Backward by Andrew Grey Read Free Book Online Page A

do….
    “Harry,” he began once his next call connected.
    “Tristan? What’s going on?”
    “I’m at work and Eddie’s here. He came in for lunch. Well, he says he came in for lunch, but I think he came in to intimidate me, and it’s working. He’s here with some of his friends, and—”
    “Just a minute,” Harry said, and then Tristan heard him speaking to someone else.
    “Bull and I will be there in a few minutes,” Harry said. “We’re leaving the club now. We’ll be there as soon as we can.”
    “I don’t want to cause trouble for anyone. I….”
    “You aren’t. When we get there, just make sure we get seated next to them. It seems Bull and I are ready for lunch.” Harry disconnected. Tristan put his phone back in his pocket, washed his hands, and left the bathroom. He went back to the food station. His order wasn’t ready, so he made a pass through the dining room, checking on his patrons. He reluctantly stopped by Eddie’s table, but the three of them were deep in conversation, so he left them alone and went back to check on his food.
    It was ready, so he loaded it on a tray and carried it out to the table, where he placed Eddie’s in front of him, followed by Jimmy’s, and Lewis’s. He hated all three of them and felt their eyes on him the entire time. As soon as he was done, he turned and hurried away. The bell on the front door tinkled lightly. Tristan set the tray and stand in their place and walked quickly to the front. He was glad to see Bull and Harry standing just inside the door. Tristan went into his standard greeting in case anyone was listening and led the two of them back, seating them at the table next to Eddie’s, even though there were plenty of tables available now that the lunch rush was over. He took their drink orders and scurried away.
    Curiosity about what the two of them had in mind kept him wondering, and he returned quickly. He brought them the wine they’d ordered and placed the glasses on the table.
    “Go along,” Harry whispered to him. “Thank you, sweetheart,” he said more loudly and extremely sweetly before lightly tugging Tristan down into a kiss. For a few seconds he forgot where he was. Harry tasted like heaven. When Harry broke the kiss, Tristan blinked a few times and then reminded himself that it was just pretend.
    “What’s this?” Eddie hissed from the next table.
    “None of your business,” he retorted and turned back to Tristan.
    The intensity of Harry’s gaze went straight through his eyes, down his spine, and to his now wobbly knees.
    Eddie leaned back in his chair. “If it involves him—” As soon as Eddie pointed at him, Tristan’s blood ran as cold as the look in Eddie’s eyes. He saw no emotion there. Tristan was just property, nothing more. “Then it’s my business. See, you may not know it, but he’s mine.”
    Tristan turned back to Harry.
    “I don’t think so,” Harry said. “See, he’s his own man. He can spend time with whoever he wants, and I get the distinct feeling that isn’t you.” Harry sounded cool as he leaned a little closer. “Seen Carlos since last night?”
    Way to poke the bear. Tristan shifted his gaze to Eddie. He was beginning to think he was watching a tennis match. No, a soccer match, and he was the fucking ball. Harry took Tristan’s hand gently in his. Tristan let it stay there until he saw Mrs. Martinelli coming his way. Then he stepped away and asked if Harry and Bull had made a decision about their food. They both ordered a burger, and Harry handed him the menus without taking his eyes off Eddie.
    “You have something to do with Carlos?” Eddie asked, sitting straight up, gaze boring into Harry.
    “No,” Bull said, standing up from his seat. “I did, and I’m afraid you aren’t going to be seeing him for a good long time.” Bull walked over toward Eddie’s table, and Tristan stepped further away. If the shit hit the fan, he didn’t want to be around. “Given that the police have