Bound to Break: Men of Honor, Book 6 (10 page)

He felt like a weight had been lifted by telling Jace this. He hadn’t been hiding it, but you didn’t just walk up to people and tell them you were filthy stinking rich.

Now he had to let Rex know about it. Because he’d been bitching to Rex that they didn’t know each other while he’d been keeping this secret.

But it had stopped being a secret a long time ago for him. Instead, it became simply a life that he’d felt had never been his. He’d never felt rich. He’d grown up running roughshod over any culture his mother tried to give him. That’s not to say he hadn’t picked up any social graces. He could hold his own at any fancy party, knew how to make the right kind of small talk to keep people comfortable.

He also knew how to make people decidedly uncomfortable, but that didn’t come from practice. That was a skill that he’d been born with, and whether or not he did it with a question or a look, he was always able to suss out both truth and lies.

He was also able to hide his own truth and lies. It helped him to rise up the ranks in the military and he’d been recommended for OCS but hadn’t gone.

Rex had been actively trying to talk him into it. Sawyer had been just as actively refusing.

“I work for a living,” was an old military joke non-officers used when someone addressed them as
sir
but that wasn’t far from the truth for Sawyer.

He could’ve gone to an elite military academy, just like his father had. Could be working in the Pentagon. Instead, he was happily ensconced in a SEAL team.

Didn’t matter how highly decorated he was or how many missions he’d clocked, the lives he’d saved. His mother was proud he’d followed in his father’s footsteps but angry that she had to worry about him. It brought back too many memories for her, and it complicated their already complicated relationship further.

At least he didn’t have to live with her. That was her new boyfriend’s job and hell, if the guy wanted to hang around and play second fiddle, so be it. He’d find out soon enough, like his stepfather had, that there was only one man in his mother’s life.

He’d been five when his dad was killed. Didn’t remember much, although the memories were good.

And knowing how much his mother still mourned for her first love had been what stopped Sawyer cold when he’d first discovered Rex’s boyfriend had been killed. Rex had assured Sawyer that wasn’t the case in their relationship and Sawyer had finally gotten comfortable enough to believe it.

But now, the ghost wasn’t a ghost any longer.

Love was a powerful, funny thing—the connection was indescribable. And no matter who tried to convince him that Rex didn’t see Sawyer as coming in second…well, Sawyer knew how he felt about Rex, knew that the man had changed him in a way he’d never be able to adequately describe or forget.

When someone touched you that deeply, you didn’t ever forget it.

Jace handed him a Coke, because he knew Sawyer didn’t drink at all when he drove. Jace had designated him the driver and designated himself the invited guest.

He was drinking a dirty martini. Correction, he drank half and put it down. None of them drank with any regularity these days, so when they did go out to get hammered, it happened pretty quickly. He didn’t want that to happen tonight.

“I’m guessing Rex doesn’t know about any of this, right?”

“No.”

“Does your mom know about Rex?”

“No.”

“You’re not planning on revealing that shit here, are you? Because I only brought one set of restraints and that could get ugly.”

“You brought cuffs? To this? Did you think a brawl would happen or were you planning on randomly arresting people?”

“No, they’re for later when I meet Clint.”

Sawyer held up a hand. “I don’t need to hear any more.”

Jace grinned. “Mom alert. She’s waving and pointing and mouthing,
my son
.”

Sawyer turned around just in time. His mother was coming toward him, her high heels clipping along the floor.

“Sawyer.” She hugged him, then kissed him—no air kisses, which was something he liked. She never did that fake shit.

She hugged Jace too, and he mouthed “Your mom’s hot” over her shoulder.

She was, but Sawyer mouthed back “Asshole” anyway.

After a few minutes of catch-up and small talk, Mom’s newest boyfriend, a retired three-star admiral, came over and introduced himself.

Both Sawyer and Jace saluted and then he shook both their hands.

“I appreciate the salute. I know those are rare gifts from SEALs.”

It was true—SEALs didn’t salute many people. But, like Clint said, this was good for both their careers and it never hurt to give a little respect to a three-star.

He actually seemed like a good guy, which meant that Mom would run him out of town pretty quickly.

Jace was talking to his mom, and the admiral told Sawyer, “It’s good to meet you, son. I’ve heard great things about you from Admiral Beck. He said you’re on the fast track for a promotion. That you’re one of the best operators he’s seen in a long time.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“Listen son, I heard what happened to your CO.”

“Word spreads fast.”

“I’m sure the investigation won’t prove anything against him,” he said, and Sawyer schooled his face and pretended the admiral’s words weren’t a punch to the gut. Because the admiral was talking about Rex and goddammit, Sawyer had put the fact that Rex could find himself in real trouble out of his head. Because that’s the way Rex had wanted it. But if it had gotten this far along the chain, if the admiral was hearing rumors about the investigation…

Sawyer forced himself to stop thinking and just answer, “Yes, sir.”

“If there’s anything I can do for him, for you, you’ll let me know?”

“Yes sir.”

“I mean it, Sawyer. Don’t be afraid to call in a favor if need be. The Navy’s tough on deserters, but the scuttlebutt is that his teammates knew nothing about his deception.”

“Ray, let’s dance.”

His mother put her hand on the admiral’s shoulder and led him away to the dance floor. As Sawyer watched, he wondered how much longer she could keep faking it—and she was, because he knew what her real smile looked like.

Jace wandered back over. “I’ve got five phone numbers.”

“Men or women?”

His friend’s smile was wicked. “Little of both. The uniform’s a fucking magnet.”

That was the truth. “You gonna tell Clint?”

“Yeah, because there’s nothing much better than Clint when he’s jealous.” Jace looked around. “Who bothered you?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Seriously? You’re going to try to fool me?”

