Page 65 of Truth or Spare

“An extraction?” he asked and Matteo looked annoyed as he crossed his arms over his chest.

“You could have told me this was about a dog.”

“And a bowling alley,” Theo said as he twirled a finger over his head. “But mostly about Brooks. I didn’t know where to start and I wasn’t ready,” he said simply, causing Matteo to throw up his hands. He was such a dramatic, more passionate version of Theo, Dewey was fascinated as he watched them.

“Oida! Bist du deppert? You told menothing. I thought we had lost you to a cult because no one had called about a ransom.”

“Theo!” Dewey and Bryce shouted, both horrified.

Muriel humphed at Theo. “You had your poor brother worried sick. I returned to the Olympia and found him pacing and practically climbing the walls.”

“He would have blown my chances with Brooks,” Theo said, then mouthed an apology at Matteo. “I told you not to worry and Leo knew where I was,” he added, turning to Muriel. “Why aren’t you in Austria with Leo and Jonathon?” he asked and she pulled a face, making a bored sound.

“A wedding for one of mymanygoddaughters, but that’s neither here nor there. Why are you stillhere, Theobald von Hessen, when you should be in Manhattan?” she demanded, making Dewey wonder if Theo was in trouble and on the run again.

“Thank goodness for Muriel,” Matteo said to them. “Theo’s had his location turned off and Leo told me to butt out, but she was the one who called and interrogated his accountant,” he explained to everyone.

Muriel hummed as her nose tipped back regally. “The accountant always knows. It took a while to track the woman down in London. She wasn’t inclined to cooperate until I reminded her of who I am and who we were looking for and that I know people at Interpol.”

“Would you two please calm down?” Theo said as he pressed his hands together. “I’m sorry if you were worried, but I told youI was fine,” he said to Matteo.

“Ja!” He nodded quickly. “But that wasallyou would say and the last time we spoke, you said you didn’t think you were ever coming back to Manhattan.”

Dewey was still getting used to the idea and he was glad all eyes were on Theo, he was so overcome with joy.

There was a loud groan from Theo as he scrubbed the back of his neck. “I didn’t want them to know who I was,” he explained as he pointed at Dewey and Bryce. “And I didn’t think I’d be able to keep Matteo away if he found out I was spending my days in a bowling alley or how much larger the men are out here.”

“That’s fair… I would have been all over this,” Matteo conceded and nodded appreciatively at Bryce. “I do like the look of you. What’s your story?”

Bryce’s eyes were huge as he backed away. “I’m…straight,” he squeaked.

One of Matteo’s black brows lifted. “How straight?” he asked with a purr, making Bryce jump and Theo laugh.

“Nein, Teo. Nicht der Junge,” he said as he shook his head. “He is family and he istoo young.”

“Hey!” Bryce protested, but slid Theo a half-smile. “I’m really glad you’re here.”

“So am I,” he said and Muriel made an exasperated sound.

“That still does not explainwhyyou are here and what it is you are doing, Theobald. This is no place for a prince,” she stated with a disdainful sniff at Roddy.

Theo’s lips pursed and his eyes narrowed as he nodded. “Jein… I wasn’t sure when I first arrived, but this is my home now,” he said and held his hands up when Matteo gasped in shock. “I missyouand Leo and Eli and I do get homesick. Butthe three of you haven’t needed me for a while and the life I miss back home in Austria doesn’t exist anymore.”

“That’s not—!” Matteo started as tears welled in his eyes, but he stopped and nodded. “It is time for us to grow up and you can’t take care of me and Eli forever.”

“Nee! You’re both doing just fine without me,” Theo said, but there was a catch in his voice.

“Hey.” Dewey grabbed Theo’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “You fit in real good here and I need you,” he said quietly, but Matteo’s jaw fell and his eyes sparkled as they flicked between Theo and Dewey.

“Wirklich? Now, this makes much more sense,” he said and clapped his hands together happily.

Muriel raised a lorgnette and humphed as she approached Dewey. “I take it this is your establishment,” she muttered while leaning in.

He held still as she poked his sternum and gave his arm a solid tap with her cane. She humped again and nodded. “He’ll do, I suppose.”

“Well, then!” Matteo said and laughed. He wiped the corner of his eye, then turned and took in the bowling alley. “I’d love a tour, once the proper introductions have been made,” he added, gently scolding Theo.

“Right! Where are my manners?” he said and quickly introduced everyone, causing Dewey to blush and stammer when Theo called himhisBrooks but instructed Matteo and Muriel to call him Dewey or Doobie.

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