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“Probably?” Carter asks, arching a disbelieving brow. “Why do I get a feeling that’s being incredibly generous? Just enough to keep it from a lie, but nowhere near the truth. Should we ask him what he thinks? Because a lot of things have been clicking for me now that I know the truth, a lot of overheard conversations or pointed looks or whatever, and I’m pretty damn sure Benny thinks you're too soft with me. I'm also pretty sure you not sharing me would fall under that."
“I’m not sharing you,” Nathan practically growls. “End of discussion.”
Carter’s eyes flash. “End of discussion? It’smybody!”
“Carter.” Nathan closes his eyes, trying to breathe. Trying to gather himself. Trying to figure out the right words. When he feels a little steadier, he looks at Carter again. "You can't be blindfolded. I can't share you. Okay?"
Carter’s expression softens. Warms. “I didn’t know you felt so strongly about it.”
“Well, now you do.”
A soft knock on the door startles them both, but they relax when Benny calls through the door, announcing that it's just him. Nathan calls that he can let himself in. Carter awkwardly pulls the blankets up a little to hide his naked body as the man enters. Benny eyes them both, clearly trying to gauge the mood.
“Everything good?” he asks as he locks the door behind himself.
“Yup,” Carter says at the same time Nathan says, “Of course.”
Benny’s gaze lingers for another second before he nods. “Alright. Well, I have news.”
Carter’s stomach drops to his toes. He tries to decipher Benny’s tone and expression, but the man is just as hard to read as always.
“Well?” Nathan asks, sounding as impatient as Carter feels, though with much less anxiety.
“Good news and bad news." Benny very pointedly doesn't look at Carter. Carter's eyes begin to burn, his throat going tight. He looks down at his hands. "The bad news is that Casey is in fairly rough shape. DuGray's men have been…punishinghim since the party. He's taken a turn for the worse. DuGray isn't sure he'll be able to recover on his own." Carter squeezes his eyes shut and presses a hand to his mouth, not sure if he's holding back a sob or vomit. "The good news is that the punishment has stopped and DuGray agreed to allow me to pay for a private doctor to see to Casey until I can be there. I already paid half for him in advance, as well as paid the doctor's fees. He's now up in a guest room of DuGray's getting IV antibiotics and fluids. His fever hasn't broken yet, but the doctor is hopeful. I'm taking the jet in about an hour to go get him.”
“And if he’s not safe to travel?” Nathan asks.
“I’ll bring him anyway.”
Carter’s eyes snap up to him. “You willnot.”
“Benny can’t stay at DuGray’s,” Nathan explains. “It’s not safe for him there. He’ll only be traveling with two men as backup. Staying at DuGray's would require a team of at least 5."
“Then send him with 5.”
“DuGray wanted me to come with no backup, and I convinced him to allow 2." Benny shakes his head. "No way in hell he'll agree to 5. It's the man's private home. He doesn't live in a compound like this."
“But-”
“Carter,” Nathan says softly. He gives Carter a look he knows too well. “You have to work with us here. We’re getting Casey. That has to be enough.”
Carter hates it. He hates it with every fiber of his being. But he sees where they’re coming from, so he deflates back on the bed and nods. “Okay…”
