assume you’re referring to the strangulation and near decapitations of three gay men.”
I nod.
“Does this individual have a name?”
“Ian Alexander.”
Shane’s eyes widen. “Martin Alexander’s son?”
“Yes. The most recent victim was a close friend of Ian’s, and I think Ian feels an obligation to help find the killer. He’s been nosing around, asking questions in clubs that the victim was known to have frequented. I have a primary suspect, and I’m hoping to get a search warrant in the morning. If this is the guy, then I’ll just need protection for Ian for a few days, until I have enough evidence to detain the suspect.”
“Of course, I’ll help you,” he says. “Text me Ian’s address, and I’ll get someone over there right away.”
I do as he asks. “Thank you, Shane. I owe you.”
“Not a problem,” he says, brushing off my gratitude. “I’m happy to help.”
“Tyler, what are you doing here? Is something wrong?”
Both of us turn our heads at the sound of a sleepy female voice. My sister, Beth, stands just inside the great room, dressed in a pink maternity nightgown. Her pale blonde hair hangs loose over her shoulders.
Shane goes to her and pulls her into his arms. “I’m sorry we woke you, sweetheart. Please go back to bed. I’ll be right there, I promise.”
Beth peers at me from behind her husband. “Is everything all right?”
I stand. “Yes, everything’s fine. I’m sorry I woke you. I needed to talk to Shane. It’s work related. Nothing for you to worry about.”
Shane cups her face and kisses her forehead, their exchange quiet and intimate. He lays his hand on her round belly and gently steers her toward their private suite. “Go back to bed, sweetheart.”
She gives me a smile. “It’s good to see you, Tyler. Good night.”
“You, too, kiddo,” I tell her. “Sleep well.”
Once he’s sure Beth is back in their room, Shane returns to his seat. He switches instantly from doting husband to corporate CEO. “How about Miguel Rodriquez?”
I nod. “Miguel’s a good choice.” I’ve met Miguel on several occasions. In fact, he was Beth’s first bodyguard when I hired McIntyre Security to protect my sister from an eminent threat.
Miguel Rodriquez is young—the same age as Ian—and easy-going. I can see the two of them hitting it off.
Shane makes a call, keeping the conversation brief and to the point. After he ends the call, he forwards Ian’s address to Miguel. “All right. It’s done.”
Some of the tension leaves my body. “Thank you.”
“There’s no need to thank me.” Shane meets my gaze head-on, as if daring me to contradict him. “We’re family.”
I nod. “We are,” I say, amazed at how far he and I have come in our dealings with one another. I once provoked a fight with him. I punched him, and when he tried to defend himself, I had him arrested for assaulting a police officer. Admittedly, it was not one of my proudest moments.
But I realized soon enough that any animosity between Shane and me only hurt Beth, and I can’t bear for my sister to be hurt. Not after what she has suffered.
I stand, anxious to be gone. “I’ll see myself out. Let me know about the cost.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Shane says, rising to his feet. “I’m happy to help.”
As I glance around the multi-million-dollar apartment, I’m reminded of the kind of money Shane earns. Reluctantly, I swallow my pride. “Thank you, but I’m not looking for a hand-out. I’ll pay.”
As I head back to my condo, the streets are quiet. It’s nearly two a.m. I’m exhausted, and my mind is still racing. No matter how hard I try to put that damn kiss out of my mind, it keeps coming back to me.
I want to be mad at Ian for pushing me like that, but I’m not. And now that he’s opened that door, I don’t know how to shut it. The world didn’t implode on me because I kissed a man. The ground didn’t open up and swallow me. I’m still here, but I suspect I’m not the same person I was before.
For the first time in my life, I felt the deep pull of sexual attraction. I felt alive, and my entire body burned with desire. Tonight, I kissed a man, and I liked it. More than that, I want to do it again.
If I’m being honest with myself, I can’t claim to be surprised. The writing’s been on the wall my entire life. I just didn’t want to read it. Fact: I’m attracted