Enemy of My Enemy (Executive Office #2)

by Tal Bauer

And this was what he loved about Jack. Strength wrapped in an effusive optimism, a soul that promised the world would be a better place if you only just held on and never let go. A solid core of unflappability, the center of him rooted in gentle happiness. Jack radiated joy to Ethan’s soul, and he basked in Jack’s grins, his playful personality, like a tree turning its leaves to the sun.

“I love you so fucking much. It gets hard to breathe sometimes when I think about you.”

Finally, Daniels spoke. His voice was choked, but he looked Ethan dead in the eyes. “I’ve never met a better man than you, Ethan. Swear to fucking God.”

“Loving you will never be a mistake to me,” Faisal finally said. “If you believe our love is a mistake, then that is your burden to bear.” His voice, as always, was soft and gently accented thanks to his private English tutors in Riyadh and his Oxford education. It tore at Adam’s heart, always. The tenderness containing a core of ferocity, a hidden fire that rivaled the sun.

Ethan snagged two flutes of champagne for them both. Jack made eyes at him as he sipped his, smoldering looks that went straight to Ethan’s cock. They had a few hours left in the evening, but no one would miss them if they sneaked out for a quickie, would they? Scott would no doubt shit a gold-plated brick, emblazoned with the Presidential Seal. It would be worth it.

“When God designed your features and joined your brows/Paved my way, then trapped me with your gestures & bows/United the knots of my doing and of my budding heart/Fate convinced me to be enslaved to thee.”

“So, he recites poetry to you by candlelight and you fuck up his jet and bring him dead bodies?”

Where do you go from here, Ethan? Where do you go when your life shatters and everything you planned for evaporates? You’re forty-one, and you changed everything for this man. Your job, your home, your whole world. What’s left for you now?

“If you love Faisal. Really love him. Don’t let anything stop you two. Don’t let anything get in the way. You never know how much time you have together.”

“‘My eyes drown in tears, yet thirst for but one chance’.” “Faisal, please. I can’t—” Tears pricked at Adam’s eyes as Faisal began reciting the words of an Islamic poet writing love songs to his male lover. “‘I’ll give away my whole life for my beloved’.” Faisal kissed his tears, his hips pressing deep as Adam groaned. “Ya hayati.” My love. My life.

There were some things he couldn’t do. His body felt alien to him, like Ethan had the keys and had taken them with him. He was a stranger in his own skin, a puzzle with pieces out of place. A house of cards about to collapse.

He scowled at Elizabeth. “Madam President. Permission to accompany this Goddamn idiot?”

Ethan, wherever you are, stay alive. I’m coming for you. Like you came for me. I’m coming for you. What was it Ethan had said to him once? I will tear through the whole world to get to your side. Always. “Ethan,” he whispered. “I’m with you all the way.”

“You and Uncle Ethan… Are you guys still together?” I hope so. “I love him very, very much.” “He’s needed someone to love him.” Liz picked at her frayed jeans. “I think we were all he really had.” He reached for her, taking her hand in his. “I love him more than I can say,” he choked out. “He’s the one for me. The love of my life.”