Page 10 of Single Greatest Threat (Atlantic City’s Most Wanted #6)

Shaw was at peace in a way he hadn’t been for a while.

He was way too fucking tall for the bathtub inside Haven’s house.

That didn’t stop him from sitting in the hot, bubbly water with Joesph between his knees.

It had been a long time since they made love.

He knew Joesph had to be sore. Shaw just wanted to take care of him.

He loved the way Joesph felt, relaxing against his chest. Shaw never got enough of holding him.

“I texted you on my way here to see if you needed anything. You didn’t respond.”

“Shit. When I turned my phone back on earlier, I turned my ringer off.” A soft chuckle rumbled from Joesph. “I spent hours fretting over not hearing from you, and it was my fault.”

He kissed Joesph’s shoulder. “It’s probably for the best you kept your notifications off.

Mom and I spent hours making copies of everything.

I’m keeping one set and she’s taking the rest home to confront Dad.

There’s no telling how he’ll react afterward, but I know he’ll blame everyone but himself. ”

“How did she take it? Don’t answer that. That was a ridiculous question. I can’t even imagine. They’ve been married forever.”

“Almost fifty years, since a month after she turned eighteen. She wasn’t as surprised as I expected. It seems Kayla isn’t the first.”

“Damn.”

Shaw couldn’t stop kissing Joesph’s shoulder. He was the only comfort Shaw had. “I know. I never saw my dad as a cheater. That’s crazy, I guess. We represent some of the biggest criminals in town. I guess I should’ve guessed he has no scruples.”

“You have scruples and you’re the one actually doing the defending. Someone has to.”

“I guess.”

Joesph snuggled closer. “You sound so sad. I hate that. Tell me how to make it better.”

“You are just by being here. No one else shows up for me.”

“Not that you make it easy.” The laughter lacing Joesph’s claim took some sting from the words. He knew it was true.

“I don’t know why I’m this way.”

“You were raised to believe the only people deserving of attention were the best of the best. Being perfect and right topped kindness and empathy. In fact, I imagine those things were considered a weakness in your house.”

Shaw’s lips found Joesph’s shoulder again. Kissing him was the only peace he found. “Damn. I should’ve just hired you to be my therapist.”

“I’m probably cheaper.” He toyed with Shaw’s fingers. “But I’m not an expert in that field. I just see you clearly because I haven’t looked away in years.”

Shaw wanted to tell Joesph a million things.

He didn’t know where to start. The thing was, life had always been all about him when it came to them.

He had to stop. “Speaking of experts in their fields. There’s a doctor in NYC that is the leading MS expert in the U.S.

, supposedly. Would you see him if I set up an appointment? ”

“You’ve been talking to my mom.”

Shaw wouldn’t deny it. “You don’t talk to me. Not really. I had to talk to someone.”

For a moment, Joesph continued focusing on their hands before he finally spoke.

“I’ve seen that guy. All the experts in the world won’t change anything.

I’m just one of the unlucky twenty percent of people with this disease who live in constant pain and need assistance walking.

All anyone can do for me is keep trying medicines until they find something that works the best. This won’t kill me, but it’ll make sure I’m miserable. ”

Shaw’s chest hurt. Joesph’s issues made Shaw’s problems seem trivial and self-centered. “Damn.” He pressed his lips against Joesph’s temple. “I’m sorry, baby. You make me feel ridiculous for my week of in-patient treatment for suicidal tendencies. What in the hell do I have to be sad about?”

Joesph moved so fast, Shaw didn’t see it coming. He turned and straddled Shaw. His gaze moved over Shaw’s face. “What? When did this happen? Why didn’t you call me?”

Sometimes, Shaw felt so close to Joesph, he forgot there were things he hadn’t said. This was one of those things. “Not long after you quit.”

He watched Joesph deflate. “I know I told you to lose my number, but surely you knew I’d be there.”

A sad smile tugged at his lips. “Yeah. That’s the problem, isn’t it?

You show up for me time and time again while I fail you each and every time.

I didn’t want to be that guy. I didn’t want to be anything anymore.

” Fuck. He hated admitting that out loud.

It was Joesph. He was the only person Shaw trusted.

“And now?”

The hurt in Joesph’s eyes had Shaw tightening his hold and pulling him closer.

