Franklin’s fingers tightened, squeezing mine almost to the point of discomfort.
“I like to think we’re friends, Aurelia.” Strange friends with a staggering power imbalance. “I would not desire harm on any of my friends, especially if it is on my behalf,” I said.
Straightening, Aurelia blankly stared, her expression a mask of unreadable stoicism. “You are a strange creature, Erasmus Boone.” With those parting words, Aurelia was gone.
“Did you break her?” Franklin bemusedly asked.
“I’m not entirely certain. I hope not.”
“You know your pops thinks you’re nuts where Aurelia is concerned, right?”
“Yeah, I know.” I meant to lean back into the couch but wound up landing on Franklin’s outstretched arm. “But I meant what I said.”
“I know you did.” Franklin’s lips pressed against my forehead. “I wouldn’t have you any other way. And just for therecord, I’d be upset if something happened to Aurelia too. I even think I’d be more upset than relieved. I guess that makes me nuts too.”
“Then I guess we’ll be nutty together.” I grinned, staring into Franklin’s laughing eyes, the wear and tear of the last few days briefly dissipating.
“There’s no one I’d rather be nutty together with than you.”
Slapping Franklin on the thigh, I stood and reached out a hand, helping pull him from the lull of the couch. “Let’s get you showered, fed, and put to bed before this conversation goes off the rails more than it already has. I’ll dig out the sheets and tack them over the windows in the guest bedroom while you’re cleaning up.”
Franklin’s back and neck alarmingly cracked when he stood and stretched. His gait was stiff, and he appeared to be favoring his right leg. I made a mental note to make sure Franklin activated one of Pops’s pain charms tonight. He’d argue and tell me we should keep them for something more alarming, but I didn’t like seeing him in pain. Besides, I pretty much had a never-ending supply. It was one of the many perks of having Warlock Nikodemus Holland as my Pops.
Chapter
Ten
Franklin
You have got to be fucking kidding me.
“Ignore it,” Boone mumbled, his words slurred with sleep and the pressure of his pillow against his lips.
My ringing phone quieted only to immediately start up again. Groaning, I rolled on my back, blindly reaching for my damned phone. “O’Hare.” My name had never sounded so raspy.
“I’m texting you an address. I need you there ASAP.” Captain Cicely didn’t exactly sound happy about waking me at…2:52 a.m.
I scrubbed my free hand over my face, attempting to wake myself up from this horrid dream. “It can’t wait another two or three hours?” I must have still been half asleep if I was questioning my captain.
“What part of ASAP implies a two- or three-hour wait time?” Captain Cicely sounded crankier than usual. Chances were, she hadn’t liked being woken at this hour either.
Pulling the phone from my ear, I clicked on my text messages, staring at the address she’d sent and calculating just how much time I would need to drag myself out of bed, shove some caffeine down my throat, and drive to that location.
“I’ll be there in twenty,” I answered after some decidedly questionable mental calculations.
“For the record, I’m sorry. I know you’ve been working overtime, and this is going to add to an already full plate. I wouldn’t have called you if I didn’t think this might be related to the female bodies found earlier this week.” For what it was worth, Captain Cicely did sound apologetic.
“I’m on my way,” I answered while pushing down the sheets and swinging my legs out of bed. I pressed the end button and tossed my phone on the nightstand.
“Please tell me you’re not going in again.” Boone sat up, the sheets pooling around his waist as his hand found my shoulder. His fingers were chilly against my skin, but I wouldn’t have pushed them away for anything.
“I wish I could.” I sighed long and deep. “Go back to sleep. Agent Frost and Leon will be knocking on the door soon enough. You should rest while you can. I’m sorry I won’t be here to greet them.”
Ignoring me, Boone tossed the sheets aside and scrambled out of bed. “I’ll start coffee while you get dressed.”
Leaning across the bed, I snagged his wrist before he could get too far away. Boone stopped, turned, and looked at me. Even in the dark I could see the concern in his emerald-green eyes. “Thank you.” I kissed his knuckles before releasing Boone’s hand.
“It’s the least I can do,” Boone answered with a barely there grin.
