“No. She told me to make sure not to step out of line, so that your mother doesn’t gas me, but—”
My jaw slackened. “You’re kidding?” I gasped. “Nima would never.”
“Relax. I’m kidding.”
I swatted his arm. “That wasn’t funny.”
“Sorry. It wasn’t.” He shot me a rueful look, pushing his red locks back. “The truth is Mom told me that I shouldn’t lead you on if I wasn’t sure. That she respected Cat and Ace andyouenough not to subject their daughter to my philandering ways.”
“Seriously?”
“I didn’t even know she was aware of my philandering ways, but yes, seriously.”
“And?”
“I told her that I loved you.”
My jaw popped a little wider. “You toldherbut not me?”
He placed both palms on my face. “I love you, Trifecta. And I solemnly swear that until you grow tired of me, I will be at your side, and only yours. I will follow you through every damned portal, but if we can avoid visiting any more prisons, I’d really appreciate it.”
My lips trembled. “How could I grow tired of you? You’re much too infuriating.”
“And handsome.”
I rolled my heated eyes. When they landed on his again, my heart struck my throat harder, and I almost forgot about the other subject I wanted to discuss. But it was important, so I brought it up. “I know you don’t want to discuss Gregor, but are you okay with the decision that was made tonight?”
His hands coasted off my face. I instantly missed their solid heat.
He gazed at his black boots, so dark against my pale carpet. His lids closed, and he inhaled deeply. “The outcome was unhoped for. I’m angry and not sure if I’ll ever visit him, but the boy for whom he was such a hero is relieved he won’t be put to death, however much he deserves it.”
This time I was the one who cupped his jaw. “You’ll visit him. Someday.”
His eyes opened, but he stayed quiet on the subject. He wouldn’t have long to visit him. Once on Earth, Gregor would age quickly, and since he was already in his late eighties, he could be gone in a matter of a few Neverrian months. Then again, the man was a force of nature, so perhaps he’d stick around longer.
I wished I hadn’t brought up Gregor, but I cared about Remo. If I’d learned anything from observing my parents, it was that shouldering the weight of each other’s grief was the only way to ensure the bearer wasn’t crushed beneath it.
“And I’ll go with you. If you want me there,” I whispered.
He nodded. “Anything else, Trifecta?” His voice was roughened by emotion. “Your dress is making it extremely hard for me to concentrate.”
Sensing he needed a distraction, and plenty happy to be that distraction, I said, “Is it? How about you take it off then?”
His hands were on me before I’d even finished talking. “Where’s the zipper?”
I smiled. “Zipper? Oh, there’s no zipper.”
“Then how do you remove it?”
I tapped my Infinity, smiling a little wickedly, because I had no intention of making it that easy. “Actually, I was thinking we could talk a little more.”
He grunted something unintelligible. “We can talk naked.”
“You’ll never be able to focus if I’m naked.”
His nostrils flared. “Fine. What should we talk about?”
My smile grew at his mounting frustration. He crossed his arms in front of his chest, muscles bulging under the tight black fabric.
