Ian sucked in a sharp breath.
It still made Brad sick to his stomach, thinking about it. The charred flesh and bones. If Brad had just gotten over himself, if he’d just fucking moved that truck, there’d still be kids alive today. And their parents wouldn’t grieve like Brad had over his mom.
He peeled himself away from Ian, disgusted with himself. Couldn’t wash that stain off his hands. Didn’t know if he would fuck up again, getting cocky like he had.
What if he promised Ian everything, and then he wasn’t there to catch Ian when he fell?
How can I mark him when I’m not good enough?
“Brad,” Ian murmured, curling his fingers around Brad’s arm. “You know I don’t blame you.”
Brad breathed out. “I try not to think about it. It’s one of the things you hide from anyone in case it changes what they think of you. And you know it’s my fault. I could’ve done better.”
Ian bit his lip. “I can’t judge you for that. I’ve never been a firefighter.”
“So you gotta believe my judgment of myself.”
Ian snorted. “And there you were telling me I shouldn’t judge myself.”
“Yeah, well. You’re perfect. I’m not.”
“You should see who you’re saying that to.” Ian smiled wryly, tangling their fingers together. “At some point, you’d have to forgive yourself, you know. You’re doing so much good for the rest of us.”
Brad rolled his eyes. Couldn’t believe Ian was still here, after he’d heard Brad’s story. Maybe Ian was insane. Maybe they both were.
Ian’s phone buzzed—there was a message from June. Ian made to open the message.
“What, is she more important than me?” Brad nipped at Ian’s ear, kissing his jaw.
“N-no. It’s just...” Ian sighed. “Work.” He looked uneasy, though. “I have some admin issues I need to work out with the department. I haven’t checked if my time off today was approved.”
That didn’t sound good.
“You’ll get it fixed,” Brad murmured, kissing Ian. “I believe in you.”
“It’s not that easy—”
Brad pressed Ian against his car. He peeled Ian’s shirt up off his belly, admiring its pale roundness. Then he knelt at Ian’s feet, pressing his face to Ian’s abdomen, kissing him there.
Ian hissed. “Brad. We’re in public!”
“And you’re mine,” Brad growled, kissing all over Ian’s belly, ignoring the hum of a car that drove up through the parking lot.
He buried his face between Ian’s legs, nuzzling at Ian’s cock. Couldn’t fuck him today. Brad wanted him, though. Wanted to mark Ian as his, wanted Ian’s scent on his skin.
He opened his mouth, nipping at Ian’s cock through his pants. Growled when Ian wound his fingers into Brad’s hair, a soft moan slipping from his lips. Brad loved that sound.
They would be better off doing this back home, in bed where Brad could pleasure Ian all he wanted. Brad thought about stopping, getting Ian into his car. For Xavier’s sake, though, it was probably best if Brad just pampered Ian all of today. Maybe tomorrow, too.
Ian’s phone rang, a loud, jangling sound. Ian jumped. Brad glanced at the phone; June’s name flashed on the screen.
“June?” Ian pressed the phone to his ear, worried.
She said something Brad couldn’t hear. Then, a car door slammed.
Ian froze against Brad, his fingers scrabbling against Brad’s hair. “Brad,” he choked, his eyes growing wide. “No.”
Someone rounded the trunk of Brad’s car, and Ian went completely still.
“Brad Saxon,” Harold snapped, his eyes burning. “What in the gods’ name—What the hell are you doing?”
25
Ian
Ian stopped breathing. He couldn’t think as Harold Saxon stopped at the end of Brad’s car, his stare burning through Ian’s skin.
“Of all the disgraceful things I’ve ever seen,” Harold snapped, his mustache bristling, his lips curled with disgust. “Nothing is viler than this.”
Brad growled, standing. “I’m claiming my omega. Nothing vile about it.”
But this was bad. June had called, she’d just said, I’ve checked with the department. They didn’t approve your time off, and Ian was in enough trouble as it was.
For this to happen, for Harold to witness Brad kissing Ian through his pants... Ian had been too late to shove him away.
Harold had seen.
Ian’s face burned. He leaned away from Brad, yanking his shirt down his exposed belly. But Harold glanced at Ian’s abdomen, and his eyes narrowed further.
“Whose baby is that?”
“June’s,” Ian said, at the same time Brad growled, “Mine.”
Harold pursed his lips. He glanced first at Ian, then at Brad. “Really? You don’t know who the baby came from? There were many things I hoped of you, McMillan, but a whore isn’t one of them.”
Ian’s stomach twisted. He scrambled against his car, trying to back away from Brad, trying to find somewhere else he could hide. Except it would solve nothing, because Harold was the one with all the power here.
Ian could lose his job.
Brad’s throat worked. He glanced at Ian, and Ian couldn’t meet his eyes.
“Ian?” Brad asked, uncertain.
Ian did still wear a trace of June’s birch scent. He’d been down to the lab before he left the college, and June had helped to mark him.
“It’s not yours,” Ian muttered, the words sharp as gravel on his tongue.
“We named him,” Brad said, his eyes flashing. Then he blinked, and he seemed to catch on to Ian’s lying. They needed to protect Ian’s job first.
Harold shook his head slowly. “I can’t believe this. Breaking your word, McMillan? Once isn’t enough? You have to return to my son and sell yourself to him?”
“He isn’t a whore,” Brad snapped. “Don’t you fucking call him that.”
Ian flinched, his chest too tight. “I-I can explain. Harold, please.”
“Explain what? That you’ve lied to me?” Harold sneered. “I asked June Kindling where you were. You were not granted leave today, McMillan. I expected more from a professional.”
Yes, Ian had fucked up. He didn’t need it broadcasted in front of Brad, too. Didn’t need Brad to see how much
