Page 44 of Across Space and Time

“I should be delighted to!” Jack said, clapping his hands a bit. “Shall I return here with your prize?”

The Duke nodded. “That would be excellent. And don’t worry. I assure you, sir, whatever your tastes are, it shall be a night to remember.”

“I have heard,” Jack said, treading carefully now, “that there are young men there?”

The Duke raised a brow. “Oh? Is that your preference?”

“Indeed,” Jack said, spreading his hands wide. “Is that something you can accommodate?”

“Yes, of course,” the Duke said with a chuckle. “We have a few members who are of the same inclinations. We work with several brothels in the city to procure the finest flesh.”

“I have been to one. Run by a Mr.… Galloway?” Jack said, remembering what Hugh had said about Anthony and the other missing boy from the ‘special events.’

“Oh, yes, we’ve worked with him before!” the Duke said, clapping his hands together in a sound like thunder. “Splendid fellow, has some of the prettiest faces in town.”

Jack nodded, giving the Duke a lascivious grin. “Indeed. Will they be at this next gathering?”

“I’m sure I can arrange that,” the Duke said with a grin. “I’ll see to it myself. I shall send you instructions once you have delivered your end of the bargain.”

“Deal!” Jack leaped to his feet, holding out his hand. The Duke looked down at his hand with its wicked iron claws on the tips. “Oh, pardon me. I forgot,” Jack said with a laugh. “But you have my word, sir.”

“And you, mine,” the Duke said.

“Excellent! Until we meet again!” And then Jack had dashed to the window and leaped out of it, landing lightly on the ground as if he were stepping from a carriage. By the time the Duke had crossed to the window to peer down after him, Jack had disappeared into the trees around the property.

Jack ran back to London in the dim light, not feeling like trying to get on a horse again now that he was less likely to be seen. Lucy kept pace with him the whole way, which he appreciated. He returned Lucy to the stable he had taken it from, then heard a man yelling when he found it again. “Winthrop, you naughty horse, where have you been?” Ah, so it was not Lucy after all. Jack decided he did not like riding horses all that much. He preferred to be his own method of transportation. It was simply more convenient. And he smelled better too.

Hugh was astonished at the amount of information Jack had been able to gather from the Duke as he sat in the living room after his patrol, and Jack recounted the conversation he had had with the corpulent man. “Thank you, Jack,” he said, a bit breathily. “You didn’t have to do all of that.”

Jack shrugged. “I am happy to help,” he said with a chuckle. “Obviously I am here as your soulmate to help you with this situation, so I shall do what I can.”

“I appreciate it very much,” Hugh said softly.

Jack nodded. “I shall leave tomorrow through the portal to find some other-worldly delights for the Duke.”

“But you will come back?” Hugh asked nervously.

“Of course I shall,” Jack said. “Do not be concerned about me.”

Hugh gave him a weak smile. “You’re leaving this planet, and you think I’m not going to worry? You worry about me when I go out on my usual patrol.”

“Point taken,” Jack said, reaching up to stroke his cheek gently. It was very sweet of Hugh to be concerned for his safety, though Jack’s form was much more resilient than Hugh’s. “I promise upon every star in the universe, I will be safe and will return to you.”

Hugh smiled shyly at that. “You are very certain of that.”

Jack leaned in to press a kiss to his lips. “I have never been more certain about anything. I will return to you, no matter what.”

Hugh slowly wrapped his arms around Jack’s waist, hugging him tightly. Jack pulled him close, resting his chin on Hugh’s brown curls. “Jack,” Hugh said softly. “I love you.”

The words went through him like a bolt of lightning, and Jack squeezed him tightly. “I love you.”

Hugh lifted his head to look into Jack’s eyes. “You do?” he asked, his voice hopeful.

“I do,” Jack replied. “I have known it from the moment I first laid eyes on you.”

Hugh’s cheeks went pink, gazing up at Jack through his dark lashes. “So, once we’ve solved this case, you will stay with me?”

Jack nodded, kissing his forehead. “I will, if that is what you want too.”

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