Royce
He’s in his robe and watching TV in his office. Should I leave him alone?
Audrey Weatherly
I thought he looked really tired. He’ll probably be fine in the morning. I don’t get worried until he starts ordering food and forgetting to bathe.
Royce’s brows jumped and he looked toward Grant’s office. He didn’t want to be responsible for that.
Audrey Weatherly
For the record: that’s only happened once. He fell apart for about a week on what should have been my other dad’s 40th birthday.
Royce thought that sounded reasonable and nodded. His cheeks puffed out as he felt another stab of pain. He didn’t know Chris but there were times when Royce missed him too, as if Grant, Audrey and Marcy’s memories and grief were contagious. As an outsider, Royce was aware of Chris’ absence but he also viewed Grant, Audrey and Hopkins Creek as the life Chris was forced to vacate. He saw the family and the perfect home and life and he saw how much Chris lost, the sacred treasure that was stolen from him, and Royce felt like a jackass. He recalled how fierce Grant became when Royce tried to use Audrey as a bargaining chip. Royce suddenly understood why Grant didn’t think twice about putting his daughter and family before his duty to his country and government. Grant was the sole caretaker of something precious.
Royce
Don’t worry. I’ll keep an eye on him and make him take a bath if he starts to attract flies.
Audrey Weatherly
I knew I could trust you.
“Oh.” Royce stared at his phone and his hand pressed against his chest as it became warm. He replied with a thumbs up emoji and dropped his phone on the bed next to him. There wasn’t an emoji that said “I am humbled and touched by your trust in me and I’ll do my best not to let you down.” Nobody trusted Royce. At least, not anyone who mattered. Waites didn’t really trust him, if Royce was being honest. He knew Royce would never betray his country or do anything out of greed but Waites repeated his usual disclaimer during their last meeting. “Have fun fucking your flavor of the month but don’t make too much of a mess. I’m running out of leverage and I’ve used up most of my favors.” Waites was just giving him a hard time because he wouldn’t have sent Royce, if a delicate touch was needed. It wasn’t written in his dossier but sex and chaos was Royce’s forte and Waites had quieter gay agents. Royce’s other forte was killing and Waites was a master at strategy and maneuvering. He didn’t trust Royce to behave but Waites thought he was worth the mess. For some reason, Audrey trusted Royce to do the right thing and help Grant and it meant more to him than Waites’ strategy or national security. He didn’t admire or really like a lot of people but Audrey was brilliant and brave, like her father, and Royce couldn’t stomach the idea of letting her down. He narrowed his eyes at the ceiling then shook his head. He wasn’t going to make a mess this time. That would stress Grant out.
Chapter 20
“Good morning, you three!” Vanessa said cheerfully and smiled at Grant and Royce as Edgar padded over to the Davises. “I’ll have your coffees right up!” She promised then bent to get the milk.
“Thanks,” Grant said. He elbowed Royce when he went for his wallet. “Let me get it this time,” he muttered under his breath and Royce held up his hands before he crossed his arms over his chest.
“You two are so cute! I love how you’re so serious and grumbly and then you’re so sweet and fun,” Vanessa said as she pointed her chin at Grant and then at Royce.
“I love when he’s grumbly,” Royce sighed and grinned at Grant.
“And you’re coordinating today. Did you plan that?” Vanessa asked. Royce and Grant both gasped in horror as they looked down at themselves and then at each other. Grant was wearing an ivory colored, lightweight cashmere sweater and jeans and Royce was wearing an ivory shirt and a sleek navy suit.
“I adore Grant but I’d never do something that obnoxious,” Royce protested. Grant nodded in agreement.
“He got dressed while I was in the shower,” he said then froze when Vanessa giggled. Royce raised his brow and his lips tilted into a smirk. “I… Well…” Grant scratched the back of his neck as he struggled to remember why he’d opened his wallet and where he was. “We didn’t do anything before and…” he babbled as he thumbed through business cards.
“This should work,” Royce whispered as he pulled a $20 from Grant’s wallet and handed it to Vanessa. His eyes twinkled and it was hard for Grant to keep his lips straight.
“You both need to stop,” he said then gestured for her to keep the change. Grant turned and his eyes caught on the man jogging in place by the entrance to the trail, across the parking lot. Grant wasn’t 100% sure but he looked like a man he noticed staring at them in the grocery store in Bethesda, the day before. He was middle-aged and Chinese but his running shoes kept drawing Grant’s eye. They were Nikes and very expensive. They were brand new and bright and not something Grant would imagine a conservative middle-aged man would wear, especially while jogging on a trail.
“Here you go!” Vanessa sang as she pushed their cups at them.
“Thank you, madam,” Royce drawled as he took his then went to add sugar. Grant thanked her and went after Royce. He looked at the trail and the park but the runner from the grocery store was gone.
“Is something wrong?” Royce asked. Grant shook his head and smiled as he poured sugar into his cup. He gave it a quick stir then pushed on a lid.
“Ready?” Grant asked Royce and he gave him a cocky smile.
“I’m always ready and waiting,” he said and it made Grant warm.
“Just get the door,” Grant said as he gave him a playful shove. He checked to make sure Edgar was with them then waved at Vanessa and the Davises. “See you tomorrow,” he called as he backed out then let Royce interlock their arms and pull him across the street.
“You’re really cute when you accidentally say naughty things and get flustered,” Royce teased as they took the trail. Grant nodded at the lake and Edgar let out an exuberant “Orf!” as he took the path on the right.
“I’m glad you were enjoying that,” Grant said and swore and rubbed his chin against his shoulder as his cheeks became hot. He caught a flash of glowing white as someone stepped behind a tree and the hair on the back of Grant’s neck stood.
“I was thinking we could watch a few episodes of Stranger Things and just watch them again with Audrey,” Royce mused. Grant nodded as he looked for Edgar.
“Sure. I already finished the season but I can watch it again,” he said absently as he spotted Edgar. He was chasing a duck by the lake and too far away. For what? Grant wondered. They took the turn toward the lake and Grant stopped and pulled his phone from his pocket as if he needed to look for something and glanced at the turn, behind them. The man with the too new running shoes sprinted around the bend then stopped and grabbed a tree so he could stretch out his calf. Grant frowned at his phone and shook his head as he pushed it back into his pocket.
“You finished it without me?” Royce cried and Grant laughed loudly as he reached for his face. He meant to find Royce’s ear so he could whisper a warning but their lips brushed and Grant groaned as Royce’s hand slid around his body. Grant leaned into him and his heart stilled to a heavy thud as their tongues slid and swirled hungrily. Royce pulled Grant against him and angled his head and the kiss became desperate. Wait! Grant’s eyes snapped open and he moaned as he pulled his lips free. He panted as he clung to Royce and waited until their eyes focused.