Sleight of Hand by Charlie Cochet

Six

Dear God.

Gio couldn’t help his sharp intake of breath. His hand all but shook when he placed it on the top of Sacha’s hair. He’d been dreaming of this day since they’d met, and not once had he believed it would happen. Nothing in his life had prepared him for the sight of Sacha Wilder on his knees, for him.

“You’re going to be a very good boy for me, aren’t you?”

Sacha held his gaze, his pupils blown, leaving slivers of blue-gray at the edges. He looked uncertain, and Gio knew precisely why. He brushed a finger down Sacha’s cheek.

“In here, between the two of us, you do as I tell you. I’ll take care of you. Out there, you do as you please, same as you always have.”

Something inside Sacha seemed to click into place, and he let out a steady breath, his shoulders relaxing as if he’d been waiting to hear those words from Gio. Sacha yearned to give up control in the bedroom, but that’s where his submission ended, and Gio was more than okay with that.

“Do you want to suck me off?”

Sacha’s cheeks flushed the most beautiful shade of pink. He licked his lips and nodded. With a smile, Gio sat on the couch and nodded his approval. Sacha made quick work of unfastening Gio’s belt, unzipping him, and exposing his rock-hard cock. A little whimper escaped Sacha as he stroked his thumb over the tip, smearing the pearl of precome. Gio sucked in a breath, groaning at the wicked smile that spread across Sacha’s face as he slowly leaned in and swallowed Gio down to the root, his eyes never leaving Gio’s.

Gio threw his hands out to his sides, his fingers digging into the soft couch cushions. Jesus Christ! The ripple of pleasure that wracked his body was something out of his wildest imagination. Never had he felt the surge of raw desire making his body tremble. He moved one hand to Sacha’s hair, a smile tugging at his lips at the reminder that Sacha had gotten a haircut. Was it egotistical to believe Sacha’s new hair and clothes were for his benefit? He ran his fingers through the thick, soft strands, and Sacha’s eyes drifted closed, a throaty moan escaping him. The look of contentment on his face was one Gio hadn’t seen before, and his heart swelled, knowing he was the cause of it.

Sacha sucked, licked, and laved at Gio from root to tip. He alternated between slow and teasing and fast and sloppy. When his other hand disappeared down in front of him, Gio put a hand on Sacha’s shoulder to stop him.

“I’m afraid our first time isn’t going to last very long,” Gio informed him roughly. “Get up.”

Sacha popped off Gio and stood, his pants unzipped. He ran a tongue over his wet bottom lip, and Gio cupped the back of his neck. He pulled him in and kissed him breathless before forcing himself away.

“Drop your pants and get on your knees facing the back of the couch.”

Sacha scrambled to do as he was told. He shoved his pants and underwear down his thighs, and Gio moaned at the sight of his beautiful cock leaking precome. Everything about Sacha was breathtaking. He moved to one side so Sacha could climb onto the couch, his hands braced on the backrest and his knees spread as wide as his jeans permitted. After tearing the packet of lube Sacha had brought, Gio poured a generous amount onto his fingers and knelt on the floor between Sacha’s feet.

“You’re so damned beautiful,” Gio murmured, caressing Sacha’s left butt cheek. He had a perfect little ass, round and pert. He gave it a light smack, and Sacha jolted. Gio waited for his response, thrilled when a shiver quickly followed and Sacha arched his back with a low groan. His sweet Sacha. So responsive. Gio placed a lubed finger to Sacha’s hole as he slid a hand over Sacha’s ass up under his shirt to his toned back. He yearned to see Sacha’s naked body under him, wanted to run his tongue over every inch of him, caress the curve of every muscle.

Pushing his finger in resulted in Sacha letting out the most delicious noises. Slowly Sacha started moving, fucking himself on Gio’s finger as Gio stroked and caressed his body, purposefully ignoring his stiff erection.

When Gio added a third finger, Sacha looked about ready to shatter, his head thrown forward as he took his pleasures from Gio’s fingers. Unable to take any more, Gio removed his fingers, loving Sacha’s curses. He unrolled the condom onto his cock and knelt on the couch behind Sacha. Lined up with Sacha’s hole, he leaned forward as he very gingerly pushed in, his lips next to Sacha’s ear.

