Page 369 of Eight of Swords, Part Two

Céliane’s work, unmistakably, but Kade can’t help but sense Riley’s specifications in all of it, not least because Riley knows it’s Kade’s favourite colour.

‘These are nice,’ Lachlan observes, nodding with approval. He dresses in front of Kade, who feels weirdly thrilled by watching him exist in this way, naked and comfortable. No false modesty, just getting dressed like being naked around one another is normal.

It’s so special that it feels normal.

‘You’re one of us now,’ Kade points out, gesturing to the compass-style star over Lachlan’s heart, stitched immaculately into the fabric.

‘I thought you were leaving.’

Kade shrugs. ‘I can leave and still be Iron Star. Riley’s my brother.’

‘Fair enough. Breakfast?’

‘I need to check in first.’

‘You’re hungry, and I’m starved.’

‘OK, but a quick breakfast. I need to check on Luca.’

‘You do that while I go order food. I’ll meet you in the mess hall.’

‘Oh. That’s perfect, yes. Thank you.’

Lachlan kisses him goodbye.

It’s a neat little clip of a kiss.

Kade can feel himself becoming horribly, worryingly obsessed with these little domestic niceties.

They go different ways.

Medical is quiet as he heads to Luca’s room.

His heart soars once he opens the door.

‘Holy shit, Lucozade.’

Luca is sitting upright, doctor’s mask over his lower face, but Kade can read the faint smile in his eyes anyway. Luca signs with slow fingers.

What’s up, Motorkade?

Kade sits beside the bed and hugs his friend as carefully as he can, tears in his eyes. ‘You’re awake. Oh my God, I’ve been so fucking worried!’ he snaps, laughing. When they part, he studies Luca’s face. ‘How is it?’

Doc said I have a really cool scar.

‘Outdoing me in every possible way, huh.’

Always. Boss came by earlier. He told me about the blood.

‘What blood?’

The weirdo’s blood. He offered it, apparently. To heal me.

Kade shakes himself. ‘Right. Of course. Sorry.’

You look tired. And bruised. Holy shit, what’s on your neck?

‘Don’t even worry about that.’