“High,” Gunnar said.“He’s not bluffing about being worried and on this, I agree with him.”
“As long as it doesn’t stop me from doing the job.”
“It won’t,” Gunnar assured him.“It’ll make sure you survive to keep doing it.”
“That’s the plan,” Bryn said, opening their apartment door.“Now, can we please order pizza and pretend today didn’t happen?”
“Only if you promise not to answer the apartment door if anyone suspicious sneaks up here,” Emmett said.
“That includes Giles, right?”
“You’re very naughty.”
“Who’s going to get up here with the security in this building, Emmett?”
“I don’t know.It could happen.”
“Okay, Gunnar can answer the door today,” Bryn said.“But I’m not promising anything about tomorrow.I may feel the urge to rush into the hall and let any old psycho in.”
Emmett stared at him then broke into a fit of giggles.“I’m being silly, aren’t I?”
“You think?”
Gunnar guided Bryn toward the couch.“Rest and pizza is all you need to be thinking about right now.”
“And garlic dough balls.Oh my God, what if they don’t have any?”Bryn feigned outrage at the possibility.
“One crisis at a time,” Gunnar said.“One crisis at a time.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
The pizzas had been ordered, delivered, and mostly consumed.The remnants lay in the boxes on the coffee table.Bryn was stretched out on the couch, one arm draped over his eyes, while Emmett sat cross-legged on the floor sorting through requests for help on his tablet that he’d brought through from the office.Gunnar had made tea and produced an unopened box of Twinkies for dessert.Bryn had eaten three, hence his current sugar coma.
They’d been sitting in comfortable silence for about twenty minutes when there was a soft knock at the door.
“I’ll get it,” Emmett said, bouncing to his feet.
“I thought Gunnar was supposed to be answering the door,” Bryn snarked.
“Go ahead, Emmett,” Gunnar said, “ignore him.”
Emmett returned with Giles and Bryn uncovered his eyes to find out what he wanted.He looked…wrong.His usual perfect posture had given way to a slight slump, and his skin had taken on a grayish pallor that made him look older than his thirty-something years.There was a tension around his eyes that spoke of controlled discomfort.
“Giles?”Bryn said, struggling to sit up despite his protesting ribs.“You look like shit.What are you doing here?I thought you’d gone back to your hotel to brood in private like a proper vampire.”
“I had intended to,” Giles said, ignoring the jibe and settling into an armchair.“But I find myself in need of…assistance.”
“Well, that’s refreshingly honest,” Bryn said.“You must be feeling bad.”
“When did you last eat?”Gunnar asked.“And I don’t mean whatever sad excuse for nutrition you’ve been subsisting on.”
Giles was quiet for a moment.“I’ve had plenty of raw steak, including some after we got back from the cathedral, but…”
“Oh, lovely,” Bryn said.“Bloody flesh is so tempting.”
“But that’s not enough, is it?”Gunnar said, ignoring Bryn’s commentary.“Raw meat usually sustains you fine, but not after what you did today.”
“No,” Giles admitted.“It’s not enough.When I move that fast and use my full strength, I need more.My reserves are more depleted than I anticipated.”
