“It’s fine,” he lied. “You have a business to run. We didn’t get that last shipment inventoried, and it’s not like I have much else to do.”
He was quiet while Sawyer pulled the cruiser to a stop at the police station, but he never took his hand from his thigh. “Would you believe me if I said this town used to be so boring that nothing ever happened? And I mean nothing. We spent our entire days swimming, laughing.” Then he made a face. “We used to have game days and fun competitions, but after the time Otis tried to kill Hendrix, we stopped that.”
If that was a tactic to get Sawyer to smile, it worked. Then, of course, Otis happened to walk out from behind the store carrying a giant rock.
Like, the size of his torso kind of giant.
“Jesus Christ,” Sawyer said.
Ciaran laughed. “Yeah. Now imagine trying to stop him when he’s pissed off.”
Sawyer didn’t have to imagine. It had been Otis who had ripped Lusca’s arm off, while Sawyer had shot her three times, and she hadn’t even flinched.
Or bled.
He still had to wonder about that...
Then Otis got to the edge of the pier, still holding the rock, and stepped into the water. Pania came out carrying a few smaller rocks that Sawyer was certain he couldn’t have lifted. Ciaran got out of the cruiser and headed over to her, and Sawyer hurried to follow.
“Hiya,” Pania said. “Did you see how strong my man is?”
“We did, yeah,” Ciaran said.
“Big, strong, and sexy,” she said, smiling at Sawyer as she kept walking. “Just how we like them, huh?”
Sawyer wasn’t sure what the appropriate answer to that was. “Sure.”
“Can I ask what the rocks are for?” Ciaran asked.
“We’re making a little cave for Aurin and Salem,” she replied, still walking, still smiling. “A baby nest for them to feel safe in.” She got to the pier. “It’s almost done. Come down and have a look.”
Then she simply stepped off the pier and sank into the water.
Where Sawyer couldn’t go.
Ciaran winced, clearly torn. And Sawyer could feel his anguish and need to check in with Aurin and Salem warring with the need to stay with Sawyer.
Knowing he was the cause of Ciaran’s conflict was sobering. He felt immediately guilty.
“Hey,” Ciaran said gently, taking his hand. “What’s the guilt for?”
“No, it’s okay. You should go see them,” Sawyer said. “You’re their leader. You need to be down there. Realising that was a bit of a reality check for me, that’s all.” He sighed, and with half a smile, he leaned in and kissed Ciaran. “Go. I’ll be right here.”
“I know you want to help,” Ciaran murmured.
“I’ll stay on watch,” he replied, trying to feel way more chipper than he actually did. Which, of course, Ciaran saw right through. Sawyer sighed again and took Ciaran’s other hand sohe was holding both. “It’s okay. I’m fine, I promise. You go be the best leader you can be, and then later tonight, you can be the best sex fiend. For hours. And hours.”
Ciaran laughed.
“And hours,” Sawyer added, feeling so much better now that Ciaran was smiling.
“Sex fiend, huh?” he murmured.
“The very worst offender.”
“Worst?”
“When I say worst, I mean best.” He dropped Ciaran’s hands so he could smack him on the arse. “Go. The sooner you go, the sooner the fiending can begin.”
