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Letting him go, I stepped back and shrugged stiffly, feeling heat creep into my face. “Yeah, well. I’ve decided it is. You’re not going back.”
You’re not leaving me.
For the first time since I’d arrived, his mouth tilted into a small, wobbly smile.
“Thank you, Vince.”
Clearing my throat, I rested my hand on his lower back and led him to the door. “I’ll make you something to eat while you’re in the shower. And I have to call Holt to let him know I’ve spoken to you. He’s worried.”
“Sorry,” Crossbody said quietly.
“Don’t be sorry.”
I took him into the bathroom and started the shower, then helped him unbutton his shirt and take off his pants. After giving him one last kiss on the cheek, I waited until he’d climbed in and I knew he was steady on his feet, then went downstairs, already pulling my phone out of my pocket to quickly text Holt and let him know that I’d spoken to Crossbody. Then I scrolled through my contacts to find a number I hadn’t used in years.
The cat had migrated to the dining table at one end of the long kitchen, and she watched me suspiciously as I tugged open the fridge, lifting the phone to my ear.
I stared blankly at the shelves. There were a lot of expensive-looking cured meats, like prosciutto and something called bresaola, which I’d never fucking heard of before. But I also spotted some fancy French mustard, so I figured I’d be able to slap a sandwich together.
I loaded everything I needed into the crook of one arm as I listened to the phone ring in my ear. I’d dumped it all on the counter and begun searching for bread when the ringing stopped and I heard a familiar voice.
“Frederick du Gateur, Gateur Garbage Disposal and Waste Management.”
“Hey, Freddie.” I finally located a loaf of bread and set it on the counter. “It’s Vince Burke. I, uh, used to be the janito—”
“Vinnie? Vinnie the ghoul? Ey, it’s good to hear from you, ami! How’ve ya been? Still living the dream doing the wrestling thing, right?”
“Yep, uh-huh.”
“My mimi still goes to watch most weekends. Can’t keep her from letting loose, even at her age.”
“Yeah, she’s great,” I said absently, abandoning the sandwich as a hint of apprehension crept through me. Scrubbing the back of my neck, I cleared my throat and said, “Look, Freddie, I know this is really fucking rude of me, but—”
“What do you need?” he asked easily. “Not rude at all, Vinnie. You’re family.”
I exhaled in relief. “Great. Thank you. I don’t know if this is even something you can help with, but… you know the Spring Queen of Otherworld?”
“Course.” It sounded like he was eating something, his voice a little muffled. “We keep tabs on everything, Vin. Sometimes fae cross over from the different Otherworld courts, either to visit or move here. It’s our business to know our local supernatural community.”
“Right, right.” I licked my dry lips. “Well, I don’t know if your, uh, mimi has ever mentioned a certain wrestler working at Goliaths…”
Chapter Thirty-Eight
The Origin of High Lord Crossbody
Vince
Twenty minutes later, I’d finally gotten around to making Crossbody’s sandwich when I heard him coming down the stairs. I was feeling calmer after my lengthy phone call with Freddie, so I gave him a reassuring smile when he appeared at the door.
His damp hair was combed, skin still a little splotchy but less so, and he was wearing a clean shirt over some silky pyjama pants. But he still looked dazed and worn out, so when he approached, I hurriedly licked the mustard off my thumb and wrapped my arms around him as he bent his head to tuck his face into my neck.
“How are you feeling?”
“A bit better,” he croaked, before I heard him inhale deeply and he sagged against me, pressing his lips to my neck. When he stepped back long moments later, there was an embarrassed flush staining his cheeks. “I’m sorry for being so emotional.”
I could see him trying to retreat behind that aloof wall to protect himself after being so vulnerable, and I refused to let him. Cupping his chin, I pressed a firm kiss to his mouth, tasting toothpaste on his breath. He clutched the front of my T-shirt as he kissed me back almost desperately, like a part of him had thought he’d never be able to again.
Something in my chest shifted permanently, and I knew without a doubt that there was no way I was letting him leave me.
