Page 30 of Finding Shelter
“For what?” Ledger whispered the question. It was the smart choice since Valon still sounded half asleep.
“For leaving you all those gifts and making you believe you’re in more danger than you are. I didn’t know how else to get Kash here. He always shows up when people need him.”
Ledger stared at Kash over the top of Valon’s head. All the silent messages passed between them. Valon had really done this, just as he claimed, and there was something big wrong with him. Something he tried to hide. All they could do was be here, keeping Valon safe while he got the sleep he desperately seemed to need. Kash recognized something real in that moment. These two had always been all he really had. He would die to keep them safe. Whatever it took.
Chapter Thirteen
Kashdidhisbestto slip quietly from the bed, leaving Valon and Ledger behind. The pair needed their sleep, and Kash had some shit to do. After taking a shower in the guestroom, Kash checked on the pair one more time before heading for the living room. He needed to run a quick but important errand before Marc showed up for their meeting. Thankfully, he was out and back home in under half an hour. Marc waited for him in thedriveway. Kash climbed out of the SUV and opened the side door for Marc.
Marc was a big, cuddly-looking guy. While he could be a scary motherfucker, he had a sweet edge that Kash knew was needed right now. Marc smiled as he approached. “Hey.”
Kash returned the smile. It was genuine. Marc was seriously just a nice guy. “Hey. Odd request, but do you mind joining me in the SUV? I don’t want to take any chances of being overheard.”
Marc’s forehead furrowed, but he didn’t argue. “Sure.”
Kash waited until they were closed inside the vehicle before jumping right in. “I’d like to hire you to guard Valon.” He rushed to clarify. “I mean, you’d still be part of Steel’s company.But Steel has agreed to let me steal you and put you with Valon, if you’re willing.”
“Sure. No problem. What’s up?”
Marc needed to know what he walked into, but Kash wasn’t sure he came out looking very good in this situation. “Valon is… difficult.” Marc nodded, and Kash pressed on. “I also think he has some sort of huge issue going on that he’s not talking about. The combination will likely make him a bit of an explosive client.”
“No one can be worse than this one bank CEO who made my life absolute hell.”
Even though Kash chuckled, he wasn’t as sure about that. All of Valon’s guards kept quitting for a reason. Considering how well-trained Steel’s employees were, Valon had to be something else.
Marc’s smile slipped away. “I’m guessing there’s a reason we’re having this conversation out here. Is Valon against this idea?”
“No, that’s not the case at all. He doesn’t even know about this plan. I wanted to make sure you’re cool with this first. I think the real Valon is still there, hiding behind this spoiled rock star persona. He’s nothing like he’s been behaving.” At least, Kash hoped that was the case. Once upon a time, he thought he knew Valon better than anyone. It was possible the bitterness he witnessed yesterday had changed Valon permanently. Either way… “I think he’s one rejection away from being capable of anything. He told me he doesn’t have anyone. If you didn’t want this job, I couldn’t let him hear that.”
Marc nodded along. “I get it. He does have the look of someone ready to break.” He cleared his throat. “You know the drill. I need to know everything if I’m going to be of any use. It seems like there’s been a bit of discourse.”
Yeah. This was the part where Kash didn’t come out looking the best. Kash cleared his throat. “I met Valon on the first day of his freshman year of high school. He wasn’t anywhere near to being where he is now, and I was still starstruck. Valon was scrawny as fuck, but he was adorable. There was just something about him. I wanted to be in his company. He’s always been special. You can feel it when you’re near him. It’s like he was born to be a star. We were a couple until his sophomore year of college.”
Marc’s eyebrows rose when Kash said “couple,” but he didn’t speak.
Kash had to get everything out. “A very long story as short as possible, I convinced him to quit college and take a risk on his talent. He did, and a month later, he had a record deal and basically just disappeared. For three months, Ledger and I sat by our phones every day, waiting to hear if he was even alive. He seriously just walked away from us. That’s why Ledger keeps his location on his phone now. For real, he just vanished. After three months, I finally broke and hunted him down in L.A. He looked at me like he didn’t even know who I was. Valon was too busy for me. He had just ‘forgotten’ to keep in touch. I knew it was purposeful. He tasted stardom, and I wasn’t partof his dream.”
“Jesus.”
At Marc’s quiet curse, Kash took a breath. “Well, I’m marrying his dad now, so…” Kash fought a nervous chuckle. He hated talking about his past. “Valon acts like he’s perfectly fine and unbothered. Maybe he is. I don’t know him anymore. But I think he’s falling apart, and I doubt my marrying his dad is making anything better. I don’t know. He just needs a closer eye from someone who can show him grace and keep me in the loop. He’s Ledger’s son. Ledger’s pride and joy. I have to know Valon is safe and in good hands. Ledger is my whole world. I need him to know Valon will be okay.”
Marc reached over and squeezed Kash’s shoulder. “I’ll do what I can.”
The door from the kitchen into the garage opened, and Valon peeked out. He looked like an unsure child.
Kash immediately jumped from the vehicle.
Before he could ask a single question, Valon held up a small bag. “Some guy just delivered this for you.”
Kash smiled so hard, he almost hopped in place in happiness. “Yes! Come on. I want your opinion on this.” Kash steered Valon back inside with Marc on his heels. There was no time like the present to mend what he could while solidifying their family.
Valon looked over his shoulder, obviously confusedby Marc’s presence.
Kash dropped the news quickly, hoping to move on before Valon could argue. “Valon, Marc. Marc, Valon. I know you two haven’t been formally introduced. Marc is your new bodyguard.” If Valon could buy Ledger a friend, Kash could buy one for Valon.
Valon flashed Marc a shy-looking smile. “Hi.”
“Hey there.” Marc sounded calm, peaceful, and friendly.
