Chapter 27 #2
“Sure thing, babe.” Ares reached him and planted a kiss on his forehead, then winked and strode out the door.
Eden was debating whether or not to follow when his multi-slate rang and Noon’s name flashed across the screen. Probably for the best. He didn’t experience any remorse or empathy toward the people Ares killed, but he had to admit he had a weak stomach when it came to witnessing the carnage.
“Hey,” he answered, turning to lean back against the podium.
His eyes wandered to the large numbers projected on the upper wall, the clock seemingly reminding him they were on a tight schedule.
Daven Dephik was hosting a holiday party at his main office tonight, which meant he would be there, and there’d be a ton of foot traffic.
Certainly enough for Eden and Ares to blend in with the crowd.
Maybe Inzer had done them a favor by being such a coward. The timing was impeccable. After tonight, they’d finally be free of all this.
“I did some digging on your behalf,” Noon jumped right to the point. “Most of the information was scrubbed, but I have a contact who has access to Demeter Station, and they were able to get me copies of the old police report. I’m emailing it to you now.”
Demeter Station was the information hub of the Intergalactic Space Conference, the group that oversaw peace in the universe. It made sense Ares and Zar wouldn’t bother hacking into their systems and risk pissing off the wrong people.
“Did you read it?” Eden asked, checking his email when it dinged to find a large file attached. He didn’t open it.
“No, I just confirmed it was what you were looking for, that’s all. Let me know when you read it though. You know, if you need someone to talk to about it. You said Ares gets weird whenever his past is brought up, didn’t you?”
He’d explained to Noon he was curious about Project Firefly after his eye-opening talk with Zar.
Eden didn’t want to keep pushing Ares to tell him something he wasn’t comfortable with, but he also felt like it was important for him to know at least some of the details so he could better help stabilize his man.
Still…
“I’m not planning on reading it,” he confessed. At least, not any time soon. If it came to that, he would, but for now, he was planning on trusting Ares. “He’ll tell me when he’s ready.”
“Why did you have me searching for this then? Dude, I spent three days on this!”
Eden laughed. “If you recall, I never asked you to. I was just venting to my friend. You can’t blame me for taking it a step further on your own.”
“Whatever. When are you coming back for a visit?”
He thought it over. “Probably never?”
“What? Don’t tell me you like the capital that much? Oh, never mind. I get it. It’s another word that begins with C that’s keeping you, am I right?”
“You’re not wrong.” Eden grinned, anticipation already bubbling beneath his skin. It was about to be the weekend, and since they were taking care of not just Inzer, but also Dephik tonight… “I may be out of reach until Monday.”
There was shitty service at the cabin.
“Wow, you fell kind of fast, don’t you think?” Noon asked.
“I don’t know.” Eden made for the door. “I’ve never fallen in love before. I’ve got no timeframe to compare it to. Besides, I don’t think you’re one to speak. You fall for someone new at least once a month.”
“True.” Noon chuckled at himself. “How about this? I’ll come visit you. I want to see the studio your boyfriend literally had built for you.”
“Jealous?”
“It’s not fair. Where’s my super rich, super hot, super fan?”
Eden paused in the hallway, trying to listen for any indication of which direction he’d be able to find Ares and Inzer. There was a scuffling noise to the left and he headed that way. “Want me to introduce you to one of the Black Harts when you’re here?”
“Uh, big no. Those dudes are scary.”
“Facts.”
“Shit, Pilar is calling. I’ll talk to you later.” Noon hung up before Eden could say goodbye.
Shaking his head, he chuckled and slowed his steps as he entered another hall. He found Ares in a classroom, standing over Inzer’s body, staring at an empty corner. Eden made sure his steps were loud enough to be heard as he walked in.
“Is Mother here?” he asked when Ares’ head snapped in his direction.
The Black Hart glanced back. “She was. She’s gone now.”
“What about Father?”
Ares grinned. “Father doesn’t like you.”
“The feeling is mutual.”
