Page 93 of Dual Destruction

“What’s the saying? Cutting off the limbs?” He blinked, long and slow. It looked to me that the past few days, or the past few weeks, were catching up to him.

“I don’t even like the guy,” I reminded him.

“But you like me.”

“I love you,” I corrected.

He answered that with a small smile and another long blink.

“I’m too old for this life,” he said softly, staring down at his hands. “There’s too much at stake now.”

“Come here.” I moved my chair so it was pushed away from the table and spread my legs. Golden slipped off his chair, landing on the floor on his knees. He made his way to me and settled between my legs, resting his head on my thigh. I stroked my fingers through his hair and he took a deep breath that rattled his chest.

“Sharp will have answers,” he muttered.

“You need rest,” I told him.

“I’ll rest when we have answers.”

“You’ll rest now.” I pulled my hand down the front of his face, and he obediently closed his eyes.

And he stayed like that until Sharp knocked at his front door. Much like Golden, the slim, blond man looked worse for wear. He gave an exhausted look at the body on Golden’s floor.

“Who’s he?”

“Ask Carmen.” Golden had gotten up when Sharp arrived, but almost immediately settled himself back on the floor between my legs.

Sharp tensed.

“Who the fuck is Carmen Savino?” I asked.

“She’s complicated.” He rubbed the bridge of his nose. “But she is after me.”

“Would that not have been useful information earlier this week?” I snapped, hand flexing around Golden’s head. He reached up and swatted at me, but there was no force behind it.

“I wasn’t sure then,” Sharp said, casting a glance at Carter. “I am now.”

“Are you the one who shot that guy's brother?” I asked.

“The guy with the brick,” Golden supplied.

“Might have been either of us.” Sharp shrugged. “She’s trying to get to me by weakening the people around me.”

“I’m not around you,” I reminded him. I didn’t appreciate having my family pulled into his drama.

“But you’re around him.” Sharp gestured to Golden. “I think she made a miscalculation. Thought you were more important than you were.”

“He’s everything.” Golden pushed himself off my leg, turning his stare on Sharp while remaining at my feet.

“But not to me,” Sharp said gently, giving him an apologetic look. “Not the way you are.”

“Excuse me?” I hissed.

“He’s one of my only friends.” Sharp’s expression turned exasperated. “The person I give the best jobs to. I’d be nothing without him.”

“Neither would I,” I warned. “So you better be more careful with him in the future.”

“I’m right here,” Golden groaned. “And I’m a grown man. I can be careful with myself.”