had spotted wore tuxedos with clear earpieces in their ears.
“Yeah, I’m good. Don’t worry. You just do your thing.”
Gio nodded, but he didn’t look convinced. To his credit, he did his best to include Joker, introducing him as his boyfriend. He never volunteered information about Joker, letting Joker decide what he wanted to share. Everyone wanted to know what he did. It was usually the first question out of their mouth. “Nice to meet you. And what do you do?”
“I’m a silent partner for Four Kings Security,” Joker said in response to the man’s question. He was the owner of some country club Gio was a member of but never seemed to visit. The guy was interested in having Gio donate to a project he was putting together. Joker had already forgotten the name of the club because he didn’t give a shit. There was a reason Gio had his polite and tolerant smile on for the man, and that was all Joker needed to know.
“And what does that entail?”
“I work security for entertainment and events. Sometimes we do military contracts. I have a K9 I work with.”
Someone called Gio’s name, and he excused himself, promising he’d be back in just a moment before turning to greet a woman Joker recognized. She’d been at one of his previous events. A gorgeous woman with dark skin and a dazzling smile. The way they talked made it clear they’d known each other for a while.
“Security. That’s… interesting,” Mr. Country Club said. What the fuck did he say his name was? Joker should have been paying more attention. In his defense, he couldn’t give two fucks about Mr. Country Club.
No one ever expects security. Those who’d heard of Four Kings Security tended to offer praise and share their positive experience with the Kings. Some nodded politely, then changed the subject to something more interesting, and some people looked at him like this asshole.
“What did you do before that?”
“I was a Green Beret. Special Forces.”
“The military. I see.”
Joker didn’t like the way the guy’s mouth twisted with distaste when he said the words. Don’t ask. For fuck’s sake, don’t ask. “What do you see?” Fuck, he asked.
“I suppose you feel that the government owes people like you.”
Joker’s hackles went up, but he told himself to chill. “People like me? Soldiers? Military veterans? What exactly do I feel the government owes me?” Go on, Mr. Country Club. Why don’t you tell me how I feel.
The guy shrugged and waved a hand. “Financial support for the rest of your life. Paid medical bills, rent, free education for your kids.”
Wow. Joker blinked at him. He opened his mouth, but Country Club cut him off.
“I mean, you all knew what you were getting into. You signed up for that.”
Joker balled his right hand into a fist and quickly shoved it into his pocket. Punching the douchenozzle in the middle of a high-society party and getting arrested was not a good idea. “I didn’t sign up to have half my unit—good men—blown up in front of me. Their families didn’t sign up for that.” The people around them whispered nervously to one another. One guy even tugged discreetly at his friend’s sleeve, as if trying to get him to shut up, but Country Club was just getting comfortable on his high horse.
“That’s the risk.”
“Risk is involved,” Joker agreed.
“But you believe you should be compensated for the rest of your life for the few years you voluntarily served. The government provided you with training, room and board, food, and medical treatment.”
Joker let out a humorless laugh. “Are you kidding me? How about I send you into the middle of a warzone in some godforsaken place where everyone wants to kill you, make you stay awake for days on end, with no food, minimal water, a seventy-pound dog strapped to you, and we’ll see how you do.”
“My point is, you signed up for it. You shouldn’t expect to be supported the rest of your life for it.”
“I don’t expect shit from our government. Would I like for them to treat those who fight for our country with the respect and care they deserve? Yes, I would. If you think a soldier who’s wounded in service to his country doesn’t deserve to be taken care of by said country, then I don’t know what the fuck you’re doing at a charity event. I got news for you, pal. If you think Gio is going to give you money, you’re barking up the