He swore to protect his client at all times. Kissing Geoffrey outside the club instead of getting him to safety had been selfish and careless.
Cursing himself, he pushed the doorbell. He had to put his own worries and fears aside. He needed to put Geoffrey first. He had a gut feeling he’d be putting the man first often in his future.
That thought made his palms sweat.
Barking echoed through the house. Even through the thick door, Sven could hear the pounding of paws as they ran to the door. Rowe had two large Rottweilers and a German shepherd. He’d brought the trio into the office a few times when his dog walker was sick or on vacation. While not particularly well behaved or thoroughly trained, all three were incredibly sweet and gentle.
A second later there was a large thud against the door as something hit it, rattling the door in the frame.
“Fuck!” shouted a muffled voice. “Rowe! I thought you were putting them out before the rain started!”
Sven fought back a small smile. It sounded like one of the dogs had knocked Rowe’s boyfriend into the door in its excitement. He couldn’t hear Rowe’s response but he did easily make out the sharp whistle that preceded another thunderous pounding of paws in the opposite direction.
A few seconds later, the door opened to reveal a shirtless Noah, his grin easy, his blondish-brown hair loose around his face. Everything about Noah Keegan’s demeanor was warm and open. It was hard to believe that he was a former Army Ranger with years of experience and frightening accuracy with any gun that fell into his hands. But if Rowe was anywhere around, the man was just laughter and teasing—as if his love for Rowe simply made him lighter.
Noah made a tsking noise as he shook his head. “Called into the principal’s office on your day off. Not a good thing,” he teased before stepping back so that Sven could enter.
Sven could only nod as he stepped into the house. He glanced around, taking in the comfortable furniture and the warm earth tones. There were several pictures on the walls and on the end tables featuring not only Rowe’s closet friends but also the wife he’d lost nearly two years ago. He’d been hired shortly after Melissa’s death, but those who knew her had spoken so very highly of the woman. Every mention of her carried a note of love.
Clapping a hand on Sven’s shoulder, Noah directed him through the living room toward the kitchen. “Don’t worry. I made sure he at least had a cup of coffee before he saw the picture.”
He could only nod as the anxious knot twisted tighter in his stomach.
“You want some breakfast? I was about to make pancakes.”
“No pancakes!” Rowe announced, stepping into the open doorway of the kitchen. He pointed at Sven and then at an empty chair that was part of the eat-in kitchenette. “You. Sit.”
“You love my pancakes,” Noah said, brushing a kiss to Rowe’s jaw as he walked past. “It’s yours that suck.”
Rowe grunted, his green eyes softening when they skimmed over his boyfriend. He grabbed one of the chairs and turned it around as Sven dropped into the chair Rowe had pointed at. Rowe sat across from him, straddling the chair, his arms across the back.
Clutching his hands in his lap, Sven held Rowe’s narrow gaze. He waited for his boss to explode. Rowe wasn’t the type to hold back anything. Everyone always knew what he was thinking and feeling. Sure, it kind of made him a walking HR disaster, but his employees appreciated that he didn’t pull any punches. Sven always knew where he stood with the man.
“What the fuck?” Rowe finally asked after several seconds of silence. “I mean, when I assigned you to this, I figured I’d hear from you in a few days begging to be reassigned because Geoffrey couldn’t keep his hands to himself. But…this?” Sven glanced up to see Rowe rubbing his head, leaving his red hair standing up. “Was this some kind of cover? Are you pretending to be his boyfriend?”
For a heartbeat, Sven considered jumping on that excuse. It would buy him time. Let him figure things out while staying close to Geoffrey. But he couldn’t. He could never lie to his boss.
“No.”
Noah cleared his throat and Sven looked up to see him extending his hand, palm up, toward Rowe. He rubbed his fingers together and then opened his hand again, indicating that he was expecting to be paid.
Rowe swiped his hand at Noah, who just cackled at him. Apparently Noah had bet Rowe that wasn’t an act and had won. Lovely.
“Shut up,” Rowe grumbled. “Make me pancakes, damnit.”
Noah bowed deeply, waving his arms extravagantly through the air. “Yes, O Great One. Right away!” He then set about pulling food out of the fridge, preparing to make breakfast, while Sven turned his attention back to Rowe.