Page 23 of Watch Over Me

Eddie barely noticed anyone but James, though.

Damn. He'd thought he'd gotten used to the way James filled out a suit—at least as much as any bisexual man could get used to a sight like that—but, apparently, he still had some work to do in that department.

Then James's gaze met his, and,oh.

The room had gotten hotter in an instant.

"Like I told you," Martinez whispered from his side. "You're getting noticed."

Eddie startled and glanced at him, confused. Jeremy muttered something about shutting up once in his goddamn life, but Eddie wasn't really paying attention, turning back towards James.

But James wasn't looking at him anymore. He was crossing the room like he owned the place, while Eddie was standing to the side, disappointed despite himself.

Then again, he wasn't here for James, was he?

He squared his shoulders. Everyone in his family knew how to work the crowd and get things done. Now, away from their watchful—judging—eyes, maybe Eddie could try his luck at it, too.

"Ready?" Martinez asked him quietly, no longer teasing.

Eddie nodded. He was as ready as he was ever going to be.

* * *

Two hours later, he'd had enough of people for the night.

Hell, for the whole week.

He sneaked into a corridor marked as staff only, but as he closed the door behind him and all the noise turned into a quiet, distant hum, he couldn't find it in himself to feel bad. Slumping against the wall, he let out a deep sigh of relief.

His small respite only lasted about a minute, though.

When he heard someone right outside the door, he bolted inside what turned out to be a small utility closet, his heart hammering in his chest.

As the corridor door opened, he held his breath, waiting to see whether someone noticed him or not.

There was nothing but silence for a while, then the door opened and closed once again.

"You were supposed to find me an hour ago," a man muttered, and Eddie stilled.

This was worse than getting caught by the staff.

"I'm here with detail," the other man whispered. "I couldn't shake them off, especially—"

"Spare me the story, I don't care," the first man cut him off, a bit louder this time. Loud enough for Eddie to recognize his voice.

That was Karl Lavon, the CEO of CyberMode.

Fuck.

"Do you have an in for us or not?" Lavon asked.

"I'm working on it," the other man said. "Bailey's not the easiest target to—"

Eddie froze at the mention of his last name. Could he have heard it wrong? The man was whispering, so it was hard to be certain.

"Don't tell me you're trying for Geoffrey Bailey?" Lavon cut in again. "That man is old school and too high up the chain of command."

"Let me finish a sentence and maybe you'll get your answers," the other man growled. "I meant Bailey Junior, Robert. He's in the Air Force as well, popular in certain circles. If we get him on board, he might smooth the way for us."

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