Page 34 of Finding Shelter
Valon smiled, making the world seem brighter. “Really? You look like you’ve played a game or two in your life.”
“I have. That was back in high school, though.”
“What made you stop at high school level?”
Marc shrugged. “Reality hit. Not everyone has what it takes to make it to pro level. I didn’t have what it takes.”
Valon’s gaze moved over Marc’s face. “I wonder where I’d be right now if Kash hadn’t forced me past that belief.” He strummed the guitar absentmindedly while staring into space. It was like he went somewhere else for a moment before his gaze returned to Marc. “Don’t mind me. I always overthink everything. You seem like a nice person. Youdeserved to have your dreams come true. I didn’t.” He looked down at his hands, as if he couldn’t handle anyone looking at him any longer.
Marc felt the loss of his attention. He wanted Valon’s eyes on him. “Is it okay if I ask you a personal question?”
When Valon’s chin lifted this time, he was smiling again. “You’re about to be very personally in my life all hours of the day, so I’d say it’s fine.”
He supposed that was true. Keeping someone as hugely popular as Valon safe would take a lot more than he had ever given. “You can always tell me to mind my business. I won’t be offended. Are you unhappy where you are?”
Valon’s smileturned fake.
Marc immediately regretted the question, most especially when Valon answered.
“Why would I be unhappy? I’m a star.”
Valon shrugged. “So? Both can be true at the same time. You’re still a person with feelings, like everyone else.”
For a moment, Valon went back to watching his fingers on the guitar strings. Finally, he looked up again. “How do you see being with me all the time going?”
The question wasn’t sarcastic, or sound like he was about to remind Marc he was the boss. So, Marc treated it as genuine. “Well, you’re the boss. It’s my job to keep you safe, and I expect at least some cooperation in that. I don’t want you to get hurt, but if you don’t want me to watch you, I won’t see a thing. I’m not here tomicromanage you or judge you. In fact, Iwon’tjudge you or think badly of you for doing whatever, as long as you’re not hurting anyone else. Just be you. Pretend I’m not here when it suits you. But if you want to be friends, I’d like that too.”
Marc swore he saw a weight lift from Valon’s shoulders. Valon never looked away from him. “No. I’m not happy.”
Marc dipped his chin and acknowledged the words. “Okay. We’ll work on that.”
A sweet smile touched Valon’s lips. He went back to his music. After a moment, he began to sing while Marc stared at him in awe. He saw what Ledger and Kash meant. Valon had something that made him special. In his presence, it was undeniable. But something about this life was killing him. Marc wouldn’t stop until he found out what.
Chapter Fourteen
AsmuchasKashloved hanging out in bed with Ledger, they couldn’t be lazy forever. They had to face the day. While Ledger showered, Kash worked on his latest sketch. For some reason, he couldn’t get the shading quite right. It was like the colors were creating opposing emotions than he tried to portray.
A barely audible shuffle or dragging noise had Kash’s head shooting up. It took a second for him to puzzle throughwhether he was hearing things or not. Yeah. He had definitely heard something. It had sounded like a package being delivered. Kash waited a moment longer, expecting the doorbell to ring. When it didn’t, he set the sketchbook aside and moved to check the peephole. He didn’t see anyone. Kash pulled open the door just to be safe. A vase of red roses waited next to an open box full of various cooking supplies. Kash stared at the gifts, confused as fuck.
Ledger appeared over his shoulder. He peeked around Kash’s side. “What the fuck? Surely Valon didn’t send anything else.”
They shared a look.
Ledger pulled out his phone and tapped on the face. After a moment, he shook his head. “Valon swears it wasn’t him.”
They held each other’s gaze before simultaneously looking toward the items on the porch.
Ledger found his words first. “What do we do?”
Kash appreciated Ledger deferring to him. No matter what else went on in their lives, Kash was still Ledger’s bodyguard. His security for life. “Let me look over everything to make sure it’s safe. If I don’t find anything shady, it’s up to you what we do. I can trash it all if that’s what you choose.”
Ledger nodded. “Yeah, okay.” He still looked unnerved. That got underKash’s skin.
“Do we have any latex gloves or even those rubber gloves for cleaning? There’s a chance someone is watching us right now. Their plan might’ve been to drug you and then drag you into the house. I won’t risk anything being tainted with fentanyl.”
Kash wished he hadn’t explained himself quite so much when Ledger went pale. “Um, yeah. I think the first-aid kit has latex gloves.”
Kash tried taking Ledger’s fear down a notch. “Great thinking, sexy. Grab those. I’ve got this. You’re not in any danger.”
