Promises: Part I (Bounty Hunters Book 1) (13 page)

“Soon, okay? I promise,” Vaughan assured him softly.

“Promise.” Duke didn’t care how needy or desperate he sounded right then. He needed Vaughan like he’d needed a kidney. Needed him to survive. Already, he was hooked. If Vaughan did him like Judge did, just found someone else and left suddenly, he wasn’t sure if living was going to be such a great idea anymore. It would suck balls, that for sure. “Vaughan, just don’t—”

“Duke, baby. I can hear it in your voice. I won’t hurt you. That, I can promise easily. I’ll show you when I get back, okay. That if you’ll have me. I’m in this for the long haul.”

Duke smiled, relieved and reassured. It would do for the moment. But after they hung up, he thought some more about the differences between them. Those thoughts always came back to taunt him. How much younger Vaughan was. How smart and talented he was. How culturally diverse he was.

All Duke knew was how to run a bail bonds and private investigations business. He hadn’t traveled the world or studied at the best schools in the country like Vaughan. He didn’t dress like a supermodel, hell; he could barely shop for one decent outfit. He wasn’t as suave and debonair as Vaughan either, but for some reason the man wanted him, so he had to have some faith. He was just an ordinary working man, but Vaughan saw something that obviously no other man had seen. Duke certainly couldn’t see whatever it was that Vaughan did in him. He hoped he could hold on to a man as wonderful and beautiful as Vaughan. He fell asleep wishing there was something to guarantee him Vaughan was serious and his heart was safe with him.

It had only been a week and two days. Vaughan was still down in Miami for work. Duke missed him so much, but at least he was healing and would be able to see Vaughan when he came back. He’d had his checkup the day before and Dr. Chauncey was happy with his progress. His incisions were healing, still red and puckered, but no sign of infection or rejection to be found. It was such a relief to move around more freely. He did fifteen minutes of light exercise twice a day, eager to get stronger, but careful not to overdo it. Vaughan had made him swear he wasn’t doing too much. He wouldn’t be dishonest. He kept his physical therapy to only what the doctors recommended.

He wanted to call Vaughan and tell him that he was in his office today for the first time in weeks, but he knew Vaughan would be busy in the middle of the day. He’d have to tell him that night when he called. He sat at his desk, looking out over the street as people moved about, their schedules busy. Quick had been in that morning but wasn’t there when Duke made it in. He was hoping to speak with Quick; get the details on the few bounties he’d had to give away. Luckily, they still did bonds, so the business was fine for the time being.

When Duke thought about taking another bounty his heart clenched and his stomach rolled. The nightmares didn’t help him feel ready for it, either. Charlie kept asking him to see a psychiatrist, telling him that it was possible Duke might have some PTSD from his experience in that crack house. Duke would wait a while, but if they got worse, he fully intended to take the old man’s advice. He’d never steer Duke wrong.

He’d been sitting there for a couple hours when his side started to ache too much to ignore. Ribs took forfreakingever to heal. That’s where ninety percent of Duke’s pain came from. He had some in his back, but mostly it was those damn ribs. He knew his entire midsection been beaten mercilessly and there was still some internal bruising… All very painful… But he’d heal. He just had to be patient.

Duke shut down his computer and was about to stand when his phone rang on his hip. He picked up and saw Judge’s name up on the display. He hadn’t seen the big guy since he’d been discharged, but he knew how busy he was and Duke appreciated that Judge had ensured that his businesses stayed operational in his absence. Judge was a good friend to him. “Hey, man. What’s up?” Duke answered.

“Hey. You home?” Judge asked in that gruff voice that used to make Duke squirm. But weirdly… Not anymore.

“No. I’m at the office. Just stopped by to one: get out of the damn house, two: check in with Quick, but he wasn’t here.”

“No. I guess not.”

“What do you mean?” Duke said, flicking off the light in his office and locking the door behind him.

“Austin was at the hospital interviewing a witness that’s a patient on the fifth floor. Anyway, he called and told me Quick was there with his son in the Nephrology unit.”

Duke was shaking his head in disbelief as Judge spoke. That wasn’t possible because Quick had a bond he was working on at the courthouse and Vaughan was in Miami. Judge’s boyfriend must be mistaken. Duke finally broke into Judge’s side of the conversation. “He must’ve mistaken them.” Even the words sounded stupid to Duke’s own ears. How could he mistake Quick? And he damn sure couldn’t mistake Vaughan.

