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“The important part is catching the bad guys,” Avery told him. “To that end, on Monday, you’re gonna go to work like nothing happened and—”
“Isn’t it dangerous for him to go to work?” I asked.
“No. We’ll keep him under surveillance here, and at the auction house, and we’ll pick up Royce tonight,” Wade stated. “He’s going back to jail until the trial, no more walking around free for him. He was instrumental in nearly getting you killed, which was bad enough, but now he’s threatened Sasha. He’s done. Whoever put up his bond is gonna be really pissed.”
“I don’t think his plan is to wait around here until his trial,” Sasha told him. “He basically said he needed the diary to give to River, so River would pay him, and he could start his new life abroad. I think the second he gets paid, he’s heading off to a non-extradition country.”
“Okay, so he has a plan in place. This just went from an arrest warrant to a manhunt. We need Royce Kimball in custody now.”
“Okay,” Avery announced. “Wade and I are going to work. We’ll keep you all updated with what is going on. Sasha, there will be policemen out front until further notice.”
“Thank you,” he said softly.
Wade and Avery left quickly after Avery kissed Graeme goodbye, and then Graeme turned to Sasha and apologized for earlier.
“At times I get wrapped up in what I think should happen, and miss the person standing right in front of me. I apologize for not simply listening.”
“That’s okay.” Sasha sighed. “It all worked out perfectly.”
Graeme agreed and then turned to me. “Did you drive here, or shall I take you home with me in my car?”
“I’m going to have a word with Sasha,” I told him.
“It’s late,” Sasha protested, sounding tired. “I don’t think that’s—”
“Please,” I urged him, staring into his eyes, willing him to give me a chance.
“We will do whatever you prefer,” Graeme told Sasha. “This is your home.”
He took a trembling breath. “It certainly doesn’t feel like it.”
“Of course not. How could it after all this?”
Sasha nodded.
“Though, not to put my foot in it for the second time this evening, but there is a very simple way to make your house smell and feel like home.”
“Mr. Davenport, I—”
“Graeme. Call me Graeme from now on. No more sir, only my name, yes?”
Sasha nodded.
“But as I said, it could easily feel like home for you rather quickly,” he advised, staring at Sasha until he understood.
“Oh no,” he rushed out. “That wouldn’t be a comfort at—”
“Maybe take that pillow he’s been mauling and see how you feel about his scent being on it.” Graeme strode to the door. “Lock this behind me and set the alarm. You can turn it off to let him out and then re-arm it.”
“Yes, Graeme.” Sasha smiled, following him to the door.
Once he’d left, my mate continued to hold the door open, thinking, debating in his head, deciding, I was fairly certain, what to do about me.
“I want to stay for a bit, all right? I just want to talk to you.”
He wouldn’t turn around and look at me, and the silence stretched between us.
“You know the reason for my lies now.”
