Solomon looked away. “It’s not that simple.”
“It never is. But hiding in Liverpool isn’t going to make what you feel for her disappear.” Viggo’s voice gentled. “Come to Europe. See what happens. If it all falls apart, at least you’ll know you tried.”
His friend was quiet for a long moment. He finally exhaled slowly. “Fine. But when this blows up in my face, I’m blaming you.”
“I’ll accept full responsibility,” Viggo said drily. “Why, I’ll even pay for your drinks for a month.”
Finn had been watching this exchange with ill-concealed amusement. “So that’s settled then. Solomon’s going to Europe to pine after Lady Hartley and I get Magnus all to myself in Liverpool. Anything else?”
Viggo returned to the table. “You leave tomorrow morning. And Finn?”
“Yes?”
“Be careful. If there’s even a hint that Renwick and Musgrave’s associates are engaged in dark magic activity in Liverpool?—”
“I’ll pull out immediately,” Finn finished. “I’m reckless, not stupid.”
“That’s debatable,” Solomon muttered.
Finn grinned and flipped him an obscene gesture.
They spent another hour going over the details—contacts, safe houses, emergency protocols. By the time they finished, afternoon had given way to evening.
Viggo ate with everyone in the staff dining room before walking Magnus out ofNightshade. The giant paused and turned when he exited the rear of the building housing Jack Stonewall’s merchant company.
“Viggo?”
“Yes?”
“Thank you. For—” Magnus’s throat worked. “For not giving up on me.”
Viggo’s chest tightened.
He watched Magnus disappear into the Stepney streets before heading in the opposite direction. He had somewhere else to be tonight.
Somewhere that felt increasingly like home.
CHAPTER 7
Evander’s townhousein Mayfair was a world away from the cramped tenements of the East End.
Viggo climbed through the study window—he’d stopped using the front door weeks ago, much to Evander’s exasperation and Jasper’s ire—and found the mage exactly where he’d expected him to be: bent over his desk, surrounded by books and papers, the enchanted lamp next to him casting shadows across his focused expression.
Gods, but he’s beautiful.
Viggo watched his lover for a moment, drinking in the sight of the stray dark lock falling across Evander’s forehead and the elegant lines of his profile. Even exhausted and rumpled, the man looked like something out of a painting.
“I know you’re there,” Evander said tersely, his gaze still on the documents before him. “You’re about as subtle as an elephant.”
“Elephants are majestic creatures.”
“They’re also loud, large, and tend to break things.” Evander looked up. His expression softened when their eyes met. “Hello.”
“Hello.” Viggo crossed the room and leaned a hip against the desk. “Working late again?”
Evander set down his quill and smiled tiredly. “There’s a considerable amount to prepare before we leave.”
Viggo’s pulse quickened. “Winterbourne got the Ministry’s approval?”
