Page 88 of Once a Rogue
Nothing for it; Wesley had to aim left-handed. He sighted down the barrel, and took the shot.
The tire burst. There was a terrible screech as the wheel’s rim hit gravel, and Mick was thrown back into the truck as the vehicle went careening off the side of the road.
“Oh, well done, Wesley,” Arthur said, just as Zhang said, “What a shot” and a “Bravo” came from Jade.
And Wesley was absolutely not going to have an emotion about a truckload of people praising him, or about the pounding of his heart, or how a few weeks with Sebastian had transformed his life from avoiding parties to rescuing paranormals and shootouts with bootleggers.
“Absolute lunacy,” he said instead, twisting back into his seat. “And credit to Arthur; I wouldn’t even have a gun if he hadn’t taken down our guard.”
They got out on the open road, the cold night air whipping through the truck.
“I do have a brutal right hook, and that’s not hubris,” said Arthur. “Ask Sebastian sometime.”
“Absolutely not,” Wesley said shortly, holding on to the side of the truck as Arthur pushed it to its limits. “We’re not reminding him of what he did under blood magic, he self-flagellates too much over it already. Take this right here.”
“Did you just tell me to spare someone’s feelings?” Arthur took the turn with his eyebrows raised. “Areyou enchanted? I’m asking seriously this time.”
Wesley huffed. “You know, for a man who was dead set on driving, you’re doing a lot of talking.”
“Am I?” Arthur glanced at Jade and Zhang. “Did I tell you two that Wesley here cabled me asking about Sebastian?”
“Oh, that was my suggestion,” said Jade.
“He was convinced Sebastian was a terrible scoundrel,” Zhang added.
Wesley managed not to wince, but it was a near thing. “Was I?”
“Like you ever forget anything,” said Arthur. “What was it you wrote in your cable? Something along the lines ofArthur: you won’t be duped by good looks. Confirm: Sebastian de Leon is a criminal.Yet you’re terribly concerned for him now?”
Wesley cleared his throat. “We’re taking another right, just up here.”
“And now you’re dodging a question?” said Arthur. “What has gotten into you?” The tires screeched as he made the turn. He glanced across Jade and Zhang, to Wesley. “You don’t—you don’t fancy him, do you?”
Wesley just managed not to groan. Arthur’s voice had been filled withpity. “Christ, Ace. Really?Now?”
“Oh boy,” Jade murmured.
“Why not?” Arthur said. “Jade and Zhang know you’re my ex.”
“I think that actually makes the conversationmoreawkward,” Zhang muttered.
Wesley pinched the bridge of his nose. “Arthur. Will you just fucking drive?”
“Wes, you’re my friend,” said Arthur. “I know you haven’t dated since me, but I would hate to see you pining after someone you can’t have. You have to have noticed that Sebastian adores women,” and really, this entire line of conversation was intolerable. “I understand that he’s very handsome but—”
“Yes, he is,” Wesley snapped. “So handsome you came crying to me in London that Rory was going to leave you for him. You also remember that bit, don’t you?”
Jade and Zhang turned to look at Arthur.
Arthur opened his mouth, then snapped it shut.
“Take the second left,” said Wesley. “Without commentary, this time.”
Arthur rolled his eyes and drove on.
Sebastian stared at Alasdair. “You want to get rid of magic?”
“Oh swell,” Rory said hoarsely. “Woke up to a fella screwier than me.”
