Page 91 of Guardian
That’s saying a lot, coming from Zed.He’s awfully proud of the monster between his legs.
My face burns.“I do approve of him.That’s why I let him go.”
Ravi’s capable of so much.What if I’d held him back?
Nausea swirls in my gut as our plane climbs higher into the sky.For all the times I’ve flown, I’m never entirely comfortable until we’re on the ground again.
But I do my best to settle into my seat, gripping the armrests, because it’s part of the job.Maybe being uncomfortable was always going to be a part of loving Ravi, too.It sure as hell is now.
“What happens in a few years when he gets all the kinky curiosity he’s been feeding out of his system and the novelty of being with an old man wears off?”
“Jesus fucking Christ, Liam.”Zed scoffs.“I’ve seen you drag children from burning buildings, slog through miles of rain and mud with fifty pounds strapped to your back, and face my mother across the Thanksgiving dinner table, which is something even I can’t do sober.We’ve been through too much shit in our lives to not grab hold of the good stuff when we can.You’re all, ‘Oh, I can’t keep him safe even though I’m a badass who assassinated two different warlords during my career.’For fuck’s sake.Stop being such a coward.”
Direct hit.
“Ravi called me a coward.”I huff a humorless laugh.
They’re both right.The deep-down truth is that aside from the man currently scowling at me, I’ve lost everyone I ever loved.Everyone I truly cared for.Sending Ravi away was a preemptive strike against losing again.
Except…Ravi’s lost everyone he loved too.
“I’m a real piece of shit, aren’t I?I sent away someone I loved rather than risk him ever looking at me like he didn’t want me anymore.”I’m not talking to anyone in particular.The picture is finally clear.
Zed answers anyway.“You sure are, partner.But I still love you.”
I respond with my middle finger.
“Thanks, baby, that means a lot.”
“Zed, if I weren’t dying, I could beat the shit out of you right now.”
We’re getting ready to land when the phone I stuffed deep into a cargo pocket vibrates.I pull it out to reveal an unexpected notification.
Ravi has arrived at Shadow.
Adrenaline nearly shoots me out of my seat.“What the fuck?”
This doesn’t even make sense.I’d assumed he would leave the watch so I couldn’t track him.My phone’s been off or out of range for most of the trip, so I’m only now realizing the tracker is still active.
“Why didn’t he leave town?”I show the phone to Zed.“And what the fuck would he be doing there?”
“I don’t know, but I suggest we find out.”A smile spreads across his face.“You want him back, don’t you, brother?”
More than anything.
I straighten in my seat.Is this intentional?Did he come back to find me?Or is this something else?
“He might not want to see me.”Maybe Daniel Corvus and his little sugar baby who needs sex “more than air” are having a grand old time with him right now.
My old buddy raises his eyebrows.“You going to let that stop you?”
Fuck no.Ravi’s mine.
I’m going to get him back.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Ravi
