Page 57 of Secret

"What would I do without you?"

"You'll never have to know."

"Why me, Jack?"

"Because—in this city of phonies, you're the real deal, D. You're sweet, funny, kind, caring, and compassionate. Oh... and you make my dick hard as a brick. You have a certain—"

"—je ne sais quoi?"

Jack smiled. "Oui."

"Well, I guess you got your wish. I won't be hooking again anytime soon."

"No," Jack said, crossing back to the chair to retrieve his phone. "I wouldn't think walking with a cane is a big turn on."

"I'm not even going to comment on that, Mr. Brick Dick."

"I do have a present for you though." He smiled while texting on his phone.

"What?"

"It's on the way."

20

"Do you really think a settlement from the Kicklighter's will cover all this expense?" Demarco said, looking around the room. "I mean—three surgeries... two weeks at GU Hospital... it's gonna be way up there."

"I think it's only part of what Shep will negotiate."

"I wish I didn't have to take it."

"The money? Yeah... I can see why you'd say that. But she did almost kill you. I'd like to at least punch her in the face for that. Him too."

Demarco smiled. "My knight in shining polyblend."

Jack sat on the bed and squeezed his leg. "There's something else I want to tell you... If you don't want to work with Rachel at the center, don't. It was wrong of me to force that on you. I made assumptions."

"You weren't entirely wrong about me wanting to rescue kids, Jack. I'm just not sure I have the patience to deal with the bureaucracy behind the curtain."

"Fair enough. I can relate. I see it every day."

"I bet," Demarco said. "So now, instead of us surviving on the luxurious government salaries of a SS agent and social worker... we only havehalfof that income and I'll be a broke DC housewife."

"You'll figure something out, D. You're smart. Maybe a book deal. Can you write?"

"No, but my friend Alec can."

There was a soft rapping at the hospital room door.

"Speaking of which..." Jack said.

Alec entered. Tyler was behind him, carrying a flower arrangement and a book. He nodded hello to Jack.

Alec rushed to Demarco's side, misty-eyed. "Thank, God, you're OK," he said embracing him gently.

"Hey sweetie," Demarco said. "Watch out for this damn tube. I was planning on calling you tonight. Who's that handsome devil you brought with you?"

Tyler grinned. He placed the items he was holding on a rolling table at the foot of the bed and came around, arm extended. "Hello, Demarco," he said, in his deep western baritone. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you in person."