Just as I figured Dalziel wouldn’t bother to show, he appeared in the doorway. His eyes narrowed as he glared up at the watery sun, and he promptly backed up a few paces, even though the sunlight didn’t really touch the top step. “Sorry, Charley. Had the Council on the phone. Seeing as I’d requested contact, I could hardly say I’d call back.” He glanced at the car with its engine running. “Luc in a hurry?”
I shrugged. “I think he’s warming it up. Shall I go and get him?” I wasn’t sure of the etiquette involved in saying farewell to a senior Council member, but I didn’t think Luc would be deliberately rude.
“No need. He’s coming over.”
Luc’s long strides ate up the gravel. He inclined his head very respectfully. “Dalziel. Thank you for the hospitality. And for coordinating a rescue plan. If I can ever be of service…” He left the sentence hanging.
Dalziel extended his hand, and they shook. “It’s been an education,” he said with a slight upturn to his lips. “I’m sure I’ll see you again soon, Lucien. Keep Charley safe.”
Luc swallowed audibly. “I intend to, sir.” He stood back, then Dalziel’s attention focused on me. He laid a hand on my shoulder, and I found I couldn’t help but make eye contact with him. His hazel eyes were serious.
“Go home. Wait for Baxter to get in touch. Try not to antagonise the motorcycle club. Drink your blood regularly.”
“Eat my greens, wear clean undies every day, yeah yeah. Love you too, pops,” I snarked, but without heat. He wasn’t someone I could, as yet, imagine fulfilling a fatherly role in my life, but he’d certainly made it clear he cared. And I liked that more than I was happy admitting — hence my smart-aleck mouth.
Eleanor’s eyes popped, but she didn’t say anything. Dalziel rolled his eyes, but he was definitely smiling too. “You’re a menace. I feel a certain compassion towards the wolf. Get moving, before the urge to spank you overwhelms me.”
I bit my lip as he removed his hand. Acknowledged his way of saying he cared with a jerk of my chin. Made my way to where Luc was already back in the SUV. Gave a little wave, before I slid onto the heated leather seat and slammed the door shut with more force than was necessary. Pointedly didn’t look as Luc put the car in gear. Did not look back at the place I’d felt I belonged, because I’d barely known it a few days and therefore it wasn’t, couldn’t, be meaningful to me. Absolutely did not heave a sigh as we turned out of the main gate and onto the road.
Just under seven hours later, Luc pulled up in front of my driveway. Tratton St Mary seemed the same as ever, a bit shop-soiled in the fading light, but otherwise mostly picturesque, and a little dull. At least until you scratched under the tourist-glossy surface and found the rotting pond scum that was Ledge and his ilk. Luc sighed, and felt for my hand. “Guess this is it then. For now.”
“Yeah.” His palm was warm and comforting against mine. “Are you gonna give me your contact details now, or am I still—”
“Don’t finish that question.” His amber eyes burned with a mixture of emotions as he cut me off. “Don’t youdarethink you’re not as essential to me as breathing. When I didn’t give you my number before, that was to protect you. Not to keep my distance.” He took a measured breath. “Like my plan to keep you at arm’s length ever stood a chance of working.” He brought our heads together until our foreheads kissed. “I love you, Charley. I thought you understood that.”
“I do, I do. I’m just a bit shit at believing it.” I inched closer, and managed to slip my free hand under his top, finding the warm skin of his lower back. “I don’t want to leave you.”
“Me neither, but the sooner Baxter gives you the nod to approach Ledge and confess, the sooner this will all be over, right?”
“I’m scared,” I admitted. His earthy scent was playing havoc with my senses, and I knew I needed to get out of the car before my dick got the wrong message.
“Of going to see Ledge?” I murmured a yes. “Do you want me to hang about when you do? I can be downright shady when I put my mind to it.”
I did, but the thought of anyone from the club harming Luc was worse than the fear of facing the prez and owning up to having lied in the first place. I tamped down the urge to hurl. “I’ll be okay. I’ll call him first. Say I’ve got a rock solid alibi. He’ll be pissed, but too curious not to come. I’ll make it clear I’ll only meet him somewhere neutral. Even Ledge won’t try and hurt me in the middle of a coffee shop in town.”I don’t think. “I could ask Razor to meet us there too.”
“Oh?”
I took a deep breath. “He’s one of the old school. Don’t think he likes Ledge much. He’d never say anything; he’s there for the bikes and the cheap beer. But, I dunno, I sometimes wonder if he’s not entirely straight.”
Luc sat bolt upright. “Has he hit on you?” His jealous growl almost made me grin.
I smacked his arm. “No, idiot. I just said he’s old school. And about forty if he’s a day. But he doesn’t look at me like he hates me, and I’ve seen the odd sly glance in Ledge’s direction when he’s being more obnoxious than usual. That’s all.” I giggled at how Luc relaxed. “God, you need to trust me too. I’m not looking for anyone else. I love you right back, Luc.”
“I know. My default seems to be jealous arsehole when I’m with you,” he admitted. “I’d blame my wolf, but I’m the same in fur or skin.”
“I don’t mind a bit of jealousy. But…” It was my turn to sigh. “I’d better get moving. The last thing you want is Nita coming out to see whose diesel-guzzling monstrosity is fouling up the neighbourhood.”
He blanched slightly. “I’m not quite ready to meet the parents.” I bit back a smile.Have you forgotten about Dalziel already, dude?Luc cut the engine. “I’ll help you grab your bags.”
It was a blatant excuse to exit the vehicle and we both knew it, but I allowed him to heave the rucksack onto my back, and hand me the cool bag. He leant with his back to the car, a resigned look on his face. “Do I get a goodbye kiss?”
“No. Because this isn’t goodbye. You can have a ‘I’ll see you very soon kiss’.” I breathed him in while he ravaged my mouth, feeling bereft when he finally halted. “That will definitely feature in tonight’s solo playtime.” As kisses went, it was off-the-charts good.
He smiled, and it crinkled his eyes. “If your phone behaves, perhaps we can play solo together later,” he said hopefully. “I wrote all my details on a spare page of my notebook. I put it in your toiletry bag.”
“Very Boy Scout of you,” I murmured. Then, because this was going to hurt like a fucker whenever I did it, I mashed our mouths together in one last desperate kiss, then pushed away from the car and started up the drive. “I’ll call you.”
His car was gone from the kerb by the time Nita opened the door. I told myself it was best that way.
