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Story: Hitting the Jackpot

“It’s okay,” Jesse said as he buttoned up the jacket. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”

“I’m coming too,” Dom said.

“You don’t have to.” Lake turned but Dom was sliding in front of him.

“I know you have your big bad Daddy and he’ll take care of everything. I’ll be by your side though. You just grab my hand and squeeze if you need me to get you out of there. Jesse will make sure we aren’t followed.”

“That’s…that’s a good idea,” Lake agreed.

Jesse straightened the lapels of the jacket. “Perfect, pretty baby.”

“Th…thank you, Daddy.”

Jesse kissed him. “I have someone from security coming to watch the desk. Let’s go.”

With his fingers wrapped up in Jesse’s and Dom hovering behind him, Lake was led down the hall. They reached the elevator that would take them to the casino before Lake was ready. He didn’t say anything as they stepped inside the elevator.

Jesse held his watch up to the sensor before pushing the button for the first floor.

“I need one of those,” Dom said. He grabbed the card hanging from the lanyard around his neck. “Much cooler than this.”

“I ordered one for Lake. I’ll see if I can add to it,” Jesse replied.

“You ordered me a watch?” Jesse questioned.

Jesse squeezed his fingers. “Of course I did. You’re my boy. You can have access to anywhere you want. You’ll always be able to get to me.”

“I…appreciate that,” Lake whispered.

Jesse pointed one finger at Dom. “You do not get access to all the floors.”

Dom pushed out his bottom lip. “Why not?”

“Because I don’t need you showing up in my penthouse when I’m sleeping,” Jesse said.

Lake laughed because that was a real concern.

“You know me too well,” Dom admitted with a grin. “And you live in the penthouse? Nice!”

“Lake can show it to you later,” Jesse promised.

The elevator dinged before the doors opened. Lake took a deep breath as they exited the elevator.

“Security office,” Jesse said. “He made a scene until security was called.”

“I’m sorry.” Lake hated that his brother had shown up. He’d never wanted his personal life and work life to collide. Which was funny when he was dating the most important man in the entire building.

“It’s no big deal,” Jesse told him. “Things like this happens.”

Not to Lake they didn’t.

The walk to the security office took a long time. It might be because Lake’s steps kept faltering. He was scared. Lake didn’t want to lose his family. He might have needed a break, it had been too much, but they were still his family. He loved them.

“No matter what happens we’re here with you,” Dom said.

Yeah, and they were his family too.

He spotted Justice as they turned the corner. His brother stood with his back to the window. Justice’s stance was confrontational. Legs spread, arms behind his back, his hands fisted.