Page 153 of Split or Swallow

Tem rolled her eyes again. His hand was still on her thigh.

“Don’t get used to it,” she whispered.

He smiled again, flashing those gold teeth.

“I certainly won’t.”

Gabriel leaned forward. “My opinion is very favorable, if it helps.”

Tem kicked him under the table. “It doesn’t.”

Leo shot him a wink. “It does, thank you.”

Tem kicked him too.

By the time the Horseman was shutting down, Leo had paid for four more rounds and Tem was having trouble seeing straight. Gabriel was no better off. He kept throwing his arms around Tem and Leo, declaring that he would be the best man at their wedding.

“We’d be honored,” Leo said every time.

“That would require a wedding,” Tem said every time too.

Leo only laughed.

They left the bar together, all linking arms. Gabriel extracted himself with some difficulty before saluting them with a flourish.

“It’s been a pleasure, gentlemen.”

“I’m a lady,” Tem said.

“Barely.”

She smacked his chest.

Leo held her back. “That’s our best man you’re accosting.”

“That would require a wedding,” Tem insisted.

In response, Leo pressed his lips to her cheek.

“Get a room,” Gabriel crooned, wiggling his fingers at them before disappearing into the darkness.

“I intend to,” Leo said against her ear. Before Tem could smack him too, another voice cut through the air:

“Thelonius.”

They both turned.

There, mounted on a horse whose shiny white coat was completely at odds with the dismal grime of the street, was Maximus.

Leo immediately threw his arm in front of Tem, pushing her behind him as the king dismounted. He strode toward them with fury in his eyes, his gaze flicking first to Tem, then back to Leo.

“Running away is for children,” Maximus said. “I expected more from you.”

Leo lifted his chin in defiance.

“You remind me of my youth every day. It shouldn’t surprise you when I act my age.”

“Enough. You will return with me now.”