Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 127213 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 636(@200wpm)___ 509(@250wpm)___ 424(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 127213 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 636(@200wpm)___ 509(@250wpm)___ 424(@300wpm)
“Sports massage,” Frank said without missing a beat, because he’d anticipated this question.
“Yeah? Are his hand jobs record-breaking?”
Frank snort-laughed and then had to cover his face with his hand. He had to give Shane that one. “So maybe I have a schoolboy crush on him, okay? He’s here because he’s fucked, and not by me.”
Shane sighed, tapping the bottle with his nail. “The man who’s after him, is he another one of his ‘massage’ clients?” he asked, doing the finger quotes.
Shane saw straight through him, so what was the point of trying to keep up this charade? Frank took a swig of beer. “Yeah, and it’s Paul Burke of all people. Ezra ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time, and he’s seen shit he shouldn’t have. I need to work out how to get him somewhere safe, because you know how Paul is. Like a dog with a bone. He won’t let this go, and I’m not burying Ezra in a barrel in a month’s time.” Just the thought of it had Frank clenching his empty fist.
Shane exhaled, and the roguish smile dropped from his face as he watched Frank in silence. They both knew Paul all too well to have a positive outlook on Ezra’s situation.
“Shit,” he said with a shake of his head. “What are you gonna do?”
Frank shrugged. “For now, I’m keeping him safe, giving it a few days. I might reach out to Paul in a bit, ask him if he’s heard from Ezra to throw him off his scent. I’ve texted Ezra’s phone in case he’s checking the messages on it. Future? I contacted my fake IDs guy, and when I feel it’s safe, I’ll ask Ezra if he prefers Canada or Mexico. He should cross the border on foot, without needing to book a plane ticket.”
Shane tapped his fist on the table, watching the puppies feed from their patient mom in the corner. His face looked like carved in stone when he frowned, deep in thought. “He’s the guy you’ve been seeing for the past year, isn’t he?”
What would be the point in pretending now? Frank nodded and had more beer. “It was just a bit of fun.” Shane would probably judge him for it, but Frank was too old to care.
“Must have been more than that if he’s here. Why would he run to you out of all people?”
Frank shrugged. “‘Cause I’m big and dangerous but also have a soft spot for him? And he was right. I guess I do. But when I—you know, when I paid to see him, we both knew where we stood. This? This is a mess. I can’t expect anything from him in this situation. I don’t want to abuse the power I have.”
Shane cocked his head. “Okay? So the two of you are just stewing together in one house, knowing you could bang? What did he say about it?”
“Shane, look at him. He was happy enough in our arrangement, but it’s not like he’d look at me twice if we met in the street. That’s okay. I know who I am. It doesn’t matter. It was fun while it lasted.”
Shane scowled. “You’re acting like some sad old man who thinks there’s nothing out there for him. He’s pretty as a picture, yes, but why do you sell yourself so short? I’m assuming most of the guys who hired him were not this.” He pointed to Frank's body.
Shane’s words ignited a spark of hope Frank couldn’t put out no matter how much his pessimism was trying to. Because what if he was Ezra’s type? Frank hadn’t been born yesterday and was well aware that some guys like them big and mean just like Frank liked them refined, with the bone structure of angels.
“I can’t really keep him here forever without Paul finding out eventually.”
Shane rolled his eyes. “So all of a sudden it’s about Paul?”
Frank spread his arms so abruptly some beer spilled out of his bottle. “I don’t know! All of this is throwing me in a loop. Do I even have time for a relationship? And then there’s the business he can’t really know about. He’d want nothing to do with me if he knew. He’s very… delicate,” he ended flatly.
Shane’s eyes opened wide and he pretended to shut his jaw with one hand. “Ohhh, Frankie. I said nothing about a relationship, but if that’s where your thoughts go, then you need to fucking pursue this. And if you won’t do it, I’ll make sure he knows that you might need some lovin’.”
Frank got up and grabbed Shane by the collar, because a man had limits. “Don’t you fucking dare—”
“Um… all okay down here?” Ros asked, making his way down the stairs.
Frank let go of Shane, but still gave his friend a glare as he sat down. “Fine.”