Order (Tattoos and Ties 2)

“Are we still on video? Pull the phone out. Let me see you.”

He pushed open the door to the convention center’s main hallway, seeing a sea of voters making their way out of the building. They were happy, excited their candidate had won, and he saw the recognition on many of their faces as he passed by. Alec pulled the phone from his pocket and pretty much ignored everything around him except for Key’s handsome face staring back at him with concerned eyes. That was the same expression he gave when Alec was upset over something and Key was lost as to how to help. He guessed that fit right now to a tee.

“I like when you wear that ball cap backward with your hair loose. You’re hot.”

Key nodded, a slight smile curled at the corner of his mouth, but he didn’t let the compliment sidetrack him. “You’re upset.”

“I’m tired,” Alec said and looked around for a side exit. He pushed open the first door he found, stepping out into the night, immediately searching his surroundings to try to get his bearings. “And I can’t believe I have to be on the road in less than six hours to drive back to Westlake to meet Reed. It was dumb to come. I should’ve just said no.”

“Hell yeah you should’ve said no to those fuckin’ jackasses, but you’re too good a man to leave ’em hangin’. It’s that damn sense of loyalty you’re cursed with.”

Alec grinned at Key’s astute assessment. He’d always thought he was fair. Times like these made him doubt himself though.

“Want me to come there? Or better, I could grab Dev and we could go fuck up some of their shit, just tell me where they’re stayin’ or tell me where they live. If they’re there, they can’t be here. Dev’s been restless as fuck. He needs the outlet and you can trust he earned his fuckin’ nickname.”

Alec smiled at the sincerity in Key’s tone and started around the building toward his car. He looked down at the screen, grinning at the visual image Key painted then narrowed his eyes as he realized Key might truly be serious. That was the dark side coming out in Key. Although it was incredibly sweet that he’d risk himself like that to support Alec, he had no doubt with even the smallest hint of a go-ahead, Key would do exactly what he’d just offered.

“I love you.”

“How does that answer anything?”

“You know how it does. Thank you for wanting to defend me,” he said, cutting through the grass toward the parking lot.

Key just stared at him with that same fierce expression he’d had when hatching his plan.

“What helps the most is to have you with me, even if it’s on the phone.” Alec made a beeline straight to his sports car, getting himself completely shut inside before he let his shoulders slump and scrubbed a hand down his face.

“How far is the hotel?” Key asked. Alec lifted his eyes to Key and his heart settled.

“Just around the building. You helped me, Key. Thank you.” His finger went to the screen to run the tip along Key’s cheek. “You need to sleep. I’ll call you when I get on the road in the morning.”

“No, call me when you get to your room.” Key nodded, leaving no room for any action other than what he suggested.

“I’ll text you then call in the morning. Go to bed. I love you.”

He got his standard “Mmm” before Key said, “I got a better idea. Why don’t I stay on the phone until you get in your room?” Key pushed back on his bed, scooting to the headboard. Alec shook his head at his mister who tried to care for him and decided to let it happen. Alec pressed the button, starting the car, and pulled out of the private parking lot. He loved that man, and he was so glad they were opening up to one another.

“So, you’ve rented office space here?” Alec asked, tucking his hands in his slacks pocket as he walked side by side with Reed Kensington through Arik Layne’s wing of the Layne Construction corporate offices.

“Somewhat renting, yes,” Reed answered vaguely, holding the door open for Alec. He walked into an elaborately decorated office suite with a large mahogany desk in the center stacked with papers, blueprints, folders packed full, just everything conceivable piled on top. A small dark-haired woman sat commandingly behind all those stacks, phone to her ear and a finger swirling in air as she looked directly at Reed and continued talking.

“That’s Iris,” Reed said, and Alec lifted a hand her direction, giving a small wave. She smiled but stayed focused on the call, then bent her head to jot down notes with a pencil he hadn’t seen her holding. “This is where our team will office.”