Page 43 of Never Leave, Never Lie

“I don’t care how much there is or what you do with it. It’s your money, not mine.”

Alek frowned. “But what’s mine will be yours eventually…”

“Not in this case. You’ll only convince yourself that themoney is why I stay with you.”

Alek hated that he knew him so well.

“Can I ask a question though?” Ian said.

“I thought you already asked me two today, and a third now, but yes, I’ll allow another.”

“I didn’t realize you were keeping count.”

Alek pulled Ian’s hair sharply. “Ask your question.”

Ian uncurled Alek’s hand from his hair and held it. He looked up at him, brown eyes serious. “Are you running from the law?”

Alek laughed. “No one’s looking for me.” He’d covered his tracks and there was no one left alive to come after him anyway. The perks of being a dead orphan. Besides, “The money came into my possession legally.”

Ian let out a low whistle. “That’s a relief.”

“Would you have stayed if I’d answered otherwise?”

“I don’t know… Let me enjoy that you’re not a fugitive, okay?”

That was where they were different. It would have taken far more than the threat of prison or death for Alek to give Ian away.

Ian closed his eyes and moved Alek’s hand back to his hair.

“I lied about our finances because it kept you from leaving me,” Alek said as he massaged Ian’s scalp with the tips of his fingers.

“I know.”

“In retrospect, I realize that was manipulative.”

“You think?” Ian’s eyes remained closed.

“Are you mad?”

“Furious.”

“Mmm. I like you furious.” The make-up sex was going to be so good when they finally had it. “But you forgive me?”

“Yes.”

“Because you have no other choice?”

“Yes,” Ian said again. “But also because I don’t think you thought you had a choice either.”

“I’m sorry you worked all those extra hours.” Alek gave an exaggerated pout. “I’d rather you’d spent that time with me?—”

“You’re such a prick,” Ian murmured, nipping a biting kiss to Alek’s forearm.

“Now that you know, though,” Alek carried on as if he hadn’t been interrupted. “We don’t need to live in a partially condemned building anymore.”

“Okay.”

“Okay?” Alek’s eyes narrowed.

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