“No one can mistake Quick’s big ass, with that long fuckin’ hair and tattoos, man.”

Very true. “Well, how would Austin know who Vaughan is?” Maybe Quick was there with someone else.

“I showed Austin the pictures I took at Charlie’s retirement party and Austin specifically pointed out Vaughan asking who he was and I told him that he was Quick’s son, recently back from school. And Austin never forgets a face.”

“This isn’t possible,” Duke whispered to himself. Why would Vaughan lie? Or maybe he just got home and was checking on… Hell, Duke couldn’t come up with anything right then. Vaughan was at work. In Miami. Judge was still talking and Duke had to stop his internal monologue and listen.

“You know, man. I was skeptical when I saw him all over you at Charlie’s party. I really thought you were trying to get back at me or something… for… you know… and him being younger.”

Duke scrunched his entire face up at the absurdity. ‘Getting back at him.’ Is he fuckin’ serious? “Why the hell would you think some bullshit like that?”

“Chill. Chill. I know. It was dumb, okay. But it seemed weird for Quick’s son to be all over you, dude. You have to admit. But man. Anyone that would donate a kidney to someone else… That’s real dedication, man. The kid is all right in my book. Why didn’t you tell me it was him?”

“WHAT!” Duke screamed, immediately clutching his side in pain. He hadn’t realized that he’d been walking without thinking and was already back in his truck. He turned over the ignition since he was sweating from the heat that had filled the cab in the last couple hours. If he was going to think clearly, he had to cool off and breathe. His ears rang and his heart felt like it would beat right out of his chest and fall onto the floorboards.

“You don’t know,” Judge said timidly.

“WAIT! WAIT A FUCKIN’ MINUTE!”

“Duke, whoa. Calm down, please. I thought you knew.”

Duke could hear Judge cussing and swearing under his breath.

“Are you telling me that Vaughan is the donor?” Duke’s voice was so tinged with emotion and pain that he hoped his words were comprehensible. “Are you sure?”

Judge was saying something, but his voice was muffled like he had his palm over the mouth of the receiver and Duke assumed he was talking to his lover. Trying to clarify some of the information. Then Duke heard, “Just give me the phone,” and the next voice he heard was deep and melodic.

“Hi, Duke. It’s Austin. I’m glad you’re okay, man. Judge was real upset when he thought you wouldn’t make it.”

Duke wanted to tell Austin to get to the damn point, but he listened, trying control his breathing.

“Anyway. Judge told you why I was at the hospital. My witness gets dialysis at the hospital five days a week and I was there talking to him when I saw Quick and his son standing at the nurse’s desk with a couple doctors. I was gonna head over and introduce myself but I thought I’d let them finish flirting with the ladies, because the nurses were going on and on. I mean really gushing over them both. But when the doctor turned and told Vaughan that everyone on that floor loves a living donor and how brave and generous everyone believes them to be, Vaughan was actually blushing. So I knew it was him and not Quick. Especially since his walk was slow and measured when he left, like he’d… like he’d had surgery.”

Okay, Duke thought. That was a lot of good evidence, but still not concrete. Austin’s next words shattered that delusion. “The doctor also walked with them to the elevators and as they passed me, the doctor said Vaughan was healing well and would see him in a couple weeks. So I put two and two together and figured; how much of coincidence could this really be? I told Judge, since he’d been skeptical of the guy’s intentions. No one would donate a kidney to just anyone… not unless there was some serious love there.”

Shit. Shit. Shit. How is this possible? Vaughan was the anonymous donor. No one had told him. Why? What the hell kind of friend was Quick? What the hell kind of man was Vaughan? Why did he lie? Why was he still lying? Duke needed answers now, right now. He thanked Austin tiredly and was getting ready to hang up when he heard Judge again.

“Oh man. Me and my big fuckin’ mouth. Don’t go crazy, Duke. I’m sure he has his reasons for not telling you… yet,” Judge added hurriedly, but Duke wasn’t in the mood. He only had two people in the world that he needed to talk to right now. Actually three.

Duke was still sitting in his truck in his parking lot. Thinking. His head pounding, sweat pouring down his temples into his collar. His body ached dully, but he was fueled by adrenaline. Surely he’d feel it all when his body calmed down. He finally looked back at his phone and pulled up his internet browser. He retrieved the phone number he needed and pressed the send button.

“Fulton County District Attorney’s office. This is Madeline, how can I help you?”

Duke took a calming breath before speaking. “Attorney Vaughan Webb’s office, please.”

