Tim balked. “You leave Reuben alone. He’ll eat you alive. I don’t think he has a sense of humor.”
“You got that right,” Dolly agreed. “He’s been on my case about sticking close, staying clear of the main windows, and any other thing he can pick on me about. Do I look like I have a death wish?”
Ian studied her. For a forty-three-year-old woman, she looked pretty damn good. Not that forty-three was old, but the woman smiled a lot and had an earthy prettiness he could appreciate, even as a gay man. He’d love to draw her like that, smiling and laughing. She and Bev seemed close. Joe and Reuben were brothers, but here, in this place, everyone seemed to come together. Even Tim’s bashfulness fit in with the women who tried to take care of him.
A real family. One who’d taken to him as well, according to Dolly. He didn’t know how he felt about that. Because growing too enthused about the idea would lead to hurt when Owen inevitably ended things.
“Ian? You’re going to leave Reuben alone, right?” Tim asked.
It hadn’t escaped Ian’s notice that Tim had been sticking to him like glue. “Why? Afraid you’ll have to fight him to save my gorgeous face from being mauled?” Ian sighed. “I know you’re my babysitter while the boss is away. Controlling bastard.”
“Hey, I pretty much let you do whatever you want.”
“Within reason. And I wasn’t talking about you. I meant Owen’s controlling.”
Just then, Joe Knox poked his head out. He joined their small group and sat with them. “This is nice.”
A breeze wafted past, bringing the sweet scent of lavender with it. Owen had a magnificent back garden. The place was a paradise but not overwhelming. Ian found himself surprised to feel so at home here.
Tim nodded. To Ian’s sharp gaze, he seemed edgy. Tim normally didn’t budge unless he wanted to. Like a friggin’ mountain Ian prodded and pushed to do anything resembling fun. For two days he’d been finding ways to make Tim laugh. Television could only entertain him so much. The board games had been excruciating, because he’d crushed Tim at cards and Scrabble. Dolly, at least, had given him a run for his money at rummy.
“Ian wanted to come outside,” Tim offered.
Joe nodded. His gaze seemed to linger on Tim’s mouth a split second longer than it should have.
Ian noticed patterns. Flirting, or a lack thereof. Eye contact. A pounding pulse. Lingering stares. Just as Dolly and Reuben seemed to be on the verge of coming together, so too were Joe and Tim. Very interesting.
Joe’s eyes narrowed at Ian. “Something wrong?”
Tim studied him as well. “What?”
Ian smiled at the pair. “Not a thing.” No wonder he’d felt so at ease here. None of the I’m-a-hetero-he-man chest beating from two guys who looked like they ate rocks for breakfast. He hated bias of any kind, but Ian preferred being around his friends or women and gay men, because they didn’t seem to judge him for being who he was.
“I guess I should get back to work,” Dolly lamented.
“Why? The house is spotless,” Ian argued. “Besides, you were telling me about Harry Barker.” Now he had Joe’s interest too. “I don’t know if Owen has told you much about me, but I’m really handy with computers. I could make Harry’s life a nightmare, you know.”
Joe’s lips quirked. “Is that so?”
“Yep. I figure a guy that would turn on his boss and friends like that deserves his own dose of karma, you know?”
Now Tim smiled. “Ian, that’s the first rational thing you’ve said all day.”
Ian rolled his eyes. “Please, Tim. I’m more than just beauty. I have a brain too.”
Dolly and Tim chuckled, but Joe looked a bit put out at Tim’s attention.
I am so hooking these two up together. Pleased at the thought of playing matchmaker to men he actually liked, Ian chatted them up about Harry, seeking information he could use to wreak havoc on Harrison Barker’s pitiful life. Screw with Ian’s new boyfriend, hmm? Time to clean out the man’s bank account, for sure.
As the conversation ended and Joe and Dolly went back inside to work, Ian remained with Tim, enjoying himself. He couldn’t have said why, but he liked the fact that Owen’s people seemed to appreciate his company. Though Ian loved working with the PowerUp! guys, they always acted as if he was this huge burden. So okay, he had a habit of making things interesting. Life was for living. If they wanted boring, they should have chosen another career.
Tim pulled out his phone and stared at it. It must have buzzed in his pocket, because Ian hadn’t heard it ring. Tim answered in one- and two-word sentences. Then he mentioned how pleasant and funny Ian had been, that they were just fine, and he looked forward to their return.
Ian hadn’t wanted to admit it, even to himself, but he’d been tense, waiting for word of Owen. “So, everything good?” he asked as casually as possible before taking another sip of tea. He watched the clouds passing, feeling as though he sat in a heavenly oasis missing just one piece—Owen.
“Fine. Boss is heading back. He’ll be in later tonight.” Tim’s voice was light, but he didn’t smile.
Ian sat up straight. “What happened? Is he okay?”
Tim paused.
“Tim.”
Tim groaned. “I’m not supposed to say anything, but it’s not as if you won’t see him for yourself. Owen’s fine, just a bit banged up.”
“What does that mean?” Ian snapped.
For all that Tim outweighed him by at least a hundred pounds, the guy seemed leery of confronting Ian’s anger. “He was shot in the leg. Bullet passed through, so according to Caleb, he’s fine. But he’s a little out of it. Pain meds interfering with his faculties, I think. We’ll need to keep a close eye on him.”
Ian’s heartbeat settled. He could take care of Owen. Not that he’d had a lot of practice caring for others during his life, but he could handle one injured millionaire.
Unfortunately, news that Owen had been hurt put a shadow over his forced vacation. He felt little joy in sneaking into Owen’s sanctuary anymore. Stealing from his lover was only a challenge when Owen was at his peak and able to meet Ian halfway. So I’ll have to get him back to top speed, then harangue the man.
Another thought struck. “Tim, we’re going to have to make sure he doesn’t overexert himself. And with Kerr out there gunning for him, Owen needs to be at his strongest.”
Tim grimaced. “I know. You keep him busy; I’ll talk to Joe and Reuben to reinforce our guards. We’ll talk to your team too. Maybe get more backup than we currently have.”
“Jack will want to protect Heather first.”
“So will Owen.” Tim pursed his lips. “But the boss needs to deal. We’re sitting ducks here, even if Kerr intends to make the fight personal.” He gave Ian a look.
“What? What does that mean?”
“Well, what better way to get at someone’s vulnerabilities than take away that which matters most?”
Ian frowned. “Heather’s got Jack.”
“No, you.”
Ian scoffed. “Hey, I know I’m the flavor of the month. No need to rub it in with sarcasm.”
“Ian, Owen never brings anyone here. Even before I joined on, I knew that this place was off-limits for everyone not in his private circle. Ask the guys. You’re the first new person, other than Jack, Keegan, and James, to visit. And that’s only because the guys are with Heather or Rory, Owen’s relatives. Sorry, dude, you’re the real deal.” Tim leaned closer, his gaze serious. “Don’t fuck with him, because he’s not fucking with you.”
“Sure he is,” Ian tried to joke, but Tim shook his head.
“No. I watched him this past month, working next to you. He’s different with you, and you know it.”