Ranger - Jericho's Boys #4 - ch. 12 (Patreon)

Unbeta'd/unedited. Tomorrow I'll put up a new Vengeful Bonds chapter.

Seven

8 months, 3 weeks, 7 days and 8 hours since that night

Seven had a night of dreamless sleep and a morning of mind-blowing sex, followed by a very handsy shower, and breakfast made by his gorgeous half-dressed, heavily tattooed boyfriend. It should have been a perfect morning, and on some level it was. But every time he found himself basking in his happiness, guilt stabbed him in the heart. 

His mother. How could he be happy with this sword swinging over her head? It wasn’t fair that Seven was getting all the things he’d ever dreamed of while his mother—the person who’d sacrificed everything for him—was suffering. Who was doing this to her? And why? Why her? She’d dedicated her life to that place. She wasn’t a thief. It just didn’t make any sense. 

“It’s gonna be okay,” Enzo said, coming up behind him and wrapping his arms around him. “I’m not gonna let your mom go to jail.” Seven could hear the smile in his voice when he tacked on, “My mom would kill me.” 

Of all the things that made Enzo Seven’s perfect match, it was that they were both repentent mama’s boys. And—thankfully—both of their mother’s liked each other. Growing up, his mother had the occasional friend, but nobody who stuck around. Once they found out who Seven’s father was or that Neith was constantly being sucked back into his orbit, they bailed. 

But now, she had Enzo’s family…Including Rocco? Enzo wanted his mom to be happy above almost anything, but the idea of her becoming a Conti before he did, made him a little jealous. Did that make him a bad person? 

“You believe me, don’t you?” Enzo asked, pressing the words into the skin just behind his ear. 

Seven smiled, leaning back against him. “Of course, I do. It’s just…scary. Who would do this? She’s such a good person.” Finally, he gave voice to the thought that he didn’t want to utter out loud. “You don’t think my dad could have some part in this, do you?” 

“You think your dad would set her up? I thought they…got along,” he said hesitantly. 

Seven huffed. That was one way to put it. “If he heard she was dating your uncle, he might retaliate. Or maybe to hurt me.” 

That thought had teeth, sinking into his heart. Did his father hate him enough to take his mother from him out of spite? He couldn’t stop thinking of their last phone call. He’d called him a disappointment. A mistake. It wasn’t the first time his father had lashed out when he refused to put money on his books or provide bail money but the venom in his voice had been…noteworthy. 

“I don’t think this has anything to do with Stan. Logically, I think someone promoted your mother as a setup to cover their own crimes. But that’s just a hunch. I’ll know more once we dig a little deeper. But I’m gonna take care of it.” 

Seven’s breath caught at the swell of emotion that washed over him. Enzo was truly the sweetest man Seven had ever met. It was hard to believe where they had started months ago. Seven believed, deep down in his soul, that Enzo would do whatever it took to make sure his mother never set foot in another prison cell, legalities be damned. 

“Let’s get dressed. It’s gonna be a long day,” Enzo said, dropping another kiss on his bare shoulder before he turned them both, leading them back towards the stairs to his bedroom. 

“Did they drop off my clothes while I was sleeping?” Seven asked, frowning as he glanced back down at the apartment, looking for a suitcase he might have missed. 

“No. Jericho said it was impossible to get to your apartment with all the reporters camped out. I called in a favor while you were sleeping last night. He dropped them off while you were still drooling on my shoulder.” 

Seven narrowed his eyes. “Called in a favor?” he said slowly. “From who?” 

Enzo smirked. “I know a guy.” 

“You know a guy?” he parroted. 

How had he missed Enzo getting out of bed last night to retrieve clothes from some mysterious clothing fairy. 

“Are you going to keep repeating everything I say?” Enzo teased, chucking him under the chin. 

“Are you going to start making sense soon?” 

“I have a guy who owes me a favor. He’s in men’s fashion. He was nice enough to let me buy from him directly.” 

“You talk like a mob boss,” Seven said, unable to hide his smile. 

“Why? Cause I’m Italian?” Enzo asked, a slow grin sliding across his face. “That’s offensive.” 

“The Italians didn’t corner the market on the mob, you know,” Seven reminded him. “You guys just got cooler movies.” 

