Salt Kiss – Episode 27
The Lyonesse reopened under stricter security. Guests surrendered devices at the entrance, employee access changed daily, and Tristan personally reviewed every private appointment involving Mark.
Professional order returned, but their private relationship resisted definition. In public, Mark was his employer. Behind locked doors, Tristan obeyed a voice he had once hated needing.
An invitation to a political charity gala created their next challenge. Mark’s absence would signal weakness, yet the recent attack made public exposure dangerous.
“We go,” Tristan decided. “But you follow my route and leave when I say.”
Mark smiled. “You enjoy commanding me.”
“Only when bullets are involved.”
At the gala, Washington’s elite greeted Mark with polished affection and hidden calculation. Tristan remained one step behind, reading hands, exits, and faces.
Several guests knew Mark more personally than Tristan liked. Their familiarity stirred jealousy he could not display while on duty.
One man touched Mark’s arm and murmured an invitation. Mark declined without looking away from Tristan.
“Problem?” Mark asked when they were briefly alone.
“Security concern.”
“Liar.”
Tristan stepped closer. “You told the whole club I belonged to you. Does that rule work both ways?”
Mark’s expression became guarded. “Possession and exclusivity are different agreements.”
The answer hurt more than Tristan expected. “Then perhaps we should discuss which one you offered me.”
A camera flash interrupted them. Across the ballroom, a photographer lowered his lens and vanished through a staff door.
Tristan pursued but found only an abandoned camera. The final image showed him and Mark standing together with unmistakable intimacy.
Written across the display were six words: Love makes him easy to kill. Tristan returned to Mark knowing their enemy had identified the weakness both men were still afraid to name.