Torch (Unbreakable Bonds 3)

“What secret weapon?”

“Unexpected killer smile.”

Rowe groaned and leaned his head back. “Those fucking dimples,” he mumbled. He looked back at Snow. “Ian took him out on a date.”

Snow lifted one still dark eyebrow. “And how did that make you feel?”

“Moving into psychiatry now, Doc?” Rowe countered a little sharper than he meant to.

Snow’s lazy amusement disappeared and he sat up. “Wait. He went on a date. With Ian. A real date?” He picked up his cell phone off the coffee table and started thumbing through messages. “I’m sure I should have been in the loop with that.”

Scowling, Rowe felt his hackles rise. “Noah is a good guy, so don’t start that shit. Ian would count himself lucky to land a guy as great as Noah.”

“Yeah, maybe.” He sat the phone back down and ran his hands through his hair, making the gray streaked strands stand on end. “Just when I’d started to get used to the idea of that annoying-as-hell detective, he disappeared. You tried looking into that?”

“I did. There’s nothing. I even looked for a death certificate. He’s missing. My guess is working a job.”

“That night we found Gratton’s hideout, his reaction to seeing Ian’s past was strong. Passionate. The man has deeper layers than I expected.” He shook his head. “I can’t imagine that made him not want Ian. Hell, you saw the way he looked at him.”

“Something spooked him. Or he’s somewhere he can’t communicate because you’re right. His interest didn’t seem fleeting.”

They were silent as Snow sliced off more lime wedges and poured.

“So…tell me about the sex.”

Rowe snatched his glass, spilling some of the liquid on his jeans. “Fuck no.”

“The man is built. Nice, thick arms like Jude’s. I couldn’t help but notice. And he has all that soft looking hair. You could really anchor him down and go to town. What was it you asked me once? Something about who tops?” The grin Snow flashed him was positively wicked.

Rowe eyed his friend, taking in the mischievous amusement, but also, the actual curiosity. He groaned because behind that, as always, was the deep caring that had always been buried inside the complicated man. Yeah, he wanted to know about the sex, not only because he was a fucking pervert, but because that would tell him how well the relationship was working. Snow categorized everything through sex. Rowe loved Snow. Always had. But he also really, really loved fucking with him. He waited until Snow raised his glass to his lips and answered. Truthfully. “I’m a switch-hitter, Doc. Was even with Mel.”

Tequila sprayed out, and Snow choked hard before he threw his head back and laughed. It took him a few moments to get himself under control and when he did, whatever nasty comment about to leave his mouth was stopped by the phone.

Rowe picked it up off the coffee table and squinted at the screen. “Anna Torres. It’s your mother-in-law. She call a lot?”

“Nah, not since we stopped house hunting.” He answered the phone, his attempt to sound sober by slowing his words not working in the least.

Rowe had to cover his mouth.

“The big family dinner is where?” Snow asked. He frowned. “I thought you wanted us to get a large place so we’d throw one.” He held his finger over his lips and hit speaker.

Anna sighed heavily. “I wanted you boys to get a home you both loved. I don’t give a crap whether it’s big or not. I never really planned to crowd our family into any place of yours anyway. I know you value your privacy.”

Good, Rowe thought. Good for her. She paid attention to Snow. He really liked this woman.

“All unpacked?” she asked.

“We are. I hired people.”

She made a sort of raspberry noise. “I wouldn’t want strangers going through my things. I could have done that for you.”

“Ah, but Anna, there are things we wouldn’t want—”

“Are you drunk?” she interrupted.

“No, ma’am.”

Rowe had to bite his fist to keep from cracking up over Snow’s surprised response.

“Are you lying to me?” she asked.

“Yes, ma’am.”

She snorted loud over the phone. “I know Jude had a late shift tonight, so which one of your friends is there?”

“It’s me, Anna. Rowan.”

“Oh hello, sweetheart! Are you taking care of yourself?”

“I am.”

“Has Jude introduced you to his cousin, Mina yet? She gorgeous.”

Rowe blinked at Snow, who just shrugged, blue eyes glittering with suppressed laughter. Anna was one of those women who believed everyone needed to be part of a pair—except for when it came to herself. “No. I’m not really ready to meet another woman right now.”

“Oh.” She was quiet a moment. “My nephew, Roger, is in town. He usually lives in New York. He’s an attorney. Very handsome. Very gay.”

Rowe’s eyes flew open wide as he silently questioned Snow. Snow merely shrugged, snickering as he poured them more shots.