Page 69 of Free Me

Trying to put it off now meant lying to Linus’s face, and Miko never wanted to do that. “Yes. I was going to tell you tomorrow, after our big night. I didn’t want to bring down your mood.”

Linus’s quizzical expression went fierce. Protective. “What is it? Did someone hurt you?”

“No, nothing like that. When I got the call that my pants were ready, our car wouldn’t start, so I called a taxi, but the instant I saw it outside, I had a panic attack.”

“Oh, Miko.” Linus briefly brushed his knuckles over Miko’s cheek in a soothing way. “How bad?”

“I mean, I think I lost a minute or two, but the cabbie was super nice and he stayed with me until it passed. I was still a little freaked out when my parents got home, so I told them.” Miko tried on a shy, penitent smile. “Omi told me to call you, and I’m sorry I didn’t. But I am glad you didn’t come in a taxi tonight.”

“Same, even more now. I understand why you wanted to wait, but I’m glad we talked about it, and it’s out of the way. You won’t have to think about having to tell me later, we can just go out and enjoy the hell out of ourselves tonight. Right?”

“Absolutely right.” The last shred of Miko’s upset over the panic attack vanished under the force of Linus’s bright, loving smile.

“I guess we’ll both have a healthy fear of local taxis for a while.” Linus winked. “It’s too bad regular people can’t just offer to drive you around in their car for a small fee.”

“Hey, maybe you just invented a new business opportunity.”

Linus laughed. “Maybe so. I should talk to Branson about him developing a phone app or something. Then we can both get rich off it.”

“You never know. Ready to go?”

“Not yet,” Omi said. He and Dad came into the living room from the hallway, Dad holding a camera. “We need pictures.”

Miko helped Linus take off his coat, and they posed together both with and without the walker. Dad probably used half a roll of film, and Miko couldn’t wait to see the final prints. Linus had chosen a charcoal gray suit with an ivory shirt and whimsical printed tie, which looked amazing on him, and it complimented Miko’s own ivory suit and dark gray shirt. Perfect opposites and they hadn’t even planned it.

After hugs and promises to see his parents at the gala, they left. The driver opened the door for them, and Miko slid inside first. He’d never been in a limo before, and it was just as luxurious as it seemed on TV. Long, plush seats; small lights along the ceiling on both sides; even a mini-fridge. As soon as Linus was settled, Miko snuggled up close and rested his head on Linus’s shoulder.

Linus clasped his hand and they spent the ride in comfortable silence, simply soaking up the experience. Miko felt a bit like a fairy tale prince on his way to a ball, and he held that feeling close as they arrived. The gala was held in the historic Hotel De Fontaine which, when Miko was younger, had always felt a bit like a castle with its grand chandeliers, ornate moldings and wainscot panels, and enormous paintings. The size and ambiance of the ballroom only added to the royalty fantasy.

Once they joined the line of cars waiting for the drop-off or valet, they carefully put the other’s boutonniere on their lapel. Linus hesitated when it was their turn to get out. The driver helpfully took the walker and unfolded it for Linus. Miko gave Linus a supportive kiss, then watched proudly as Linus climbed out of the limo. Miko followed him out and lightly looped his right arm around Linus’s left, giving him plenty of room to maneuver the walker. Couples and groups and families moved around them, few paying them any mind.

“Let’s go have the night of our lives,” Miko said.

“Absolutely. Let’s go.”

Linus had barely been able to stop from drooling when he first saw Miko in his suit, looking so handsome and fuckable that Linus had almost wanted to skip the gala altogether. But they’d made promises, and he’d keep his end up—even if he did it sporting a semi.

His semi had died as soon as the limo stopped in front of the hotel, kicked back by nerves. Even though it was just one dance, this was the goal they’d set for him all the way back at the beginning of Linus’s recovery, and they were finally here, strolling through the lobby toward the main ballroom.

Well, not really strolling, since Linus had to pay attention to his balance as the walker assisted him. He couldn’t wait for the day when he could walk without it or crutches. Hell, he looked forward to just using a cane, which was his next major mobility goal. But it wasn’t a goal for tonight. Tonight was about not tripping himself or anyone else, and about dancing with Miko.

They ran into Eriq and Emory first, Eriq shined up in his dress constable uniform. Their quartet quickly expanded asmore couples showed arrived, and they mingled in the corridor for a while. Light piano music filtered out from the ballroom, and guests flowed in and out with drinks. When the music stopped and the opening remarks of the gala—who was hosting, why the tradition, all the yadda yadda Linus had heard before—began. Chief Constable Brandt Lars-Higgs’s voice boomed over the various speakers, and Linus couldn’t help wondering if Demir had made it.

If Brandt and Oliver were there, then Demir was either in the crowd with Oliver, or he’d be arriving soon. The gala was practically an anniversary of Brandt and Demir meeting nineteen years ago. After everything Demir had gone through recently, he deserved a fun night out with his husbands.

So did Linus. Tonight was a milestone and a celebration of being alive and in love. For the next four hours, nothing else mattered.

After the opening speeches, the rest of the evening was for drinking, dancing, snacking from the appetizer table, and schmoozing. Not only the constabulary making nice with average citizens, but it was a good place for businessmen to strike new alliances, and politicians to talk up their positions. Mayor Bloom and his family were in the ballroom somewhere, Linus was sure of it. The only time Linus could recall Tarek and Braun Bloom missing a gala was the one right after Tarek was shot and paralyzed.

The entire extended Bloom and Cross families had been absent that year. Linus had never forgotten how worried and angry Rei and Caden were about the whole ordeal.

And speaking of his two alpha friends, he hadn’t seen either of them yet, but it also didn’t surprise him. Rei often showed up to support his parents, but after his vision loss, he didn’t enjoy the galas as much. He did have a mate now, though, and Rei had attended last year with Kinley on his arm.

Caden, on the other hand, had admitted recently to Linus that he’d felt forced to go to the galas to support Kell’s political initiatives, and he’d mostly come as an excuse to find friends he could smoke Flax with. Thankfully, Caden was now eleven months clean and sober, and he was completely devoted to his mate Zaq. This year would be their first appearance as a mated couple, so Linus kept an eye out.

As much of an eye as he could while concentrating on Miko and on navigating the swirling crowd with a walker. A handful of older, near-strangers stopped by to deliver familiar platitudes—all from people who’d once worked with his sire. Linus had met so many work colleagues over the years that he’d stopped trying to remember them all. Even after Dad retired, Linus was connected to the constabulary through Demir’s relationship with Brandt.

“So do you want that dance first?” Linus asked Miko during a break in casual conversation. “Or would you like a drink?”

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