Page 32 of Mine to Keep
Javier nods, rubbing over Talon’s cornrows. “Yeah. Not enough space for three grown men in a queen bed.”
I grin at both of them. “Explains why the two of you were practically sleeping on top of me.”
“That,” Talon says with a smile, “and I like to cuddle. Even if we had an Alaskan King bed, I’d have slept on top of you.”
I bark a laugh. “I ordered breakfast. We can eat and possibly go out?”
Javier shakes his head. “I’m still jet lagged, so I’d rather stay in. What about you, T?”
“Same.” Talon punctuates that statement with a yawn. “Tomorrow, though, can we go sightseeing? Not around here, though. Don’t want to run into Cole. But Toronto is close, right? Like a train ride or something? We can go there and see the museums. Oh!” he exclaims as he sits up, his eyes shining bright. “We can ride that boat that gets us close to Niagara Falls! I’ve always wanted to get on that. And they have stuff around where we can do some touristy shit. Please? Can we go? Please?”
Both Talon and Javier look at me, waiting for an answer.
This isn’t my first time in Canada. I’ve never cared about seeing sights or making memories when I came here. In the past, I’ve only cared about doing the job, getting paid and going home. But looking at both of their pleading faces, I can’t say no.
“Okay.”
“Yes!” Talon exclaims, clapping his hands like a child. “I’m so excited.”
I smile at them, adding food to my plate. I sit on the floor at the coffee table, while the two of them sit on the couch.
We talk while we eat—well, they talk. I listen and ply them with questions so they won’t ask me any. They do manage to ask me a few, but I change the subject, not wanting them to know too much about me. It’ll be easier when we finally separate.
Javier doesn’t give up so easily, though. “Come on, Knox,” he says, yawning widely. “You can tell us how old you are. We’re young, but we’re not kids.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Why is my age important?”
“It’s not. I’m just nosy.”
I smile and shake my head. “I’m thirty-five.”
“Old,” Talon jokes, then winks at me.
A chuckle leaves my lips. “Yeah, a little bit. Don’t know if an old man can hang with you young folks too tough. I need my rest.”
“You hung pretty well last night,” Talon says, biting his bottom lip. “You’re doing just fine.”
Javier chuckles beside him. “Do not be a slut, Talon.” He leans over and kisses Talon’s cheek, making him blush.
Yeah, the two of them will be just fine together after whatever this is, is over.
“You’re in security, right?” Talon asks and I nod. “What does that mean? What do you do?”
“I get paid a lot of money to make sure some people don’t bother the people that employ me.” Not an outright lie. “I keep people safe.” That might be stretching the truth a lot. “It’s not the most glamorous job, but it pays well.” That’s as close to the truth as I can get.
“I can imagine, if you can take trips to Canada just because. Maybe when I get out of grad school, I’ll make enough money to take vacations,” Talon says.
“I’m sure you will.”
We talk and watch a movie before both Talon and Javier say they’re tired and want to take a nap. It’s only around noon, but jet lag is a bitch. Sleeping like shit, then finally getting a good amount of sleep actually works in my favor. Especially for what I have in mind.
I lie down with Talon and Javier for a few minutes, letting them talk and cuddle with me before they drop off to sleep. I soak in their attention, loving how unguarded they are with their affection.
Once I’m sure they’re asleep, I quietly slip out of bed and get dressed. I pull a fitted cap and a pair of sunglasses from my bag, and slip in the false teeth I wore for Uria’s kill.
It’s risky, going to Cole’s place in broad daylight, but it’s the only time I’ll be able to slip away from my boys to get it done.
Wait,my boys? No. I’ve never claimed anyone before. Even with Olivia, we knew what it was. We played but kept it professional outside of the bedroom.
