Page 28

Story: Hitting the Jackpot

“I’m so sorry to wake you,” William said.

“It’s fine.” It wasn’t. Jesse couldn’t have this shit happening when he was with Lake. That was a problem for another day, apparently. “What’s going on?”

“That couple you asked me to look out for? They showed up. They reserved one of our rooms.”

Dread filled him. “You’re sure it’s them?”

“They used the name and identification that you gave me,” William answered.

Fuck! Jesse had hoped that this day would never come. After months without a word or showing. Jesse wished this was over. “Keep an eye on them. Assign someone from security to watchand report everywhere they go. I especially want to know if they go anywhere near the coffee shop.”

“You got it, boss,” William said.

“They just checked in?”

“Yes, it was unusual enough for such a late check-in that it caught my attention,” William said. “I was right there when Maria gave them the keys.”

“What’s the room number?”

“Thirty-seven-twenty,” William replied.

“Thanks, Will. I appreciate the call.”

“You got it, boss. I’ll see you in the morning. Uh, I mean later this morning,” William said.

“I’ll bring you a coffee,” Jesse promised.

“Appreciate it.”

Jesse ended the call. Well at least the call had killed his erection. He debated sending the text then or waiting. Shower, coffee for himself, and then Jesse would check on their guests himself. Then he would send the text. No one else should have to be woken up by this news at this ungodly hour.

He climbed off the bed, naked, and strolled to the bathroom.

One thing he could say about his suite was that it was everything a penthouse should be in fabulous Las Vegas.

Jesse didn’t need five bedrooms, three bathrooms, two bars, two living rooms, office, and multiple entertainment spaces. He was expected to have the best, so he’d put himself in the best.

He would have much preferred the nice house that Remi, Dom, and Lake lived in. Even the smaller but equally nice house that Eric, Ezra, Dane, and Brandon shared. Communal living of sorts. Not something that Jesse would have ever considered once he had enough money to pay rent in a decent place.

Now all he wished was that he was in the same space as Lake.

His boy.

They’d shared one kiss so far.

Jesse had kissed Lake on the doorstep when he’d dropped him off after ice cream. The sweet kiss that was better than any other interaction that Jesse had in his life. And admittedly Jesse had his fair share of men when he’d been younger. None of them compared to the sweetness or wide-eyed wonder that Lake gave to him.

How was Lake still single?

Why didn’t anyone else see what a wonderful human being that Lake truly was? Jesse shouldn’t complain since this gave him the opportunity for his chance with Lake.

Jesse turned on the shower and let it heat up as he walked over to the mirror.

He stared at his reflection, knowing that no one had seen him like this. Not any of the men in his past. Not his brother. The secret under his clothing was for Jesse, or had been, until Lake had come into his life.

The intricate array of tattoos that covered him from collarbone to ankle weren’t just decoration. They hid the years of horror and torture that Jesse didn’t tell anyone about. Ever. Jacob knew but he had his own way of covering up the past.

The scars from cuts and burns were one of the few ways that someone would be able to tell the two of them apart. If Jesse or Jacob allowed anyone that close. They didn’t normally.