Enzo walked to the closet and pulled out a bag, handing it to him. Seven pulled each piece of clothing from the plain white paper bag, laying them out on the bed, staring at the tags with wide eyes. 

Seven turned back to Enzo, giving him a suspicious look. “This is the clothing your friend rushed over to you? As a favor?” 

“You don’t like them?” Enzo asked, face falling. 

Seven made an exasperated noise. It’s not about whether I like them or not. This is too much. He grabbed the sleeve of the navy, red and white sweater. “This is Gucci, Enzo. These jeans are Balmain. Balmain!” 

“And the sneakers are Balenciaga,” Enzo said, looking adorably confused as he stared at the clunky white footwear. “I know the shoes are a little weird, but it's couture, it’s all a little weird. He works in the warehouse so we had to go with what they had in your size. We can go shopping tonight and you can find stuff more your style. This is just for work.” 

“More my style?” Seven said, shaking his head. “My style is Goodwill. My style is Felix’s hand-me-downs and samples. I know I wear name brands at work but its because Felix lent me the clothes he won’t wear anymore because they’re ‘last season’.” 

Enzo crossed the room, wrapping his arms around him and drawing him in. Seven wanted to fight, but his body instantly melted. 

“We’ll consider that part of your dowry, too,” he teased. 

“I know you’ll get the money back when my mom shows up in court, but you’re spoiling me. This is thousands of dollars.” 

Enzo buried his face in his neck, words muffled against his skin. “I make a lot of money. If I want to spend it on you, why can’t I? Spoiling you makes me happy. Especially considering how we started. It’s going to take me a lifetime to make up for hurting you as badly as I did.” 

Enzo’s lips moved against his neck as he spoke, raising goosebumps along Seven’s arms. He was going to get addicted to this. The way Enzo whispered his cheesiest, sweetest lines directly into Seven’s skin like he was embarrassed. He wrapped his arms around Enzo’s broad shoulders, then ran a hand up into his thick, dark hair, tugging him from his hiding space. 

“You already apologized. You’ve made it up to me dozens of times,” Seven reminded. “You don’t have to buy me. I’m already yours.” 

“I’m not buying you,” Enzo said, looking crestfallen. “Is that what it feels like?” 

For a second Seven’s lungs forgot how to work. He didn’t want to hurt his feelings. “No, I just don’t want people thinking that our relationship is…transactional.” 

Maybe he wasn’t over the contract. Maybe—just a little—Seven worried that they’d somehow ended up exactly as Enzo had intended. Enzo giving, Seven taking. But that wasn’t true. They were always together. Enzo put him first. He’d dropped everything to take care of Neith. 

“There’s nothing…transactional about us. I make a lot of money. A shocking amount, really.” His gaze dropped to Seven’s lips. “I want to be the one—the only one—who gives you what you need,” he murmured, his voice low and raw, sending Seven’s blood rushing South. “In all the ways.” 

“Don’t you dare get me all worked up right before we’re supposed to leave,” Seven warned. 

Enzo’s hands dropped to squeeze his ass. “What if I can’t help myself?” 

He asked mouth only a breath away from Seven’s. He didn’t have time to answer before Enzo captured his lips. Seven sighed into it, lips parting without thought. Enzo’s tongue dipped inside, teasing against his own. He couldn’t stop the whine that escaped, fingers tightening in his hair. 

Seven had no idea how long they stood there, just kissing lazily. Whenever Enzo broke the kiss, Seven chased his lips, not ready to leave their bubble. 

Finally, Enzo dragged himself away, both of them half-hard and breathing a little heavier. “Lets get dressed before I drag you to bed. Lourdes is demanding to see me before work.” 

“Fine,” Seven said, dejected. 

Enzo’s head swooped down, nipping Seven’s lower lip hard enough to make him yelp. “Don’t make that face at me. You won’t like what happens next.” 

Seven gazed up at him, hoping his look told him just how much he wanted that. “If I promise to behave, can I still be punished?” he asked. 

Enzo’s demeanor changed immediately, one brow raising as his hand closed around Seven’s throat gently, his thumb teasing over his pulse. “Don’t let your mouth write a check that cute little ass can’t cash. I’ve been dying to put you over my knee.” 

