Austin grimaced.“I did, didn’t I?”
“Yeah, but it’s clear that something happened.What’s wrong?”Caleb could think of too many things that could have gone wrong.Maybe there had been another fire, and this time, there was a victim—although since Austin hadn’t worked today, maybe not.Maybe something had happened to West.Caleb was pretty sure he’d know if that was the case because Jonathan would tell him, but it was a possibility.
Austin gestured at Caleb to sit on the couch.Caleb wanted to scream, but instead, he sat and watched his boyfriend.Luckily, he didn’t have to push.He might actuallyhavescreamed if Austin had wasted more time.
“I found the arsonist, or at least, I think I did.”
This wasn’t what Caleb had expected to hear.He wasn’t surewhathe had expected to hear, actually, but he was confused.“How?”The two of them were working together.That meant they were supposed to do the things related to the arsonist together.It was what they’d agreed on, and knowing that Austin had done something on his own hurt, but Caleb was curious.If Austin really had found the arsonist, Caleb might let it go, but he needed more information.
“I don’t think I mentioned noticing a firefighter behaving strangely at two of the scenes to you, did I?”Austin asked.He paused and frowned.“Actually, maybe you should go.”
Caleb was getting whiplash.“What are you talking about?I’m not going anywhere until you tell me what’s going on.”
“You don’t understand.”
“Maybe not, but that’s because you’re not explaining yourself.How am I supposed to understand anything when you’re so confused?”
“I’m not confused.”
“What’s happening then?And don’t tell me to go.We’re in this together, aren’t we?It’s what we agreed on.”
It was, but Caleb could see that Austin had changed his mind.It was written all over his expression and in the way he was trying not to look at Caleb.
Caleb got to his feet.He was angry, worried, and he wanted to scream.
“Look, Caleb—” Austin started.
“No.Whatever you’re going to say, you’re not going to convince me to let this go.I deserve to know what’s going on.We agreed we’d work together, and I’m trying not to get too angry that you didn’t respect that, but you’re going to tell me what’s going on, and you’re going to do it now.It’s the least you can do considering everything.”
“I can’t, Caleb.Please.You have to understand.”
Caleb shook his head and stepped away.In a way, he did understand.He was pretty sure he knew what Austin was doing, and he got it, even though it was stupid.“I don’t have to do anything.You, on the other hand, have to tell me what’s going on.You said you found the arsonist.You mentioned a firefighter.Is this why you’re freaking out so badly?Because you think the arsonist is a firefighter?”
“I can’t involve you any further.It’s too dangerous.”
Caleb really was going to scream.“Well, it’s a good thing I’m the one who decides whether or not I want to be put in danger, not you.”
“I just need you to tell me if you know anyone in law enforcement who could take care of this.”
Once again, that wasn’t what Caleb had expected.“You mean if I know a cop?”
“Or anyone else who could take care of the arsonist.”
Caleb blinked.He hadn’t thought that far ahead, had he?He’d been so focused on finding the arsonist that he hadn’t wondered what would happen next.They couldn’t exactly hand the person over to the cops.They were targeting shifter-owned businesses, which meant they knew about shifters, but most humans didn’t, and things needed to stay that way.That wouldn’t be the case if the arsonist was arrested.If Caleb had to guess, they probably despised shifters enough to turn them in to the human authorities, which would be a problem.
“I do know a few shifter cops,” he confirmed.“It comes with the territory when you’re a journalist.I’m not giving you names until you tell me what’s going on, though.”
“I can’t put you in danger that way.I protect people, remember?I’m protecting you, too.”
Caleb crossed his arms over his chest.“I don’t need you to protect me.Nothing will happen to me if you tell me what’s going on.I promise not to go after the guy if that’s what you want me to say, but I wasn’t lying when I said we were doing this together.”Unlike Austin, clearly.
Austin looked a bit offended.“I wasn’t lying, either.I really meant for us to do this together, and I still do.”
“Yet you’re pushing me out of it.”
“I’m trying toprotectyou, Caleb.”
“It’s not your place.”
