Rialto (Unbreakable Bonds 8)

“We’re safe. This is just to help me sleep at night. I think the whole weirdness at the restaurant has me a little rattled and jumping at shadows.”

Just saying the words out loud helped. It was like rational thought was seeping in again. Jagger was dead. His goons were either dead, in jail, or scattered to the wind. They had no reason to go after Ian. The ICE raid had to have been a stupid mistake. The bad reviews were just a matter of poor timing. Or a bored internet troll. Everything was fine.

“Let’s wrap this up,” Hollis said as he tucked his phone back into his pocket. “I’ve got a sexy husband to get home to.”

Shane hummed. “Yes. And I have a boyfriend who needs to learn how to take a proper post-shower picture.”Chapter FiveIan woke and turned over in the bed to look at Hollis, who was still dead to the world. His mouth hung open and little snores left his lips. They were adorable. As was Hollis’s messy blond hair. He still remembered when Hollis had colored it while undercover and he was glad he hadn’t done that again. Those chaotic, light waves were his favorite.

He snuggled closer and Hollis automatically pulled him into his bigger form. He also loved the way he held him while asleep and over the years, he’d gotten good at stopping Ian from leaving the bed and crawling around the condo. Not that he’d done that in a long, long time. Thankfully, those days seemed to be over. No more embarrassing wake-ups in the corners of the laundry room or bathrooms. He still occasionally had nightmares, but they were few and far between.

No, he was perfectly settled and loved every moment of it. Loved being married to this man and felt thankful every day for it.

He buried his nose in Hollis’s neck, taking in the faint odor of sweat that overlaid Hollis’s unique scent. Hollis hadn’t taken the time to shower when he’d come home from his late-night surveillance. All he’d done was crawl into the bed and hold Ian. His skin had been cold, so Ian had been happy to warm him. He smelled so good like this, and Ian thought of waking him for some loving.

But he seemed so peaceful, he decided to wait. Ian wasn’t due at the restaurant until nine that morning, though his sous chef and others were supposed to go in earlier today. He could just enjoy the snuggle time before he woke Hollis up a little later for sex.

His phone rang from the nightstand, and he cursed and rolled over to shut it down before it woke Hollis. But when he saw it was the restaurant, he quickly scrambled from underneath the covers and took the phone into the hall. It was way too early for problems there.

“It’s Ian,” he said as a huge yawn overtook his mouth. He walked down the hall, tugging up his loose boxers as he went.

“We’re having a surprise health inspection,” James said quickly, worry and annoyance coloring his tone.

“What?” Ian paused halfway down the stairs. “We just had one less than a month ago. It’s too soon!”

“I know, but he’s saying stuff about multiple complaints. You should maybe come down here.”

“I’m getting dressed now.” Ian hurried into the room to find Hollis sitting up and looking sleep-rumpled with the covers tangled about his legs.

“Come back to bed, GQ,” Hollis said, his sleepy, rough voice laced with the promise of sex.

“Can’t,” Ian answered as he rushed to the closet.

“What’s going on?” Hollis asked. He sounded instantly awake and ready to jump to Ian’s defense.

“Health inspection and this time, he’s come because of complaints. I have to hurry.” He grabbed slacks and a white button-down shirt off the hanger in the closet and pulled them on. He buttoned the shirt as he raced into the bathroom to brush his teeth. Glancing in the mirror, he grimaced at his hair and worked to smooth it down with one hand while he brushed.

Hollis appeared in the doorway, naked as the day he was born, and if Ian hadn’t been so worried, he would have thrown himself at that big, beautiful body. But instead, he eyed the man as he brushed his teeth, then gave up and ran a wet comb through his hair. He splashed water on his face, dried it off, and frowned at Hollis.

“Something’s going on. It has to be. This is too many things too close together.”

Hollis scratched the side of his head. “You think someone is doing this on purpose?”

“I don’t know. I mean, all those reviews looked like they came from different places, but what if they didn’t? And actual complaints bringing the health inspector to my door? I can’t help but feel this is all related.”

“My gut is churning, too, so you’re probably right.”