Awareness thrummed through Seven, desperate to see what happened if he pushed Enzo too far. He wanted to be punished, wanted to see him snap. 

He shrugged, giving him his best innocent look. “I only do it because I love how you react…Daddy.” 

Enzo squeezed just enough to make Seven feel a little lightheaded. “You’re awfully smug. Let’s see what you sound like later, when your ass is bright red and you're choking on your own tears.” 

“I’d rather choke on your cock,” Seven countered, breathlessly. 

“Oh, don’t worry, brat. I have no doubt you’ll be doing both.” He released him, giving him a gentle shove back. “Now get dressed.” 

Seven smiled at Enzo’s broad back, pulling his clothes on as he watched Enzo do the same. His teeth pressed indentations into his bottom lip, right where Enzo had bitten him, as he watched him get dressed. 

His light-washed denim jeans fit him like a glove, hugging his perfect ass and thick thighs, the white t-shirt was the same. He pulled on brown boots that looked beat up but that Seven suspected probably cost the same amount as his rent. When he pulled on a cream-colored cardigan with a pale diamond design on it, Seven had to subtly adjust himself in his baggy jeans. 

Seven tracked him as he moved around the room, grabbing his phone and wallet, then grabbing a pair of tortoise shell frames and sliding them on. Seven’s breath literally punched from him. No man should look that fine in a grandpa sweater and nerd glasses. When Enzo glanced up to find Seven looking at him, he crossed the room and pushed him back onto the bed, climbing on top of him. 

“You look at me like that at work and you’re gonna be on your knees under my desk,” he said, giving him several pecks on the lips before getting to his feet once more, then pulling Seven up after him. 

“Don’t threaten me with a good time,” Seven countered, crying out in surprise when Enzo slapped his ass…hard. 

He couldn’t stop himself from rubbing the spot and giving him a wounded look, even though his cock was throbbing. If it hurt this bad through two layers of fabric, what would it feel like later tonight when he was slapping bare skin? Seven couldn’t keep thinking about it or he’d be dragging Enzo into the supply closet before they even made it into work. 

Enzo slipped his arm around Seven’s shoulders as they walked to the elevator. “I can hear those wheels turning, brat. Your thoughts are so loud.” 

“It’s your fault,” Seven pouted. “Take responsibility.” 

Once on the elevator, Enzo crowded him up against the wall, shoving his knee between his thighs, voice running along Seven’s nerves like silk sheets. “Right here? You want me to take care of you right here? Want our neighbors to see how you fall apart for me? Hm?” He licked the seam of his lips. “Want them all to see what a good boy you are?” 

“Stop teasing,” Seven whined, his pulse skyrocketing when the car came to a stop and the ding of the elevator doors signaled someone was going to step on. 

Enzo turned, shielding Seven, giving a couple and their baby a friendly wave. Seven was completely shielded by Enzo’s large frame. He hooked his fingers into his jean pockets, smiling against Enzo’s shoulder when the older man leaned heavily against him, making him huff out a breath. 

By the time they made it to the underground garage, the couple was shooting strange looks in their direction. “Your neighbors are gonna think we’re perverts,” Seven murmured, when Enzo took his hand, leading him to the car. 

Enzo smirked at him. “We are.” 

###

The office parking garage was all but empty when they arrived. Seven frowned at the clock in the console, shocked to see it was barely seven in the morning. What time had they gotten up? 

“Do you get here this early every morning?” Seven asked. 

Enzo didn’t answer right away, hopping out and jogging around the car to open Seven’s door before he said, “I’m late. I’m here by six, most days. You just don’t know that because you wander in at nine in the morning.” 

“Liar, you’ve come in after me before,” Seven countered. 

“Usually coming from a morning meeting or working from my home office. Some days I only come in because I know you’ll be there and I hate the thought of not getting to stare at you out my window all day.” 

Seven flushed, his ears growing hot. “Shut up,” he murmured, giving him a push. 

Enzo rebounded, bumping his shoulder with his own then capturing his hand, threading their fingers together. When they reached the lobby, Seven tried to release to let go but Enzo held firm, leading him to the elevators, both of them nodding to the security guys as they passed. 

