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Not that Bones would need such drastic measures. Cat’s secret boss was no longer so secret. The sod might have scrubbed the internet of any information about him, but no one’s trail could be completely erased. That’s why Bones sent dozens of members of his line to libraries all across Ohio and Virginia. For weeks, they’d scrolled through old newspapers on microfilm looking for anything they could find on Max. Yesterday, those efforts paid off. Max’s human identity was found, and it was tied to the same man who’d snatched Cat up over four years ago.
“I propose a toast,” Bones said when Randy slid a glass of whisky across the table. Randy had ordered one for him even though he hadn’t been sure Bones would show up since chasing down leads had led him to cancel more than a few times.
Randy’s brows went up, but he said, “Sure. Who are we toasting to?”
Bones raised his glass. “To Don Williams.”
The founder and head of a covert branch of “Homeland Security” that hunted the rogue undead using a captured half-vampire as their lead fighter. The notion was so ludicrous that no one would believe it even if worddidleak, but it wouldn’t. Don’s operation was bankrolled by one of the military’s many dark money slush funds, and those had no public accountability.
“Don Williams,” Randy said before touching his glass to Bones’s. Then, Randy flashed a wide grin. “Since we’re toasting, I have one, too. This one’s for Denise.”
Bones clinked glasses with a knowing smile. “Denise is the owner of the perfume you’re now covered with, I presume?”
Randy laughed. “I forgot how you can smell things like that. Yeah. She’s amazing. We met two weeks ago, and last night, I…never mind. You’ll say I’m crazy like everyone else did.”
“Will I?” Bones said, his raised brows adding,try me.
Randy took off his glasses and cleaned them even though there hadn’t been a spot on the lenses.
“I know it’s too fast,” he said, as if heading off arguments Bones hadn’t made yet. “Two weeks is barely time to get to know someone, let alone commit to them, there’s no reason to rush, we’re both young, we have our whole lives ahead of us, blah, blah, blah.” His gaze turned defiant. “I don’t care. Last night, I asked Denise to marry me, and she said yes.”
The smallest smile touched Bones’s mouth. How well he remembered feeling the same wild, reckless joy that simmered beneath Randy’s defiant expression.
“Congratulations,” Bones said, clinking his glass to Randy’s.
Randy stared at him. “I can’t tell if you’re mocking me or being serious.”
“Quite serious,” Bones said, clinking his glass again.
Randy still gave him a suspicious look, even if he couldn’t stop the smile spreading across his lips.
“Then you’re literally the only person to congratulate us so far. Both our families are appalled because of the short time frame, not to mention how I’m Catholic and Denise is Jewish, but I guess nothing shocks someone like you, huh?”
Bones leaned forward. “No, nothing does, but if there’s one thing my long life has taught me, it’s that not everything is about length of time. So, mate, don’t bother about how long you’ve known this girl if you love her. Time has no dominion over love.” His tone thickened as memories raked him. “Love is the one thing that transcends time.”
Randy blinked rapidly before he looked away, as if Bones hadn’t already caught the new sheen to Randy’s eyes. Yes, sometimes it meant the world to a person simply tonothave someone stomp on your feelings just because they disagreed with them.
Then, Randy put his glasses back on and got off his bar stool. “Brace yourself, big guy. You’re getting a hug.”
Bones got down and returned the embrace, saying “Congratulations” again because Randy obviously needed to hear it.
When Randy pulled away, he had a shy but pleased smile. “I know we haven’t known each other that long, either, but since you’re probably the only person who won’t stand up and wave their arms when the justice of the peace asks if anyone objects to this union…want to come to the wedding next month?”
Bones clapped Randy on the shoulder. “Love to.”
Randy beamed, and then a crafty expression crossed his features. “Good, because my two cousins are refusing to come, I only have one brother, and my best friend is filling the other groomsman spot, but Denise hasthreebridesmaids, and she wanted the same number of groomsmen, so…got a tux, too?”
Bones laughed. “I do indeed, and I’d be honored to be one of your groomsmen.”
Randy hugged him again before taking his seat and signaling for the bartender. “Then, Cris, this round isdefinitelyon me.”
7
Bones was too busy to think about Randy’s upcoming nuptials until four days before the wedding, when he was once again meeting him for drinks. This time, Randy was the one running late, probably because he’d spent the day moving his belongings into Denise’s house. Bones had offered to help, but Randy said that his fiancé had enough people to assist.
“Need another whisky, my love?” the blonde bartender cooed, leaning across the bar until her low-cut top dipped even lower.
“Not now,” Bones said, looking at her eyes instead of the bounty she offered. “I will take a Blue Moon, though.”
