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Fletch nodded and took another step back. He had to retreat and regroup. It was obvious he couldn’t fight this battle alone. He had burnt the bridge between them, which would have led to getting inside July’s life. “I’ll let him know.” As enraged as he was, Fletch took a final step back and then jogged to the car. He had to get to The PlayPen.

Back behind the wheel, his gaze swung toward the door. July still watched him, as if he had to ensure Fletch actually left. Fletch didn’t hesitate to get going. Every drive he took from anywhere always somehow took thirty minutes or longer. Fletch got there in fifteen. He strolled inside, bypassing security. Everyone on any one of the Bosi payrolls knew each other. Fletch didn’t even slow long enough to nod at anyone. He was a man on a mission. Fletch spotted Banks almost immediately. He sat at a poker table. His gaze lifted and darkened, no doubt at the fact that Fletch was alone.

Fletch motioned for Banks to come to him.

Banks stood, set his cards aside, and crossed the distance between them. Every step looked deadly.

Fletch didn’t give Banks a chance to jump him. “I just came from July’s place.”

“Then where is he?”

He fought a growl of frustration. No one ever let him simply say what he needed to. “Beat all to hell.” Fletch held up both hands at the way Banks’ features hardened. “He was like that when I got there. I tried to get him to come with me, but he looked like a trapped animal trying to get me out of there. He kept saying I was only making things worse. When I still wouldn’t leave, he pulled a gun on me. He meant that shit too. July would’ve killed me if I stayed.” He made a helpless gesture. “I don’t know what—”

Banks cut him off. “Stay here.” He turned away and spoke to his husband. Kyson’s gaze shot Fletch’s way. He nodded, looking pale as he spoke to Banks. Banks kissed him, and then he was shoving Fletch out the door while Fletch felt lost.

“You drive.”

He nodded, having no clue what they were about to do. As long as Banks helped, Fletch would do anything.

While he drove, Banks made a call. Fletch blatantly listened to every word. “I need a favor.” Pause. “Thanks. If I give you an address, is there any way you can find out how much security they have and shut it down remotely?” Banks chuckled. Fletch heard the smile in his voice when he responded again. “I figured as much. You know I always repay my debts. I’ll keep an eye out for your text.”

Fletch didn’t ask a single question. He drove as fast as he could. Nothing mattered except for pulling July out of whatever mess he had put himself in. Damn, the guy needed a keeper.

The instant July had shut the door behind Fletch, he flew into action.

July knew the only part of his home that wasn’t monitored was the garage. While there were cameras surrounding that space, inside was clear. July had used that small loophole to gather the things he needed to run. Each day, he took as much cash as he could through the ATM, until his glove box was stuffed full of hundreds. He bought new clothes here and there, doubling up on his scripts by telling the pharmacist he would be traveling. July had planned to wait until he felt a little more secure. Everything changed with Fletch’s visit. Rex definitely would have been alerted the second anyone stepped a foot on the property. July had maybe forty-five minutes at best to get out. That was praying Rex hadn’t dropped everything the moment Fletch had arrived. He didn’t have time for hair or makeup, but he also didn’t want to move as if he was stuck in panic mode. July found his favorite outfit and dressed. That gave him the ability to keep those clothes. After dressing and making his hair look halfway decent, July strolled toward the garage the way he did each time he left the house. Once inside the garage, he immediately moved with purpose. He removed all the tags from his car and the one in his wallet. July hid them inside a kayak. With his phone left behind and the tags gone, July jumped in the car and backed out of the garage. He couldn’t look like he had dallied too long inside the garage. He needed to make sure Rex didn’t realize July was leaving for good. July turned the opposite way from Rex’s workplace and headed to get his favorite iced coffee. Stopping was a risk. If Rex still somehow tracked him, he hoped to make Rex hesitate. There was also a small possibility Rex had seen him pull his gun on Fletch and approved of the way he had handled the situation. July might be overreacting and kick-started the manhunt Rex would put together. No matter what, he had to leave. Rex got closer and closer to killing him when he exploded. Next time, he might not escape the attack.

He knew everyone at the coffee shop and, unfortunately, this was nowhere near the first time they had seen him in bad shape. July smiled his way through all the pity-filled stares. Once his coffee was ready, July took it to go. He had a long drive ahead of him.

Miles passed. His stomach stopped shaking. The pain that the adrenaline masked hit him like a semi. He continuously checked his mirrors to see if anyone followed. July stopped at a chain coffeehouse, used their restroom, and picked up another drink. He planned to drive until he couldn’t any longer. Hopefully, that was at least through the night. He could rest when he put as many miles between them as possible. July didn’t worry about what he would do to survive. He had been stuck in survival mode his entire life. July already knew he could find a town and go back to stripping. He could vanish into the scene where everyone looked out for each other, and no one spoke about seeing them. After all, men didn’t want their wives to find out where they had been. First, he needed to get somewhere safe. He had to rescue himself from his own ignorant choices. Showing himself grace, there was no denying Rex had been a dream come true once.

“Stay here. Don’t go back to work. I hate the idea of other men touching you.”

July stroked Rex’s chest. His heartbeat was so strong. July wished he could stay. He hated leaving Rex’s bed. “I need to make a living.”

Rex bolted upright, leaving July behind and confused. “You don’t have to fucking go!” The words were yelled so loudly, July covered his ears. Rex pulled him into his arms. “I’m sorry, baby. I swear I didn’t mean to scare you. It just eats me alive inside knowing a part of you belongs to any man willing to pay to see everything you’ve got.”

July didn’t respond. He was still frozen. He knew violence when he saw it.

Rex squeezed him. “Listen, the offer I made you is still on the table. With your military service, you could easily come work for me. I’ll make sure you’re more than compensated. You know I have money; I can add to your bank account every month. Just stay, and tomorrow, we’ll open a joint account. I’ll put ten grand in so you’ll know I’m serious.” When he still didn’t respond, this time because he needed to think, Rex brought out the big guns. “Baby, I love you. I want you to be my husband one day. Please do this for me.”

“You love me?” July couldn’t believe it. No one had ever loved him.

July should have kept on believing he was incapable of being loved, because he was.

Chapter Three

While biting nails he had already destroyed, Fletch’s leg bobbed, and his stomach felt heavy. July’s tears while he sat with a broken wrist at The PlayPen still tore at his heart. July claimed he had fallen and Fletch had no evidence to prove otherwise, but something ate at the back of his mind. He couldn’t help but wonder if someone had attacked him. Maybe July was too embarrassed to say someone had hurt him. The way July was his wonderful self everywhere he went was an amazing thing. Unfortunately, they lived in a world where people like July were killed every day. The idea of anyone putting their hands on July made him want to commit all the violence. He didn’t know how to get July to be open with him.

“Do you have any fingernails left?”

July’s question startled him. His gaze shot to July. He forced himself to clasp his hands. “Not really.”

July’s beautiful smile lit up the room. “You don’t need to worry about me. I’m okay. Thank you for caring, though.”

“You have a lot of people who care about you.”

July’s smile turned brittle. “Okay.”