They didn’t get off on their floor, but rode the elevator all the way to the top floor where the partners resided. Delaney, Lourdes’s personal assistant, eyed the two of them warily. She was dressed in jeans and an oversized sweater that made her look even shorter than she was. Right, casual Friday. Somehow that hadn’t even occurred to him while they were getting dressed. 

Enzo was turning him stupid. 

Delaney gave them an expectant look as they approached, her mouth falling open when they breezed past her, Enzo deliberate, but Seven just swept along by their joined hands. 

“Enzo!” she shouted. “I have to announce yo—” 

Enzo closed the door on the rest of her sentence, then locked it for good measure. Lourdes was at her desk, her face a mask of irritation, her lipstick frozen in one hand and a compact in the other. She heaved a heavy sigh. Enzo was the bane of everyone’s existence around there. Doing whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted. Mostly because he was Lourdes’s favorite. 

Except maybe right now? She somehow looked both surprised and annoyed which was no easy fete. She coated her lips in a deep wine-color, then blotted her mouth with a tissue. She wore a lace bustier under a blazer which was as ‘casual’ as Lourdes got. She stroked the long ponytail curled over her shoulder, before narrowing her eyes at their joined hands. 

Seven, once more, tried to pull it free, but he tightened his grip. Her mouth formed a hard line. She made them stand there as she applied her mascara, then carefully put her bag back into the desk, pulling a folder out of the same drawer. She opened it, then slid it across the desk to them, separating the papers into two stapled piles. 

Enzo frowned, only dropping Seven’s hand when his curiosity got the better of him. He took two steps forward, grabbing one of the stacks. “What’s this?” 

Seven joined him, reading over his shoulder. 

Consensual Relationship Agreement

 1. Acknowledgment of Voluntary Relationship 

We, the undersigned, acknowledge and affirm that we are currently engaged in a consensual romantic and/or sexual relationship. We both affirm that this relationship is voluntary, mutual, and entered into without coercion, undue influence, or pressure.

Enzo snorted. “A love contract?”

Lourdes gave them a steely smile, her spine rigid as she said, “Don’t act like I’m an idiot, Enzo. You know how that infuriates me. You’re not even trying to hide whatever this is that you two have going on. We need to protect ourselves. Especially now that the papers are involved.” 

Seven sucked in a breath. “The papers?” 

“If you know about the gossip rags, I’m assuming you know about Seven’s mother,” Enzo said. 

Lourdes leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms over her chest. “What I know is that one of my top attorney’s blew off a major client to go defend his boyfriend’s mother—pro bono, I’m assuming—without permission from me, his superior.” 

Enzo shrugged, unbothered as always. “There was no time to talk to anyone. I didn’t want her getting stuck in jail overnight or God forbid, the weekend. We had to act quickly. Besides, since when do I have to clear clients with you?” 

“Since you started thinking with your dick and not your wallet,” Lourdes countered. 

“My wallet is doing just fine,” Enzo said. “And I didn’t blow off the client. They were fine rescheduling.” 

Lourdes clenched her teeth until her jaw muscle ticked like she was struggling to find her inner calm. Seven kind of wished he’d let Enzo handle this little meeting alone. After a minute passed, she said, “Sign the contracts. You’re lucky that he doesn’t work under you or this would be a whole different conversation.” 

“Yeah, about that,” Enzo said. “I need you to reassign Seven to me, as my intern, so he can help me with his mother’s defense.” 

“Are you trying to make me fire you?” Lourdes snapped, rocketing forward. “I’m sincerely asking because I can’t fathom any other reason for you to ask for me to let your sugar baby du jour work under you.” She glanced at Seven, then tacked on, “No offense.” 

“It’s pretty offensive,” Seven muttered. 

Lourdes gave him a hard once over. “If everyone here didn’t love you, I’d have already fired you for having an inappropriate relationship with an attorney. When I agreed to do Francesca a favor, it didn’t include matchmaking.” 

“Lourdes,” Enzo said, her name a warning.

“Don’t use that voice on me, Enzo. I still sign your paychecks. Save it for your boy toy.” 

“Fiance,” Enzo shot back. 

“What?” Seven and Lourdes gasped in unison. 

Seven looked at him in confusion. “Why are you shocked? Did we not talk about this last night? We even talked about your dowry.” 

