Page 168 of Nothing Special X: The Last Stand

Xander turned back to Cassidy. “I’ll be fine. I used to go out by myself all the time before all the crazy shit happened. I was really hoping things could go back to normal again.”

Cassidy’s hardened expression lost a bit of its heat.

Xander softened his voice. “And now Bennett is gone. The hired men are dead or in custody. The threat is over.”

“You can still get mobbed,” Cassidy said. “You’re going to huge tourist attractions.”

“I’ll wear my hat and sunglasses.”

“If anything happens, we can notify you in seconds,” Tech said. “You guys know that.”

Curtis peered up at his fiancé with sparkling bright blue eyes. “Oh my god. Babe, I’m gonna hang out with Xander Vale.”

Genesis cupped Curtis’s cheek and kissed him gently. “Have fun.”

Curtis nodded. “Okay. You too. I love you.”

“Love you more.”

Free clapped once. “Excellent.”

Cassidy still seemed unsure, but Xander wasn’t backing out. His boyfriend would have to get used to allowing him out of his sight sometimes.

Everyone began gathering things.

Curtis shoved the credit card Gen gave him into his wallet and grabbed a pair of sunglasses from the coffee table. “Ready.”

Free put his tablet in his bag and slung it crosswise over his chest.

Tech went to Steele and whispered something into his ear that made his grey eyes darken to graphite before he turned slightly and kissed the side of his throat.

Holy shit.

Wes and Law came over and hugged him again.

“We’re really glad you’re okay, Z.” Wes clamped his shoulder.

“Thank you.”

Cassidy hooked his arm before he could follow the others to the door and pulled him close. “You be careful.”

It’d be the first time they’d be out of each other’s sight in weeks. Xander understood, but it was time he took back control of his life. “I will.”

“I mean it.”

“I know.”

“If anything looks off, or if the crowd becomes too much, or if Tech says move, you move. No arguing.”

“I’ll be careful. Promise.”

Cassidy searched his face, his posture still radiating tension and hesitation, but he didn’t stop him.

That mattered more than Cassidy probably knew.

Xander rose onto his toes and kissed him. Not long enough to embarrass him in front of the team, just enough to tell him he’d miss him.

When he eased back, Cassidy brushed his thumb once over the panic ring on Xander’s finger.