Page 127 of Cross & Crown

Nick came out with a contraption that looked like

one of the original mobile phones that had come in bags.

He dropped it on the table and opened it up. Inside was

an array of listening and GPS devices. Nick gestured for

Julian to come closer, and as Julian spoke on the phone to

his kidnapped boyfriend, Nick plugged the device into his

phone. They had to contort to do it, and Julian wound up

with shaving cream all over his shoulder.

He gave Nick one of the dirtiest looks Kelly had ever

seen a man make, but Nick merely shrugged and turned the

tracking device on. He rolled his finger through the air, telling Julian to stall and draw out the conversation. Then he handed

him his towel almost sheepishly.

Julian wiped at his shoulder, still glowering.

Nick pulled Kelly to the side, dropping his voice to an

almost inaudible whisper. “What did they want?”

“He just demanded to talk to his boyfriend before he’d

give them information.”

“They want an update on his progress. Means they’re

getting nervous. Fuck.”

“They’re going to kill this kid if he doesn’t find that

treasure,” Kelly said.

128

Nick was watching Julian over Kelly’s shoulder. His jaw

jumped as he gritted his teeth. “God help them if they do.”

Kelly glanced behind him. Julian’s eyes were hard as

obsidian and his shoulders were rigid. He was obviously back

on the phone with the kidnappers. Kelly took Nick’s elbow

and pulled him toward the salon, then they stepped out on

the deck and pulled the door closed.

“Are you going to be able to handle this meeting tonight?

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