Page 104 of The Bait

Harry snorted quietly, and he waited for Lucas’s machines to beep, signalling a reaction or some awareness, but there was nothing. Only Yunho’s soft crying.

But then Lucas’s lips parted a fraction. “Yunho,” he breathed, barely a whisper.

“Yes, yes, my love. It’s me,” Yunho sobbed, holding his hand to his face. “I’m right here.”

Now his machine beeped and he breathed a little harder, but said nothing else. Yet it was somehow enough. It was definitely a positive sign and Harry felt hopeful.

“Okay,” the male nurse said, fussing over a machine. “He’s had enough. Time to go.”

Sue pushed the wheelchair closer to Yunho, and they got him back to his cubicle, and back into bed. He cried as he drifted off to sleep but he was mumbling about seeing Lucas again tomorrow.

“We’ll take you again,” Asher told him. “I promise.”

Harry and Ashermoved to a different ward that afternoon. Their own private room, two uniformed guards outside the door.

Harry wasn’t sure if it was for their protection or to protect others. Probably both.

The next morning, they were visited by some brass. Two XOs from the Australian army and two uniforms behind them, standing at attention. And a familiar guy leaning against the wall, smirking at them.

Captain. He didn’t have Medic with him, and Harry was almost disappointed.

Almost.

What Yunho had told them about the deal was basically what the XO’s regurgitated to them. The Australian government were taking them both back, officially, when Harry’s lung was given the all-clear to fly.

There was no mention of passports to return with, so Harry assumed it was still under a military operation.

Which name Asher would use for his newfound citizenship was still undecided. He wasn’t ready, and Harry understood that. He’d only just found out his true name. He needed more time to process, to adjust.

“There’s a box in a storage shed in Thailand I want brought back to Australia,” Harry said. He hoped he’d never need the weapons but he didn’t know if or when Yunho would ever be able to supply them again, and Harry wasn’t taking any chances. He’d never leave Asher unarmed again.

The first XO frowned. “We’d need to verify its contents?—”

“I don’t give a fuck what you have to do,” Harry saidflatly. “I want the box, and its contents, delivered to my house.”

The XO schooled his expression and gave a nod. Behind him, Captain smiled.

“And Yunho?” Asher asked.

The second XO replied. “He’s staying until Agent Edwards is well enough to be transported.”

Asher breathed out a sigh of relief. But still. He didn’t trust easily. “We have your word on that?”

The XO cut him a cold stare with a curt smile. He clearly didn’t like having his integrity checked. Before he could speak, Captain pushed off the wall and walked over. “You have my word,” he said. “He and Agent Edwards will be under our protection.”

Harry wasn’t sure why, but he was relieved to hear that. He trusted Captain. Whatever his name was. It didn’t matter.

Harry trusted him.

He gave him a nod. “Thank you.”

Then Medic entered the room like he owned the entire hospital and everyone in it and handed a takeout coffee to Captain. “Aw, sorry,” he said cheerfully to Harry. “I asked about those supplement drinks for you, you know the ones for the elderly, but they said no.”

The two XOs baulked and the two uniform guards alerted as if Harry was about to go nuclear, but Harry couldn’t help it. He snorted.

“I know I shouldn’t,” Asher said to Harry, “but I do like him.”

Medic grinned. “Everyone likes me.”

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