“Why not?”
Will blinked. “Uh, because most people don’t hang million dollar paintings in their living rooms?” He paused. “Well, normal people in normal houses like this one.”
Cole chuckled, draping his arm across the back of the couch. “And if anyone comes in here to rob the place, or just sees it, they’re going to assume it’s a replica. Because obviously, no normal person would hang the original in a normal place like this one.”
Will studied him. Then understanding seemed to dawn. “Hiding it in plain sight.”
“Exactly.”
Will glanced at the painting, chuckled, and shook his head. As he crossed the room to join Cole on the couch, he said, “I shouldn’t be surprised, should I?”
“And yet, you are?”
Will sat down beside him and rested his hand on Cole’s thigh. “Not really, no. It’s just still kind of mind-blowing to see something like that”—he nodded at the painting—“sitting out in the open like nobody’s business.”
Cole shrugged unrepentantly, and they both laughed.
“All right. It’s been a long, long night.” Cole motioned toward the stairs. “We should get some sleep.”
Will glanced at Cole’s leg, his expression turning to one of intense concern. “We should get you some crutches. You’re going to fuck up your knee worse than you already have.”
The impulse to insist he was fine was strong, but… Cole wasn’t fine. And if he didn’t want this injury to come back to haunt him later, he needed to take care of it. Crutches at the very least. Maybe an MRI and some internal repairs.
“We can get me some crutches after we get some sleep,” he said.
“Okay. Can you get up the stairs?”
Cole pursed his lips.
“Nah, don’t worry about it.” Will grinned and got to his feet. Then he scooped up Cole like he didn’t weigh a thing.
Cole shouted in surprise, but by the time he was situated in Will’s arms, he was laughing. “Ooh, a big strong man. I like it.”
Will smirked. “Figured you would.” He stole a kiss, then took Cole up the stairs to the second floor. At the top, he looked right to left. “Uh…”
“Left.” Cole gestured at one of the closed doors. “The bed’s not very big, but it’ll get the job done.”
“Not very big is perfect.” Will opened the door. “Then I have an excuse to cuddle up to you until you get hot, sweaty, and annoyed.”
Cole just laughed as Will set him down on the edge of the bed.
Yeah. That sounded perfect.
Lilith’s gallery was never closed on Saturdays, especially not in the evenings. Saturday nights were when parties and openings were held, and the place was always busy.
When Will and Cole pulled up in front, though, all the lights were off.
“I’m going to go check the door.” Will put the car in park and got out without waiting for Cole to respond.
From the passenger seat, Cole watched Will walk up and try the door. Unsurprisingly, it was locked. When Will returned, Cole said, “Let’s go around the back.”
They did, and Lilith’s car wasn’t in its usual parking space, either.
“This is weird, right?” Will asked. “Because it seems weird.”
“It’s weird,” Cole confirmed. “Let’s go.” He got out and tucked his new crutches under his arms. They were clumsy and uncomfortable, but at least they kept his weight off his battered knee, which was now wrapped in a black brace.
He hobbled up to the rear door. Locked, of course.
