‘I’m so not in the fucking mood, kid.’
It’s a mistake to call him that.Lachlan’s just too fucking frazzled to stop himself.He had units on standby, had to let Fenwick know Jules got out, which means the old man has been notified, and Jules was here the entire time.
It’s embarrassing.
‘Kid,’ Jules echoes with malevolent interest.‘That’s funny, I didn’t think I was a kid anymore after what I did with Fenwick.’
Lachlan looks away.He hates when Jules brings this up.
It’ll never not curdle his guts.
‘Yeah well,adultsdon’t pull attention-seeking bullshit like this.’
‘That’s not what TV tells me.’
‘Get your ass up or I’ll carry you.’
Time was, a threat like this would be enough to motivate Jules, but a year after their first meeting, his tactics with Lachlan have evolved significantly.Just as he measured Lachlan’s response times for theventtrick, so he has apparently beenmeasuringplenty else about him, including what makes Lachlan uncomfortable.
So Jules cocks his head and says, ‘Gonna throw me over your shoulder,Daddy?’Lachlan’s lip curls, irritation flaring in a way it never does with anyone else.‘Have I been a bad, bad boy?’
Lachlan can’t—won’tretaliate with hands.Instead he holds Jules’ gaze and says, ‘You remind me of your father so much sometimes.’
Jules’ expression sours.
A low blow for a low blow, the theme of the insults shockingly similar yet hurtful in different ways.He’ll make Lachlan pay for that; they both know it.
But for now, the rain is turning cold.
And his littletrickalready played out.
So he takes the hand Lachlan offers and goes back inside, but not before shoving one last splinter of fuckery deep between Lachlan’s ribs once they’re inside his bedroom in the Cove and he says, ‘I feel sick, stay with me?’
Lachlan keeps his countenance.
The risk of it being real always comes first.
‘Do you need a medic?’
‘No, just stay with me.’
It’s petulant, soft, deceptively sweet.
He’salwaystesting Lachlan, this boy.
‘To make sure you don’t drown in your own vomit?’
Jules’ eyes move between Lachlan’s own.‘To keep me safe from myself.’
‘I’m on duty.’
‘Iamyour duty.’
Mimi is right next door.Lachlan feels pulled to her like always.He worries often, likes to check in on her to ensure she’s sleeping comfortably.He’ll do that after he leaves.Pull her covers just a little higher and kiss her cheek.
Jules reads it.
‘She’s fine,’ he says, maybe with a little bite of impatience for the first time.‘You’remybodyguard, aren’t you?’
