He nods, but I can tell he’s not convinced.
“Is Stealth doing okay?” I ask.
“He is. He thinks he’s ready to get back into the mix solo, and I think I’m going to let him.”
“If we move on this, then he’ll at least be surrounded by all of us and you can see him in action.”
“Good point.” He straightens his shoulders. “I’ll call a meeting for the morning and we’ll start making plans. In the meantime, keep me posted on any updates.”
“Of course.”
I leave his office and find Paxon standing in front of the window, looking out over the garden. Night has fallen, but the garden is lit up with small lanterns that add a magical quality, especially in the winter.
“Hey.”
He turns quickly. “Are you okay?”
“Yes. He’s given me permission and he’s going to help. He’ll call a meeting in the morning and we’ll figure out how to take out this ring and find Boone.”
His body slumps slightly with obvious relief. “Really?”
“Really.” I walk closer, reaching for his hand and smiling when he lets me take it. “You changed us, Pax. You and Boone. We got off course and haven’t vetted our potential clients as well as we should. We’re going to start now.”
His eyes soften as he smiles. “That’s good.”
“Listen, when this is all said and done, I’m still gonna be a guy who kills people for a living. That isn’t changing. What is changing is what kinds of jobs we take on.”
“I know.”
“And I know it sucks. I would never ask you to look past it or push aside your own morals for me, but I need you to know something.”
He nods, holding my gaze.
“Knowing you has been amazing. I didn’t think I’d…” Fuck. My words fade away as the thoughts I’ve been ignoring push their way to the forefront, tightening the back of my throat. “That I’d care so much. I care.”
“I care too, Wraith. More than I want to.”
We stand in silence, simply gazing at each other. I want to pull him into my arms, make him melt, drain all his tension away.
“Can I see your bedroom?” Pax asks.
Fuck yes. “Of course.”
I lead him up the stairs and down the hallway to my room, stepping back as he enters. My space is simple but comfortable. I’ve got a few antiques I managed to keep from my family, and the rest of it is just stuff I’ve acquired over the years. My bed though, that’s my favorite thing. It’s big, comfortable, and luxurious.
Pax walks right over to it, running his hand across the duvet. “This looks nice.”
“A restful sleep is important.”
“It is.” He turns to me. “This isn’t what I expected.”
“What did you expect?”
“I thought it would be more modern and minimal. Like my place.”
“Nah. I’m a creature of comfort at heart.”
Pax nods, glancing around the room. “We should probably keep looking for Boone.”
