claimed to love him.

, that was

or a future king. He felt like a person. A boy

for now, w

's desk, eyes sharp. "That's three of our routes compro

. "Let me guess. Mr.

ill think this thing with Jac

eyes tired. "I do

cted. "And you're bett

deliberate. "He

ff barked. "You bled for him, a

aid n

questioning your feelings, Jay.

o you want me to do, Jeff? Kill h

ly. "I want you to c

ched. "It's no

how this ends if you let it drag.

om wen

ow, staring out at the city

damn thing. Sooner or later, one of you will have to pul

dn't a

own, he al

is father's desk, hands behind his back, posture perfect - just the

rlie said, voice like smoke, "

oss. Their intel was wrong. Th

d J

"Also ambushed. The

made it out with minimal losses. Heard someone even d

s father's

li

ticed one. Bu

time. Then stood. Walked around the

e order. That's the law. So tell me, son-why d

y. "Because careful

es narrowed. "Yo

, s