“I’ve dreamt of this moment for so long, of filling you, of making you come apart in my arms. Give me all of you, your fire, your passion, your strength. I want all of you, your pain, your scars, your anger.”

“Fuck.” Sacha thrust his ass back, impaling himself the rest of the way on Gio’s cock, forcing Gio to bury his shout in Sacha’s hair. He reached down to palm the steel rod that was Sacha’s erection as he started with small movements. Sacha groaned and let his head fall back against Gio’s shoulder. He slipped his fingers into Gio’s hair and grabbed a fistful of it. Gio snapped his hips, thrusting hard into Sacha over and over, their panting breaths, grunts, and groans filling the room as Gio claimed Sacha’s ass.

The sound of their bodies smacking together was wonderfully obscene, and Gio gritted his teeth to keep back the words that wanted to tumble out. He wanted to stake his claim, declare Sacha his and no one else’s. The more he thought of someone else with their dick inside him or his dick in them, their arms around him, their mouths on him, the harder he fucked Sacha. He lost his rhythm, his orgasm barreling through him.

“Come for me,” Gio demanded, and a heartbeat later, Sacha’s hoarse shout filled the room, sending Gio over the edge. He snapped his hips as he emptied himself in the condom and growled Sacha’s name. His movements slowed as the sensation became too great, and then he stopped as they caught their breaths, his chest pressed to Sacha’s back. Wrapping his arms around Sacha, he peppered soft kisses over Sacha’s hair, his cheek, his jawline, his heart all but ready to burst when Sacha leaned into the kisses, one arm coming to rest over Gio’s.

Gio wished this would last forever. Having Sacha pliant in his arms, soft and submissive, was a heady thing, and he warned himself not to get used to it or even hope it might happen again. Sacha allowed Gio to hold his weight, his fingers absently caressing Gio’s forearm. His eyes were closed, and his kiss-swollen lips were slightly parted, his expression one of pure sated bliss. But as Gio expected, the moment soon ended. Sacha dropped his arm away from Gio as Gio slipped out from inside him. He removed the condom and tossed it in the trash. With a kiss to Sacha’s temple, Gio climbed off the couch and fixed his clothes while Sacha did the same.

Things became awkward with Sacha standing there, his face flushed and with a slight frown as he gazed off to the side. Gio couldn’t have this. It had taken too long for Sacha to finally feel at ease around him for Gio to lose him now. He stepped in front of Sacha and slipped his arms around his waist. Sacha lifted his questioning blue-gray eyes to Gio’s.

“Come home with me?” Gio asked softly. He brushed his lips over Sacha’s.

Sacha shook his head and let out a shaky breath. “I can’t.”

Gio nodded his understanding and made to step back, but Sacha caught his arm, his brows drawn together.

“I can’t go because of Chip. I can’t leave him alone that long.”

The weight lifted off Gio’s chest, and he smiled. “Oh, of course. I understand.”

Sacha worried his bottom lip. “Maybe… maybe you can come home with me?”

Gio blinked at him.

“I mean, my apartment’s no mansion, but—”

Gio brought their lips together and kissed the beautiful man in his arms soundly. When he pulled back, Sacha looked dazed, making Gio chuckle. “As long as you and Chip are there, that’s all I need.”

Sacha’s smile lit up his face, and it struck Gio, the actual danger he was in. He didn’t just want Sacha, he was falling in love with him.

“You okay?” Sacha asked worriedly. “You don’t have to—”

“No,” Gio said quickly, his smile wide. “There’s nothing I want more. Shall we?”

Sacha nodded and opened the door, music blaring and cutting through the faint sounds of men getting up to all kinds of things. Gio followed Sacha out into the corridor, where Saint joined them, following silently.

“You drove here, right?” Sacha asked Saint, who nodded. “Great. We’re going to my apartment.” They headed out onto the club floor, past the bar. He removed his phone and quickly tapped away at the screen before returning it to his pocket.

“Heads-up, the guys are all going to know we left together. I always text Jack to let him know when I’m leaving.”

“Is that okay with you?” Gio asked. They both knew this was going to start a fire of gossip within their lovable crew of mischief-makers.

