Page 116 of Walking in Darkness

“Most definitely.” Kit had big plans. Huge. It was going to be the event of the season if he had anything to say about it.

Hudson cleared his throat. “While we’re here, is there anything left that needs to go back to the house, sweetheart?”

Connie pursed his lips. “Just a box or two. I’ve already moved most of my stuff. Before we go, though, there was something I wanted to show you, Kit.”

“Oh?”

“Yes, I saw you looking at it earlier.” Connie moved out of Hudson’s arms and quickly made his way over to the vase Kit had admired. Carefully picking it up, he brought it back.

“It’s a reve butterflies Millefiori vase. I would like you to have it,” Connie said.

Kit knew absolutely nothing about art, but if it was in Connie’s hoard, it was most likely insanely expensive. And Lord, he was worried about the pearl body chain? “It’s gorgeous, and I would be happy to have it. I’m also scared to death to touch it.”

Connie snorted. “It will be fine.”

Kit cautiously took the vase. “Thank you. I’ll treasure it.”

Connie kissed Kit’s cheek. “Just like I treasure you. Okay, let’s go back upstairs,” Connie said, clearing his throat.

Kit followed them up and waited in the living room while Connie secured his hoard once again.

“Be right back. What I need is in the loft,” Connie said, heading up the stairs.

The loft was open, so Kit could see Connie clearly. A couple of minutes later, he came back downstairs with two boxes.

“This is it. A lot of the less personal items I’m leaving here, like plates, cups, cookware, and so on. I mean, I won’t need them,” Connie said. “Whoever is here can use the stuff.”

Hudson took a box. Since Kit had his hands full with the priceless vase Connie just gave him, he didn’t even attempt to help. He was just praying they could get home before something happened to the gorgeous piece of artwork he was holding.

Together, they walked back outside to Hudson’s vehicle and placed the boxes in the back. After Connie locked up, he drove them to Hudson’s house.

Kit stared out of the passenger window as they returned to the house. No… home. They were returning home. Yeah, that’s what Hudson’s house had become—Kit’s home—and it felt like it too. His apartment had never had that feel—it had been more of a place to rest his head.

But here? Here he had the room he needed to breathe and roam. He’d missed that in his little boxy apartment. But it was more than just the surroundings—it was the two males in the vehicle with him.

Theymade it a home. They had welcomed him and made him feel like he belonged. They accepted him for who he was—allthe parts of him.

He was wanted and even possibly loved.

Life had been a series of ups and downs lately, and there was still a threat out there waiting to strike, but Kit no longer felt like he was on the verge of drowning.

He also didn’t feel quite so alone anymore, either. A new world had been opened to him, one that he couldn’t wait to explore—even the beauty and darkness of it. And in that new world, there were friends to be made. He looked forward to that as well.

It was funny—Kit had felt like he was standing on the very edge of darkness, but now the light had chased away the shadows.

Hudson and Connie were Kit’s light.

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