Chapter 43
Gunner
The treasury was crammed full of gold, artifacts, and oddities of all sorts. Gunner could have gotten lost inside for days without getting bored.
“Is that a real taxidermy zebra?”
“Yup.” Horatio patted it on the head. “Meet Skippy. Dead as a doornail but still haunted.”
Gunner took a step back. “You’re kidding, right?”
“We had to turn off the security cameras down here because he moves around all night. Seven saved a few clips if you don’t believe me.”
“I believe you. Owning a haunted zebra carcass is pretty on-brand for this group.”
Gunner followed him to a display case full of exquisite jewels. “What do you think of that one?” Horatio asked, tapping on the glass.
“It’s okay, I guess. If you like flawless diamonds.” Gunner wanted to puke, or cry, or handcuff himself to Horatio and swallow the key.
Horatio opened the case and held up the bracelet. “See? It’s skinny and won’t show if I clip it under my hair.” He picked up another and compared the two. “Diamonds or rubies?”
“Take both, just in case.”
“Sexy genius.” Horatio stuffed the jewelry into the front pocket of his jeans. “We have time to kill. Wanna make out?” He put his hands on Gunner’s hips.
“Hell damn yes, I do.”
They kissed slow and sweet, the kind of kiss you’d end a first date with, which gave Gunner hope for some reason.
Maybe because a kiss like that was a promise of sorts—a promise there would be more dates, and more kisses, and more time.
Still, no matter how fast he blinked, those stupid tears kept coming, wetting both his and Horatio’s cheeks.
“Everything is going to be okay, Gun. I promise.”
Gunner held on tight to Horatio’s hair. Words stuck in his throat, unspoken.
I just got you back. You can’t leave me again.
I think I loved you before we met, or forever.
But saying things like that would make it all too real. If he kept it light, the situation might not feel so desperate and terrifying. “When you get back, we’re going to get so drunk.”
“Drunk as pirates.”
“And then naked.”
Horatio nodded. “But first, let’s get naked right now.”
“Only if you promise to bend me over the haunted zebra.”