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“Where is it?” Roman asked, standing up, already prepared to jump into action.
Tor handed the phone over.
“No fucking way,” Roman said. “No fucking way.”
Chapter 15
Roman Ashford
Roman could hardly believe any of the words he read on the screen.
“And you’re sure this is accurate?” he asked a proud-looking Tor.
“Yup,” he said, lying back with his hands behind his head, toes dipped into the pool. Bang Bang must have realized something was up because he floated over on his flamingo, shielding his eyes from the sun as he looked up at Roman and Wyatt.
“What’s happening?” he asked.
“The Pride’s hideout was under our noses this entire time.”
“Where?” Wyatt asked, leaning over to look at the phone.
“A mansion on Hammerhead Island in Miami. Only fifteen minutes away from the aquarium. And you’re a hundred percent sure this is accurate?” Roman asked, turning his focus to a cocky Tor.
“A thousand percent sure. Unless they’ve moved in the last three days.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hammerhead Island?” Bang Bang asked. His loud voice attracted the attention of the rest of the crew. “What the hell are they doing there?”
“It makes sense. That place is like a mini fortress for the rich and the famous. They’ve got gated entry and security, but if they don’t want to deal with that, then they can drive up to their hideout in a boat and no one would be the wiser.”
“Hammerhead Island?” Phantom echoed. “Damn, we could have walked right over to them.”
“Well, get dressed because that’s exactly what we’re going to do.” Roman handed the phone back to Tor. “Vacation’s over.”
“Ah man,” Phantom said. “I didn’t even get to check out the bars.”
“We’ll be back,” Roman assured him. “Once we get the tome, we could buy up a couple properties here and create a commune. How’s that sound?”
“Sexual,” Phantom replied. “And I’m here for it.”
Roman laughed, clapping a hand on Phantom’s back.
“I didn’t realize you were big on orgies in Palm Springs,” Mustang teased.
“Yeah,” Doc echoed. “You seem more of an orgy in the Playboy Mansion kind of guy.”
Phantom seemed to be slightly taken aback by that joke. He stumbled over his words, trying to put something together. Roman sensed a shift in his normally bright and positive mood. “I, uhm, hold up. I feel like I should say this now before it gets any more difficult.”
Roman cocked his head, brows drawing together. What was he about to say? Roman wasn’t sure if he could handle any more major bombshells in such a short time period.
“I’ve already talked to Wyatt about this, but I want you all to know because you’re all family to me at this point.” Phantom looked stressed. Roman had no idea what could be coming that had him this anxious. Was he going to announce that he had to leave the Rainbow’s Seven? That would be a massive wrench thrown directly into the gears.
“And, well, I’m gay. There. I said it. Alright, I’m gay.”
There was a second of silence before Bang Bang gave a hoot and pulled Phantom in for a hug, triggering the rest of the group to pile on. Phantom said something underneath the mass of arms and love but went unheard, the group congratulating him for coming out. Even Tor got in on the celebration, joining the group hug and somehow managing to bury himself in so that he hugged Phantom directly.
When the celebratory mood simmered down, Phantom dug himself out of the circle and stood to the side, rubbing the silent tears that slipped from his eyes. Roman could immediately see a wave of relief crash down on Phantom, his smile wider than ever before, crinkling his teary eyes.
“Congratulations on joining the club,” Mimic said, a hand on his elbow.
“Do I get anything special?”
“Sí,” Bang Bang answered. “A rainbow pin, a call with Elton John, and a slap on the ass. After the kiss on the ass, of course.”
“Of course,” Roman said, laughing along with the rest of them.
“Hey, I never got any of that.” Wyatt crossed his arms, pouting his sexy lips. Roman bumped him with a shoulder and tossed him a wink.
“I think you got that kiss on the ass. And maybe a couple of slaps, too.”
Wyatt arched a brow before nodding, his cheeks taking on a rosy pink flush. “Okay, yup, maybe I did get a few of those things.”
Roman put an arm around Wyatt and kissed the top of his head before turning his focus back to Phantom, whose smile still took up half of his face. Mustang held a finger up before running back into the house.
“Thank you for telling us,” Roman said with a heavy dose of sincerity in his voice. “I think we all know how difficult it could be to just say those words out loud in an empty room, much less in front of people you love and trust. Ironically, those are the people that can sometimes inflict the most damage, so I know how scary it must have been.”
