Emerson listened to the sound of their footfalls fade away, closing his eyes and issuing a silent prayer to whichever higher power had watched over them in that moment. He wasn’t a religious man, but he’d take all the help he could get.
Randall turned to face them in the shadows. “Wait here until I tell you to move.”
“Okay,” Emerson whispered as faintly as he could.
He looked down at Dash, not that he could see anything. He wanted to ask if he was alright but was too afraid to make any noise. Not until he knew the coast was clear. They clung to one another in the shadows, both of them trembling from the adrenaline coursing through their bodies.
Emerson pressed his forehead to Dash’s. Dash trembled before leaning into him.
It was as good as an‘I’m okay’as he’d get, considering where they were.
Lightning flashed again, and they looked into one another’s eyes before darkness fell once more. Suddenly, lips met his in the inky black. He gasped, not expecting the kiss, and he rearedhis head back in shock. Another flash of lightning allowed him to see sadness broadcast in Dash’s eyes. Emerson couldn’t let that stand. Grabbing the sides of Dash’s face, he leaned down and kissed the man, tasting the alpha for the first time.
Dash’s hands fisted in the front of his shirt, his lips parting. Emerson swept his tongue in, sampling, before doing it again.
Randall returned too soon. They pulled apart before the kiss went farther.
“They’re gone. I don’t think there’s anyone else too close.” Randall sighed. “Follow me to the end of the alley and let me take a glimpse before you walk into the wrong person.”
Emerson took Dash’s hand and led him down, trailing behind Randall. They came to the end and stopped, with Randall straddling the line between alley and street. He peeked up and down the road, avoiding looking at them.
“Did either of you drive here?”
“I walked,” Emerson whispered.
“I drove,” Dash said.
“It’s not safe to go back to your vehicle right now,” Randall said before he eyed Emerson. “Public transit’s not a safe bet, either. Trolleys are about to shut down soon anyway.” He paused for a second, eyeing Emerson. “My apartment’s closer than home. You can go there. There’s a key hidden under a light-colored rock under the rose bush.”
Emerson winced, his chest so tight he could barely breathe. The fact his brother was not only helping them get away but also offering safe harbor hit him hard.
“I appreciate it, but I’ve got somewhere safer that’s closer,” Emerson said.
“Where?”Randall asked, frowning.
“Don’t worry, it’s safe,” Emerson said, not willing to give up his hideout to another brother just yet.
Randall turned his attention to Dash. “I wouldn’t come back for your car until tomorrow afternoon at the earliest. Maybe even wait until the following day.”
“It’s parked blocks and blocks away,” Dash replied. “I doubt it’ll catch notice.”
“They’ve spread the net wide on this one. Don’t risk it. Get out of here. Walk—don’t run. Stick to the shadows as much as you can.” Randall sighed, glancing down.“Don’thold hands. Don’t even look at one another if you can help it. Don’t give them any reason to think you’re together like that.”
Like that.Emerson clenched his jaw at the hint of derision in Randall’s tone. His brother was helping, and that had to be enough.
“We’renottogether like that,” Dash whispered hotly. “I was working.”
“Sure,” Randall said.
“I’m searching for a missing man,” Dash added, sounding almost desperate for Randall to believe him.
“It doesn’t matter why,” Randall admonished, his voice a bit louder than it should’ve been. “You were there.”
Dash stiffened at his side, that familiar irritation seeping around them both.
Randall paused and glanced around them before continuing. “Be careful and lay low once you’re safe.”
“Thank you,” Emerson said. “We’ll make it out fine.”
