Page 265 of Affair

Gamble moved closer.

“Baby,” he whispered, putting his arms around him. When he did, Poe leaned into him, and the crying intensified.

He just held him.

What else could he possibly do?

“I’m here,” Gamble reassured. “I wish this was about me, Poe. I’d take this for you and carry it if I could. I wish I didn’t have to tell you this.”

“Did they suffer?” Poe asked. “Did my mother and father suffer?”

He didn’t know.

But he knew what Poe needed.

When his child had been murdered, he’d asked the same question.

He’d needed to know.

“No, Poe, they didn’t.”

Poe let him hold him. He moved into his body, and sat in his lap. When he was wrapped in his arms, he let the emotions go.

They poured out of him and Gamble just weathered the storm with him.

He held him, and let the man sob.

Poe had just lost his family, and his life would never be the same again.

Murder did that.

“I sent a text out to get us help, Poe. It’ll come, and we’ll be okay.”

He didn’t answer.

Instead, he just leaned against Gamble and closed his eyes. In his head, he was feeling guilty.

He’d not gone back because it hurt.

Now, he had to go back.

His father would need him to make sure that Penelope and he were laid to rest. Liam would want him to make sure the horses were okay, and the staff was handled.

“Why did no one call me?” Poe finally got out.

God.

This was horrible.

“They killed everyone, Poe. That’s the only logical reason you weren’t called. It had to be earlier this week.”

Poe wiped his eyes and clung to the man.

“They were taking a holiday this week. Both of them were taking time off from their duties to just enjoy the horses and each other. My father was so happy to have a vacation with his horse and my mother.”

Gamble ran his hands up and down his back.

“I have no one left.”