Page 76 of Men of Fort Dale: The Complete Series

“There are people who get with people who are eighteen. What does it matter?”

“To you and me, nothing. But to Command? It wouldn’t look good if a high-ranking general had random flings with men half their age.

It wouldn’t necessarily ruin my reputation, but it would certainly look bad.

I imagine I would find myself quietly, slowly, but inevitably, brought down from my position and filed off somewhere else. ”

Christian frowned. “You’re telling me just because you’re with another guy, a young guy, you’d be shoved into a corner to be forgotten about?”

“If it were a relationship, and not a casual relationship of a strictly sexual nature, one that allowed for filming, probably not. I would be spoken of, but considering this is behavior that would be considered unbecoming of a man of my station, I would find myself in a lot of trouble, albeit the hidden kind.”

Christian snorted. “How stupid.”

“That’s just how it goes.”

“So now you’re stuck either letting this happen and letting him get whatever money you can come up with or risk everything you’ve worked for?”

“That more or less sums up my problem, yes.”

Christian huffed. “Well, that explains why you’ve been in such a mood.”

David frowned. “A mood? Yes, I imagine I have been. This has been weighing on my mind quite heavily.”

“I like you better when you’re trying not to laugh at my smart-ass jokes.”

“And I prefer trying not to laugh at your jokes.”

“So, what are you going to do?”

Now, there was the question. David had been thinking long and hard about what amount of money would satisfy Ethan and guarantee an end to the entire thing. He still had another day and a half to give it some thought, but he could feel time ticking away rapidly.

David laughed humorlessly. “How much do you think would be a good amount to offer him? I don’t want to lose my entire savings over this, but I don’t want to risk insulting him either.”

Christian snorted. “It sounds like he could use a bit of insulting.”

“Yes, but I won’t be the one to do it.”

“No, I bet you wouldn’t.”

“So, now you know everything I know, what would you offer?”

“If I had my way, you wouldn’t pay a cent,” Christian grumbled.

“Trust me, if I could think of a way to get out of this mess without ruining everything, I’d take it in a heartbeat. But considering he doesn’t seem willing to negotiate outside his demands, talking to him isn’t an option.”

Christian cocked his head thoughtfully. “True. I imagine you’re the last person he’s going to want to deal with.”

“Hell, he’s so paranoid about what I could do. He thinks I could...summon someone to access his information, get into his online storage, and take the file down.”

Christian frowned. “It is possible.”

“You know how?”

“Uh, no, not personally. I’m good with computers, but not that good. I have...uh, friends.”

“Friends who can hack into people’s computers.”

“Look, some people in the foster system don’t come out law-abiding people like me. I’m not saying they’ve told me what they do, but I can guess.”

“And since you don’t have any proof?—”

“Then, I don’t know anything, right.”

“That’s fair.”

Christian pulled his phone out, looking at the screen. “If he doesn’t have it stored digitally, he just...has it on a computer?”

“Yes. He said he’d put it on a thumb drive.”

“And how do you know he won’t keep a copy to come around again?”

David sighed, heart sinking. “I don’t.”

Christian frowned thoughtfully, opening something on his phone and flipping around momentarily. David watched, wondering what the younger man could be doing as Christian started typing. The phone buzzed a moment later, bringing a smirk to Christian’s face.

David eyed him warily. “What?”

“I have an idea, that’s what.”

David would usually be pleased to hear Christian had an idea.

However, considering the circumstances, he could feel himself growing cautious.

Christian was a good man and far more mature at twenty-five than David remembered being.

That did not, however, prevent Christian from being a little impulsive.

“And does this idea involve something foolish that could worsen this situation?” David asked.

Christian looked up, thoughtful. “Well...no, I don’t think it would make it worse. I’m pretty sure it’s completely safe for you.”

“Okay, and are you planning on sharing your idea?”

“Mm, no.”

“No?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

Christian laughed, standing up. “Because if I told you, my plan probably wouldn’t work. So here’s the thing, I’m going to take the rest of the night off and tomorrow. When are you supposed to contact him?”

“He’s going to call me Monday afternoon.”

“Good, that works perfectly. Don’t bother responding to anything he sends, and I’ll see you Monday morning,” Christian said, making for the door.

David stood up, holding a hand out. “Now, hold on a minute.”

Christian turned, winking. “Look, you trust me, right?”

“With a lot of things, yes, but this is a very different set of circumstances.”

Christian smiled gently. “Look, I know this is a...well, a fucked-up situation. And I know I’m probably not the first person you would have turned to for help, but I promise you, I have a great idea and know what I’m doing.

And even if it doesn’t work, I’ll ensure it doesn’t make things worse, okay? ”

Christian's voice had a note of pleading, and David felt his protest die in his throat. Everything he’d said was true, but David still couldn’t help the apprehension as he nodded, sitting down to let Christian leave the office without further protest.

Damn him for being a sucker for a cute face.