Ambrose (The Theriot Family 5)

Lance got out of the car and focused his attention on me. “What do you think about that?”

I needed a moment alone, or I might just shoot Lance and run away with Eric. “I’m going to get dressed.” I pushed past Eric and disappeared into the cabin.

“We have a plan,” I heard Eric say.

“That’s very interesting, and you seem very comfortable with a naked Ambrose.” Shit. I did not need Lance causing me even more trouble.

“He was showering.” Eric remained ridiculously calm.

“That wasn’t the first time you’d seen his body.”

“Goddamn it, Lance.” I stomped back into the main room half-dressed. “I’m taking care of Eric. I already told you I would handle things.”

“You seem to be taking quite good care of him. You could have told us you liked men, you know.”

“I don’t.”

Lance raised his brows.

“I didn’t… Not before…” I glanced at Eric.

“This gets more interesting all the time.”

A screech interrupted us. I glanced at Lance’s car and saw Tony jumping up and down in the driver’s seat, thumping on the windshield.

“You brought the monkey?”

“Of course I did. You know he hates staying by himself.”

“Remy could have watched him.”

Lance laughed. “He wasn’t in the mood after you defied him and refused to take his calls.”

“He called?”

“Jesus.” Lance shook his head. “When are you going to start paying attention to your phone?”

“I turned my phone off last night.”

Lance growled as he lifted Tony out of the car.

“If he runs off and gets eaten, you can’t blame me,” I told him.

Eric was staring at us both. “You have a pet alligator, and Lance has a pet monkey? Does Dax have some exotic pet too or just a dog?”

The amazement on Eric’s face made me smile. “Just a dog. For now.”

Lance glanced my way. “You took him to meet Gerard?”

I ignored the question. “You’re not leaving until you come inside, are you?”

“No. Winston says you have a plan. If it doesn’t involve his protection, Remy will never approve it.”

“I’m not going to let anyone hurt him.”

“I can take care of myself,” Eric insisted.

Lance and I both huffed, and I gestured toward my pantry cabinet. “There are some dates in there. Tony can have them if they’ll keep him out of trouble.”

Eric watched in fascination as Tony scrambled up onto the coffee table and bounced up and down, chattering as Lance found the snacks and brought them to the little guy. Tony snatched a date from his hand, then turned and stared at Eric.

“Here.” Lance held out a date to Eric. “Feed him, and he’ll be your friend.”

We both watched as Eric lured Tony over with the treat. Tony took it, then petted Eric’s hand and cooed.

“Damn, he really likes you,” Lance said. “You did good.”

“He’s made friends with your monkey. Great. Now can you leave and stay out of my personal life?”

“Only after you discuss your professional life with me.”

I rolled my eyes. “This isn’t a profession.”

“Don’t tell that to Pop or Remy.”

“I’m going to stay at Eric’s house until things are settled with Carlotti.”

Lance’s eyes widened. “You’re going to live in a regular house—”

“I was already staying at Dax’s.”

“That’s different. There weren’t any other people there.”

“Eric knows what I’m like. He’s not going to expect me to be a gracious guest.”

Eric laughed. “Never.”

Lance shook his head. “It’s too risky.”

“You want to talk to me about risky? Would you like me to name all the fucking insane risks you’ve taken in the last year?”

Lance scowled at me. “I wasn’t endangering anyone else.”

“Would Julian agree with that?”

His eyes narrowed. “Don’t.”

“Then stop being a fucking hypocrite.”

“Winston would be better off at a safe house. He’s a sitting duck back in St. Claireville.”

“I’m right here, and I’m a sheriff, not an innocent child. I’m not going to hide out from someone who is running drugs in my parish.”

“Carlotti isn’t your average idiot dealer.”

Eric glared at my cousin. Even Tony gave Lance a dirty look. Lance threw up his hands. “Fine. You understand the risks. We’ve offered you protection and you—”

“I am protecting him,” I snarled. “Are you saying I don’t fucking count?”

Lance studied me for a moment. “I think you’re too close to this one.”

“And if Julian was in danger, would you turn him over to someone else?” I thought Lance would get angry at me again for daring to mention his boyfriend. Instead, he smiled.

“It’s interesting that you compare your desire to protect Winston to my desire to protect the man I love.

“Eric is my responsibility.”

“Right.”

I pointed to the door. “Get out of here and tell Remington I’ve got this under control.”

Lance held his hand out to Tony, but the little monkey shook his head. Lance rolled his eyes and handed over another date. After eating it, Tony scurried up to his shoulder and waved goodbye to Eric.

“Bye, Tony.”

He squawked happily.

“Maybe I’ll get you to babysit him next time I need someone,” Lance said.