Sacha shrugged. “Ace is going to be a pain in the ass, but what else is new. It’s fine.”

They left the club and walked out into the parking lot behind the building, where Saint had parked the SUV. Excitement coursed through Gio. He had no idea what this night would hold, but just having Sacha invite him back to his place was more than he could have hoped for.

The hairs on the back of Gio’s neck stood on end when Sacha abruptly stopped walking, his hand going to Gio’s chest. Nothing looked out of the ordinary, but Gio knew better than to question Sacha’s instincts. Something was wrong.

The world seemed to move in slow motion despite everything happening so fast. Tires screeched, and a black van careened forward. The side doors slid open as Sacha shouted to Saint, who shoved Gio out of the way just as a man lunged for him. Sacha spun and brought his fist with him, punching the masked man across the face as Saint grabbed Gio and hauled him to his feet.

“Go back to the club,” Sacha snapped. Gio didn’t hesitate. He did precisely as Sacha told him and took off toward the club while Sacha ducked under a fist and came up with his palm, striking the man under his chin and sending him reeling back. A shot fired somewhere, and Gio skidded to a halt, whirling to see Sacha on the ground kicking the knee of one of the attackers.

“Sacha!”

“Saint, get him inside!”

“You have to help him,” Gio shouted at Saint, who hauled Gio toward the club.

“My job is to get you to safety. Joker will be fine.”

“They have guns!” Gio was shaking now. He turned and tried to run back, only to have Saint throw his arms around him and pick him up off his feet like he didn’t weigh a thing. “Goddamn it, Saint! He needs us. He needs me! He—”

“Needs you safe,” Saint growled, throwing Gio over his shoulder and hurrying inside. “He can take care of himself.”

But those men were armed! How could Saint leave his friend out there to fend for himself? Yes, Sacha had been a Green Beret, but he’d been outnumbered, facing who knew how many armed men. What if they shot him? What if Gio lost him…

Gio shook his head, shouting for Sacha, not caring about the commotion they were causing as Saint carried him through the packed club. Ace, Lucky, Mason, and Jack reached them just as Saint put Gio on his feet. Gio grabbed Ace.

“You have to help him!”

Jack stiffened. “Where’s Joker?”

“A van showed up in the parking lot, filled with armed assailants. He was fending them off while I got Gio to safety,” Saint said quickly. “Possible kidnappers.”

“Where’s Red?” Gio asked. If Sacha was hurt, they’d need Red there. At least that’s what he thought until he saw Jack’s stricken expression.

“He and Laz went home.”

Ace turned to his brothers-in-arms. “Let’s go. Saint, take Gio to our table. Stay with him and the others.” They took off, and Saint led Gio back to the tables where Fitz and Colton sat, looking worried. The moment they saw him, they jumped out of the booth and ran to him.

“Oh my God, Gio, are you okay? What’s going on?” Colton asked, putting an arm around Gio’s waist and helping him sit. “We heard the alarms.”

“Alarms?” Gio frowned as dizziness set in.

“Yeah,” Fitz replied softly. “The guys have these special alarms. If one of them is in trouble, they have this little button on their phones that sends a notice to whoever’s the closest. Since Ace, Lucky, and Jack were here, it went off.”

This couldn’t be happening. Not again. Gio’s whole body shook. Breathe. Remember to breathe.

“Gio,” Colton said, his hand on Gio’s cheek. “Gio, what’s wrong? Shit, Fitz, call 9-1-1.”

Gio breathed deep through his nose, held the breath for several seconds, then released it slowly through his mouth. He repeated the technique several times in the hopes of steadying his heart rate. Darkness encroached his vision, and he shook his head. No. Not until he knew Sacha was safe.

“Please,” Gio said to no one in particular. “Sacha.” It was the last word out of his mouth before the darkness swallowed him whole.

What was that beeping sound?

Gio stirred with a groan. Why was his head so fuzzy? He slowly opened his eyes, frowning at the dim lighting and white ceiling. Where was he?

“Hey.”

Gio turned his head, and everything came back to him. “Sacha,” he croaked and made to sit up, but Sacha jumped from the chair he’d been sitting in at Gio’s bedside and put a hand to Gio’s chest.

