Page 94 of Visions, Paws, and Claws

“Do you want the good news or the bad news?”

“Gimme the good news first.” Crank rubbed his eyes.

Vic beamed. “I’m done. I’m coming home.”

Crank let out a whoop, and Saul clamped a hand over his mouth. “Do I have to remind you what time it is? You’ll wake everyone up. And seeing as we all have to be out of here in a few hours, they willnotthank you.” He grinned. “Awesome news.”

“I’m gonna reserve judgment until I’ve heard everything,” Crank groused. “What haven’t you told us yet?”

“I got a call from Luciano Orsini. He’s the archivist I went to see. He wants me to visit him again, so I’ll stop off in Rome on my way back.”

“You think it could be important?” Saul asked.

Vic hesitated before replying. “If I share something with you, I need your word that you won’t tell a soul. Not yet at least.”

It was as if someone had unloaded a glass of icy water all over Crank. “You got it.”

“Me too,” Saul added.

“Okay.” Vic took a deep breath. “Orsini has an artifact that could shake the foundations of our world. I’m talking the shifter world, all right?” They nodded. “What if I told you I’ve seen evidence the two brothers weren’t as diametrically opposed as we’ve been led to believe? And what if Ialsotold you that whole part of our history might have been… manufactured?”

Crank gaped. “But… why the everlovin’ fuck would anyonedothat?”

Saul snickered. “Why does anyone start a war? Because they like war and the power that comes with it. So do you know why Orsini wants to see you?”

“He says another artifact has come into his possession, and I need to see it.”

“That’s all he’s told you?” Saul frowned. “You sure you can trust this guy?”

Vic smiled. “Hell yeah.”

Crank relaxed a little. “Okay, then. When’s your ETA here? Only asking because we leave for Maine in the morning, and it looks as if we’ll be gone a few days.”

“I’ll be in Homer Glen when you come home. Make sure you both come back with all your bits and pieces.”

He grinned. “You like our bits and pieces.”

Vic chuckled. “You know it. And when I get the two of you alone, I wantallthose bits at once.”

Saul groaned. “Great. Now you’ve made us both horny as fuck. We need to sleep, dammit.”

“Fuck first, sleep later.” Vic’s eyes sparkled as he held up a small bottle of lube. “I’ll watch the first part.”

BRICK WAScalm in mind and body, but then again, he always was when he dreamed of Seth. “Where are we?” The beach was long, the sand soft, and the breeze warm. Palm trees rose up, tall and majestic, and the air was filled with the sound of waves crashing upon the shore.

“Somewhere I went as a child,” Seth told him. “And if I ever find out where it was, I’ll take us there.” He glanced at the clear sky. “I needed to be someplace that wasn’t here. This is where my mind took me.”

Seth’s hand in his was the best part.

“We’re coming for you,” Brick told him in a low voice. “In a few hours’ time, we’ll be leaving here for Maine.”

“When will you be here?” Seth’s chest heaved.

“Sometime over the weekend. We won’t know exactly until we hear from Milo.” Brick squeezed Seth’s hand. “But we’ll be together soon. And once you’re home with us, I’ll keep you safe, away from harm.”

Seth let go of Brick’s hand. “And what if that’s not what I want?”

Brick stared at him. “What do you mean?”

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