Promises: The Next Generation (Bounty Hunters 5)

We already have some trust between us.” Kell exhaled slowly. “To be an efficient team we have to keep learning each other and I’ve enjoyed getting to know you these past several days. But I don’t want to monopolize your time, Ty. You must have so much you want to talk about with Brian.”

A few wrinkles creased the center of Ty’s smooth forehead. He looked to contemplate what he wanted to say, first. Then he reached across the table and Kell met him half way. Their fingers weaved together, palms pressed firmly together. “Thank you. I appreciate you considering that. And I can see it’s weighing heavy on your mind.”

“It is. You said last night you stopped practicing your faith when your father didn’t return home.” Kell held Ty’s hand tighter. He was holding another man’s hand in a public restaurant where people were probably stealing glances at them. At the exceptional couple they made. Kell ignored it. Ty was his only focus. “I want to be honest with you like you asked. The first night Brian came for you, he told all of us that he was the only one who truly knew what happened to your dad. Did he confess this to you?”

Ty’s soulful eyes held his. “Yes. He told me.”

“He did?” Kell leaned forward in his seat. “Have you had a chance to sit down with him?”

“I’m not going to.” Ty signaled for the check.

“Ty, I—”

“I demanded Brian tell me right there in my apartment what happened to my father before I would go anywhere with him. We were damn near in a standoff.” Ty’s gorgeous face was transformed to a son in pain. “He told me my father died in his arms after being a prisoner of war for months. I don’t need to know any more. I can’t hear the details, Kellam.”

Kell wished he could put his arms around Ty’s strong shoulders and bury his face in the warm skin around his throat. “You don’t know if—”

“I know.” Ty groaned painfully. “Look at Brian’s face… look in his eyes. I can see everything that happened to my father with one look at him. I know enough.”

The waiter brought their check, giving them both a sympathetic smile. Ty placed several twenties into the billfold and slide it to the edge of the table. “You ready?”

“Yes.”

They left side by side.

“Where are we going?” Kell asked after walking down Northside Parkway, crossing over West Paces Ferry.

“Just walking,” Ty said, staring straight ahead. They were at the end of the block “If I talk to Brian it’s going to be about my father’s life, not his death. I did want to know the truth, I am his only son. I have that right. But, now I know, and it wasn’t anything like I was…” Ty sighed.

He could see how bad Ty was hurting. He could feel it. He wasn’t sure what to say to ease him, wished he knew his partner well enough to comfort him in the way he needed. Instead of mumbling a bunch of words that meant nothing, Kell reached up and clasped Ty’s elbow. His partner turned and looked down at him but didn’t speak, instead using that powerful silence he’d mastered. Maybe his throat was blocked by emotions that would choke him if he dared to speak. It had to be devastating for Ty to lose his father right at the start of his adulthood. He sounded very special to him, as if they had an inseparable bond. And something in Ty broke when his father was taken from him with absolutely no explanation… until almost ten years later. Kell closed his eyes.

Jesus. What do I say? Give me the words. How could Kell understand and provide words of comfort and condolence when his own father was the direct opposite of Ty’s father? One-hundred percent. He opened his eyes. Ty was watching him patiently, quietly.

“I’m so, so sorry about your dad, Tyrell. I really am.”

Ty squeezed his eyes shut and lowered his face until his forehead was almost resting on Kells’. God, Ty’s open display of heartache was killing him. He was completely unguarded as if his pain was safe, as if he knew Kell wouldn’t add to his hurt. And that was the truth. He would never hurt his partner if he could help it. He only wanted that smile back. Wanted Ty’s teasing, sweet-natured authority to hurry back. Wanted him to be okay.

Kell whispered reverently, “I never met your father, but I know he was a great man.”

Kell felt Ty’s gloved hand lightly touch his chin, then lift his face until he was forced to gaze in his eyes. They had stopped on the sidewalk, just a few feet from the bus stop. No one else was around, the cold ensuring that no one else would come, either.