“Sure, one moment.”

Duke sighed. He was sure there was an explanation for everything. “Hello, this is Sarah. How can I help you?”

Duke frowned in confusion, thinking the next voice he’d hear would be Vaughan’s. “Um. I’m holding for Mr. Webb, please.”

“I’m sorry but Mr. Webb isn’t here. I’m his assistant, is there something I can help you with?”

Of course he’s not there. He’s in Miami. “Is there a better time to call and reach him?”

The woman hummed first before responding. “Actually, Mr. Webb won’t be available for a few weeks. I’m his assistant, but he wasn’t able to start on his scheduled date. He’s out on medical leave.”

“Excuse me?” Duke asked incredulously. Medical leave.

“Yes. His start date was postponed at the last minute. Was his name given in regards to a specific case the firm is handling, because it must be a mix up. I can transfer you to the duty attorney and you can let him know what case you’re inquiring about—”

Duke stopped her midsentence. He’d heard all he needed. “No. That’s fine. I’m sorry to have disturbed you.”

“Are you sure? I can transfer you.”

“No. Thank you.”

“Have a good day.”

Duke hung up. Fuck me. Vaughan had saved his life. Only thing he didn’t understand was the secrecy. The lies. Well that all stopped now.

Vaughan did one final lap around his father’s spacious backyard before he decided to take a break. Dr. Chauncey said he was doing great and should keep up his light exercise regime, so that’s what he was doing. A casual walk around the yard, breathing deeply and filling his lungs with fresh air while taking in the tranquil landscape. There was even a small fountain installed near the deck, and Vaughan’s thoughts went to Duke and how much he’d love to lie in one of the plush lounge chairs with his man between his legs, resting his head on his chest. Both of them gracing each other with lazy kisses while they looked up at the dark sky and listened to nature. He pushed for one more lap, desperately needing his body back in shape.

“Vaughan, that’s enough for today. You walked this morning, too. Don’t want to strain yourself, son,” his father called to him, closing the backdoor.

Vaughan was sweating. The Atlanta heat in the fall was bad, but the evenings were cooling off, which would be perfect for his upcoming dates with Duke. Man, did he have it bad. Maybe Vaughan really did have an old soul, because most of his friends were partiers, drinkers… tramps. But Vaughan always knew how he wanted to live his adult life, and that was peacefully and comfortably with Duke. He wanted to walk on the waterfront with him, maybe take some boat rides on the harbor. Vaughan loved the water.

“Dad, I’m gonna take a shower. Are you going back to work?”

“Nope. I’m all clear for this evening. How about a movie tonight?”

“Heck, yeah. Sounds good, old man.”

“What do you want for dinner?”

Vaughan paused on his slow walk up the stairs. He was so tired from his extra laps, his stomach was cramping painfully from the workout. “Something light. Maybe a grilled chicken salad or something.”

“I gotta go out and get some more lettuce then.” Quick was already picking up his wallet and phone, ignoring Vaughan’s objections to him having to make a special trip. “It’s all good. I need to get a few other things anyway. Be back in a bit.”

Vaughan shook his head at his dad. The man was truly amazing. He was so glad he came back to Atlanta, not only to be with Duke, but Quick, too. They had always been close, but over the seven-and-a-half years of schooling Vaughan had to complete, they’d missed a lot of time together. His father had been taking such good care of him, he felt spoiled again. Helping him with everything from changing his sheets, to doing his laundry and cooking for him.

After he finished his shower he felt a little better, but was still bone tired. He wiped at the foggy mirror, looking at the red scars on his abdomen. He decided to let them air dry before putting on fresh bandages. He pulled on a loose pair of cotton pajama pants but left the matching button up shirt open. He made his way back downstairs, his hair still damp. He was going to get his blanket and lay it out on the couch in preparation for their movie night. He was fixing his cover when he heard the doorbell chime. He wasn’t expecting anyone and his father never got unexpected visitors, so he figured the old man forgot his key again, or he had too many bags in his hands to open the door.

Vaughan stood up straight, his incisions pulling a little. He winced, buttoning his shirt as he made his way to the door. “You forget your key again you—” Vaughan stopped immediately, his teasing grin falling like a rock to the ground as he opened the door and saw the man he loved standing there looking angry and in pain.

“Duke. Jesus Christ. What are you doing out of bed?” Vaughan asked nervously, pulling his shirt, making sure all the buttons were fastened securely. Duke’s sharp eyes followed the gesture before moving back up to his face. He wished he knew what Duke was thinking, because his usually kind brown eyes were shooting daggers at him. “Come inside before you hurt yourself.”

