Heath turned to his computer.“Of course.I’ll just call the store, and then I’ll do the contracts.”The corner of his mouth ticked up.“And I’ll order us some blood snacks.Some food for you, Jason.”
The dog made an un-doglike yipping sound, jumped off the couch, and came over.
Heath cocked his head.“The fuck?”
“He doesn’t have a name, but he understands the word ‘food,’” Jason said.
After a moment’s thought, Heath shrugged.“Weird, so that figures.”He gestured at Raven.“Sit down, get comfortable, do the fingerprint thing.I’ll get them to bring up some dog food too.”
Raven took the other guest chair next to Jason’s, and the dog came over to lie on his feet, presumably waiting for food.
Raven peeled off the plastic film, the screen coming to life as he did so.This is still satisfying.I’ll pay it all back though, all of it.I’ll make up for everything I did wrong, and then… I’ll just focus on paying this back first.The screen told him exactly what to do to get his fingerprints scanned.There was a strange comfort in that.
Chapter 19
MaximhadlistenedtoJason and Raven embarking on their journey to Heath’s office, sure that Bryan would ensure the elevator got them there.He’d managed about five minutes in the reading corner upstairs before he’d moved downstairs with his phone and a book.It’s not as if he needs me to welcome him home, but better to be where he can see me than to make him wonder where I’m hiding.
Bryan came up to clear away the empty cups and plates that remained from the previous night soon after, looking sharp in his green suit jacket.
“Are they having a good time?”Maxim asked the Lar.
He shrugged.“I left some aspirin out for Heath.I hope he’s taken them.You know how he gets when he’s not feeling well.”
Maxim did, and he would have loved to soothe his son.But with him having grown up, it was better, Maxim knew, that Bryan had set out the aspirin for Heath.
“Bryan, that’s so considerate of you.I shall make sure Heath thanks you properly.”
Bryan piled the dishes on his arm so that he wouldn’t have to look directly at Maxim.“You don’t have to do that.He’s busy.And he really doesn’t like blood, you know.”
“Hmm, I do know that.Always very fussy in that regard.You should sneak him some cookies once Raven leaves his office.Or red velvet cake.No one would know the difference with red velvet cake.”
“Red velvet.Yes, that’s a good idea.”He looked at Maxim with bright eyes.“Can I order some?I heard the donors talk about this place that apparently has very good cakes.They were very excited when they talked about going, and I happened to look at the bakery website.They deliver.”
“Don’t you have a credit card for such expenses?You don’t have to guard that card like treasure, dear Bryan.Let them eat cake, I say, but buy it for them and hand it out for free.”
The Lar brightened.“I do have the card, but it should be guarded unless it’s for hospitality or improving the household.He’s not feeling well though, so for the sake of the household, I think I can make an exception.I can order some for the entire office.To improve morale, which also improves the household.”
Maxim twirled the end of his braid around a finger.“That’s the right way to approach this little problem.Is this why you let my baby boy drink himself into oblivion last night?I appreciate the forethought and the tender cunningness so evident in it.You’re like a spoonful of sugar, Bryan.”
Bryan’s brow furrowed.“That’s not—he was trying to be supportive!He’s really difficult to stop when he’s supportive.”
“I’m teasing, my dear, although you really are a spoonful of sugar.”Maxim opened his phone to order a fruit basket as an apology.It appears I’m distracted enough to hurt Bryan’s feelings.
He glanced at his book.Howl’s Moving Castle.It was a favorite—sill, perhaps, but beautiful.I need a distraction from being distracted.It should do the trick.
Bryan straightened, holding the dishes better than any server might.“Okay.But…I don’t want anyone to think—Clement.I don’t want that dull excuse of a Lar to think I can’t take care of the household properly.He’s already dropping hints all over the place.You don’t think—there’s truth behind the best jokes, isn’t there?”
Maxim sighed.“Not this one.Would I have brought you here with us if I thought you were a bad influence on Heath?Or on anyone, for that matter?”
“You’d have left me back in Europe.Dropped me in a well maybe, or sealed me in a cave.”
“Exactly.”Maxim’s phone dinged with an incoming text.“Now, go on and splurge on that cake, hmm?”
“I will.Can I get you anything?”
Maxim shrugged.“A dog bed.Maybe a few toys.”
“I’m not sure I like having a dog in the house.Dogs make people leave the house because they need to go on walks all the time.”
