Page 41 of Secret

"No!" Demarco groaned, closing his eyes. "Please don't say it again."

He felt Jack's firm hand on his chest. "I'll still protect you, D."

Demarco opened his eyes. Jack was looking at him like a puppy dog. His heartbeat had increased and he wondered if Jack could feel it as well. "Oh, is that what you're calling it?"

"Let me in, Demarco."

"Said the creepy kid inSalem's Lot."

"I mean it," Jack said. "Let me in."

"Wait. I thought it wasyoukeepingmeout."

"It's a revolving door."

Demarco nodded, yielding.

Jack lay back on the pillow, pulling Demarco closer to him.

"So, all of this was just a bullshit stunt for a reality show? I have a gash in my shoulder so that Abir can be a Bravo-lebrity?"

"Hold up," Jack said. "Weren't you the one so gung-ho on helping him defect in the first place?"

"I was duped...the patsy," he said, remembering his conversation with Alec.

"It happens to the best of us, D—especially those with noble intentions."

Demarco traced circles around Jack's nipple. "Does this mean that Andy Cohen is going to show up at my door with a big check?"

Jack laughed. "No. Kip says these guys are small beans. But even if it was a channel as big as Bravo, they'd probably just sever ties and feign ignorance—say they had no idea what was going on and fire the person responsible for contracting them. Big businesses just throw money wherever needed to put out fires. It's a cruel corporate world out there."

"It's not fair."

"Do you have a lawyer?"

"No, but Alec does.

"Get his info and call him. If anything, you won't be paying for the medical. Maybe a settlement if you're lucky."

Demarco rose to an elbow. "Really?"

"You were shot, D. It's affected you... your job... your personal life... it's traumatic, to say the least."

"Yes," Demarco said. "I'mtraumatized."

Jack squeezed him. "I can help you with that." His devilish grin returned and Demarco saw stirring beneath the sheet, just below Jack's exposed navel.

"Yes, you can."

"Checkout time is eleven. We can't stay here anymore—not on Uncle Sam's penny. Technically, the case is solved, so today would be my final assigned day. I'll let my boss know the details, and then I'll take you home. But I want you to meet someone first."

"Your friend at the youth shelter?"

"Her name is Rachel."

"I remember."

"You game?"