Page 93 of Adored
Poe held his breath and tucked himself back behind Diablo where it was anywhere but safe. Only, he’d rather get kicked by the horse than taken away from Gamble again.
The footsteps got closer.
When Diablo nodded his head in greeting, Poe knew who it wouldn’t be.
A killer.
Instead, it was his man.
“Poe,” Gamble whispered. “Did you listen and stay with Diablo?” he asked.
He moved to the side of the horse.
“I’m in here,” he said, as the stall opened, and Gamble appeared inside with him.
Poe could finally breathe again.
“Are you okay?” Gamble asked, going to him, and holding the man.
Poe nodded and breathed in the scent of Gamble to get calmed down.
It was cathartic.
And home.
“Who was it?” he asked.
Gamble wished he knew, and he had bad news for his mate.
“I tracked them, but they were gone. Someone was spying on us, Poe. They likely saw us making out in the orchard. They now know we’re more than just friends and doctor-patient.”
Oh, fuck.
“Oh, no,” Poe whispered. “That’s not good, is it?” he asked.
No, it wasn’t.
“If they get one of us, mainly me, they’ll lure you out,” he said. “I need you to promise me that if they get me, Poe, you don’t go to them.”
Poe had tears in his eyes.
“Promise me. I can escape. If they leave the country, I’ll never see you again.”
“Then don’t get caught,” he stated. “Because if it means being with you for the last hour of my life, Gamble, I’m not dying alone. I’ll be with you.”
Shit.
“Poe.”
He stopped him.
“Don’t ask that of me,” Poe said. “You can’t ask me to leave you behind, like I couldn’t ask you to do that to me. We’re equal in this, and I can’t lose you. We fight this together.”
Tears dripped, and Gamble wiped them away. What he felt for this man was immeasurable.
“Okay, my love,” he said, kissing him softly on the lips. “It’s okay. Calm down. We’ll do this as a team.”
Poe would never calm down again. Not until Von Donore was gone.
