I Did Not Have Sexual Relations With That Woman (MxM)⚣

106. Quid Pro Quo

I actually JUST got back from a night out so this is like kinda edited but also not lol. It's like 4AM so spare me, I'll double back this morning
Enjoy, lovelies!
xoxo

Don

"You're in jeans," was the first thing Brad noted to me after Carson and Dylan took their leave from the lounge.

"That I am," I replied. "For a change, you're the best dressed in the room with me still in it."

"Now you know that's a lie. I've always been best dressed," Brad insisted, making me smile. I was willing to agree to disagree on this one with him.

"Now that you mention it... you usually have a new suit each time I see you, however rare our visits may be. This is the first time I've seen you wear one again."

Brad looked down at his attire before just a tinge of pink quickly spread across his face. "Yeah well, Joan is trying to have me cut back a bit."

That made my eyebrows raise far more than slightly. "I've been asking you to do that for years."

"Yes, well... you're not Joan, now are you?"

I almost scoffed at that. "Tell that to fucking Carson," I grumbled irritably under my breath.

"Hmm?" Brad asked, but I just simply shook my head no. That would be conversation between my idiot partner and I, and at a later date. Besides, maybe this meant that Brad would finally follow my advise of having a few very nice pieces to switch out and create new suits from. "Anyways, so yes, I'm turning over a new leaf or whatever."

"And how is Susie at Magasin De Costume taking that?"

Brad paused for a moment from my words. "Not... not very well, I'd say. But she's, well, she's adjusting. She'll adjust."

"I helped you with your financials last year, remember?" I reminded him. "I don't think she, nor that store, will adjust any time soon. At least their stream of revenue won't." Brad might've signaled handedly been keeping the store alive at this point because their prices were more than egregious. "I am, however, glad to hear that you and Joan are still going strong. Does she know you're here to see me? Or perhaps why?"

Brad nodded. "She's the only one that does," he then admitted. "Not even Christian knows."

And that made me smile even more sincerely at my friend. "Well I am always happy to assist wherever that man falls short. However often that is. And even though the Ivanov name stretches far, I assume you're looking for something more... discreet."

Brad nodded again. "I-... I should've told you about this sooner... and even now, with what I can't say-"

But I raised my hand to stop Bradford before he could continue on this guilt ridden take, and dropped the volume of my voice a bit lower even if this man had selected a rather secluded part of this gentleman's lounge for us to sit and discuss at. "You are entitled to your privacy, just as you have always granted and respected mine. All I know, and all I need to know, is that you've been traveling through Russia, and there are certain connects of mine you 'd like to acquire. Something I will more than willingly grant."