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His candid response surprised me.
“What about a restraining order?” I asked Troy, hoping to give Mason a little respite.
My friend finished his martini and set it aside. “A 209A order requires a family or household member or serious dating relationship, of which three dates wouldn’t count. A harassment order, however, fits this circumstance.”
“What’s that?” I asked.
“A harassment order would require this person stay away from and have no contact with Mason for up to a year.”
“Is that our only option?” I questioned when Mason remained silent.
“Outside of pressing charges, yes,” Troy replied.
“It’s…much too complicated,” Mason murmured, giving Troy his full focus.
“Can I ask why?” he asked.
“Because of who he is?” It sounded as though Mason had more to say even atop that truth but wasn’t sure if he should.
Troy waited, one eyebrow raised with a look that probably made people on the witness stand blurt the truth.
Mason cleared his throat, shifting on the couch, but surprisingly held Troy’s gaze. “Joseph Delaney.”
Troy’s face didn’t twitch at the name. “I’m assuming you mean the third? Blond, innocent-looking boy who is also a spoiled-rotten punk?”
“You know him?”
Troy dipped his head. “Our office defended him a couple of years ago—drug possession. I told my boss Noah I would never take a case for a Delaney again.”
The front door unlocked before I could question why, and the three of us turned our heads. Silas strode in dressed in a full suit and tie—of the finest quality, like everything else in his condo. Whenever Silas entered a room, his presence commanded attention and rippled with a sense of power that would intimidate even the most stoic of men.
His focus landed on Troy first, the intense furrow between his eyes smoothing, hazel eyes going from dark and broody to light and carefree in an instant. I’d seen his expression morph countless times when laying his eyes on his partner.
Silas dropped his bag on the table and went straight to Troy, leaning down, hands on the chair’s arms. Pink flushed Troy’s cheeks as he peered up at his lover.
“How’s my elfin angel today?” Silas murmured before kissing Troy’s lips. They lingered briefly, just long enough that I grew antsy. It was sickening, really, how they couldn’t keep their hands off each other, but I was happy for my friend.
“I’m better now that you’re home,” Troy said, tugging on Silas’s tie to hold his face close. They shared another kiss, and Silas eventually stood, turning toward us.
“Jasper.” He rounded the coffee table and shook my hand, his grip powerful as always. “Good to see you again.”
“Silas,” I said, resting my palm on Mason’s thigh. “This is Mason.” I hadn’t been sure what label to give him since he was more than just my friend. Lover? My future?
I looked forward to the first and hoped for the second.
“Mason,” Silas greeted him, and they too shook, Mason’s cool, indifferent demeanor back in place. Being able to hold that with Silas? Mason was a damn rock star with nerves of steel when required. He definitely had another side to him I hadn’t yet met. But we had time. I had plans—to know the man inside and out. Especially his desires and dreams, so I could help make them come to fruition.
Silas stated he needed a drink and strode into the kitchen. “Need another one, boy?” he called out.
“Yes, please and thank you,” Troy told him. He glanced at our glasses we’d barely sipped from. “Would you like to stay for dinner? It’s my night to cook tonight, so I’m ordering Thai.”
Silas chuckled.
“What?” Troy asked, casting a glance at his partner in the kitchen. “I was in court all day and don’t have the energy to spend an hour slaving in the kitchen.”
Silas joined us once more and set his tumbler of clear liquor over ice and a second martini for Troy atop the end table. He tugged Troy off the chair, settled in the vacated seat, and pulled him down atop him.
A soft laugh escaped Troy as he sprawled sideways over Silas’s lap. “Much better.”
