Page 62 of Brought By the Storm

“I’m okay,” I promised. He kissed the side of my head and touched my side where he had seen the spy kick me.

“I knew I shouldn’t have left you,” Stefan spat. “God, you could have been killed, Carrington.” I guessed he didn’t care if I had been.

Carrington chuckled. “Not with this tough guy here. Eric was wrestling that traitor to the ground.”

My eyes went wide. Had he not seen that I was the one on my back with the guy’s hands around my throat? I had been about a minute away from death. At least I had held him off long enough that he couldn’t take Carrington by surprise. “Trust me, I would have been happy to have you here, Stefan,” I muttered.

“How did you know he wasn’t a legitimate pizza delivery driver?” Stefan wondered.

“Well, there were lots of warning signs, but once I smelled the cheese and meat, I knew there was no way Carrington had ordered it,” I reasoned.

“So smart,” Carrington murmured, pulling the side of my head to his lips again.

Stefan seemed uncomfortable watching the display of affection, so I did nothing to encourage it. “Uh, Stefan? Where’s Mateo? Didn’t he want to come?”

Stefan snorted. “Trust me, he wanted to—many times in the last twelve hours. I don’t think he has any left in him.”

Carrington moaned. “Okay, too much information.”

Stefan snarled. “Complained the man who’s been pawing his lover boy ever since the authorities left. At least I wasn’t giving you a live performance.”

Carrington’s mood darkened. “What is wrong with you? Eric just took a beating because of me. After all he’s done for us, can you not find it in you to be nice for just a minute?”

Stefan blanched, then softened. “Eric, my apologies, and thank you on behalf of the people of Yastarus for helping protect our president.”

I nodded. “Thanks. Um, so why didn’t Mateo come over? You didn’t answer my question.”

Stefan shifted from one foot to the next. “I had spoken with Yastarus authorities before coming here. I became aware of the threat. I didn’t want to reveal our identities to Mateo and put him in danger. I told him that Carrington and I were successful in securing the modeling gig in the city and that we would be leaving this evening.”

“This evening?” I squeaked.

Stefan turned to Carrington. “When I spoke with the vice president and with the head of intelligence, everyone felt it would be safer for you to return to Yastarus now, so I booked a flight from LaGuardia Airport at nine-forty this evening. I see no reason to change those plans just because the threat has been eliminated. You are needed back home, Mr. President.”

I looked over to Carrington, hoping against hope there was a compelling reason for him to stay. I saw resignation in his eyes, though, and he nodded his head in agreement. “We don’t have much time. That’s in Queens, New York, yes?”

Stefan nodded. “We’ll have to find a way into the city. If we leave within the hour, we should be able to get there in time for dinner before heading to the airport. I’ll line up a drive on Uber.”

I gulped, realizing that the remaining moments would entail them packing, then bidding me farewell. “Um, I can take you there.”

Carrington seemed relieved. “Would you? That would be wonderful. Perhaps you’d join us for dinner before we depart.”

Stefan wasn’t enthused, but I was concerned with pleasing Carrington. And I wanted to spend more time with him. “Yes, I’ll look up a place to eat and make reservations. You guys go pack.”

Carrington gave me a sad smile, then pulled me into a kiss. “Eric, you’ll come visit soon, yes? We’ll make this work.”

Those were the words I needed to hear in that moment.