The grip Mitch has on me tightens, the pads of his fingers digging into my flesh. He pulls me up until we’re nose to nose, his breath warming my skin. “I love you too, Gavin.” His voice catches, bringing a deep red tinge to his cheeks.
A smile spreads across my face, feeling as if it might split me in two it’s so big. I kiss Mitch thoroughly with sweet reverence, showing him how much I love him.
“Now, tell me what the hell was going on in my kitchen.”
* * *
I pace the length of the master bedroom, wearing only a pair of briefs.
“That motherfucker is Grant? Your ex-partner?” I snarl.
Mitch nods, his gaze wary as he watches me stalk back and forth at the foot of the bed.
“So he knew,” I state, the fury growing exponentially, tunneling my eyesight down to one narrow and very specific vision—hurt Agent Halifax. “He knew this whole time that you and I…” My fingers curl up and gouge my palms. “He knew about us and what?” I shout. “He wanted to fuck with you? With me?”
Mitch’s eyes grow watery, his humiliation obvious under the anger. “Probably both. He’s not right in the head, Gavin. Almost as inhuman as the predators he chases.”
I whirl around, stopping in front of Mitch where he sits hunched over on the corner of the bed. “I’ll tell you what he is,” I snarl. “He’s a fucked-up, closeted asshole who gets off on toying with gay men because he’s too chicken-shit to admit who he is!”
“Most likely, yes.” Mitch’s face remains impassive at my ranting.
I cock my head, studying Mitch carefully. “You already knew that, didn’t you?”
He shrugs. “I figured it out after I quit. Everything made sense somehow. In his own twisted way, I was Grant’s only outlet for his sexual frustration and loathing.”
“Bullshit,” I roar. “All he had to do was man up and admit he likes cock. There’s no excuse for fucking with people’s heads the way he does! He’s fucking married, Mitch!”
Mitch nods. “I know.” His blank stare turns dark. “I could literally kill him for what he tried to do to you,” he whispers, as if saying it softly would negate the seriousness of his declaration.
My anger fading, I sit next to Mitch on the bed. “He didn’t do anything, Mitch. He tried his fucked up mind games, but the only reaction he got out of me was irritation.”
“Because you’re stronger than me,” he admits.
I put my hand under his chin and pull his face up to mine. “Because I never trusted him to begin with. You didn’t have a choice, Mitch. He was your partner. You spent days with the man. It’s hard to see the truth when it’s…” I blink, in shock at the thought that just ran through my head.
“When it’s what?” Mitch asks, his brow crumpled in confusion.
“When it’s right in front of you,” I murmur. “Holy shit. I think I might know who’s been leaving the notes.”
75
Mitch
“Sasha,” I see my friend waiting for us in the restaurant of her hotel, a gorgeous Mediterranean style resort right on Huntington Beach.
“Mitch,” she hugs me before turning to Gavin.
“Sasha, good to see you,” he wraps his arms around her to receive his own embrace.
“I have a table waiting,” she announces. We follow her to a table tucked away in a corner of the room.
A huge grin overtakes her face, causing two dimples to pop on her cheeks. “Back together, I see?” Her eyes flick down to my hand on Gavin’s knee and I flush. But I leave my hand where it
is. Gavin covers my hand with his and squeezes.
“Yes.” I glance over at Gavin and he gives me a small smile, turning my insides to mush.
Sasha’s face splits in half again. “Wonderful.” Then her expression turns serious, making the nerves that already twist in my gut clench even harder. “We’ll order before we talk business. I’m starving.”