“Yes, she is. She’s my best friend.”
“Huh, thought that was me.” Now she was teasing him.
“You’ve never thought that. You put up with me because I have talents you can use.”Shit, I think I’m right. I’m just handy to know.
“Get over yourself, you daft bugger. You know I love you. But I don’t see you from one year’s end to the next, then we’re all up in each other’s business for weeks at a time working. You’re just not ideal best friend material.”
He swallowed. “So who is?”
“Eddie, obviously. He lives locally, he’s interested in a lot of the same stuff as me, and he’s usually around. Except of course right now, when the Council needs his tracking skills.”
“Of course,” he said dully. “Edwin’s a good man.”
Baxter seemed to realise he wasn’t himself. “What’s up, petal? You sound like you’ve been rode hard and put away wet, and not in the fun way. Your sexy wolf man testing even your stamina, or is our darling Dalziel being a knob?”
“Gethin’s not my anything.”Unfortunately. Oh for heaven’s sake, you donotneed a crush on a sodding wolf. Get over yourself, man.
“Uh huh, sure he isn’t. He could be, if you asked nicely. Dude’s got the whole nurturing alpha vibe going on, and even my twink-appreciating self can admire his muscles. He’s not exactly your usual type but maybe that’s a sign. Right?”
“A sign of what, that he can throw me around the bedroom on his dick? Sure.”
“Eww, don’t be crude.” Which coming from Baxter was rich. “I meant, maybe you need more of a father figure to keep an eye on you and look after you. He’s older, and beefy, and like I said, nurturing. Could be what you need.” He could almost feel her shrug. “But what do I know? I’ve spent the past 140 years chasing pretty boys in the hope I’d find one to love me and being constantly disappointed, so probably best to ignore my advice.”
“You’re a beautiful woman, inside and out. If the men you’ve dated don’t understand that, then they’re fucking idiots. I can arrange to have them all killed. Fuck that, I’ll do it myself,” Sorley threatened. “Who’s upset you this time?” For all he knew he wasn’t Baxter’s best friend, and had known before she confirmed it, he wasn’t above tearing some prick a new arsehole if they’d hurt his pal.
She scoffed, sounding more like herself. “Meh, don’t sweat it. You know I usually wipe their memories. Just someone I wouldn’t mind more time with.”
“Cute, is he?”
“So damn cute. Long hair, even longer eyelashes. Big brown eyes and a why not attitude which makes him very attractive on top of the physical. Bit nonplussed when we first got nekkid, but made up for it by making me come four times before dawn.” A sigh. “Gorgeous cock.” Her soft chuff of laughter sounded fond.
“You could find him again?” Because if Baxter, along with Edwin, couldn’t track someone, they probably didn’t exist.
“Not worth it, he’s human. But I live in London, darling. Eight million other souls to try. By the way, speaking of souls, Jasper looks well.”
Sorley’s blood froze in his veins. It took a moment before he could speak. “The fuck did you just say?” Of all his secrets, this was one he’d never shared with anyone, even Melody.
Baxter’s scoff this time was truly offended. “Oh pur-lease. I’ve been here a whole day, doing nothing but babysit an angel. I’mbored. Am I not supposed to know about him?”
“Nobodyis supposed to know about him! It keeps him safe.Ikeep him safe. Well, as safe as he can be.” A thought occurred to him. “Have you hacked my home computer, you cow?”
“Just a little bit. An itty bitty small bit. Sorry?”
He heaved a sigh. “You’re a meddling menace, Wragg. At least I presume you won’t hit on him now you know? Or feed from him.”Please don’t feed from him.
There was a pause. “He’s cute, but he’s not really my type.”
“Baxter…”
“All right, I won’t feed from him.”
“Thank you.” He sagged with relief. He couldn’t do as much as he’d have liked, especially from a distance, but he trusted Baxter to keep her promises.
He heard footsteps approaching. “Someone’s coming. Keep in touch.” He cut the connection before she could reply, and turned to see Charley and Lucien Bradshaw advancing through the path from the village, fingers entwined, their murmurs low and affectionate.
Bradshaw saw him first. “Sorley,” he said, in a manner that suggested he was about as delighted as Sorley was to renew their acquaintance.
Sorley nodded. “Bradshaw, Charley.” He forced his mouth into something akin to a smile. The hybrid was a cutie, even if he was off limits by dint of his birthright and his extreme youth. Sorley again felt pleased he’d been involved in helping Dalziel rescue the boy.