“He doesn’t come around anymore.”
So there was just Mother to deal with. That was progress. She also seemed to vanish the few times Eden had walked in on Ares staring at her. With any luck, another couple of months from now, she’d be gone for good as well.
“What about him?” Eden motioned toward Inzer’s still body. There was a puddle of blood around him, but he pretended not to notice.
“Single bullet between the eyes,” Ares informed him. “You said make it quick.”
“And the mess?”
“Clean-up crew is on their way.”
“I keep meaning to ask you about them.”
“They’re part of an independent company that’s been working for my family for generations. They get the job done and know better than to ask questions. I pay them well. Why? Worried they’ll betray us?”
“No,” Eden held out his hand, “If you trust them, I trust them. Let’s go. We’ve got a party to attend.”
“About that.” Ares linked their fingers and allowed Eden to pull him from the room. “I’ve been meaning to make a suggestion. I have a friend who owes me a favor.”
Eden’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Friend?”
He grinned. “I love when you get jealous over nothing, but yes, just a friend. Anyway, they want to test a new product out and after checking Daven Dephik’s schedule, I think his afternoon meeting on Sunday might be the perfect opportunity.”
“What’s the product?”
“It’s a nanite shaped like a worm that targets internal organs and burrows holes in them.”
They made it to the end of the hall, and then Ares spun, trapping Eden against the wall with his arms up at either side of his head. “Think about it, babe. We save the final kill for Sunday, and tonight you and I get to…” his voice trailed off, but he glanced pointedly at the apex of Eden’s thighs.
“Are you going to be able to get in Sunday? The party served for perfect cover.”
“I’ve already spoken to someone about cutting the security feed footage, and leaving the side entrance open for us. This meeting is with Daven’s lawyer. Ironically, he thinks Zonnie’s dropping everything to vacation is irresponsible, so he’s writing him out of the will to teach him a lesson.”
“He’ll be heartbroken,” Eden drawled. He’d been really invested in the plans he’d envisioned for this weekend, but if the meeting wasn’t until later in the day… “How’s the nanite work?”
“We slip it in his drink. He’s notorious for keeping a bottle in his desk drawer.
Pulls it out whenever a special guest comes by.
Like his lawyer. The two have been friends since their college days.
He’ll drink for sure. Best part? We strike once the lawyer leaves, and the building will be empty. No worry about being walked in on.”
“In that case.” Eden hooked a finger into the collar of Ares’ black t-shirt and pulled him in until their lips brushed. “Take me to the cabin.”
“You’re not worried I’m putting it off to trick you?” Ares asked softly. “Didn’t you think I was leading you on all this time?”
“Were you?”
“No.”
Eden kissed him again. “Then I believe you.”
“Just like that?”
“You’ve murdered four people for me,” he reminded.
Ares nodded. “You are a very expensive lover. High maintenance.”
“Shut up.” He pushed him away and laughed. “What about you? Weren’t you secretly afraid I would use you and then make a run for it?”
“Will you?”
“No.”
Ares took his hand once more and began leading them toward the exit closest to the parking lot. “Okay. I believe you.”
“Just like that?”
“You’re offering to go to the cabin,” Ares stated with a smirk. “We both know what will happen there, and how you feel about that type of fucking.”
Eden lifted a single shoulder. “It’s growing on me.”
“My point is, you’re willing to subject yourself to what you deem the equivalent of sexual torture for my sake. If that’s not true love, I don’t know what is.”
“Uh, that’s a toxic relationship,” Eden corrected. “That’s what that is.”
“Oh.”
“It’s fine though.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.” They stepped into the chilly night, and Eden held Ares’ hand a little tighter. “I’ll play with your demons, if you’ll play with mine.”
“Forever,” Ares promised.
Eden waited until they’d reached the car, then caught the Black Hart’s gaze when the man opened the passenger door for him. “Deal, Lucifer.”
It’s not like there was anywhere else Eden would rather be, not when they were forming their own perfect little reality right here. Just the two of them.