Page 25 of Dance in the Stones

He ended the call before Wilson could think of another argument and shoved his phone in his pocket. His gargoyle stirred uneasily, caught between the ingrained work habit and the pull of his mate just outside.

Speaking of which, Redford could feel Damon’s concern. Everything okay?

Leaving the cottage, Redford quickly walked over to the castle, finding Damon standing with a massive stone balanced on one shoulder, watching him with those sharp eyes that missed nothing.

“Work,” Redford said, which wasn’t really an answer.

Damon set the stone down carefully and wiped his hands on his jeans. “Want to talk about it?”

“It’s nothing urgent.”

“Redford.”

“They want me to handle another case.” Redford sighed, letting his exasperation show through. “Corporate corruption with a double dose of paranormal elements. The same shit I’ve been managing for years.”

“But you’re on leave.”

“I am.” Redford leaned against the partially restored wall beside where Damon had been working. “But Wilson, one of my team leaders, seems to think I’m the only person capable of handling it properly.”

Damon was quiet for a moment, and through their bond, Redford could sense him thinking things through. Not judging, just thinking, the way his mate approached most problems.

“Are you?” Damon finally asked.

Caught up in watching his mate, it took Redford a moment to catch up. “Am I what?”

“Are you the only person who can handle the case?”

Redford opened his mouth to say yes automatically, then stopped. Am I? He’d written extensive protocol manuals, trained his teams, and delegated successfully before, although admittedly, not very often.

“No,” he admitted. “Wilson’s perfectly capable. He’s been with the task force for five years and has been leading his own team for three.”

“Then why is he calling you?”

“Because I’ve always said yes.” Redford wasn’t sure who was more surprised by what he’d said – him or Damon. “On the rare times when I’ve taken leave or vacation time before, and they’ve called, I’ve always dropped everything and made the new case a priority. Every single time.”

Damon moved closer, close enough that Redford could smell the clean sweat on his skin and that scent which was uniquely his.

“Do you really want to take this case?” Damon asked quietly.

That was the question, wasn’t it? Redford had spent decades handling everything himself because in his head there was no one else to rely on. His work ethic had been forged at a very early age, and he’d equated depending on others with weakness.

But his life was different now. He had a mate, someone who made the weight of the world feel less crushing just by existing.

“No,” Redford admitted, feeling his whole body relax the moment the word left his lips. “I don’t want to take it.”

Damon’s hand found his. “Then don’t.”

“Wilson seemed to think…”

“Wilson’s going to think whatever he needs to think to get you back.” Damon’s tone wasn’t harsh, just matter-of-fact. “That’s what happens when you’re good at your job and bad at saying no. People take advantage, even if they don’t mean to.”

Redford studied their joined hands, the strength of his mate easily matching his. “I’ve never been good at setting boundaries with work.”

“I noticed. You finished your last case while you were supposedly on leave.” Affection colored the words, softening any sting. “Checking your email is also the very first thing you do when you wake up, and the last thing you do before you go to sleep.”

“I don’t.” Do I? Actually, Redford felt that could be true, too.

“You do.” Damon squeezed his hand. “Look, I’m not saying you should never help with emergencies. But you’re on leave because you were burning out, yeah? Taking another case so quickly probably isn’t the smartest move, even if we discount the fact you’re newly mated.”