“I’d rather die.”
“It might come to that if they get to you.I’m coming with you, whether you like it or not.”
Cyril huffed.“Fine.”
John cocked his head.“I thought it would take more work to convince you.”
Cyril shrugged.He couldn’t say he was overly happy with having to take John with him, but at the same time, he was relieved.He didn’t want to have to do this alone.Hell, he didn’t want to have to do this at all, but at least now, he’d have someone with him.He didn’t think the Organization would try to get to him today—if ever—but this was a lot to deal with.He’d be glad for the support.
“How soon can you be ready?”
“Oh, so we’re going now?In full daylight?”
“It would look more suspicious if I waited for darkness.People are used to seeing me in cemeteries.If anyone notices me today, they’ll think I’m supposed to be there.”
“They’ll think you’re supposed to be exhuming bodies.”
“It’s my job.”
“Yeah, I know.Can I say it’s a little weird anyway?”
Cyril laughed.“I guess it is.I really need to go now, though.Are you sure you’re feeling up to coming with me?”
“Even if I didn’t, I don’t think I have a choice.Give me five minutes to get ready.”John paused.“And don’t try to sneak out.I’ll find you.I might suck as a professional assassin, but it doesn’t mean I don’t have skills.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
Cyril was glad that John sucked as a professional assassin.It meant he hadn’t been able to hurt Vale when he’d taken the hit on his head.No matter how Cyril felt about his boyfriend right now, he didn’t want him to die or to be hurt.
John was quick in the bathroom.He eyed Cyril suspiciously when he came out, but Cyril had kept his promise.He hadn’t left, even though he wondered if it would be the smartest thing to do.He wasn’t known for being smart, though.He’d believed Vale, after all.
“Ready?”he asked John.
“I can’t say I ever thought I’d say I was ready to exhume a body, but yes, I am.”
Cyril nodded and led the way out of the apartment.He was relieved that John would be coming with him because he didn’t want to do this alone.Hell, he didn’t want to do this at all.
He didn’t have a choice.
* * * *
VALE HAD BEEN RELIEVEDwhen he’d woken up to see that Cyril was still asleep.His boyfriend needed rest, especially after what had happened last night, and Vale hadn’t been about to wake him up, even though he was leaving the apartment.Cyril probably wouldn’t be happy about Vale not saying goodbye, but Vale had thought that letting him sleep was more important.Hell, Cyril would probably be happy that Vale hadn’t woken him up after what had happened last night.
Vale had told him everything.He’d known he would have to eventually.With Cyril’s nightmares now being a thing, Vale had expected to get woken up in the middle of the night, but not to have to confess his past then.In a way, it had been easier to tell Cyril everything when they were both in their pajamas and in bed.Vale wasn’t sure Cyril felt the same, but they could talk when he came home.
His phone rang.He checked the screen, smiling when he saw Artemis’s name on the screen.He quickly answered, only to realize that it was a conference call and that Russell was there, too.
“I don’t know how you always manage to get into this kind of trouble, but I’m glad I’m not you,” Russell said.
“I’m glad I’m not you, too,” Vale said.“And if this is too much for you, feel free to hang up.”
“Oh, hell no.I’m going to have fun with these people.”
They both knew that it was the kind of job that could kill them, but Vale wouldn’t be able to change Russell’s mind, just like Russell wouldn’t be able to change Vale’s mind if their roles were reversed.Russell was doing this, whether Vale liked it or not.Vale might as well accept it.
“If you boys are done?”Rachel drawled.
“Tell me,” Vale told her.Whatever she’d called him to say, he needed to know.
