“I can’t answer that. I can only tell you what I see, and the boss is more obsessed with Conall than he ever was with any of his other pets. I wouldn’t be surprised if Sloan would die for him.”
Terrance made a noise of surprise and finished his drink in one big swallow, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “Anyway, the party is ready to go. Sam’s put up all the decorations, and the foyer is a fuck fest fantasy.”
Rourke nodded, swallowing the rest of his own whiskey before resting the glass on the desk. “Good work. As the big spenders start showing up, lead them to the bar in the waiting room. We’ll have the whores down there before seven.”
“Yes, sir.” Terrance rose and placed his tumbler on the bar. He left without another word.
Rourke squeezed the bridge of his nose and sighed. Their profits had risen before the Italians, but since the shooting, a lot of clients were scared to come back. This party should resolve the fear, but he didn’t know how he’d feel about seeing Forrest with other men.
You’re lying to yourself.
He knew how he’d feel. He’d hate it. It was one thing toknowclients were fucking Forrest, another thing to see it.
The thought made his stomach clench. He placed his own tumbler on the desk beside Terrance’s and walked out the door, heading toward Forrest’s room. Rourke should have stayed away, but his legs carried him to the door without him having a chance to escape. He didn’t even knock before Forrest threw open his door, dazzling smile on his face.
“Hi.”
“How did you know I was here?” Rourke asked automatically, spine stiff. Today was Forrest’s day off, so they didn’t have to worry about clients.
“I didn’t. I wanted to go for a walk.” He waved at his clothing and it took a moment for Rourke to register that Forrest wore a pair of jeans and a brown wool coat. It looked different than his usual revealing clothing, but he still looked sexy. Maybe even sexier. His blond hair looked to be free from any products, as did his face, and he looked younger and natural, at his most beautiful. “I was going to ask one of the guards to come with me. You couldcomeinstead.” The glint in his eye warned Rourke of his teasing.
Rourke ignored the blaring siren in his head, cautioning him off a possible disaster. He moved out of the doorway and gestured for Forrest to walk in front of him. “After you. Where are we going?”
Forrest tilted his head and smiled again, shuffling out in front of Rourke. It was a pity his coat was so long because Rourke couldn’t see that delectable ass cupped by those tight jeans. “It’s treat day. Seeing as I’m working tonight, I deserve ice cream. There’s a gelato shop down the street.”
Rourke squinted at him. “You do realize it’s twenty-five degrees outside, right?”
“Perfect time for gelato!” Forrest threw a wink over his shoulder.
Rourke took two long strides to catch Forrest. “You like eating it when it’s cold?”
“I like ice cream and gelato any time.” He leaned into Rourke, and Rourke wrapped his arm around Forrest’s shoulders before he could talk himself out of it. They hadn’t even cleared the first floor. Any of the other professionals could see them, yet he cuddled up to Forrest. It was a bad idea.Terribleidea, but he didn’t move his arm.
Someone opened a door and Ryder, one of the other whores, popped his head out. He frowned at them, but one shake from Rourke’s head and Ryder disappeared again.
Forrest snorted. “Asshole.”
“You’re going to have to get over your feud with him one day.”
“Never.”
Rourke never understood what happened between them, and he’d never thought to ask. He wasn’t about to start now, either. O’Riley warned him that whores were the most dramatic employees, next to strippers, and it was easier to ignore their drama. Rourke knew from experience Forrest had more enemies in the Virtue than friends, and that came from being the highest earner. Everyone wanted the nice bedroom with extras.
They stopped at Rourke’s office so that he could get his own coat, before they walked down the stairs and to the reception desk. Sam stared pointedly at Rourke’s hold on Forrest but didn’t say a word when Rourke signed them out.
“We won’t be gone for long,” Rourke said.
“Going out for ice cream?” Sam asked this question to Forrest, who nodded eagerly.
“You know me so well.”
“Can you at least bring me one back in a container?”
Rourke’s glare made the other two laugh. “Rules. You’re working.”
Forrest rolled his eyes. “You heard the boss, Sammy. No ice cream for you.”
Sam waved them off, and they left through the front doors. Rourke told the guard there that they’d be fine on their own, and if they weren’t back within two hours, to get Terrance. One could never be too cautious when they worked for the Killough Company. Even whorehouses could be targeted, as shown by the Italians’ attack last year.
