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LOGAN
The whole drive to Luke Simmons’s house, my mind had been racing with different scenarios. I had no idea how Lake was going to take this news. I know deep within my soul he’s not some black hat hacker selling secrets to the highest bidder. While I’m sure he does some things that don’t exactly follow the letter of the law, I know Lake isn’t a traitor. But I still wasn’t sure how he’d take being accused of being one.
And then there was the whole thing with Seth getting arrested and once again trying to throw his kids under the bus to save his own ass. I knew I’d probably lose it if my dad were alive and suddenly started to throw my name around, trying to get out of trouble.
Of course, my lieutenant was pissing me off more than anything else. He’s one of those extremists who’s convinced that the Omega gene coming back is the sign of the Apocalypse or some shit, so he jumped on the chance of shining one of them under a bad light. I got extremely lucky that one of my buddies happened to be the one who collared Seth and heard enough of what was going on and came to me. Very few people in my precinct know about Ev and Lake yet, but he’s one of the few. And thank gods for that. Otherwise, we may have been totally fucking blindsided by this insanity.
Anyway, of all the possible reactions, Lake straight up laughing wasn’t on my radar. I can’t even think about that, though, because my brain is focused on the second half of that sentence. He really thought I’d break up with him and then make Ev fucking choose? What did I ever do to make him think that? One look at Ev confirms he didn’t have the same fears, so that’s something at least.
Lake goes to open his mouth, probably to tell me the truth, but I stop him with a finger on his lips. “Hold up a second. Did you really think I was gonna break up with you?Andmake Ev choose between us? You need to know that thought never fucking crossed my mind, not once. I can’t think of one thing on this fucking earth that would make me give the two of you up. And if I did, I’d never ever force either of you to choose. Honestly, it kind of hurts that you thought that. I get we haven’t known each other for that long, but fuck, Lake, I love you. I love both of you,” I say, looking at Ev. “I’m more likely to burn the fucking world down for you than leave you. That’s how fucking strongly I feel. Fuck, forget hurt, I’m actually kind of pissed.”
Lake blinks, and I know he’s trying to process everything I just said. “I’m sorry. I didn’t want to make you feel like this. It’s just—all of this is new to me, and it’s hard to believe I actually can have this with you two. That I even want it. It’s easier for me to believe you’ll get tired of me and want to leave than anything else. I know I’m not the easiest person to be around.”
Fuck, all the anger melts out of me as I squeeze Lake close. “I’ll never get tired of you, that I swear to you, Little Bird. And honestly, I think you’re better in social situations than you think. You’re just so fucking smart the rest of us need a minute to catch up.”
Lake laughs, his eyes a little wet. He reaches out for Ev’s hand, who automatically gives it to him. “I-I love you two also,” Lake says quietly.
“Me too,” Ev adds. “I love you both so much.”
For a moment, I forget everything else and just hold my men. Ev is the first one to break the hold. “I hate to break up this tender moment, but it’s fucking freezing, and I’d love for my boyfriend to not get arrested as a traitor and terrorist, so what’s going on?”
“Oh, right. Yeah, no worries there. I’ll handle it now.” Lake looks up at me. “I’m going to tell you everything, but I have to call my boss first. He’s going to want to get a handle on this before Seth actually manages to ruin the operation. I’m way too valuable to get rid of, so whenever he causes problems, it’s always a scramble.
I nod, still unsure about what’s going on. Lake pulls out a cell phone, but it’s not his normal one. Since when has he had two phones? He immediately pulls up a number. The voice on the other end is loud enough I can hear everything he’s saying.
“Specialist Simmons, you realize it’s Thanksgiving, right? You better have a fucking good reason for calling me.”
“Yes, sir, I’m well aware of that fact. Trust me when I say you want to take this call.”
There’s a heavy sigh on the line. “What the fuck did you do now, Simmons?” I’m ready to take the phone out of Lake’s hand and let this asshole have it for talking to Lake like this. I realize he’s probably some high-ranking government official or something like that, but no one talks to my man like that. Lake, however, doesn’t even blink.
“It’s my biological father, Seth McIntyre.”
Another heavy sigh. “What’s the issue now?”
“He apparently got arrested and is being held at the 31st precinct. The charges are serious so he’s trying to gain leverage by working a deal. He’s claiming I’m a spy selling secrets of national security to the highest bidder.”
The man on the other line laughs. “No one is going to believe that shit.”
“Actually, sir, someone is.” Lake looks at me, his hand covering the phone. “What’s your lieutenant's name?” he whispers.
“Gary Jirabaldi.”
“Lieutenant Gary Jirabaldi does believe him, at least enough that he’s mobilizing a SWAT unit to hit my father’s property, where I currently am for the holiday dinner.”
“What a fucking idiot. Ok, I’ll handle it. You’re so lucky that the director loves you, Simmons. I’d have you out on your ass by now.”
“You say that, sir, but the entire department would fall apart without me, and you know that. By the way, I’m about to tell my boyfriends the truth. One is a detective with the 31st, which is how we found out. I won’t say anything sensitive until they go through the vetting process.”
Ev and I stare at each other, dumbfounded. I still have no idea what’s happening, but I didn’t expect that.
“You’re a pain in my ass, Simmons.”
“I know, sir.” Again, Lake isn’t at all phased by the way his superior is talking to him. Don’t get me wrong, my superiors can be harsh and also brash, but I feel like this man is taking it to the extreme. Maybe I’m just overprotective.
“Fine. I’ll handle this incident with the police. I expect the paperwork to begin the process for your boyfriends on my desk first thing Monday.”
“Yes, sir, thank you.”
