Page 4 of Accepted Precedent (Love & Politics #3)

Evelyn

I t’s every girl’s dream to marry the love of her life—her soulmate, her best friend.

Lucky for me, I’m not every girl.

I vowed to never marry a man in politics, but Andrew isn’t like the others.

He’s pure, with a heart of gold, and will bring about so much change for this country if given the opportunity.

Marrying him will stop the asshole who is hell-bent on rolling back women’s rights from getting into office—it’s a small price to pay.

Over the years, I’ve watched Andy date a variety of partners, and I’ve never seen him as in love as he is with Mickey. He’ll be giving up just as much as I am, forced further into the shadows.

I hate it. All of it.

Since we stepped into Mick’s bedroom, everything seems to have shifted back to normal for us.

It feels like we’re back in college—drinking wine and eating pepperoni and olive pizza in our pajamas.

Still, guilt swirls inside me after kissing both of them.

The idea of sleeping with two men has always intrigued me, but I got caught up in the moment.

We all did. It’s wrong to fantasize about my best friend and his boyfriend, yet I can’t help wondering what it would be like to have two men worshiping me—two sets of hands, two mouths, two hard cocks desperate to fill me.

I’m lost in the fantasy when there’s a knock at the door.

I pause with the slice of pizza halfway to my mouth as Mickey enters, shrugging off his jacket.

My gaze falls to his wet shirt and slacks.

It’s not raining. Even more curious, his hair is dry.

Andrew kisses my temple and whispers, “Stay here,” then rushes off the bed.

He helps Mickey out of his soaked clothes.

It isn’t water—Andrew’s hands are stained crimson.

“What the fuck?” I shriek, tossing the pizza and box haphazardly to the side as I throw back the covers.

“I told you to stay there,” Andrew growls.

My questions come out in rapid succession. “What’s going on? Whose blood is that? Are you hurt? Do I need to call the cops?”

Mickey’s eyes meet mine, and while he’s known for a trademark scowl, this is different.

Darker. Pinned with his intense gaze, I struggle to breathe.

His voice is soft but sure when he replies, “No, I’m okay, angel.

Listen to Andrew. Finish dinner and put on a movie.

I could use a distraction once I’m out of the shower. ”

“Fuck that,” I snap, stalking toward them. “Let me help. You’re covered in blood. At the very least, I can ask Aisling for trash bags or something so you don’t destroy your bedroom.”

Mick nods with a grunt and unbuttons his shirt as Andrew helps him out of his shoes. I rush out of the bedroom in search of her. His house is huge, and I take a few wrong turns, but eventually find her in the kitchen.

“Hey, Aisling. I was wondering if I could have three or four trash bags, cleaning rags you don’t mind tossing later, and your strongest all-purpose cleaner.”

She purses her lips as she nods. “Of course. Mr. Gallagher must’ve snuck past me after his errand. Is there any pizza left?”

“Pizza? Uh, um, I think so. I’m not sure,” I wince, then lower my voice. “I’m more worried about the—how do I put this lightly—blood on his clothes.” I shudder. “What sort of errand did he run that he returned like that?”

“Don’t worry yourself with the details, Ms. Proctor.

Mr. Gallagher will share when he feels it’s appropriate.

For now, he’ll be hungry, and he’ll need Mr. Adams tonight to cheer him up.

I’ll have someone bring him something to eat.

Also, I’ve made up your room next door to theirs—it’s available whenever you’re ready for bed. ”

Andrew asked that I stay with him tonight, but if that means staying with Mickey too, I’ll happily sleep in the spare bedroom. Things are complicated enough. “How are you so calm?”

“I don’t ask questions,” she replies curtly, retrieving the cleaning supplies and trash bags. “Mr. Gallagher is a good man who sometimes has to do things that others may find… unsavory .”

I swallow thickly, my heart beating loudly against my chest. “Did he kill someone?”

“Be gentle with him tonight.” She hands me the supplies and I nod once. “He won’t be himself until the morning.”

It’s unlikely she’ll betray Mickey’s trust and divulge what happened.

What if the Gallaghers aren’t only savvy businessmen who invest in political futures?

What if he’s part of a mafia family? Is he a murderer?

Did he save someone? The idea that he isn’t who I thought he was both scares and thrills me—something I’ll need to discuss with my therapist at some point, leaving out key details to keep secrets safe.

