Incident 9 All You Need is a Bedsheet #5
Wow, he was fast. Ross hadn’t expected that kind of efficiency, but maybe he should have. Thieves couldn’t afford to lollygag.
Glenn sped the box over to the SUV, sat it in the back of the open trunk, then headed for the door again. As he did, Jarek and his two minions pulled up.
Ross waved them over. “Eidolon’s already pulled a few things out. Come over, double-check this is all yours.”
“Already?” Jarek responded in some surprise. He obediently came closer, but he cast a glance at the open door as he moved. “That’s impressive. You’ve only been here, what? Five minutes?”
“About that. The man’s apparently as good as Glenn proclaimed.”
Séverin promptly dug into the box, exclaiming happily, “My journal!”
So Eidolon had grabbed at least some of the right things, good. Ross hoped this was an auspicious beginning and meant they could extract what they needed to and be long gone before the cops showed up.
And yes, he did knock on wood and cross his fingers when just even thinking that. Because Fate routinely liked to fuck him over, and tonight especially, he wanted to take no chances.
His phone pinged and he checked it for a text. Ivan had sent him three images, all clearly the letter Séverin was worried about.
And addressed to Jarek.
Oh-hoooo. No wonder Séverin was so uptight about the letter not being shown to anyone. Ross mentally cackled. Oh, what he could do with this.
Without any compunction whatsoever, he immediately forwarded the images on to Jarek.
The other clan leader paused in overseeing his two vampires, pulling out his phone and checking it.
Ross watched as his eyebrows steadily rose, reading through the letter.
Then his eyes shot to Séverin in stunned realization.
Ross studied that expression, not knowing which way the man would jump. He could easily choose to ignore it, as Séverin clearly intended not to disclose this.
But that wasn’t what Jarek chose to do. He snagged Séverin by the arm and hauled him ten feet away, creating some distance between them and everyone else.
Then he showed Séverin his screen. Ross was too far away to really hear the words, but he could read them off the man’s lips, sort of. Do you still feel this way?
Séverin’s back was to Ross, but his body language shouted nerves. Still, he nodded jerkily.
Jarek hauled him in immediately, kissing him hot enough that steam nearly came off of them.
Ohhh? Well, now, that was an interesting spin. Ross hadn’t quite intended for that to happen. But on reflection, glad it did. Even if Séverin did kind of irritate him.
Glenn came back to his side, pointing to the new couple now making out. “What did you do, a stór?”
“I may have sent the love letter to Jarek.” Ross shrugged, not apologetic even as Glenn rolled his eyes in exasperation.
It did amuse him that Glenn so obviously could recognize his work in a glance.
“What? Séverin pissed me off with how he spoke to you. And with his general stupidity today. I figured a little revenge was in order, but it turns out I did him a favor.”
“Apparently so.”
Jarek finally came back, Séverin tucked in against his side. He gave Ross a nod. “My thanks. This one would never have said anything, apparently.”
Séverin looked sheepish but didn’t disagree.
Ross decided to take the brownie points and run with it. “You’re welcome. But let’s get this finished up and get out of here before something does decide to go wrong.”
Either Fate decided to take the night off, or something, because it all went smoothly. Everything was pulled out and verified, Eidolon closed up the museum as if nothing had happened, and they made the hacker-in-training’s bedtime. Ross considered it a miracle. And absolutely did not complain.
He waited until they were driving back to the house, Glenn at the wheel, before poking his lover. “And might I ask what it was you so adamantly wanted kept secret?”
Glenn was back to blushing and studiously only looking at the road.
“It can’t be that bad,” Ross protested, eyes rolling in a bid for patience.
“It’s not something I want you to see.”
Ross eyed him in question. Glenn still looked horribly embarrassed, no matter his reassurances.
“Okay, I’m not going to push, as you’re clearly willing to swallow glass rather than give me details.
I just have to know. Is this kinky shit you’re hiding, or more like you can’t believe you were ever that na?ve? ”
“More the latter,” Glenn admitted.
“Ah. Cause if it was kinky shit, I was going to be very mad. Because you know you can be kinky with me.”
A smile came back onto Glenn’s face. “I know, a stór, and it’s one of the things I appreciate about you. That, and your ability to wrangle stubborn vampires. I’m just as glad we’re now romantically attached. Jarek was quite serious about hiring you away from me.”
Ross snorted. “Not on your life. I’m still getting you guys trained. Like hell do I want to start over.”
Not taking offense at this, Glenn chuckled. “And there’s that, too, I suppose.”
They ended back at Glenn’s house, even Jarek, who was invited to come over and drink the night’s success. Glenn pulled out the vodka and several shot glasses, they gathered around the kitchen island like old friends, and Glenn poured them all a glass.
“To a successful night,” Glenn offered.
“Za zda-ró-vye!” Ivan agreed before throwing the shot back.
“Cheers,” Jarek and Ross said in unison before drinking theirs.
Wow. That was the smoothest vodka Ross had ever tried. Amazing stuff.
Glenn poured them all another glass, giving Jarek a sideways look that was pure challenge. “Remember that conversation we had, several months back, about cooperation between everyone resulting in less confusion and conflict? And how we could support each other if given a chance to do so?”
Jarek took the glass, a long-suffering expression on his face.
“Yes, yes, I can see from this that we need to open better communication channels. Your Ross especially seems good at that. Speaking for my own people, we’ll try.
And I’ll put in a good word with everyone else.
And, Eidolon, the next time I need something retrieved, can I call on you? ”
Eidolon beamed at him. “Please do.”
Ross had this feeling he’d be seeing a lot of the man in the future. Good thing he’d already saved the thief’s number.
“To less trouble in the future,” Jarek offered, lifting his glass.
Now, Ross could definitely drink to that.