Richard stood and folded his arms in front of him. “No way. I'm not letting you deal with this on your own.”
“I need to do this. You're here with me. And... and it's making me nervous Matthew's up there all alone.”
Richard eyed the door, ready to sprint up the stairs. “Are you sure?”
I stood. “He came to scare me into doing what he wants. I want to be the one to tell him to get the fuck out. This is my home, and I want him out.”
“All right. Let's get this done.”
Financial discussions continued throughout the house. Richard had already pitched his plans to everyone in the room, and the viability of the investment options took priority over politics, sports, or entertainment news.
I made my way through the crowd. My parents stood by the fireplace talking to Joseph and Margaret Mason. I couldn't take my eyes off my mother. She was older, but as beautiful and soft as I remembered her from my teen years. It amazed me she could be so much his ally and still look the part of a loving, mild-mannered woman. How had my father turned her against me? Kept her hating me for fifteen years?
“Is everything okay?” Matthew asked. “Where'd you go?”
Richard stepped beside me. “Luke's father's here.”
“What? Here?”
“His father is Senator Johnathan Moore. Luke is going to ask him to leave.”
“The one who's going to run for president?”
“That's him,” I said.
The man in question turned toward me. His expression hardened, but he recovered quickly and spoke with a smile to the Masons. He gave the couple a nod and stepped toward me. I didn't let him cover the distance between us. I matched his stride and met him in the middle of the room.
“There you are.” He hissed the words in a near whisper. “I wondered when you'd show your face.”
“You're leaving. I know you don't want a scene any more than I do.”
He forged a socially acceptable smile that divulged the truth of my statement. “I came to bring you a message. One of those... whatever... you live with was kind enough to invite me.” He offered a frown over my shoulder.
I glanced back. Richard and Matthew stood behind me. Both sets of eyes were upon us. No one could miss Richard's strong, dominating presence. “He's my partner, Dad. His name is Richard Marshall, and if you treat him with anything less than respect, I'll make a scene you'll find most unpleasant.”
I caught a brief look of panic before he covered it with his professional mask. “Let's move this to a more private location, shall we? I have something to say, and I won't be leaving until I've said it.”
I scoffed. “Fine.” I led the way to Richard's office.
Matthew and Richard entered after us and stood along the back wall behind my father. I shut the door and made no attempt to ask either of them to leave.
“I will not have this discussion in front of them.” His gaze swung between my lovers and me. We had situated ourselves well. He liked to be in the position of power in any room. Forcing him to look back and forth between us would make him edgy, nervous.
I stood behind the large desk with my arms folded. “You will. Or we can go back out to the other room and have it in front of everyone.”
He glared at me a moment more, then squared his shoulders.
A quiet knock interrupted our silent stare. I threw my hands up, stalked to the door, and flung it open.
My mother peered into the room.
“You might as well come in too.”
She crept to my father's side. “What is going on, Johnathan? You didn't seem surprised to see Luke here.” She looked to me. “Is this where you're living?”
“Yes.” I pointed to Richard and Matthew. “These are my partners.” I left out their names. The moment didn't require a social introduction, but she needed to understand the situation more so than her husband had allowed her to do.
“Oh. I... ” She glanced at them. Matthew's gaze met the floor, but Richard didn't withdraw. He crossed his large arms in front of him. His face held a look of fierce determination. She turned back to her husband. “What is going on?”
“I was graciously invited to this party, and I thought I'd take the opportunity to give Luke one more chance to be a man.”
I didn't need to see the flinch in Richard's body to know he wanted to confront the man, make a move.
I spoke before he could do either. “If you're asking for the same things you did the other night on the phone, then forget it. I'm not going to the club anymore, but for reasons that are none of your business. I will not give up my membership because you demand it. I'm not giving them up. I've given you every assurance I can. I will not talk to the press. I will not accept any interviews. That's all I can offer you.”
“That's not enough.” He released the words in a fiery spat. “I should have expected nothing less from you. It was bad enough you were a gay man. We might have been able to spin that. Then you go to that club. You fuck anyone who walks by you so long as he has a dick in his pants. Now you are what? I don't even know what to call this thing you're doing.” He gestured to Richard and Matthew. “Living with and fucking two men at the same time. You are beyond disgusting.”
I strode across the room until we stood a foot apart. My mother stepped aside, swiping at her tears with the back of her hand.
My father didn't move, but he did flinch. I took satisfaction in it.
“It's a relationship. It's hard enough being two people in a relationship. Hell, it's hard enough trusting enough to be in a
