‘Bee’s letting me watch a very old movie called the Boo Bird.’
‘Do you meanBlue Bird?’
‘Yes, that was a test.Good job, Kestrel.’
‘Thanks, Myna.Enjoy your movie.’
‘Be very safe, Kestrel.’
Lachlan refocuses on Jules.
Six dances later, Jules circulates with Alistair, meeting and greeting, accepting congratulatory kisses and touches for his birthday.Lachlan wonders what kind of party Jules would like, given the choice.
Nothing like this, that’s for sure.
Mimi radios twice more and then Blaire confirms she fell asleep halfway through the movie and says goodnight to him.Lachlan says it back, tells her to sleep well.
Then he looks up and Jules is gone.
‘Control, where is Cascade?’
‘Kestrel, be advised Cascade is in the main restroom.’
Respectfully, Lachlan waits outside until Jules emerges, face slightly damp.Lachlan’s gaze drops to his wrist, sees a faint red mark there, knows he’s been pressing.
‘Are you OK?’
‘Yeah, I’m fine.’He sounds so tired already.
Lachlan looks behind him, but no one else emerges and Sorrenko is still on the dancefloor with Alistair and their inner circle.‘Are you sure?’
Jules rolls his eyes.‘I’mfine,Bodyguard.Let’s go.’
That’s the thing with Jules, it’s not really alieto say he’s fine because even when severely struggling, he is still fine.He’s flawlessly functional, operates well no matter what’s happening beneath the surface.
It’s just that Lachlan wants more for him thanfine.
Another two hours crawl by before Jules, for reasons Lachlan can only guess at, decides to get truly drunk.Not that anyone stops him.Champagne flows endlessly beneath the ballroom dome, glasses constantly pressed into his hands by guests eager for his attention, and Alistair certainly doesn’t discourage it.If anything, he seems to prefer Jules a little softened at the edges, all glittering smiles and lowered inhibitions beneath the lights.
Lachlan can’t intervene, but he wishes he could.
Roman comes over and Lachlan greets him warmly, shakes his hand.
‘Good to see you, Ro.’
‘You know,’ the boy says, cocking his head happily, ‘you are the only one who calls me that.’
‘You called meLock.’
‘It felt right.’
‘So doesRo.’
Roman nods at the dancefloor.‘Do you give him a nickname?’
‘Jules.’
‘It’s not much of a nickname.’