“Easy there, handsome. Slow your roll.”

“You’re okay?”

A bruise marred Sacha’s cheek, but otherwise he looked unharmed.

“Of course I am. Can’t say the same for the other guys.” He shrugged, his expression dark. “Their first mistake was to think they could put their hands on you. Their second was to put their hands on me.”

“I was so scared they’d hurt you,” Gio murmured, covering the hand Sacha still had on Gio’s chest with his own.

“Nah. I’ve faced worse.”

“Where’s Chip?”

Sacha blinked at him before letting out a soft laugh, tiny creases forming at the corners of his eyes. “This guy. He’s lying in a hospital bed, and he’s asking about my dog.” His expression softened. “He’s fine. He’s over at Jack’s with Fitz.”

“Good.”

“Jack has his team going through the club’s surveillance to see what they can find out about the men who tried to kidnap you. The van was stolen and had no plates, but King’s on it, so we should hopefully know something soon. Until then, did you know about this?”

No need for Sacha to specify what “this” meant. The idea of lying occurred to Gio for a split second, but he couldn’t bring himself to lie to Sacha, so he nodded instead.

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

“It’s not a big deal,” Gio muttered.

Sacha stared at him, stunned. His expression darkened, and Gio realized too late he’d answered wrong.

“Not a big deal?” Sacha pulled his hand out from under Gio’s, and Gio immediately missed his touch. “Jesus Christ, Gio! You’ve been diagnosed with a health condition that could be fatal! You’re supposed to be on medication, and instead, you’re walking around like nothing’s going on?”

Gio eyed him. “What exactly did the doctor tell you?”

The blush that came onto Sacha’s cheeks was incredibly endearing. He cleared his throat, his gaze moving to his hands, and he shrugged. “I might have told the doctor I was, uh, your boyfriend. Not that I am,” Sacha said quickly. “It was the only way they’d let me stay and tell me what the hell was going on.” He moved his gaze back to Gio, his expression a mixture of anger and what almost looked like heartache. “Autonomic neuropathy?”

“Mild autonomic neuropathy.”

Sacha was not impressed. “Right. Which includes fainting. Which stressful situations can trigger. For fuck’s sake, Gio. The doctor says you’re not supposed to be alone after a fainting event. You can’t drive, swim alone… You’re not even supposed to have a fucking bath or shower without someone being near or within earshot. Why aren’t you on medication? And why don’t you have a medical alert bracelet? How did this even happen?”

“I don’t need medication,” Gio grumbled. “I take care of myself.”

“Bullshit,” Sacha spat, startling Gio.

No one ever spoke to him the way Sacha did, nor did anyone call him out on anything. Not even his brother.

“Have you forgotten that I’ve been around for months since you got back? That I’ve been working around you for weeks? You take shit care of yourself. You’re supposed to be hydrating, keeping cool—in fucking Florida no less—being mindful of how quickly you get up, avoiding alcohol, eating regular meals—”

“Yes, I know,” Gio growled.

“Then why aren’t you fucking doing it?”

“Because I prefer to ignore it. I won’t let some condition dictate my life.”

Sacha cursed under his breath. He wiped a hand over his face and shook his head, then crossed his arms over his chest. “Giovanni. You are not a stupid man, despite what your last statement suggests. Explain yourself.”

Gio was going to say he didn’t have to explain himself to anyone, but Sacha narrowed his eyes, challenging him to try it. If there was anyone who wouldn’t let him get away with any bullshit, it was Sacha. Gio let out a heavy sigh.

“It was a viral infection. One that almost killed me. I was found by villagers in the middle of the jungle, hurt and dying. They took me to their village, where, by some miracle, a small group of volunteer doctors was working out of a tent they’d converted into a makeshift hospital. I was there for months. No one knew. They wouldn’t have been able to get to me anyway. Not where I was. In the end, those doctors saved my life.”

“How did you end up in the middle of a jungle?”

Gio swallowed hard. He met Sacha’s gaze. “I was kidnapped.”

“What?” Joker slowly sank into the chair. “How? Who?”