Vaughan walked back inside carefully, hoping Duke would follow, but wouldn’t notice anything. Like how slow Vaughan was moving. He had to turn his back on Duke or the guy would see the exhaustion in his eyes, just like Vaughan could see it in his. His lover looked so tired, and Vaughan ached to wrap him in his arms and take care of him. Not to mention how much he’d missed him while they were both recovering. Duke had on a pair of track pants and a plain white t-shirt like he’d not planned on going out. His salt-and-pepper-colored hair was longer than usual and free of product, blown in whatever direction the wind had taken it.

Duke was at his dad’s house. How the hell did Vaughan explain that he was there and not in Miami? Um. Did he take the red-eye last night? Or did his flight get in a little while ago and he was just getting ready to call Duke after he’d unpacked and showered? Ugh. More fuckin’ lies. But he had to think of something, he was a lawyer for crying out loud. Maybe he could stall or divert. 

Vaughan acted like it was critical to get them something to drink, so he kept going towards the kitchen, needing to come up with a plan quickly, preferably one that involved the fewest lies. “Let me get you something to drink, sweetheart. Please sit down; you look exhausted. I’m going to get us some—”

“Stop,” Duke growled, and Vaughan paused mid-stride, but he didn’t turn around. He knew Duke was too smart for this to go on. Especially the way Vaughan was acting. If everything was normal, Vaughan would be all over Duke right now, not scurrying away.

Vaughan stopped at the breakfast bar, his back still to Duke. Something was wrong. Duke wouldn’t be there otherwise. “Duke, you should be in bed. What are you doing out? Where’s Charlie?”

There was no response, but Vaughan could feel the heat and anger radiating from his man, especially since he was standing close enough for Vaughan to feel the hot breath ghosting across his still-moist skin on the back of his neck. His body burned with the need to touch Duke. His mind warring with him to come clean now. Oh god, but how? It was too soon. “My dad said you were doing better. Have you had a doctor’s appointment yet?”

“Turn around,” Duke finally demanded on a harsh breath.

When Vaughan turned after several long seconds, he was face-to-face with his love. Duke’s eyelids were hanging low, and there were dark smudges beneath his eyes. Vaughan almost reached out and smoothed the deep frown that ran down the center of Duke’s forehead. The skin around his eyes had crinkled with laugh lines over the years but the creases there now weren’t from amusement. Duke was thinking hard. The next words that left Duke’s mouth had Vaughan stunned and eager to go back in time and forget his idea to be the anonymous donor.

“I thought you said you were an honest man and you didn’t play games.”

Vaughan turned his head just slightly. Did Duke know it all or did he simply find out that Vaughan wasn’t in Miami? He wasn’t sure.
Fuckin’, fuck, fuck!
He never would’ve came up with that idea, but how else could he recover? Duke would want to see him when he’d been released. He wouldn’t understand why Vaughan couldn’t come over if he only lived a few minutes away. Even if he could blame it on a new job. No one worked twenty-four hours a day. Not even attorneys. “I don’t play games, sweetheart.”

Duke nodded his head once, his casted hand going up to his temple, scratching it like he didn’t understand something. “You conveniently left off the honesty part.”

“Duke. I’m not a liar. I swear,” Vaughan whispered painfully. “But I’ll do and say just about anything to protect the—”

“The what?” Duke said, inching in closer when Vaughan didn’t finish.

No. Not yet. It’s not time to tell him, yet.
“To protect those I care about,” Vaughan amended.

“So you care about me?”

“Of course I do. You already know that,” Vaughan argued. He was deliberately not mentioning Miami. He wouldn’t unless he had to.

“I don’t know shit. I thought I did. I thought I knew how you felt. I thought I knew how I felt. I thought I was destined to be alone. I thought I had to have favor with god to be given a second chance at life. I thought I was going to be loved… finally.”

“Duke.” Vaughan sighed, but stopped abruptly when Duke’s hands reached for the top button of his shirt. “Don’t.”

“Don’t you dare try to stop me,” Duke cut in, unhooking the second button from the top of Vaughan’s shirt, those dark chocolate pools boring into his skull.

So Duke knew. How the hell? No one knew but the Doc and Vaughan knew he took his confidentiality oath seriously. His father—of course he’d never betray him. Other than that, no one. Not even his mom knew he was less one kidney. So how the hell? “How?”

