Connor raised his arm in greeting and set to work tethering their ships together close enough that all could set foot on Connor’s vessel.
None paid the due respect they should, but Adonis couldn’t complain after Connor levelled him a silencing look. Adonis bristled but held peace.
Trevor’s hand pressed at Connor’s back, rubbing him in an intimate gesture that spoke of their bond. Anger filled Adonis. He loathed how Trevor treated Connor as a whelp still beholden to him when he was clearly matured far beyond such a role.
“You know, I think I preferred the growling,” Trevor noted in good humour.
Connor looked over his shoulder, and Adonis was too late in masking his expression. Connor let out a noise of exasperation, and displeasure coloured his countenance. “Adonis.”
“I did nothing.”
Connor snorted, and thankfully Adonis could tell he wasn’t terribly angry with him this time. “‘Nothing.’ You’re glaring at Trevor like you’ll drown him.”
“I will not! You made me promise.”
Trevor twitched.
“Here.” Laurence intervened to offer both Connor and Trevor a drink. As vexing as Laurence’s presence sometimes was, he at least paid Connor the respect he was due.
“Do you want one, Adonis?” Laurence asked him.
“He’ll have mine,” Connor said. He opened the can and passed it to Adonis, who took it with renewed spirits. He stepped to Connor’s side, pressing his cheek to his. Trevor took a sip of his drink and watched the two of them. Adonis made every effort not to glare at his appraisal. It was made easier when Connor’s fingers slipped into his hair to distract him, rubbing a soothing motion.
“When do you two set off?” The red-haired captain of the other ship, Sam, asked.
“In a few days,” Connor answered. “Now that Austin’s turned up alive, I can go without worrying.”
Trevor cleared his throat. “There are still several things to sort out. It’ll be weeks before the house sale goes through, and you’ll need to be around for that.”
Adonis identified the smile Connor cast his sire as one meant for humouring. “They can wait until I’m back.”
“A brief trip to the nest should be enough exploring,” Trevor said, great reluctance in his voice.
“We’ve had this conversation,” Connor replied.
“A dozen times,” Laurence agreed.
“A hundred times,” Nick corrected.
“And you’re still going,” Sam stated rather than asked. “That’s about what I’d expect.”
“It’s another dimension. Of course, I’m going to look around. I’ll have Adonis to take care of me, and he’s shown all of you how strong he is. He’ll keep me safe.”
Adonis preened at the utter confidence with which Connor spoke.
“There could be giant squid over there,” Sam said, a hint of merriment in his eyes. “Creatures with long tentacles waiting to wrap their arms around you once you’re in the water…”
Connor shuddered.
“And just think of the beak waiting to bite.”
Laurence snickered, and Nick smiled broadly. Trevor looked at Sam like he was a genius while Sam stared at Connor with a wry grin, watching the horror that transformed Connor’s features.
Connor schooled his features into a glare. “Another word, and I’ll have Adonis sink your boat. And you—” He cut a glare to Trevor. “Don’t get any ideas. If you even suggest giant squid are waiting for me to try to dissuade me, I’m having Adonis take back his promise about not drowning you.”
“I can crack the hull very easily,” Adonis said, backing up his mate. He hesitated before confirming the ease that he could accomplish the second task Connor had mentioned: his instincts told him Connor would get cross with him for it.
Approval shone in Connor’s eyes when he cast him a grin.