“I don’t know who. Not exactly. I was in a tiny village in Sri Lanka. Few people knew I was there. It was me, a translator, an assistant, and four bodyguards I’d hired through an agency. I always hired local security, and before then, I never thought twice about it. One night while I slept, I was grabbed. A black hood was thrown over my head, and I was bound and gagged. I tried to fight them and was knocked out.” Gio closed his eyes, but that only made the sickness swirling in his stomach feel worse. He opened his eyes and focused on Sacha, his sweet lips, beautiful face, and expressive eyes.

“When I woke up, I was tied to a chair. I could hear quiet talking and recognized the voice of one of the men. He’d been one of my bodyguards.”

“Jesus.” Sacha ran a hand through his hair; his lips pressed together in a thin line. “Go on.”

“I had no idea where I was or what they were going to do with me. I’d always been cautious when traveling, never fully disclosing who I was. The people I went to help would have never heard of me. I was careful. Anyway, there were always men in the room with me. I could hear them murmuring to each other. Whoever was holding me captive made sure I was given food and water, taken to relieve myself. One night I told them I had to go to the bathroom. It was the only time my hands were untied and the black hood was temporarily removed.

“While I was outside, I made my move. The guy turned away, and I barreled into him and slammed him into a tree. We struggled, and I used everything I had to win. If I didn’t, I was dead. I used his knife to cut myself loose and managed to escape, found myself completely lost in a jungle, nothing to aid me. Quite frankly, I’m surprised I lasted as long as I did.”

“I’m not. You’re stronger than you think, Gio.”

Hearing those words from Sacha meant more to Gio than Sacha could know.

“Did the authorities find the kidnappers?”

Gio shook his head. “They disappeared. I think we both know what the chances are of them being found.”

Sacha let out a heavy sigh. “Right.” He was quiet for a heartbeat. “Is that why you came back?”

“To be honest, I’d been thinking about it for a while. I’d been away for so long; I was missing so much of Laz’s life. My work used to be fulfilling, and it still is, but traveling as much as I had been, I realized how much I missed having a home, a family.” Not that he would tell Sacha, but Gio had spent many a night dreaming of him, wondering what it might be like to kiss him, hold him, make love to him, to wake up every morning with Sacha in his arms.

“I don’t suppose you’re talking to anyone about your PTSD?”

The question caught Gio off guard. “What? I don’t have PTSD.” He frowned at Sacha, whose expression turned gentle.

Sacha took hold of Gio’s hand and squeezed it, his words quiet. “Baby, you have PTSD.”

Tears pooled in Gio’s eyes, and he shook his head. “That’s not… No. I mean, everything turned out okay. Sure, it was incredibly stressful at the time—okay, terrifying, but it’s over. I survived. I’m fine.”

“Gio—”

“I’m fine,” Gio insisted.

“It’s nothing to be ashamed of. It doesn’t mean you’re weak.” Sacha took hold of Gio’s chin and turned his face so their eyes could meet. “It doesn’t mean you’re broken or less than. Let me help you.”

“I don’t…” Gio’s bottom lip trembled, and he shook his head as he did his best not to give in to his tears. He was just exhausted, that was all. Was it possible? Could he have been suffering from PTSD all this time and not have known? First his diagnosis, the knowledge he’d have to take medication, and now this? What the hell was happening to his life? Sacha stroked his hair, and for the first time since his father’s death, Gio couldn’t hold back his emotions, and he realized he didn’t want to. Not this time.

The dam broke and the tears came. Sacha didn’t hesitate. He wrapped his arms around Gio, pulling him close against him. Gio buried his face against Sacha’s chest and cried. He held on tight, allowing Sacha to see him as no one in his life had ever seen him, not even Laz.

After the kidnapping, when he’d mostly recovered, Gio hadn’t given in to his emotions then, determined to be strong and push through it. When he was back to full strength, he continued with his life as if nothing had happened. When the nightmares started, he brushed it off as a normal side effect of his stressful experience. He figured they’d go away in their own time.

“It’s going to be okay,” Sacha promised, kissing the top of Gio’s head. “We’re going to get you through this. I swear.”

