Page 76 of Breathless Recruiter

“You’re family!”

We weren’t related. At least, I didn’t think so. They held out their hand. I reached out, and they took my fingers, giving my knuckles a kiss. “Well, honey, this changes things. What stupid thing has this boy of yours done?”

“I’m waiting for him to text me.”

“Waiting? Bestie, love does not wait for a text.”

I couldn’t help but smile. Lady Cleo’s regal accent held nothing but empathy. They must have telepathy. It explained their insight. I didn’t want to out them, but I had no doubt they were a superhero. Within seconds of meeting, it was as if we were old friends. Now that I thought about it, I bet they were washing their cape.

“I called him my boyfriend.”

Lady Cleo clapped their hands with a quiet squeal. “Young and in love. I remember those days before I turned into a bitter queen.”

A queen? That explained the regal accent. Did they have a scepter and a crown? I couldn’t put my finger on it, but if I had to guess, they resided in a country somewhere in Europe. Though, why were they in the Ward doing laundry at midnight? Perhaps they were in hiding or partaking in a secret mission.

“Did he do the same for you, my beefy best friend?”

I nodded. I couldn’t refrain from smiling. Lying in bed after another session of sex, he said the words and my heart leapt. I couldn't believe that this beautiful man, thisbravesoul, returned my affections.

“You’re smiling, but Lady Cleo can tell something’s amiss.”

The words came out of nowhere. “What if I’m not good enough for him? He’s amazing, and I’m…”

Lady Cleo pinched my chin and turned my head until I stared them in the eye. “Good sir, what on this crazy planet makes you think you’re not good enough for him?”

I couldn’t voice the insecurity without letting it swallow my thoughts. Instead, I wanted to focus on how Dustin inspired me. “He makes me want to be a better man, a better…” I let the words drift.

“Did he tell you to shape up? Did this, most likely equally beefy man, say you had to change?”

I shook my head. “It’s a me thing. I want to deserve him.” Saying it out loud sounded odd, uncomfortable even. Did I really think I wasn’t worthy of somebody like Dustin? He had thrown himself into danger without hesitation. I wanted to be like that, but did it make me less than?

Lady Cleo pinched my chin harder. “You are enough.”

“I am?”

They nodded. “Dear, welcome to the insecurities of being in love. Bask in the warm fuzzy feelings. When those scary emotions rear their ugly heads, and I promise you, they will, you’re not alone. You have a partner now.”

With and without a cape.

“I wish more humans were like you.”

“You and me both, sweetie.”

My phone shook. Lady Cleo and I glanced down at my hand. I expected another text from Janet’s bra shopping excursion. “Dustin.” The name hovered in the center of the screen. I had waited all day, and yet, something in the pit of my stomach tightened.

“Is that him?” Lady Cleo poked at the alert. “Only one reason a man texts at this hour.”

Dustin had sent a photograph. I lifted my hand, trying to make sense of the image. It wasn’t Dustin in his normal clothes. He had gone out as Discord. His suit had been ripped from what appeared to be an epic battle. His hands were bound with white rope and a gag covered his mouth. While my brain processed, my stomach did somersaults.

“You two are into some kinky shit,” Lady Cleo said. “No judgment. Get your freak on.”

Dustin had been bound to a table. I gasped. The memories of being strapped down in preparation for the experiments came flooding back. He was in a lab somewhere. The butterflies had turned ravenous, and I let out a low growl. Whatever had happened today, I wanted to punch the person who did this to my boyfriend.

“He’s been kidnapped,” I mumbled.

“Girl, if my boyfriend looked like that, he’d be kidnapped, too.”

“He’s in danger.” Where I expected to find fear, the need to hide, I only found anger. Whoever touched my sidekick, myboyfriend, deserved to be thrown behind bars.

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