Page 28 of The Devil's Bargain
Calix downed another two drinks, plan already in motion.
He really was a glutton for punishment.
Especially Mercy and Aodhan’s particular brand of it.
Chapter 11:
The commotion at the door pulled Titus away from the kitchen, where he’d been busily making dinner. Though it was late in the evening, he half expected Calix to be the one standing out on the front porch, considering the text he had sent little under an hour ago explaining he was on his way home.
What Titus had not anticipated was his Third stumbling into his arms the moment he pulled the front door open, or the man who staggered in after him in a poor attempt to help keep Cal upright.
Titus let out a warning growl before he could help himself, tugging Calix deeper into the foyer and away from the unwanted guest.
“Oh, Director Mercer,” Nero sounded just as surprised to see him as he was. “I didn’t realize you would be here.”
“Where else would I be?”
“No, no,” he cleared his throat. “Cal did mention the two of you knew each other. I just didn’t expect you to be visiting him—”
“This is my house,” he clipped out, resituating the incredibly wasted detective squirming in his arms.
Nero drew up, his shock deepening. “Beg your pardon?”
“We live together,” Titus stated. “Is that a problem for you, Mr. Quentin?”
“No, of course not!”
“Good, then may I ask what it is you’re doing here? With my boyfriend?”
“Your—” He covered his mistake with a cough and retreated a pointed step, placing him on the other side of the doorway in one swift move. “I apologize, Director. We were catching up at the bar, and Calix had one too many.”
“So I see.”
“I called a driver,” he motioned over his shoulder to the car idling on the street, “and since it’s my car, it only made sense to drop Cal off first. I’ll be going now that I’ve seen he’s made it in safely.”
“Do that.” Titus didn’t have the energy to bother with false pretenses, not with Calix’s mouth currently pressing sloppy kisses to the side of his neck, and Nero’s unwanted attention trailing to the back of his head. “That’s your cue to go, Mr. Quentin.”
“Yes, yes,” he gave an awkward laugh. “Goodnight!”
Titus slammed the door in his face.
“I have a reputation you’re messing with,” he growled down at his Third as soon as they were alone. “You’re playing with fire here, Calix.”
“Actually, it was vodka.” He grinned and tried to pull away, only to lose his footing. His arms banded around Titus’s neck when he reached for him, clinging and laughing like this situation was something to find humor in.
Meanwhile, Titus was seething.
“I’m this close to taking your blaster and going after him,” he warned, eyes narrowing when Calix huffed.
“You can’t do that.”
“Can’t I?”
“No, he’s my friend.”
“Friend?” Last he’d heard, Nero Quentin and Calix were all but sworn enemies with a sordid past. But then, if Cal could forgive Titus and Aodhan for all the things they’d done…Why wouldn’t he have the capacity to forgive his old high school classmate as well? Especially since he’d arguably wronged Nero more.
How far did this forgiveness go?