Gio nodded as he clung to Sacha. He’d never felt as vulnerable as he did at that moment, but for the first time, he didn’t feel as if he had to be the strongest person in the room, because he wasn’t, and that was okay. Sacha was strong enough for both of them. As if sensing his thoughts, Sacha spoke up.

“Listen, I know you’re used to being the tough guy, but there can only be one tough guy in this relationship, and you’re looking at him.”

Gio surprised himself by laughing. “Is that so?” He pulled back, smiling as Sacha wiped Gio’s cheeks with the blanket.

“Yep. One of us has to be the embarrassing guy with the grandpa moves and dad jokes, and I think we both know who that is.” Sacha whistled nonchalantly and wiggled a finger at Gio, making him laugh again.

No one had ever made him laugh or feel as lighthearted as the incredible man beside him. A thought struck Gio. “When you said ‘in this relationship,’ you mean…?”

Sacha’s cheeks went pink, and he shrugged. “I’m not putting a label on it, but if you wanted to hang out and, uh, do stuff together, I wouldn’t be opposed.”

“By stuff, does that include sex?”

“Definitely wouldn’t be opposed.”

Gio laughed softly, then quickly sobered. “I don’t share, Sacha. I especially won’t share you.”

“Then, um, we won’t share. But if it doesn’t work, we’re cool, yeah? I’m not starting anything if it means fucking up my family.”

“I agree,” Gio replied. “If it doesn’t work, we’re cool.” He laced his fingers with Sacha’s. “One day at a time, yes?”

Sacha nodded. “I’d like that. Now, how about you get some rest.”

“Can I have a kiss first?”

“I don’t know.” Sacha arched an eyebrow at him. “You going to do what the doctor tells you?”

Gio gaped at him. “Are you blackmailing me?”

“You bet your ass. Do we have a deal?”

“Deal,” Gio said, his smile wide as Sacha leaned in and kissed him ever so gently, his soft lips parting for Gio. They kissed sweetly for what seemed like an eternity, and as far as Gio was concerned, he could have remained that way for the rest of his life quite happily. Sacha pulled away, and Gio groaned his protest, making Sacha chuckle.

“I need to make a phone call.” Sacha removed his phone from his pocket and tapped away at his screen as he walked toward the end of the bed. “Hey, King. He’s awake. No. We’re good. Thanks. Can you do me a favor? Can you keep the guys away, except for Laz? Gio has some stuff he needs to discuss with his brother in private.”

Gio cursed under his breath. This was not what he needed right now, but judging by the pointed look Sacha aimed his way, he wasn’t being given a choice. Now was as good a time as any, he supposed. It was probably for the best. Talking to his brother would take his mind off the hot mess that was his life right now. He was certainly too exhausted to attempt wrapping his brain around a possible PTSD diagnosis.

“I will. Thanks, man.” Sacha hung up and returned to Gio’s side. “You’ve put it off long enough. Your brother deserves better.”

“You’re right,” Gio said through a sigh.

A text came through, and Sacha winced. “Laz is on his way. I think the fact that Red felt the need to let me know says your brother is losing his shit. Do you want me to stay here with you?”

Knowing Sacha would face Laz’s wrath for him made his heart skip a beat.

“Thank you, but I’ll be okay. This conversation is long overdue. I deserve whatever he throws at me.”

Sacha nodded and headed for the door. “I’ll be outside with Saint.” He opened the door, and Laz rushed through. He skidded to a halt, turned, and threw his arms around Sacha. Gio held back a laugh at Sacha’s startled expression. He didn’t quite know what to do with Laz’s display of affection. Seeming to snap himself out of it, he awkwardly patted Laz’s back.

“Thank you,” Laz said, squeezing him before releasing him and stepping away.

“Sure. I’ll leave you to it. Let me know if you need anything.” With one last glance at Gio, he left the room and closed the door behind him.

Laz hurried over to Gio’s bedside. “What happened? What’s going on?”

“First, I’d like to apologize for not talking to you sooner. You know how much I hate worrying you.”

“How am I not going to worry about you? You’re my big brother. I hate that you’ve been keeping things from me.” His eyes filled with a mixture of concern and hurt. “What’s going on, Gio?”

