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Emery sat in his chair on the other side of the table. He
wouldn't look at Jade.
"Why the hell did you cancel?" Jade blurted.
Subtlety had never really been his strong suit.
"Drop it," Emery insisted with a scowl.
Jade looked over Emery's head and met Archias's
eyes. His lover nodded once and silently left the room.
"I'm not going to drop it. Tell me what's going on."
He reached across the table and took his best friend's hand
in his own. "Talk to me, Em."
Emery finally looked at him. His eyes shimmered
with unshed tears, and his throat muscles worked to
swallow down his emotions. "I deserve this."
Jade squeezed the hand he held as he fought back
his own tears. "No, you don't. You don't deserve any of the
things that happened to you. As you said in the hospital,
this was my fault. If I had dealt with Quinton instead of
ignoring the problem, nothing would have happened to
you."
"Yes, it would have." Emery reached up and
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gingerly fingered the scars on his face. "This happened
before you even got the phone call. I was a dick before. I
didn't want to admit that I screwed up, so blamed you, but
it's not your fault, Jade."
Jade didn't know what to say. His friend looked so
miserable, so sad.
"I went with him," Emery said quietly.
"What? What do you mean you went with
Quinton?" Jade couldn't hide his shock.
"I don't know. I honestly don't know what
happened. He came into the bar, and started coming on to
me. The next thing I knew, I'm pounding him into the
mattress. Then I woke up chained to the damn ceiling."
Emery broke down completely. He pulled his hand from
Jade's and covered his face.
Jade hurried around the table and wrapped his arms
around his friend. "It's not your fault, Emery. He's
irresistible. I mean that literally. He wished for it."
Emery shook his head vehemently. "I knew better.
The entire time, I knew I shouldn't do it. I knew he was
using me to get to you." He turned in his seat and wrapped
his arms around Jade. "I let you down, man. I'm sorry."
"Enough."
Jade whipped his head around to see Archias walk
back into the kitchen. He held a hand up, stalling Jade, and
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Race the Sun Gabrielle Evans
took a seat beside Emery.
"We all have our scars to bear, brother. These& " he
cupped Emery's ruined cheek gently, "& are not yours. You
have to forgive yourself, Emery."
Emery surprised them both by lunging forward and
wrapping his arms tightly around Archias's thick neck.
"Thank you." He released his hold and stood. "Take care of
him, or I'll kick your ass."
Archias smiled and nodded. "I swear to you on my
life."
Emery smiled back and nodded. "I'm going home."
He turned and gave Jade a chaste kiss on the cheek. "I need
a little time. I'll call when I get my shit together."
"Or, if you need me," Jade added hurriedly.
Emery only nodded and left through the backdoor.
Jade immediately crawled into his lover's lap and
kissed him under his chin. "Is he going to be okay?"
"He will be fine, draga. Just give him some time."
Archias held him closely. "Love can tame the monster in all
of us."
Jade smiled and burrowed in closer. He had never
met a monster, so he couldn't confirm his warrior's words.
They were silent for so long that he jumped a little
when his lover's quiet voice startled him. "What do you
think will happen to Harris Quinton in prison?"
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Jade started to laugh and couldn't stop. He rocked
from side to side, holding his ribs, and gasping for breath.
"What is so funny?" Archias held him by his
shoulders, staring down at him as though he were crazy.
"Oh, he's going to be very popular," he said through
his laughter. "He's irresistible, remember?"
The End
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About the Author
Gabrielle Evans grew up in a small town in southern
Oklahoma. We are talking one red light that may or may
not work depending on the day of the week. She married
her high school sweetheart and the rest is pretty much
history. They have two very active boys and one high-
strung wiener dog that keeps her constantly on the go. For
now, she parks her car in north-central Texas, but who
knows what tomorrow will bring.
Gabrielle believes in love at first sight, falling hard and
fast, taking chances, and grabbing your happy-ever-after
with both hands. She also believes that a great cup of coffee
can cure anything.
Email:
gabrielleevans.author@gmail.com
website:
www.gabrielleevans.com
Also by Gabrielle Evans:
Available at Silver Publishing:
Race the Sun
Available at Siren Publishing:
MOONLIGHT BREED
Leap of Faith
By the Light of the Moon
Whispers in the Night (April 19)
LAWFUL DISORDER
Lipstick and Handguns
WICKED RIVER
Keeper of the Light (m/m/f)
SALEM NIGHTS
Life out Loud (m/f)
GODS OF CHAOS
Devil Did Grin (April 28)
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