Page 67 of Truth or Spare

Matteo hummed in agreement. “He’ll send his love and best wishes, Passt schon,” he said with a shrug, then checked to make sure no one was behind him before leaning close. “Let’s say someone wanted to sneak into Canada? How would they go about that?” he whispered.

“I might know someone who’d be able to arrange something. Lots of people have relatives and friends who work at the crossings and for border patrol. Why?” Dewey asked warily, but Matteo just laughed and waved it off.

“Krass! No reason in particular. Just wondering. Any chance I can get one of those pink shirts?” He flashed Dewey a blinding smile and smoothly changed the subject.

That was fine with Dewey. He put a pin in it and didn’t think about Matteo’s question until later that evening. He was climbing the front porch of his family’s home with Theo and Walter and paused as he pushed the key into the lock.

“Are you alright?” Theo slid an arm around Dewey’s middle and kissed his cheek.

“Me? I’m great!” He held onto Theo’s hand for a moment, too grateful and afraid he’d make a fool of himself to say anything else. Dewey unlocked the door and let Theo and Walter in first, bursting with pride as he closed it behind them. “But is there a chance Matteo might go on the run next?” he asked carefully as he pulled Theo close.

He wound his arms around Dewey’s neck, groaning. “Possibly, for political asylum, if I had to guess. He does his duty for Leo’s sake, but Matteo loathes the Foundation and hates rubbing elbows with rich aristocrats.”

“Huh,” Dewey grunted. “He gets along pretty well with Muriel.”

“That’s because she detests them more than he does. And she’s Muriel Hormsby,” Theo whispered. “All of Manhattan and half of Europe is terrified of her. She’s Jonathon’s aunt and sidekick, but we’ve adopted her and have been crashing at her place in the Olympia,” he explained.

“I’m beginning to understand why you like it here so much,” Dewey said.

“It’s a calmer, more rational world here in Oslo,” Theo agreed, smiling tenderly as he stroked Dewey’s beard. “And I didn’t have to leave the state to find it.”

“Itwascalm and rational until you showed up,” Dewey noted, making Theo grin.

“Thank goodness the people of Oslo are so patient and forgiving,” he teased as he rubbed the end of his nose against Dewey’s and pecked at his lips, causing his tummy to flip and his toes to curl in his boots.

For a big, boring oaf of a man like Dewey, that was pretty damn magical. “We’re lucky, is what we are. I love you, TheovonHessen, and I’m so glad you walked into my bowling alley and talked me into giving you a job.”

Theo’s laugh was watery and his lips tasted like tears as he kissed Dewey. “I love you too, Dewey Brooks,” he said, then leaned back. “But are you certain?” Theo arched a brow and bit back a laugh. “I was sure you were going to fire me after the paper towel incident.”

“Nah.” Dewey said, laughing softly. “You had your moments but you were worth it. Your heart was always in the right place and everything worked out in the end.”

“It did, didn’t it?”

“Yup.” Dewey kissed Theo, cherishing the moment. “It also helps that you’rereallyhot.”

Theo hummed in agreement and nodded. “It certainly does.”

Epilogue

Schönbühel, Austria, nine months later…

Dewey hadn’t felt nervous until the limousine turned into the castle’s courtyard and an army of uniformed servants came out to greet them. He had thoroughly enjoyed their week in the Umbrian countryside with Theo’s aunts, uncles, and cousins and was surprised at hownormalhis childhood home in southern Austria was.

But Dewey would never get used to the opulence and the formality of the world Theo and his brothers existed in once they stepped foot in Austria. They had flown first class and a limo and a security detail were waiting when Theo and Dewey landed in Vienna with Walter. They couldn’t bring the whole family so Roddy was minding their other five dogs and three cats while they were away. He had moved back into his old room a few months earlier and was enjoying his new role as pet uncle.

A stuffy, little man named Johann had dogged Dewey’s steps their first day in Vienna, asking for his preferences and measurements. Dewey had quietly asked if it would be frowned upon if he pitched Johann out the nearest window, but Theo explained that he was Dewey’s butler for the duration of theirvisit. Even Walter had been assigned an assistant to see to his walks and meals and make sure his vests coordinated with Theo’s ensembles.

Johann had been Dewey’s first glimpse into just how heavy handed the Foundation could be. A massive suite at the Palais Coburg had been prepared for them and Dewey’s luggage had been confiscated. His entire wardrobe had been replaced by Johann and Theo had to notify people if they wanted to leave the hotel so their itinerary could be cleared and security arranged.

“It isn’t always this strict,” Theo had murmured in Dewey’s ear as they were leaving the city for the hour-long drive to Schönbühel. “We’ve made the Foundation nervous because you’re an American. They’re keeping us on a short leash until they know how you’ll behave.”

“Me?” That had gotten a chuckle out of Dewey. “They should have done their research. I’m the last one to start trouble.”

“Theydiddo their research,” Theo said, grinning proudly at Dewey. “There was nothing to find andthatis just as worrisome as a criminal record. No one’s background is that spotless so it makes them suspicious. You’re a great, big American mystery,” he explained.

Dewey thought that was depressing. For Theo and his brothers. It was just a short term inconvenience for Dewey, but Leo and Theo had spent more than half of their lives under the Foundation’s oppressive thumb. “I can see why you don’t enjoy cities and think that Oslo is paradise,” he said, earning a sad sigh from Theo.

“It’s better in New York, but the Foundation is extra etepetete when any of us are in Austria because ‘all eyes are on us!’” he said with sneer. “They are tedious in London too, but they will back off while we are at Schönbühel. Leo is allowed his space because there isn’t much to do except for hiking and some rather pedestrian sightseeing. We can be ourselves there.”

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