The time had come. Gio told Laz everything, just as he’d told Sacha, about what happened in Sri Lanka, about the kidnapping, his almost dying, his health condition, including his refusing medication and possibly having PTSD. The silence that filled the room was almost overwhelming, but Gio waited patiently, nonetheless.

Laz dropped down onto the chair Sacha had vacated earlier. He shook his head and moved a trembling hand to his mouth. “You almost died?” His words were barely a whisper. “I wouldn’t have known until God knows when.”

“I’m sorry,” Gio replied quietly. “I’m so sorry.”

Seeing the hurt and disappointment in his brother’s big blue eyes was more painful than anything he’d experienced in his life. He’d spent so long looking after his little brother, doing everything he could to make sure Laz never wanted for anything, he never realized how much he hadn’t been giving his brother.

“How… how could you keep all this from me?”

“It’s my job to protect you.” Suddenly his reasoning sounded weak. Was he protecting Laz or himself?

Anger flashed through his brother’s eyes. “I’m not a child, Giovanni. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me, you know I do, but you need to stop treating me like that same little boy you had to raise after Dad died.”

“I know.”

“Jesus.” Laz jumped to his feet and paced, his hands in his hair. He spun to glare at Gio. “You almost died!”

Gio remained silent. His brother had every reason to be livid. Would Gio have reacted all that differently had the roles been reversed?

“You almost died in some jungle in the middle of fucking nowhere!” Laz continued to pace, grumbling to himself. He shook his head, his jaw clenched tight. Turning, he opened his mouth to say something, then shut it, his jaw muscles working and eyes ablaze. “I could strangle you!”

Gio had never seen his little brother so angry, and it made him smile. Clearly, that wasn’t the reaction Laz expected, and he stared incredulously at Gio.

“What on earth could you possibly be smiling about right now?”

“You. I remember a time when you would have quietly accepted whatever I said and not argued back.”

Laz snorted and crossed his arms over his chest. “Yeah, well, those days are long gone.”

“I know, and I’m glad.” His brother had come such a long way. “You’re stronger than I gave you credit for. I’m sorry. I know you don’t need me to look after you anymore.”

Laz’s expression softened, and he placed a hand on Gio’s arm. “I’ll always need my big brother, but I also need you to understand that I can take care of myself. I also have a small army of former Green Berets looking out for me.”

Gio laughed softly. “I see that now.”

“And so do you. Maybe it’s time you let someone take care of you, huh?”

Gio smiled through the wetness in his eyes and nodded. When had his little brother gotten so strong? It was going to be tough. He’d been taking care of Laz for so long. Even when he’d been abroad, he’d made sure Laz was taken care of, made sure to check in with him, to send him anything he needed. It hadn’t occurred to him that his little brother was all grown up and could take care of himself. And as of a couple of years ago, he had a big strong former Green Beret to protect him as well.

“I promise I’ll do better at talking to you,” Gio said.

“Good.” A mischievous smile came onto Laz’s face as he took a seat. “You can start with telling me how things are going with Joker.”

“Oh, we’re, um, dating. Sort of.”

Laz eyed him. “Sort of dating?”

“It’s new. Like, ‘five minutes before you showed up’ new. We’re taking it one day at a time.”

“Right.” Laz nodded slowly. A smile spread across his face. “Okay. If you’re happy—are you happy?”

Gio’s heart swelled at the thought of Sacha.

“I guess that answers that,” Laz said with a laugh, and Gio realized he was smiling like a dope. “I’m happy for you.”

A knock on the door stopped Gio’s response, and they replied to the doctor’s greeting as he stepped into the room. After reading the chart in his hand, the older man arched a disapproving eyebrow, and Gio groaned.

“Well, at least you know what you did,” the doctor said with a warm smile. “Now, here’s how we’re going to fix it.”

Gio and Laz listened intently as the doctor went over Gio’s condition and the medication he’d be starting to help stabilize his heart and blood pressure, which would help with the fainting.

“Don’t worry, Doctor. He’s going to be following your instructions to the letter.”

Gio peered at his brother.

“Because I’ll be giving a copy of this,” Laz said, holding up all the paperwork the doctor had given him, “to my boyfriend, who happens to be a former Green Beret and medic, and another copy to his boyfriend, also a former Green Beret.”

