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Zander took one last look at the two of them in that bed and then turned away, heading to the door. Walking wasn’t the easiest thing after having two cocks shoved up his ass mere hours ago, but he accepted the discomfort because it was a constant reminder of what he’d had.
He yanked the door open to find Derri standing there, fist raised to knock again. Zander ignored his ex’s scowl, holding up a hand to halt whatever Derri was about to say. With a final glance over his shoulder, he stepped outside and shut the door behind him, walking away with Derri close behind. Zander didn’t speak until he got back to his room. There, he ensured the door was closed after Derri entered before facing the other man with his arms folded.
“What is it?”
“There’s dissent brewing back home,” Derri told him. “We have our allies among your uncle’s people, but there are those who remain steadfast and loyal to him. Even in death.” He hesitated, glancing away.
“Spit it out, Derri.”
“There’s been talk of retaliation for Murray’s death.”
Zander heaved a tired sigh. He’d expected as much. His uncle’s organization was immense, and a good bit of it was made up of men who’d come up in the ranks alongside Murray. They respected him because they’d never had his wrath turned on them or their families. He understood his uncle’s supporters not wanting to work for him or not trusting him. Didn’t mean he would tolerate insubordination or any kind of insurrection.
“We need to get back there,” Derri told him. “We can’t let the bad sentiments fester or allow anyone to get bold enough to carry out a plan to try and assassinate you.”
Zander would like to see them try. But Derri was right. He had to lead with a show of force and he couldn’t do that holed up in a fucking Alabama hideaway. His mind went where it always did, to Vince and Scotty and what it would mean, Zander leaving.
Goddamn it. He turned away. He didn’t want to do it. He didn’t want to leave them. But taking them with him wasn’t an option. For one, he didn’t know what he was walking into back home. His men would be targets and he couldn’t let that happen. Then Vince…
He scrubbed a hand over his face.
Vince was fucking law enforcement. How were they supposed to coexist, to be together, operating on opposite sides?
Scotty knew nothing about the life Zander led. What kind of person would he be, dropping Scotty into the middle of what could potentially turn out to be a full-scale war?
But how was he supposed to tell them all of that and make them understand, especially after what they’d just shared? How was he supposed to let them go?
“Zander. Are you listening to me?”
He spun back around. “I need you to find someone for me.”
“Uh.” Derri blinked. “Okay.”
“I need it done discreetly and I need it done now.” He gave Derri the name, and his ex frowned when he recognized it.
“Is that—Why do you need him?”
“Derri, can you fucking do what I ask without questioning me at every turn? Or just let me know if this arrangement isn’t working for you and we can re-evaluate.”
“What the fuck does that mean?” Derri took a step forward, expression dark, hands fisted at his sides. “I’m not allowed to ask questions now? Since when?”
“Since everything became a fucking battle with you,” Zander shot back. “We don’t have time for this. I don’t have time for this. Do what I ask so that we can get back to business.” He gave Derri his back and didn’t move until he heard footsteps and the door opening and closing.
Alone, Zander blew out a breath. The decision had been made. He would be leaving and his time with Vince and Scotty would come to an end. They’d experienced a whole lifetime in the span of one night, the three of them. Imagining a world without them in it…
Well, it was a shitty thought. A fucked-up reality. But it was what had to happen. The thought of telling them—He rubbed the center of his chest, gratified when a knock came on the door and one of his men opened it and poked his head in.
He grabbed onto the distraction with both hands.
Hours later, Derri returned. He stood silently while Zander finished up a call, then said, “He’s downstairs waiting for you.”
Zander got to his feet. “Any issues? Complications?”
“None.”
“I need you to make sure this one is clean. He’s high profile and we don’t need any blowback.”
Unlike earlier when he’d blown up at Zander, this time Derri spoke calmly. “Like I said, no issues or complications.”