I take the stairs two at a time and stop at the door before Mickey’s, opening it enough to peer inside.

It’s smaller than his, but even in the dark it appears to be larger than my entire apartment.

I close the door and hesitantly open Mickey’s.

There’s the faint sound of a sink running, and their whispers echo in the bathroom.

I wait outside of the ensuite, unable to help myself from eavesdropping.

“Evie will be here in a minute. What do you want me to tell her?” Andrew asks softly.

“She’s going to be your wife, giving up everything to help you. We need to be honest with her.” There’s a thump of something wet hitting the floor. “She’s a strong woman; she can handle it. Once you’re married, I wouldn’t be surprised if you fall in love with her.”

“It isn’t like that with us. We’re just friends. I love her, but I don’t think I could ever be in love with her.”

“Friends make the best lovers,” Mickey laughs, and the water turns off. I jump as the bathroom door opens wider to two very naked men. Andrew has a few red streaks marking his forearms, but Mickey has blood smeared on his chest and hands. “Isn’t that right, angel?”

I pull my items closer to me as I leap back. “Fuck! You scared me. I was just about to knock.”

“Come here,” he commands. I take a small step, keeping my eyes on his, no matter how tempted I am to sneak a peek at the rest of him. “We’ve been friends for a while now, but you don’t know anything about me or what I do. It’s about time I tell you the truth.”

“Can we have this conversation when you’re not…” I glance down, which will be clocked as the biggest mistake of my life. He’s half-hard— why is he half-hard? Does murder turn him on? I quickly look away.

Mick closes the distance, but I still can’t meet his eyes.

“Would you feel better talking about it if you were also naked?” I try not to laugh as he removes the trash bags from my grasp and sets them on the counter, then does the same with the rags and cleaner.

“Look at me, angel.” With a deep breath, I finally do, and am instantly lost in his emerald eyes.

“I go to great lengths to protect this country and the people I love. We had an eventful night, but I need Andrew—and you—to get my mind off things.” My gaze falls to Andrew, who is already stuffing a trash bag full of Mickey’s clothes.

“He won’t touch you. Neither will I. But nights like tonight, I need human connection. ”

“Did you kill someone?” I finally ask, wishing with all my being he says no.

He tilts my chin, and his searing gaze burns into me. “No, not this time. My brother did.” My eyes widen as I suck in a breath. “We can do storytime later. I need to get cleaned up.”

“I’ll leave you to it,” is the only reasonable response I can manage, given that he just confessed his brother murdered someone.

“Not so fast, beautiful.” He turns me around to face the mirror, revealing a red mark on my chin. “You also need to get cleaned up.”

“Whose blood is on my chin, Mick?” I growl, eyes narrowed on his reflection.

“Two security guards who work for Justice Vasileiou.”

“Ileah’s father?”

He nods. “They were outside of your friend’s home. You’ll want to check on Ms. Vasileiou in the morning.”

My stomach drops. I should call her now, but there’s no explanation I could come up with for why I know about her dead security detail. “I’ll clean up the mess, then take a shower after you two.”

The sound of the bathtub pulls my attention to it.

“Wash your face in the sink,” Andrew insists, handing me a clean washcloth and his favorite facial cleanser.

“Then you’re going to take a bath while we take a shower.

” He then leans in to whisper, “I know this is a lot. I’ll take care of you, so we can take care of him. ”

This isn’t Andrew’s first time dealing with this, and I hate that he’s kept secrets from me all this time.

We’re supposed to be best friends. Still, Mickey trusts me with this, and I don’t take it lightly.

Listening to Andrew, I wash my face, and once the boys are in the shower, I strip out of my clothes and step into the large tub, which is easily the size of a small jacuzzi—complete with jets.

As I soak, I replay this evening: kissing my best friend for the first time, kissing his boyfriend, the ride to the house…

There’s an ache in my core, and I can’t help tracing my fingers up my thigh until I reach my swollen clit to the thought of Mick’s face between my legs.

I peer over my shoulder, and even through the steam, I can make out Andrew washing Mickey.

He’s sweet and attentive. Mickey takes Andrew’s face in his hands and kisses him, and it has to be one of the most beautiful moments I’ve seen in a long time—there’s so much love.