The doctor blinked at Laz before letting out a hearty laugh. He turned to Gio with a smile. “Well then, Mr. Galanos, I expect your doctor is going to see a good deal of improvement on your follow-up visit.” They exchanged a few more pleasantries before the doctor left to arrange Gio’s discharge.

“Do you want me to call in Colton? Who are you going home with tonight?”

Gio cleared his throat. “I was thinking of actually sleeping in my bed tonight.” Reading between the lines, Laz nodded.

“You think he’ll agree?”

“I think so. If not, I promise I’ll call Colton.”

“Okay.” Laz hugged him. “If you need anything at all, you call me.”

“Absolutely.”

With one more hug, Laz left the room, and a heartbeat later, Sacha stepped inside. “How did it go?”

“He was disappointed in me, naturally, but we talked it through. I should have confided in him long ago, but I was still seeing him as that scared little boy he’d once been.”

“Yeah, he’s less scared and a little more scary these days,” Sacha said with a smile as he took a seat next to Gio’s bedside. “He somewhat forcefully informed me I’d be getting a copy of your paperwork.”

Gio laughed at that. “He’s rather commanding, isn’t he?”

“It’s always the quiet ones,” Sacha teased. “So, what’s the plan? We won’t be able to pick up your new medication tonight, but I can pick it up for you in the morning.”

“Thank you.” Gio met Sacha’s gaze. “Would you… come home with me tonight?”

Sacha didn’t hesitate. “Sure. I need to call Jack. Just to let him know, since he’s got Chip.”

“Do you think he’d mind dropping Chip off at mine?”

Sacha smiled warmly. “He’ll be fine with it.”

Not long after Gio was discharged, they stepped out into the waiting room, and Gio let out a shaky breath at the sight of all the Kings and their partners. They were all here… for him. Colton hurried over and brought Gio into a gentle hug.

“I’m so glad you’re okay.” He pulled back and narrowed his eyes. “The only reason I’m not knocking some sense into you is that you just got discharged from the hospital. If you ever do anything like this again, Giovanni, I’m going to be very upset with you.”

Judging by the pointed look Colton gave him, Laz had brought Colton up to speed, and that was okay. If Laz hadn’t, Gio would have. As calm and collected as Colton appeared—not one fair hair out of place or one wrinkle in his navy Armani suit—Gio knew the truth. He’d scared Colton.

“I’m sorry I worried you,” Gio said.

Colton grumbled something unintelligible under his breath that made Gio chuckle. He smiled at Ace, who stepped forward.

“None of this suffer-in-silence lone-wolf bullshit anymore, got it? You’re family, and family looks after one another.”

The back of Gio’s eyes stung, and he blinked back the wetness, nodding his understanding.

“All right, let’s all go home,” King said, patting Gio’s shoulder as if to confirm Ace’s words.

Colton turned to Gio. “You coming with us?”

“No, um, I’m going home.”

Colton’s brows drew together until Gio motioned to Sacha, who was talking to Jack. Realization dawned, and Colton smiled knowingly. “Call if you need anything.”

“Will do. Thank you.” While Colton headed off, Gio searched the waiting area and found Saint standing serenely to one side. Even in the hospital waiting room, he was on the job, vigilant as he assessed everyone in the place. Gio headed over.

“Thank you for everything, Saint. I’m sorry for giving you a hard time earlier tonight. I know you were just doing your job.”

“Don’t worry about it. You were scared for him. I understand that, believe me. It wasn’t easy to do, but you’re my priority, and he understands that. Pretty sure he would kick my ass if I let anything happen to you.” Saint’s eyes widened. “He’s kinda scary for a little guy.”

“Don’t worry.” Gio patted Saint’s bicep. “I’ll protect you.”

Saint snorted and resumed his seat to wait for them. It couldn’t have been easy for him to walk away from Sacha, from that situation. It was a testament to Saint’s professionalism that he’d done what he had to, despite the dangers they faced.

Sacha stepped up to Gio, hands in his pockets, and his lips quirked in a little smile. “Jack’s gonna pick up Chip and drop him off. Ready?”

With Sacha at his side, Gio was pretty confident he was ready for anything.