Duke’s eyes stayed on Vaughan as he undid another button, slowly and carefully, like Vaughan had C4 strapped to his chest.

“Sweetheart. Who told you?”

Duke ignored his questions and undid the button right above Vaughan’s navel, his eyes still on him. Vaughan was too scared to break the contact. Too scared to look down and see that his three incisions were already visible. Duke’s eyes remained locked on him. He desperately tried to convey his love for the man through his stare. Hopefully now that Duke knew the truth, he wouldn’t think Vaughan was deceptive, he’d think he was a man in love.

“Was it my father?”

Duke unfastened the last button and Vaughan’s shirt was open. He could feel the cool air on his still-tender wounds. Neither one of them looked away but he saw and felt the quickening of Duke’s breathing. Dropping his heavy, casted hand, Duke used the other one to gently push back the sides of Vaughan’s shirt, his hot palm resting on his hip.

“Look,” Vaughan whispered, so gently. “Look at how much you mean to me.” Vaughan’s eyes didn’t drop as he spoke; he kept his gaze fixed on Duke as he watched his love’s sexy dark brown eyes trail down his sparsely haired chest to his abdomen. Duke gasped, his eyes filling with moisture. Vaughan felt hesitant but nimble fingers trail across the tiny incisions, but as Duke got to the larger one over near his pubic bone, where the kidney had actually been removed from his body, his hand began to shake. The skin around his incisions looked raw and irritated because he’d had his staples removed earlier that day, but he hoped his man could handle it. Duke’s face was smooth and even, his expression revealing very little, almost as if he were in shock. A lone, quiet tear fell down Duke’s scruffy cheek, the drop of moisture landing heavily on the floor between them.

“Don’t cry, sweetheart.”

“What have you done?” Duke uttered on a groan, continuing to stare at the incisions like they’d disappear and prove Vaughan really didn’t love him as much as he was claiming.

“I did the only thing that I knew in my heart was right, because sitting back and watching you die just wasn’t an option.”

Duke’s hand tightened on Vaughan’s hip and a surge of lust and attraction ran through him so fast that Vaughan jerked in the hold. Duke winced but Vaughan was quick to reassure him. “I’m not hurting. I’m always affected that way when you touch me.”

Duke was silent as he continued to stare.

“Who told you, Duke?”

Duke looked back into Vaughan’s eyes, his mouth a tight line.

Vaughan was getting a little agitated. “Why aren’t you answering my questions?”

“Because you’re asking the wrong questions,” Duke responded quickly. “The questions you’re asking should be directed at you… not me. You should ask yourself: Why didn’t I tell him? How could I lie to him?”

“I’ve asked myself that plenty of times and the answer is always the same, baby. I didn’t tell you because I couldn’t risk you refusing. Although the risk of mortality is miniscule for live donors, you wouldn’t have allowed me to take it. I was going to tell you, I swear it. But I didn’t want you to feel obligated to me.” Vaughan’s own emotions were barreling to the surface as he continued to plead his case. He was so nervous that Duke would turn on his heels and leave, claiming Vaughan wasn’t trustworthy, regardless of him lying only in the course of saving his life. And isn’t that what Vaughan wanted in the first place? For Duke to decide what their relationship would be solely on his feelings for him, not because he’d saved his life? “I wanted you to love me for me. Not because I gave you a kidney.

“Damnit, Vaughan. This is so hard for me to understand. That—”

“That anyone could love you so much,” Vaughan interjected. He gripped Duke’s chin, tilting his head back up. He took a chance and leaned down to lightly brush Duke’s lips with his. The heady sensation of touching Duke, being intimate with him made Vaughan dizzy. “Or, you can’t understand that I love you that much.”

“Both,” Duke whispered. His head was still angled as if wanting more contact with Vaughan’s mouth, so he happily obliged. He kissed him deeply, his tongue tapping lightly before bursting through the barrier, exploring his man again. Getting familiar again. Duke’s good hand came up and gripped the side of Vaughan’s neck, rubbing his thumb back and forth over his rapidly beating pulse. Duke moaned and angled to the other side, his own tongue on its quest for exploration. Vaughan let Duke explore for a while as he leaned back and gave Duke the entire span of his long throat. Oh, how beautifully he did it. Duke nuzzled into him, lightly kissing and licking his way across his Adam’s apple. Vaughan gripped Duke’s cheek, forcing him to stay at an especially sensitive spot on his throat and was getting ready to take it up a notch when he heard a deep, growly throat clearing.