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.It was eating away at him.He wanted to go find Tarasand pound the snot out of him. It s all my fault, he mumbled for the hundredth time. If Ihadn t pushed the guy away, Christian wouldn t have passed him offto Shelby.104 Lynn HagenJersey sighed loudly as he came up behind Eli and held him tight. It s no one s fault but Taras s.No one could have predicted whatwould happen, not even the prince.He s chewing nails over this.Dante swore that Taras would be dealt with harshly as soon as he wasfinished with his punishment from Shelby.Eli turned in Jersey s arms. I still can t believe he made Shelbydole out the punishment.He was already dealing with enough. Yeah, but having Shelby name his attacker s punishment gavehim back some of the control he lost.It s twisted logic, but I don tquestion Christian.He s been around for a very long time.I m sure heknows what he s doing.Still, Eli wanted to go find Shelby and make sure he was okay.The guilt was eating him up inside.He pulled from Jersey s arms ashe headed toward the door. I m going to find Shelby.He walked through the club until he spotted the short man talkingto Yasuko.The two seemed to be deep in conversation as heapproached.Eli had never held a conversation with the man before,and wasn t sure what to say to the small prince.The guy looked oddwithout the baby attached to him.Shelby s eyes lit up as soon as he spotted Eli heading his way.Elitook a seat at the booth on the second floor of the club. How are youfeeling?Biting his bottom lip, Shelby gave a slight nod. Better. Look, I wanted to apologize to you. For what? Shelby asked as he looked at Eli questioningly.God, this was hard. It s my fault.If I hadn t left Taras hanging,then Christian wouldn t have reassigned him to you.Shelby looked even more confused. But you didn t make Tarasattack me, so how is it your fault?It was the same thing Jersey had said, but Eli still felt like he wasthe one who had caused this. He was hitting on me the moment he walked through the door.Ifyou had still been uniting with him, I have a feeling he would haveEli s Way 105done it anyways.That man is bad news, Shelby said as he gave a fullbody shiver. One man s evil is not your fault, Eli.Some people arejust bad seeds.Eli guessed that made sense. Thanks, he said around a chuckle. You make it sound so black and white.Shelby shrugged as he grinned. It is.As he sat forward, Eli could see Jersey looking up at him from thebar.His mate quickly glanced away, as if hiding the fact that he waswatching them closely.Eli grinned as he excused himself and walkeddown the steps. Spying? Who, me? Jersey asked as he laid the palm of his hand on hischest. Never.Eli shook his head as he took a seat next to his mate. So, I waswondering if we could blow this Popsicle stand and get out for awhile? I thought you d never ask, Jersey said and then whistled for hisbrother. What about Yasuko? Eli asked as he looked up at the secondfloor of the club where Yasuko and Shelby were chatting away. Shit, Jersey cursed. I ll be right back.Eli watched as Jersey ran up the steps, scooped Yasuko up fromhis seat, and then raced down the steps with him, carrying him towardChristian s office.He smiled at his mate.Jersey might look big andbadass, but he was a little kid inside.Eli realized that he didn t wantto hide who he was around anyone any longer.He was proud to bemated to Jersey, and it was about damn time he started showing it.He knew he had a trip to make.Jersey came back down the hall looking winded as he waved atEli.Buck joined them at the door as they walked outside. Where to? I ll give you directions, Eli said as he waited for the brothers toclimb into the car.There was no way he was getting in first.When thecar straightened, Eli climbed into the passenger s seat.He settled back106 Lynn Hagenas Jersey started the car.His mate popped his CD in, and then themusic filled the car.Eli gave his mate the directions and then settled back.He wasn tin the mood to dance around like a fool tonight.Butterflies wereflapping around inside of him as he began to sweat.This was it.Was he really going to do it? Eli fisted his hands in his lap as hewatched the houses fly past him, taking him closer to his destination.He wasn t sure if his mate could feel his mood or not, but Jersey hadleft Eli alone to his thoughts, which he was thankful for.Buck hadn teven bothered him.As they turned the corner, Eli s heart began to beat faster andharder in his chest.He rubbed his palms down the length of his jeansas Jersey pulled the car over to the curb and cut the engine. So,where are we?Eli glanced over at the front door.It seemed ominous as he satthere wondering if he really had the nerve.The living room light wason, casting a soft glow across the front lawn. My parents.Jersey turned the stereo off as he turned in his seat, glancing outof Eli s window. I m not sure what s going on, but you don t have togo in there if you don t want to, Jersey said quietly.Eli glanced at Jersey, giving him a soft smile as his hand playedover the door handle. My dad has voiced his opinion about gaypeople, and it wasn t polite.Jersey stiffened next to him as he looked to the backseat and thendown at Eli. Whatever you want to do, I m behind you.I just wantyou to know that.Eli curled his fingers around the handle, knowing he had Jersey ifhis father disowned him.It felt good knowing that he had Jersey evenif his father forgave him, too.He nodded as he pushed the car dooropen and stepped out onto the tree lawn.He stood there taking a deepbreath as the brothers joined him by his side.Eli s Way 107Taking his first step toward the unknown, Eli walked the brickwalkway until he stood on the porch.He raised his hand, his stomachknotting as he rang the doorbell.His body was slightly shaking as thetemperature inside of him rose a few degrees.He usually just walked into his parents home, but having twolarge strangers with him might frighten his parents.The front door swung open, his father smiling widely at him untilhis eyes wandered to Jersey and Buck. Is something wrong, son?Everything was wrong, but Eli knew he had to do this.He wastired of hiding.He was tired of feeling dirty and perverted for what hefelt inside. I came to talk to you, Dad.This is Jersey and Buck, hesaid as he waved a hand to each brother and then turned to Jersey. This is Carl, my dad.They shook hands as his dad took a step back to allow them in.Eliglanced around his childhood home.It wasn t decked out like themanor was, but it was lived-in, well furnished, and a place that hadbrought fond memories to him every time he stepped through thedoor.Eli prayed that wasn t about to change.His mother walked into the living room, smiling at Eli and thenthe brothers [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]