“Doesn’t feel normal,” he muttered.
“I know, angel. It’ll pass, though, I promise.”
He took a long breath and exhaled, closing his eyes as he did.
“There you go, just relax, we’ll get you home soon.”
The distant warble of sirens bled into the still night, rising in pitch until the red-and-blue flash washed over the lot. The sirens cut off abruptly as the cruisers rolled to a stop.
Dean, Shawn, and Sarah moved to intercept the officers, while Brent kept Vincent detained. I kept my focus locked on Oliver, until one of the responding officers approached. With an inspirational calm, Oliver recounted the moments leading up to our arrival.
By the time his account ended, the officers had Vincent in cuffs and were hauling him to his feet, but he twisted mid-step, his gaze snapping toward us. “You’re going to regret this, Oliver,” he spat. “You think you’ve got anything over me? I’ll be out by tomorrow.”
Oliver flinched against my side. My arm tightened around him, drawing him into the shield of my chest as I turned my glare on Vincent. “You’re more delusional than I gave you credit for. As an attorney, I would think you’d be aware an arrest like this could see you disbarred. You’re never going to set foot in another courtroom here again, pal, not unless it’s for your own trial.”
The officers pushed Vincent into the cruiser, the door shut, and the car pulled away, taillights receding into the dark.
Kissing the top of Oliver’s head, I murmured, “Let’s get you home.”
Chapter 33
Luke
Eager to get Oliver safe and sound, I didn’t entertain the thought of returning to the firm for my own vehicle. The need to have him home outweighed everything else. I asked the team to drive us straight to our place.
In the middle seats, I sat beside Oliver, my hand in his. Head on my shoulder, he dozed off into the borderland between waking and sleep.
We had called Paul as we were leaving the lot with an update, and he’d given me the next few days off to be with Oliver.
By the time the SUV stopped outside the condominium complex, Oliver stirred. “Are we here?” he asked, his voice scratchy and faint.
“Yes, we’re home, angel. Let’s get you inside, wrapped up in a blanket, and with a mug of chamomile tea in hand. How does that sound?”
“Perfect.”
I exchanged quiet farewells and my thanks to the team, before turning my full attention to Oliver. Inside, I led him up to the bedroom, where I took off his shoes, dressing him in a pair of sweats and tucking the blankets around him. I bent and pressed a kiss onto his forehead. “I’ll get that tea started. Be right back.”
“Okay,” he murmured.
With the tea brewed and an ice pack in hand, I made my way back up the stairs. “How are you feeling, less weird?”
“A little.”
“That’s a trend I like, but per my review, the patient is in need of comprehensive care administered liberally and without delay.”
“Alright, doc, lay it on me, what’s needed?”
“First, we’re going to get this tea in you,” I said, passing him the mug. “It’s already cooled to safe-drinking level. No tongue casualties on my watch.”
Oliver took several slow sips, before passing the cup back.
“Next we’re gonna get some ice on that bruise.” I positioned the cool pack over the swelling on his cheekbone, sliding into the bed next to him and opening my arms. “Finally, extensive medical research suggests cuddles dramatically improve outcomes. And as luck would have it, I’m board-certified in the field of holding you. Treatment protocol states you must tuck yourself right here.”
He complied, curling into me. “Mm, yes, this is nice,” he mumbled into my chest. After a beat, he tilted his face up. “But there’s something else I think would help even more.”
“Name it, and it’s yours.”
“I’d like it if you’d kiss me,” he said.