“Now I just want to be with you. I want the peace and happiness you bring me. But if I had showed up at your door and didn’t get help, you would’ve gotten the same guy you’ve been dealing with for years.

I don’t want to be him anymore. It was past time to deal with my bullshit. ”

“I still would’ve been there.”

A smile exploded across Shaw’s face at the petulance in Joesph’s tone.

“You’re amazing and perfect.” He stole a kiss.

“And beautiful and sexy.” Shaw teased Joesph’s lips apart.

Their tongues met and stroked. Everything fell away.

It hit Shaw. He was fine. In fact, he was great.

All he really needed was Joesph. Even if he had lost his clientele and his dad had probably disowned him, Shaw didn’t need their money anyhow.

He had been winning big for a lot of important people for several years.

He was good. Shaw had Joesph. He didn’t need anything else.

Joesph hated the way Shaw could distract him with his kisses.

He was so mad at Shaw for not coming to him with his problems, even though he understood why he hadn’t.

It also warmed his heart knowing Shaw wanted to better himself so he could be who Joesph needed.

Joesph had always known this was who Shaw was behind the facade his father had forced him to create. That was why he hadn’t let go.

Shaw stood and carried Joesph from the tub. He sat him on the edge and gently dried him. Joesph couldn’t look away from Shaw’s face. He cared. Genuinely. It was in his eyes. Joesph’s throat swelled. He wanted this life with Shaw. No one could know how much.

Once dried, Shaw held out his hand. “Come on. Let’s go cuddle. I’ve missed the hell out of that.”

Joesph couldn’t help his idiotic smile. That had been what he missed the most too. It was hard being invisible, and that was exactly what he was since his life changed. No one saw him any longer. Shaw treated him like nothing had changed. It was addicting.

He climbed into bed and Shaw followed. In no time, they were beneath the covers and Joesph was in Shaw’s arms. He couldn’t stop toying with the line of hair that ran from his navel down. Joesph knew he probably drove Shaw crazy with his inability to be still. He had just missed Shaw so much.

“What should we call the new office?”

“Hmm.” Joesph welcomed any topic that stopped him from molesting Shaw. “The Law Office of Howe Jr.?”

“I was thinking Drake and Drake.”

Joesph’s brow furrowed. “Why would you add my name once, much less twice?”

Shaw never stopped trailing his fingertips up and down the back of Joesph’s arm. “I’m adding your name because the practice is half yours. It’s twice because I think I’d rather take your last name than keep mine.”

Joesph shot up onto his elbow so he could meet Shaw’s stare. “What?”

A sweet smile hovered on Shaw’s lips. “It’s okay if you want to say no.”

First off, Shaw’s eyes said it wasn’t okay. Second, what the fuck? “Say no to what?” He would not assume a damn thing. Assuming things with Shaw broke hearts.

“Will you marry me?”

Joesph was so stunned, all he could do was blink. Never in a million damn years did he see this coming. He couldn’t help but argue, because surely Shaw didn’t mean it. “But you don’t even love me. Is this about your dad?”

Shaw’s brow furrowed. “Why would this be about my dad? And I absolutely love you. You should—” Shaw blinked a few times.

“I started to say you should know that, but I guess I’ve never given you a reason.

” Fuck. He looked so defeated. A sad smile touched his lips and fell away.

“I guess The Law Office of Howe Jr., it is.”

“Drake and Drake is better. It’s shorter on a business card.”

Shaw looked scared to hope. “Are you being serious? You’ll actually marry me?”

Joesph shrugged. “I mean, I love you and you’re the only man I want. Why would I say no? Plus, I really can’t let Dodge get two husbands before I even have one.”

A bark of laughter burst from Shaw. “What does that have to do with anything?”

Joesph shrugged again. “I don’t know. It’s just nervous chatter, really. I keep expecting you to take it back and shut me out again.”

Shaw snagged Joesph’s waist and rolled, tucking him beneath him.

“Never.” His mouth covered Joesph’s and their fingers linked.

Joesph’s heart soared. He had no idea if this would go anywhere.

Maybe Shaw would find a new level of breaking him.

It seemed he would find out because Joesph had no plans to back down.

He would take this as far as Shaw went. God help them both.