Page 22 of Visions, Paws, and Claws

“What’s this?”

“We figured you needed an audio-visual aid for your meetings. Something to show those team leaders exactly what we’re facing.”

“So Saul and I, with Hashtag’s help, put this together.”

Saul snorted. “If that doesn’t convince them, nothing will.”

“It has to convince them,” Crank remonstrated. “Because if it doesn’t, then we’ve lost.”

As if Vic wasn’t already feeling the pressure.

He took the drive. “Thank you.”

“I think you’d better watch it first, before you show it to anyone.” Crank’s grave expression sent a frisson of disquiet trickling through him. “Not now—when you get to California.”

“Why? There are no surprises in here, are there?”

Saul hesitated before replying. “No, but….”

“I don’t think you wanna be watching this in a room full of military types, wiping fucking tears from your eyes, okay? Forewarned is forearmed.”

“At least if you know what to expect, you can keep a lid on your emotions,” Saul suggested.

Vic stared at the small piece of hardware. “You’ve got me curious, I must admit.”

“Put it away. Now.”

That note of steel in Saul’s voice sent a shiver sliding down Vic’s spine. Disconcertingly, his dick reacted too.

Crank sniffed, and Vic had to smile. “You may be human, but I swear, you’re developing shifter characteristics every day.”

Crank pulled Vic into his arms. “Video calls are gonna feature heavily while you’re away.”

Saul stood and joined them. “Yeah, you can jerk off while you watch me fuck Crank.” He paused. “You can also watch while he plays with my ass.”

Vic gaped, amused to see the same reaction from Crank. “What?”

Saul chuckled. “I said I wanted to try bottoming, didn’t I? So I figure Crank can show me what I’ve been missing.” He cupped Crank’s chin. “But you don’t get to fuck me until Vic comes home, okay?”

Crank’s eyes gleamed and his lower lip wobbled. “How long did you say you’d be away?”

Vic laughed. He slipped the drive into a zipped pocket inside his messenger bag, then glanced at the clock on the nightstand. “I’d better go.”

“I’ll take you to the airport,” Saul told him.

“We’lltake him.” Crank grinned. “Think of the entertainment value when both of us give him a goodbye kiss before he goes through security.”

VIC DROPPEDhis bag onto the luggage rack before checking his room out. He sighed at the sight of a king-size bed.

How did that song go? Something about a bed being too big without you?

Vic scanned the QR code to see the in-room dining menu and selected a pizza. It was the safest bet. Then he unzipped his bag and removed his toiletries.

I’ll take a look at the drive after dinner.

He called Crank. “Okay, I’m here. Dinner’s on its way.” He huffed. “Pizza. It’ll do.”

“Good. Call us when you’ve eaten.” Crank cocked his head. “You haven’t watched it yet.”

---