“Of course he has a police radio.” Wren clicked the button and listened as a barrage of calls came through. “Talk about stereotyping.”
“It comes in handy,” Teddy said, his thumb brushing Wren’s pulse point and his heart feeling like it was beating properly for the first time since he’d left Nexus.
“What are we hoping to hear?”
“I have nothing specific in mind. Just good to stay informed. Maybe they’ll spot a van tearing around the city.”
It was unlikely but not impossible.
They lapsed into silence, stealing glances and trading soft smiles as if they were on their first date. And yet everything about them felt so familiar and comfortable, like they had been together the whole time. Teddy had always known Wren was it for him. Physically there or not, there would never be anyone else. But being with him again had just solidified it. Wren wasthe other half of his soul, now finally slotting back in where it was always meant to be. By his side.
“I love you,” he whispered into the darkness between them, and Wren squeezed his hand in response.
“Dispatch to the closest unit,” a voice said over the radio. “There has been an armed break-in at a pet store on Hickram Street. Suspect was wearing a mask but eyewitness description matches the suspect in two similar crimes from earlier this month. Approach with caution.”
“A pet store break-in,” Wren said, turning to look at Teddy. “Not exactly a source of riches.”
“And they never said what was taken,” Teddy said.
“Wanna bet it’s a venomous animal of some sort?”
“No bets. I can do you one better.” He pulled out his phone and dialed, putting the call on speaker.
“It’s nearly dawn, Damir, what the hell?” Spencer’s voice came through.
“And yet you picked up in seconds.” A smile stretched Teddy’s lips. “You working right now?”
“Yup,” Spencer said. “Blessed with a night shift where everyone and their mother decided to do crimes. Why can’t people pick up hobbies? Knitting is fun, I hear.”
“I wouldn’t know,” Teddy said. “But I do have a favor to ask.”
“Of course you do. God forbid you call just to ask how I am.”
“I asked how you were once and your husband nearly took my vocal cords right out of my throat.”
“We did have a very fun night that time,” Spencer said, and Teddy felt Wren stiffen next to him. He shook his head at him and winked. “What do you need?”
“The pet store break-ins,” Teddy said. “Can you tell me what was taken?”
“Isn’t this Saint’s domain?” Spencer asked.
“You know me. I like to be helpful where I can.”
“I could get in trouble for this, you know,” Spencer said, but Teddy heard him clicking away.
“Yes, but isn’t that what you like?” he said, lowering his voice. “Trouble is just your vibe.”
“You do have a point,” Spencer said with a tiny moan before falling silent for a few seconds. “This is so boring. First break-in: a vampire bat. The fuck is a vampire bat? Second break-in: a slow loris—I swear these animals have the shittiest names—and then tonight a snake of some sort, no specifics yet. Legit just happened.”
“All venomous,” Wren whispered.
“Thanks, Spence,” Teddy said. “I owe you one.”
“You owe me several, cursebreaker,” Spencer said before hanging up.
Teddy saw Wren inhale to speak so he beat him to it.
“He’s married to the police chief and they have a VERY weird dynamic in which Spencer aggravates him and then gets punished for it, which he loves,” Teddy said. “The husband is jealous, so in exchange for intel, every once in a while I show up and chat with Spencer. He is an insolent brat but very useful to have on your side.”
