“I’ll go with Seamus,” I decide. Seamus is an expert in charming people.
“No,” Dorian says immovably, tightening his hold on me. “You stay with me.”
“Bad call,” I say. “Asher’s tetchy. He was a marine way back when. Recon Marine. He’s sensitive to crowds, and if he feels like he’s being ambushed, he won’t be receptive. He’s always had a soft spot for me, but…”
“Got it,” Seamus says. “Vets are tetchy but very useful… if they’re functional. Which I presume he is, considering he owns a shooting range. Alright, we leave here on Wednesday night. Meet with your contact on Thursday, and then rendezvous with Sergei Thursday night. The meeting between Sergei and Carver will be on Friday. We’ll all be present for that, suited up and armed to the gills.” Seamus nods. “Yeah, we’ll manage just fine.” He turns to me. “How many men does Carver command?”
I try to think back. Business was seldom discussed in front of me, but I became a very proficienteavesdropper during my time with Clyde. “I heard three dozen mentioned once, but that was years ago. Things could have changed.”
“I’ll scope out the town after we meet with Asher,” Seamus says, standing. “Try to get a sense of what we’re up against before we report to Sergei.” He clears his throat. “Right, lads. It’s late; I’m turning in for the night. Everyone make sure you get time off school.”
“I’ll let my professors know I’m sick and do classes remotely this week,” I say.
“Good call. The law probably won’t come for us, but just in case, we ought to have alibis,” Seamus says. “Night, all. Sleep tight. Prepare yourself for a great big bang at the end of the week.”
He and Connor both depart, leaving just me and Dorian.
I sigh. “I don’t know about you, but I need something sweet to combat the salty topics.”
Dorian perks right up. “Late night baking session?”
I smile. “Nope—just reheating cupcakes from the other day and frosting them.” I pat his hands. “Let me up and I’ll feed you.”
“The only sweet thing I want to eat right now is you,” Dorian says teasingly.
I turn and kiss his jaw. “Wait until you taste the frosting.”
Silving, Pennsylvania is a small town with a population of less than ten thousand people. Part of Aesop County, it’s a scenic little place with lots of farmland on the outskirts, accompanied by many trailer parks. The town itself is made up of two- or three-story buildings inthe center, and smaller houses surrounding them. There’s only one main street, two grocery stores, and a handful of shops.
We don’t stay in Silving; we stay in a city about an hour over, Creymont. It’s a thirty-minute drive to Asher’s gun range, and another thirty minutes to Silving.
We get into Creymont’s airport late Wednesday night and check into a hotel under assumed names. I haven’t slept well since the meeting on Sunday, too wound up with fear and anticipation, so I fall face-first onto the hotel bed I’m sharing with Dorian and pass out.
Thursday morning, we all have breakfast together at the hotel restaurant. Connor tells us that Sergei’s in transit and looking forward to having access to weapons; Dorian tries to insist on accompanying Seamus and me to see Asher, but I adamantly refuse. Besides not wanting him to spook Asher, I also want to talk to Seamus about Valerie.
After a long kiss goodbye with Dorian, Seamus and I get into the car we rented for the trip. He insists on driving, of course, so I get to sit in the passenger seat.
“So,” he says, pulling onto the freeway at my direction. “You and Dorian are getting serious.”
“Seems that way,” I agree lightly.
“Itisthat way,” Seamus corrects. “He’s falling for you. You’re falling for him. I don’t see the two of you splitting up—he won’t let you go.” He pauses, letting that sink in. “How are you feeling about that?”
“Taking things a day at a time,” I reply. Truthfully, I don’t want to leave Dorian. I don’t like his lifestyle, but I trust him when he tells me he’s going to step back from organized crime once he’s graduated. He’s committed to being on the above-board business side of things, and I’m okay with that.
“Hmm,” Seamus hums. “Just do us all a favor, love, and don’t try to leave him. It’ll create a shitshow that I don’t feel like witnessing or handling.”
“We’re not here to talk about my relationship,” I say bluntly. My business with Dorian is between us—I don’t need any interlopers.
“Oh?” Seamus queries. “Very well. It’s a long drive, so what is it you want to speak about?”
“Valerie,” I say bluntly. “The two of you are hooking up.”
“Correct,” Seamus says.
“You’ve been hooking up for a few weeks.”
“Also correct.”