“That…you…” Seven dropped his voice. “I didn’t think you were serious.” 

Now Enzo looked shocked…and hurt. “You didn’t?” 

“This is all adorable,” she said, her tone letting them know it was just the opposite. “But I’m afraid I cannot allow Seven to work underneath you. Especially if he’s your fiance. That is a huge power imbalance.” 

“Please,” Enzo snorted. “If anyone is running anyone else around, it's him.” 

“I hope this isn’t your idea of a proposal,” Seven said, voice barely above a whisper. “I expect a ring and you on one knee.” 

Enzo grinned. “Noted.” 

Lourdes looked two seconds away from firing both of them. “Call it whatever you want, but the firm cannot take on this type of liability and we definitely can’t have you working a case that brings the firm no money. I cannot pull you from cases worth millions of dollars in billable hours so you can play Clue with your future…whatever he is.” 

Enzo blinked at her. “I’m sorry?” 

Lourdes shook her head. “No, I’m sorry but it's just not happening.” 

She picked up a delicate floral teacup, a tea label dangling over the edge, taking a delicate sip. She took two pens from the cup on her desk and set them on the desk next to the remaining stack of papers. “Sign these and be grateful you both still have jobs.” 

Enzo’s brow went up, then he huffed out a humorless laugh. “Oh, I see what’s happening here,” he said. “This is my fault. I made it sound like I was asking. I wasn’t. Reassign Seven to work under me while I keep my future mother-in-law out of prison or I’ll take my clients and walk.” 

Seven gasped like he was in a telenovela, his hand going to his mouth. What was happening? Yesterday, Seven didn’t know if he could even call Enzo his boyfriend, now they were getting married and Enzo was threatening to quit his job? This was mental. 

Clearly, Lourdes felt the same. Anger flashed in her eyes, her face pinched as she set down her delicate mug with purpose.

“Enzo, we should talk about this…” Seven started, trailing off when Enzo raised a hand.

Lourdes rocketed forward in her seat, pointing a sharp nail the same color as her lipstick in their direction. “Don’t threaten me, Enzo. You won’t like how this plays out.” 

Enzo gave her the same flat stare she’d given him earlier. “Now who’s making threats? You and I both know that I don’t need this firm anymore; but you most definitely need me. I’d already planned on leaving as soon as Enzo graduated law school. I have no qualms about pushing up my timeline.” 

“What?” Seven whispered. 

“Then we could start our own practice,” Enzo said softly, giving him a look that made his heart float and his stomach feel hollow. 

Oh. 

Seven’s thoughts churned. He couldn’t let Enzo throw his whole career away over him. Over his mother. The thought of them opening their own practice made him feel warm all over, but that wasn’t for at least a year or so and that was if he even passed the bar. 

Seven tugged at Enzo’s sleeve. “Let's just go. I’m sure your mom can recommend a different law firm, maybe one that will take my mom’s case for free. It’s not worth blo-” 

Enzo cut him off. “It's not about the money. My mother and I will cover any legal fees. This is about worth. There’s no attorney out there that will defend your mother better than me. I never lose.” 

It was true. Enzo had never lost a case. That wasn’t luck. It was by design. Enzo was an exceptional attorney, but it was easy to win when the deck was always stacked in his favor. But Seven also benefited from Enzo’s privilege just as he’d benefited from Jericho and Atticus in the past. It really was all about connections. 

Enzo considered Seven for a minute. “But you make a good point. With a Mulvaney, the Navarro’s, and the Conti’s all mixed up in this case, there’s not a single law firm in town who’d refuse the publicity, billable hours be damned. The publicity alone is worth any monetary loss. I need to make some pho-” 

“Alright,” Lourdes said, exasperated. “You win. Take your little case and your little boyfriend and get out of my office. But if this blows back on the firm in any negative way, I’ll make sure the tire marks are on your back and yours alone. Got it?” 

Enzo’s face split into a grin. “Of course,” he said. “I knew you’d see it my way.” He took Seven’s hand and started pulling him back towards the door. “Love that lipstick on you, by the way.” 

“Wait! You still haven’t signed the contracts,” Lourdes shouted. 

“Have your people call my people,” Enzo said just as the door shut between them.