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Sam: They still love me.
Carson snorted. Of course Sam’s friends still loved him. Just in the little amount of time that Carson had known the young man, Sam had proved to be very loveable. The moment Carson had laid eyes on the younger man, it was almost as if he’d been electrocuted. Carson’s breath had left him, and he’d made his way directly to Sam’s side. Carson hadn’t known who he was at the time, but it hadn’t mattered. Not when Carson’s instincts had been screaming MINE.
The entire time the EMTs had been working on Sam, he’d been more worried about his friends and especially Caden Robb. Carson had seen photos of Caden during his investigation and knew he was dating Carson’s detective, so his attention had been on Sam.
Having Sam crawl into his lap and sleep against his chest had brought back so many memories and feelings that Carson had thought maybe he’d been torn open by a knife right in his heart. From that moment forward, Sam owned a little piece of him. Carson was keeping his distance. He hadn’t laid eyes on the boy in weeks, but he couldn’t stop himself from checking in. He sent a text to Sam every morning, heart in his throat until the boy responded. He sent a police cruiser to the area of the coffee shop and Sam’s apartment even though he knew the immediate danger was over.
The danger wasn’t completely gone though. Carson doubted that the Munoz cartel wouldn’t be back. They’d return to Rocky Lake for revenge and Carson would be ready for them.
Years of experience would be utilized in order to keep the residents of Rocky Lake safe. Carson would ensure the safety of Sam Stewart and his friends above all else.
Be safe driving home.
Carson sent his message and smiled as three dots appeared.
Sam: Having a slumber party. Caden is feeling a little needy and to be honest so am I.
Good, Carson trusted that Lincoln would keep all the boys safe. He had been working with Lincoln and the other detectives for a brief time, but Lincoln was a smart and diligent detective that was totally in love with his boy.
Sleep well.
Carson sent the last message. He closed the curtains blocking his view of the lake. He needed to get ready for bed himself. Sam was safe and inside for the night under Lincoln’s watchful eye.
It was beyond weird that Carson had tried to leave his past behind only to find himself surrounded by men with the same desires and needs that Carson had wanted to forget he had. Being a Daddy had been a huge part of his life for so long that Carson hadn’t even tried to hide it in Vegas. Billy was known all around the city as his boy, which had made the last year of their relationship beyond difficult.
Seeing Lincoln and Caden together made the ache inside him and the regrets flare to life, but Carson was too damn old to kid himself. Something was happening between himself and Sam, and Carson wouldn’t be able to fight it much longer.
Carson turned to leave the room as the phone in his hand began to ring. He answered quickly when he saw one of his old detectives’ names flash across the screen.
“What’s up, Remy?” Carson barked out. He was keeping in contact with his old detectives as they all worked on cases connected with the Munoz cartel.
“Saul Perez was found dead in Mexico this morning,” Remy answered without preamble. Neither one of them liked to beat around the bush and both worked on being direct and efficient.
“Fuck!” Carson ran a hand roughly down his face. Saul had been Victor Munoz’s favorite nephew and the only good part of Munoz’s life. “Do they know who did it?”
“No, but word on the street is that Munoz is going after any enemy that he’s ever had. He’s out for blood and doesn’t care who gets hurt if they get in his way.”
Munoz was a vicious bastard and wouldn’t care about casualties. “It’s going to be a bloodbath.” It really would.
“We don’t think he has any reason to target your town but you…that’s a different story,” Remy said.
“Yeah.” Carson sank down into the soft overstuffed chair.
“I hate bringing this up but after what happened with Billy.” Remy cleared his throat. “Very few people managed to hurt Victor Munoz like you did.”
He tried not to let his mind slip back to the horrible night. He could still smell the scent of sweat and vomit, feel the burn from the smoke, and see the dead eyes that stared up at him.
“Carson.” Remy said his name quietly.
“I’m here.” It was all he could do to hold the phone. His fingers shook and he wanted to throw away the stupid phone that was connecting him to his past.
“Let us come out,” Remy requested. “We’ll have your back.”
“No,” Carson replied quickly. “You need to protect yourselves as well. You were with me that night.” They hadn’t stopped Carson. When Carson had gone after the cartel leader his team had his back and even though Carson had crossed a line they’d never judged him.
“Boss.”
Carson laughed. He wasn’t Remy or the other detectives’ boss any longer, but they still called him that. They hadn’t quite forgiven him from running away and Carson could admit that he did run. He couldn’t face the same streets that had broken him. Every reminder had been another stab in the chest.
