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“Thank you so much for sitting down with me today.” She turned toward the camera. “Jack Dane, ladies and gentlemen. A legend, an artist, and America’s heartthrob.”
“We’re clear,” someone said.
Melissa got up and stepped toward him, regret in her eyes. “I’m so sorry. I wasn’t…I had no idea…” The next thing Jack knew, she hugged him and whispered, “So damn proud of you.”
Mendez came forward, his scowl in place as he stepped next to Jack. Huck came over, and for the first time, the guy was silent. He looked Jack up and down then grinned. “Why didn’t you tell me? Fuck, that was a missed opportunity to spin this.”
Jack rolled his eyes. “Always looking out for me.”
Huck clapped him on his back. “You know me, always looking for a way to keep you in the spotlight.” His smile grew soft. “That was one hell of a step you took. I know you don’t give a shit what I think, but I’m proud of you, boy.”
Huck turned and walked over to Jack’s publicist, probably trying to find a way to turn this into gold.
“You okay?” Mendez said in a voice so low that no one could have heard him. “You know you didn’t have to do that.”
“Yeah, I did, now get me the hell out of here.” Jack headed straight for the door, panic setting in. He just might have committed career suicide, and he needed a damn drink. Maybe an entire fifth.
“Breathe, Jack,” Mendez said from beside him as they walked to the elevator. “Just keep it together until we get back to our room.”
That was easier said than done. He knew his mother wouldn’t care. She was just going to be pissed that Jack hadn’t told her before he’d announced it in front of a camera.
There was no taking back what he’d said. It was out there for the entire world now. Jack took in a deep breath and blew it out slowly as they entered the elevator. Too bad other people were in the car with them. All he wanted to do was fall into his mate’s arms and have Mendez reassure him that he hadn’t just shot himself in the foot.
Or in the head.
When they reached their floor, Mendez stepped off first. Jack followed in a daze. Had he really just announced to the entire world that he was gay?
Mendez used his keycard, and they walked in. His mate did a quick sweep of their suite before coming back to Jack, who stood by the door still in a daze.
He was so out of it that he jumped when a knock sounded on the door.
“Go have a seat.” Mendez slipped his arms around Jack and gave him a soft kiss. “We’ll figure this out later.”
Jack nodded and headed for the couch as Mendez answered the door. He heard a thump behind him. Jack swung around and saw James standing there, Mendez on the floor.
“What the hell?” It didn’t register what was going on. Not right away. Had Mendez passed out for some reason?
James closed the door. “You shouldn’t have ignored my letters, Jack.”
Holy fuck! Jack stumbled back, reaching for the back of the couch to steady himself. “James? You?”
James stepped over Mendez’s prone body. “Imagine my shock when you came out to the world. I knew we were perfect for each other. I tried to get the position of being your personal protection detail when Cal left to get married, but I was passed over for Mendez Grant because Huck trusted Driscoll Security more than my firm. We’re just extras when he needs added security.”
There was pure hatred in the man’s eyes. Jack could hold his own, but James was a big fucking guy. He was around six-four, with the body of linebacker.
“You ran away from me, Jack.” James drew closer. “Up and left me in Las Vegas.”
Jack moved along the couch, looking around for anything he could use as a weapon. How in the fuck had no one seen James’s instability?
Because he seemed normal until now.
“Don’t run.” James’s eyes softened, but they still looked wild and fucking crazy. “We were meant to be together.” His gaze hardened. “Not you and Mendez. I see the way you two look at each other. He’s not right for you, Jack.”
There had to be a way to defuse this situation, stop it from escalating any further. “What look? He’s just my bodyguard.”
“Liar!” James’s features twisted into rage. “You’re letting him fuck you. Admit it!”
Come on, Mendez. Please wake up. “No, I’m telling the truth. We’ve become friends, and maybe that’s the look you’re talking about.”
