Page 42 of Nothing Special X: The Last Stand

“Free, secure a location for principal until his detail is stabilized. Morrison will be staying with him for the duration.” He paused, listening to something Cassidy couldn’t hear. “And do something on media suppression. The emergency response must’ve lit up the scanner bands because paparazzi flooded the entrance of his house.”

Ruxs cursed under his breath. “Vultures.”

Green narrowed his eyes toward the windows. “We’ll contain them long enough to move him. Free jam whatever you got to, loop the street cameras, and kill the easiest angles. Ruxs and I will clear a path out the back gate.”

He appreciated the hell out of Green making these decisions for him. Because he wasn’t leaving Xander’s side again…period.

“Let me know when it’s arranged and we’ll move.”

Cassidy frowned.

Green had no phone, visible earpiece, two-way radio…nothing. Yet somehow he was talking to Free.

He filed that mystery away for later.

Steele motioned toward the hallway. “God said to escort you guys in. With your permission, Xander, Ruxs and Green are gonna stay back and image the residence so Tech and Free can begin designing your system.”

Xander nodded without lifting his face.

“Best go put a bag or two together,” Steele said in his rough tenor. “We’ll notify the other responders the scene is secured.”

The three of them left and the room suddenly felt softer—or was it the feel of Xander’s smooth skin under his palms?

He pulled Xander back so he could look at him.

He gently wiped away the dampness beneath his eyes with both thumbs.

“Go pack your stuff,” he whispered. “You’re coming with me.”

“Thank you,” Xander sighed. “I know that’s not your job but—"

“Don’t.” He put one finger against Xander’s lips. “I’m fully aware of what my job is.”

Cassidy’s gaze dropped to where his finger touched those full lips.

Xander parted his mouth a fraction, his breath hot and shallow.

This time he knew for certain he wasn’t imagining it.

He traced a slow path down to Xander’s chin, then caught it gently between his thumb and index finger.

The air shifted and for one reckless second Cassidy almost cast caution to the wind.

Almost.

What the fuck?

He stepped back before he did something stupid.

“I’ll be right outside your door waiting for you,” he murmured.

Xander looked confused, or was that disappointment? But Cassidy had to walk away before he forgot every professional line he’d spent his life respecting.

God

By three forty-five in the morning, God had given up pretending he was going to get any sleep.

He stood near the massive window of his penthouse suite, arms crossed over his chest, staring out over Los Angeles.