“I kinda do,” Ronnie muttered under his breath.
Xane flashed him a lecherous grin, which sent the poor boy into a blush spiral. Ronnie was a perv in a terribly sweet and wholesome way.
“Leave,” Ash reiterated. “Just go.”
Luthor wasted no time in dragging Xane towards the exit, though he took pains to keep up the excessive display of affection. It meant locking their lips at random points on their route, which sent them banging into various boxes and bystanders and stumbling over one another’s feet more than once. Only when the cold outside air hit them, did Luthor allow them a breather long enough to cross the twilight street. Their hotel for the evening was right across the road from the venue. Having skipped through the lobby, they took the stairs rather than the lift to their room. The moment they were through the door, Xane grabbed his overnight bag, while Luthor cleaned their toiletries from the en suite bathroom. He shoved a couple of his T-shirts into the bag, alongside Xane’s. “You might want a few extra changes of clothes.”
“You’re sweet.”
“Or stupid. One of the two. Listen.” He grasped Xane’s hands, forcing him to face him. They stared at one another, nothing but ghosts between them. “I know Spook’s AWOL, but I expect to hear from you. I’m really fucking serious about that bit.”
“You will. I’ll check in at least once every twenty-four hours. Fuck, I’m nervous. I don’t know what I’m walking into.”
Luthor pulled him into an embrace. “You’ve got this, Xane. I know how hard it’s been for you. It’s not that the rest of us haven’t felt it too, but you… the pair of you have a special bond.”
“Luthor, I know this isn’t easy for you.”
“I’m fine. The fact you’re so protective of him is one of the many reasons I love you. We’re good, Xane. Do what you need to.”
“Luthor?”
His lover’s fingertips traced Xane’s lips, hushing him. “Go and work some magic, for fuck’s sake.” He grabbed Xane’s bag and ushered him towards the door. “Cash?”
Xane patted his wallet in his jacket pocket.
“Phone? Charger’s in the bag.” He handed it over, and Xane slung it over his shoulder.
“I’ll cover for you as long as I can. Reckon I can give you forty-eight hours, maybe seventy-two.”
Xane cocked his pierced brow. “That’s your plan? You seriously think they’re going to buy us bonking for that long?”
“You just won a court case. Why wouldn’t we be engaged in some celebratory shagging?”
“Seventy-two hours without pause would be a record even for me. Christ, I’m almost tempted to stay.”
“Get out of here.” Luthor turned him about and shoved him over the threshold, only to immediately tighten his grip on Xane’s shoulder. Xane turned into his embrace and their mouths met in a heated exchange. “We’ll see each other soon, and then we can go to bed for as many days as you like, sex fiend. For now, go, and make sure no one sees you on the way out. I’ll call and make sure there’s a car waiting.”
Xane took the stairs again and went out through the side door. He almost made it as far as the road when a shadow peeled out of a darkened doorway a couple of metres away. “Shit!” he hissed and fixed on a neutral expression.
“Going somewhere?” Ash asked.
“Just grabbing some air.”
The cab pulled up to the kerb at that very moment, and the driver belted his name out of the window.
Ash flicked an unsmoked cigarette into the gloom. Xane eyed the cancer stick curiously. He’d not known Ash to smoke in years, not since before his own last stint in rehab.
“Evidence says otherwise.”
“You getting in or what?” the driver sniped impatiently.
“Yeah.” He jerked the rear door open.
Ash clasped the top of the door. “Where you going, Xane? No, don’t tell me, like I don’t already know. You think we don’t all know you’re hiding crap? You’ve always been a shit liar.”
“Not that shit.”
“Pretty diabolically shit. I’ve known you a long time. A pair of creepy contact lenses only blocks out so much. I figure the only reason you’re not a frickin’ nut job right now is that you know the fucker’s safe. He is safe, right?”
