ter

Watchf

closed multimillion-dollar deals, and commanded respect the moment he walked into a roo

was watc

y didn't know who it

rsonal email that morning. It wasn't just a vi

t from whispers, from threats, from the world. But the line between protecting and pushing

moment they shared o

took phone calls, and organized Ray's meetings with military

n a photo of him

sity or gossip. T

essage again durin

l rui

Direct.

strong. But how could he, when he wasn't even sure who to trust? Someone c

sibilities and delete

was a sus

o the breakro

d near the coffee machine. They s

gave a polite nod. The

hear the gossip.

tines became a

, distant. But behind closed doors? Ever

uring a planning meeting. "I nee

w it wasn't abo

ching his lips move. Catchin

ring things they couldn't say aloud at work. Wo

't said t

ove

t was

ence. Buried

. Dayquan knew because Ray had st

ll a

op thinking

want to take you somew

. Not because it was sweet. But

midweek. This time,

yquan's mailbo

walking into R

kground: a

Same spot. Three

s blood

laying games. They were ke

ate-night meeting and gripp

ying defense,

t him. "What are

re ice. "What

ivate investigator he'd worked with during a

se," Ray said. "And kee

ed. "And if it's some

esitate. "I'

ice that night, watching him. The fire

ust fear. I

methin

hing

taking Ray's hand. "We'll

idn't

idn't pu

entered the breakroom. A manager gave Ray a loaded glance during a Monday mor

Dayquan loud enough to carry"So, a

aid it? It wa

miled. "Hard w

trembled as he l

day: "We should get sloppy. Give th

it. Did

our later, his hand brushed against Dayquan's

ng in a bubble

that was becomi

ayquan returned to the office to gr

met acros

f them sa

ard him. One st

d just in

we're making a mi

thout flinching. "O

him. "And wh

ou at your desk. In the middle of the day.

reath h

e kiss

ke he was drowning

when a motion light fl

whisper. "This can

d. "Then let'

ead slowly. "No

ung between them

nd a USB drive slipped

it into h

a single v

tage grainy,

nlocking a door in

a hoodie

didn't s

key? T

it was h

rom his screen, bile

asn't

ust curiosi

s a w

tion wasn't just

hat they

begun between him and Ray,

anen