Page 42 (1/2)

Bastard Tristan had always hated the et to the point and tellIt’s about ti it came as a surprise for Brett and an officer to walk into the apart dealer, and see you sitting at a table with hi, we put people like him behind bars It’s a conflict of interest, in a way We have a reputation to protect What if it gets out? What if people take it the wrong way? It’s so you should think about Now, if you’ll excuse me, you were correct It’s about time to call it a day"

Tristan squeezed the aro down this way if they found out No, therelike this, but that didn’t mean they would like it They’d find a way to deal with it before they risked it co down on the depart

Tristan pushed to his feet,

Each step he took closer to his car, his anger grew He was pissed at Larry, hih he didn’t feel the ache in his gut or the fear onethreatened over a job they loved, he did fear losing it Losing his stability His control Part of the resource he used to take care of his mom--of Josiah and Mateo That had always been all he hadso different than the way Mateo had fought for Josiah Different in the way Tristan would fight for them now, if need be

Once in his car, Tristan used the second phone and called New York It rang and rang just like it had every time he called since he told the er it went, the louder the voice inside hiet hurt--or worse? What if he ratted to Javier? No, the contact didn’t knoho Tristan was, but still What the fuck would he do if this hurt Josiah, Mateo or his ain No answer

The echo in his head was too loud to ignore, too loud to sit with Josiah and Mateo and pretend nothing happened, so he went to the only place he knew to go

The Wharf It here he could be close to the after night fell Walked until his phone rang with Josiah’s nurowing inside hihtly started to release tension at the name on the screen

"Hello," Tristan said into the phone

"Hey It’s late We wanted to check in with you"

"Is Mateo home?"

"Yes"