Order (Tattoos and Ties 2)

“I figured you’d like him. He’s like you,” Key said confidently, looking over at Alec with a wink and a nod. Key didn’t seem to see or read his uncle’s hesitation.

“How did you two meet?” Clyde asked.

“He had a flat,” Key replied. His lover said the words with a bit of pride, maybe because he’d saved the day that night and sealed their fate.

“You’ve known each other awhile?”

“About a year, right?” Key asked, turning those vibrant eyes his way before bumping him in the shoulder. “You’re never this quiet.”

Alec just smiled, so much emotion passed between them in that brief exchange that he wanted to pull Key in for a kiss. Instead, he turned back to Clyde and said, “A year in January. For at least the last six months we’ve been together just about every day.”

“So why all the secrecy?” Clyde asked as he rocked his chair slowly back and forth. Nash seemed to love the movement. Alec filed that bit of information away. They might need to get a rocking chair. The puppy laid his head on his paws and settled down.

“It’s complicated,” Key answered, not expanding past those two words. Clyde stayed silent, staring between the both of them, clearly waiting and wanting more of an explanation. When Key didn’t say anything, Alec sighed. Clyde would never have a good impression of him if they walked away without confiding in the man. More so, Alec could see the unconditional love between Clyde and Key. He didn’t want to leave tonight and have Clyde worrying about Key’s wellbeing any more than he already did.

“The secrecy is because I’m with the Dallas district attorney’s office or I was with the DA’s office—my last day is December fifteenth,” he explained, watching Clyde’s eyes go wide and the motion of the rocking chair coming to a sudden stop.

“You’re kidding me, right?” Clyde said, his tone clear that he found no humor in what was being said. Key’s uncle grew immediately defensive, and although Alec loved the protectiveness, he didn’t like all the skepticism now directed his way.

“We’ve been very careful to keep our relationship hidden,” he started before Key cut him off.

“He’s worried about what happens if the club finds out.” Key tried to explain Clyde’s reaction and concern to him. Alec wasn’t entirely sure that was Clyde’s primary concern, but the gentle sweep of Key’s thumb sliding over the back of his hand helped calm him.

“As I should be,” Clyde said, his eyes hard with concern.

Key suddenly got up off the sofa and walked over to his uncle, lifting Nash. “He’s on a schedule. I’ll take him out. Y’all talk so you can quit givin’ each other all those weird looks.” Key carefully cradled Nash in his arms as he walked to the front door. He turned and looked back over his shoulder at Alec. “Might as well tell him who your old man is. I guess get it all out now. Clyde’s trustworthy.”

The front door shut behind Key, and Alec stared at Clyde who got to his feet. He walked across the living room to the liquor cabinet. After pouring and drinking down a hearty sized drink, he turned to Alec and lifted the bottle. Good idea. Alec nodded and got to his feet too.

“I have to admit, I was nervous coming here.”

“I’m nervous now that you’re here,” Clyde said, handing a cocktail glass over with a shot or two of straight whiskey. “So, who’s your father? The Dallas chief of police?”

“It doesn’t matter who my family is. We have no real relationship to speak of. They’re a non-factor in any of this. They’ll never know Key. As it turns out, I’m a huge disappointment to them,” Alec explained, swallowing a gulp of the whiskey, reveling in the burn.

They stared at one another for several long seconds before Clyde nodded, accepting his answer. Thank God. He might have given the older man a heart attack if he knew the truth.

“My nephew’s a great guy. Turned out that way despite all the crap thrown at him. God knows I worried. But he’s smart. He’s a motorcycle mechanic, first in his class. He rebuilds bikes, and they’re beautiful pieces of artistry. I don’t think anyone in that club understands how talented he is or they would never have him changing tires for a living. He’s dedicated to those bikers. I think more than they are to him. You’d be just the excuse they needed to hurt him,” Clyde said honestly, fear in his tone.

“He’s told me it would be rough, but he’s been more worried about me than himself,” Alec said, taking another drink of his whiskey.

“They harbor immense hate for people like you. They believe the law’s out to get them. That there should be no consequences for their actions, even though they’re the ones breaking the law. If they think you’re getting in their way, you might not survive,” Clyde added solemnly and turned to pour himself another drink.