Chapter 13 #2
He stepped away from him, running his hair beneath the spray one last time before exiting the stall. “Wash up and then come to bed.” Ryker took a towel off the hook and dried off, gaze dropping to the place between Rue’s thighs. “You can take care of that first if you want to.”
The sound of his laughter had Rue bristling as he left him there.
At first, Rue stubbornly washed the soap off and then reached for the shampoo, intending on ignoring his hard-on.
That resolve lasted all of five minutes.
Fortunately, he was already so keyed up, it didn’t take much to get himself off. The real struggle was staying as quiet as possible while he did it.
By the time he walked out, Ryker was already under the covers, on the side of the bed closest to the door. Without glancing up from his multi-slate, he motioned toward the desk where he’d left out another change of clothing.
“Service?” Rue asked as he dressed, already knowing the answer, yet unable to handle the silence between them.
“No.”
“Are you worried about your dad?”
“No.”
Rue tugged a long-sleeved shirt over his head then fixed his hair. It was damp, but he wasn’t going to bother with the hair dryer. “Is he really planning on sending me away?”
“You aren’t going anywhere.” Ryker finally stopped whatever he was doing and set his device to the side. “Get in here.”
Rue slid beneath the thick comforter and shifted onto his side, facing the window. The blinds had been pulled shut, so even if they weren’t above the fog line, he wouldn’t have to worry about being seen from something out there, or seeing something himself.
“Do you need your pills?” Ryker asked.
He shook his head.
“You’ll be fine if you take one. I’ll keep you safe.”
“I don’t want to risk it,” Rue said. It felt too scary, relying on a drug that completely knocked him out and prevented him from waking.
“If something does happen, I want to be able to help you.” He glanced at the clock on the end table.
“You’re switching shifts in six hours. Better get some sleep. ”
“You aren’t coming with me.”
“I am.”
“It isn’t necessary.”
“I know.” Rue shrugged. “I’m still coming.”
Ryker gave up, lying down and then moving in closer.
His arm went around Rue’s waist, and then he pulled him in, nuzzling the back of his head.
“I’m not going to do anything,” he reassured when Rue tensed.
“Sleep, sweetheart. If you don’t wake on your own when it’s time for my shift, I’m leaving you behind. ”
That was eerily similar to what he’d said when he’d abandoned Rue in the forest.
Rue chose not to bring it up.
* * *
Six hours later, they found Ellery sitting on top of the check-in desk, kicking his legs against the side.
“Anything?” Ryker asked as he and Rue approached.
Rue rubbed at his tired eyes and barely held back a yawn, noting with some annoyance that Ellery appeared to be wide awake and bursting with energy.
“Nada.” Ell leapt down. “Uriel said it was quiet for him as well.”
“That’s good.” Ryker glanced around the area, checking to make sure everything was still closed, and all the rooms with windows had been shut. The entrance had been designed to be rustic, so fortunately there wasn’t much glass there and they hadn’t needed to figure anything out.
“Here’s the hand off.” Ellery held up his palm, waiting until Ryker gave him a halfhearted high five before heading toward the stairs they’d just come from. “Catch y’all in the morning!”
“He is way too chipper,” Rue couldn’t help but state, grimacing as he watched Ell practically hop up the stairs. “He is aware of the situation we’re in, right?”
“Why do you think he’s in such a good mood?” Ryker chuckled.
“Psycho.”
“Just imagine how disappointed Ares is going to be when he finds out he missed this.”
“You guys are so weird.”
“You say that as if you’re not one of us.” Ryker stared at him. “You’re technically a Black Hart too, Rue.”
“My mom wouldn’t shut up about it. She was so disappointed in me for not claiming the title,” he said, eyes going to the front door, to the last place he’d seen her. The last place he would ever see her. “I can’t believe she’s really gone. Just like that.”
“Are you hungry? Thirsty?” Ryker was riffling through a pile of snacks Ellery must have gotten from the kitchen. They were laid out over the end of the counter, sorted by type, with a selection of bottled drinks organized in a neat row.
“He really is a weirdo,” Rue grunted, helping himself to a water and candy bar.
“He’s…eclectic.” Ryker smiled fondly.
“You’re glad he’s here.”
“Why wouldn’t I be? If we need something dead, he’s the first person I’ll turn to.”
“No wonder you wish Ares had come.” Rue had grown up around all of them, though he wasn’t particularly close with anyone aside from the twins. Still, he understood who the vast majority of them were at their core.
And which of them would be the best allies to have if shit hit the fan.
“So, what’s the verdict,” he turned back to the Black Hart. “Do you think we’ll need something dead?”
Ryker shrugged but otherwise doesn’t answer.
Which was foreboding.
“I hate it when you’re quiet,” Rue confessed. Three years apart had changed them both in ways he’d yet to fully figure out. The Ryker he was used to was loud and aggressive, without fail. But the man he’d been since Rue’s return was more contemplative, with steely resolve.
Unpredictable in a different sort of way that made Rue more nervous than usual.
“If you’re still tired, come over here.” Ryker had moved to the other side of the check-in station. “You can sleep under this.”
There was a cleared-out space beneath it and already a blanket spread out over the floor.
“Uriel probably,” Ryker answered before Rue could ask about who’d made it. “He’s a light sleeper. Would have woken at the slightest sound.”