Neither had been able to do that since their near-death experience during a mission. They’d shared a lot when they thought they might not make it. They even made promises to fulfill when they got out.

Since then, they’d been tight as hell. “The admiral mentioned that Rex is being investigated because of Josh. Rex mentioned that he’d be questioned too, but he glossed over it. We both did.”

“Maybe the admiral was trying to give you a head’s-up that you should pass along to Rex? Maybe Rex can call him for advice?”

“I don’t know. Shit. Come on, let’s get out of here.”

They’d been driving for half an hour when Sawyer glanced in the rearview and said, “We’re definitely being followed.”

“I knew that twenty minutes ago,” Jace said, not taking his eyes from the side-view mirror he’d been staring into for most of the ride home.

Sawyer had known as well, but he’d been hoping he was wrong.

“I’m guessing this isn’t a coincidence, then, that everyone knows about Rex and Josh and all that shit?” Jace asked.

“Guessing not.”

“Want me to call Clint and see if he knows anything?”

“Talk to him when you get home. Right now, I plan on having a little fun with whoever the asshole following us is.”

When Sawyer slammed in, wearing full dress whites, Rex’s breath caught in his throat. He looked incredibly handsome. Strong.

He also looked surprised, but the smile came quickly. “Shit, I would’ve stayed home if I’d known you’d be back tonight. I was…”

He was on Sawyer, kissing him before he could get the rest of the words out. Sawyer’s arms wound around him, the kisses messy and wet in no time as they were stripping and trying to move to the bedroom.

They ended up making it to the stairs. Rex pushed Sawyer back and got his pants down. With one leg out, Rex’s finger slid inside Sawyer.

Sawyer grunted. “Yeah, more, Rex.”

“Let me find lube.”

“Don’t need it.”

“Not going to hurt you,” Rex said, stared at Sawyer so he understood the complete truth behind those words. He grabbed lube from a drawer in the den and came back to find Sawyer exactly where he’d left him. Waiting, sprawling lazily, half out of his uniform.

Rex got naked—loved feeling Sawyer’s clothes rub his skin. He put one of Sawyer’s legs over his shoulder, opened him. Entered him, cock halfway in, watching Sawyer’s face flush. His mouth went slack with pleasure—he pushed his hips up to meet Rex’s cock and Rex pushed in, up to his balls.

“Yeah, come on, Rex…missed you.”

Sawyer grabbed the banister with one hand, Rex’s shoulder with the other as Rex drove into him, until it was just their moans and flesh slapping flesh.

Sawyer’s leg wrapped around Rex’s ass, pulling him closer. Rex put his mouth on Sawyer’s and they moaned into each other’s mouths.

“Missed you,” he muttered against Sawyer’s neck.

“I think my whole body’s asleep.”

Rex huffed a laugh. He pushed up and then he grabbed Sawyer, who managed to wrap around him. When they got into bed, he wiped Sawyer down and then himself.

“Why the uniform?”

“Had a function.”

“Kind of figured that.”

“I guess we both have things we don’t want to talk about,” Sawyer said. There wasn’t anger in his voice, only resignation.

Rex ran a hand through Sawyer’s hair, propped on his elbow as he stared down at him. “I’m not trying to keep things from you. But I wanted to be with you tonight. You first. You come first.”

Sawyer nodded.

“We turned him over to the Navy. Escorted him here. He’s in solitary. Going to get a full work-up.”

“He really doesn’t remember you?”

“He doesn’t remember anything before four years ago.”

“I don’t know if that’s good or bad.” Rex didn’t answer that because he couldn’t, and Sawyer continued with, “I know the Navy’s investigating you.”

“It’s a technicality, Sawyer. I’ve got to go back tomorrow and I’ll probably be gone for a couple of weeks while the JAGs go over shit with me.”

“About the mission?”

“Yes. What about you? What don’t you want to tell me?”

“It’s not that I don’t want to. Fuck. It’s not a big deal.”

“Bullshit,” Rex said quietly.

“My mom’s in town. That’s why I went to the party.”

“I know you had a rough time with her.” Rex knew that was where a lot of Sawyer’s worry about Josh came from. Sawyer had admitted as much when they’d first gotten together. He hadn’t wanted to compete with a ghost.

And even though Josh wasn’t a ghost anymore, there was no competition. “How is she?”

“Dating a retired admiral. They wanted some active-duty guys. Good for press. I brought Jace.”

“Am I going to get to meet her?”

“I’d rather not go there, Rex. She lives in Europe. I barely see her. The less she knows about my life, the better. I’d feel that way no matter who I was dating.”

“Okay, I get that. But what I’m not getting is what you don’t want to talk about.”

“My mom’s last name is Kirke.”

Rex stared at the beautiful man in his bed, at his aristocratic features. “As in, Kirke Industries?”

“One and the same.”

“Your mom’s Jude Kirke.”

“I didn’t realize you kept up with the socialites.”

“She’s hard to miss. So your stepfather was Adam Knoll, the actor?”

“Yeah.” He looked at Rex. “Thomas is my father’s last name. My full name’s Sawyer Kirke Thomas, but I never spell it out. Pissed my mom off.”

“Are you…”

“Rich? Yes. I’ve got a shitload of cash. Don’t have to work another day. My mother would rather me be sitting on the board and doing charity work. Nothing wrong with that—my family’s done a lot of good stuff, but I want—needed—something different.”

Rex ran a finger over Sawyer’s collarbone. “Are all the secrets out now?”

Sawyer stared at him. “Are they ever?”

Chapter Ten

The next morning, Rex was gone by 0400. Sawyer tossed and turned, was up by 0500. Jace and Clint were at his door half an hour later.

“What the hell were you two thinking, losing a tail and not mentioning it to me until morning?” Clint demanded.