“He’s still around?”
Liam opened and shut his mouth. “No.”
“So how do you—”
“He’s got your phone number. He’s been sending photos to it.” An uncomfortable expression crossed Liam’s face. “I’m sorry for looking at your texts.”
Austin waved that aside. “I don’t care about that. He’s sending photos?”
“In adon’t worry about itkind of way. He said his girlfriend loves the one on his chin and he hopes it leaves a scar.”
Austin simply stared at Liam.
“I don’t know what to tell you. He’s weird.”
“Are you sure they returned all the files?”
“It matches the manifest Tammy had for the Miami lab exactly. And weirdness aside, I think they were telling the truth. They only handed everything over after Tammy convinced them beyond any doubt that we weren’t holding you hostage.”
“Did you burn them?”
Liam shook his head. “I have them at the cottage. I thought you’d like to watch them burn personally. To be sure.”
Austin nodded. He slid his feet off Tristan’s lap, planting his feet on the sun-warmed wooden porch.
Austin considered Liam. Alone, he’d struggle to get him back across the ocean. Even if he had his tail, he’d beencompletely exhausted yesterday once he’d changed back. He had his voice and could command the ocean to carry them, but recalling the last time a current had carted him through the sea made him hesitate. If his gills hadn’t erupted in that moment, he would have drowned. He certainly wouldn’t risk that with Liam.
Austin placed his hand on Tristan’s thigh. “Could you bring Liam back? I’m not sure I can safely return him to my territory alone.”
Tristan didn’t hesitate. “Of course. Though Hal will be hosting the delegations for dinner tonight, and I must be there. Will you come with me?”
“To dinner?”
Tristan’s hand crept across the space between them, fingers tracing a warm line against Austin’s outer thigh. “Against the odds, I suspect the evening will be enjoyable if you say you will.”
Austin needed a moment to unpack the statement. The implication thatAustin’spresence was what might make it enjoyable. He fixed a pointed look on Tristan, who weathered his glare with hope. Something about his gaze felt deliberate. Alook how nicely I’m asking youin it.
When Austin began to growl, Tristan ducked in and softly kissed his cheek. “Happy,” he corrected.
“Fine.”
“You do not have to,” Tristan said, though he sounded very pleased.
“I’m well aware ofthat,” Austin snipped. “I accepted Hal’s dinner invitation yesterday, and Liam won’t have left the files somewhere anyone can just happen across them. It can wait a day.”
Yesterday, Austin had accepted Hal’s dinner invitation and resolved to tell Liam to go back to America for good. Hewasn’t telling Liam any such thing now, but he didn’t feel the same need to break his word on the invitation.
Austin glanced at Liam and frowned. “You wouldn’t understand anyone if you came with me. Maybe Eli could stay here and keep you company? But then he’ll be upset at missing out.”
“I can entertain myself for a few hours,” Liam said dryly.
“Let Eli show you around before we go,” Austin said.
Liam sighed. “Can’t the other one show me the place? The one with the wings?”
“Reba? Do you like his wings too?”
Liam’s flat look said otherwise.
