Page 132 of Fumiko and the Finicky Nestmate
Suuzu simply averted his gaze and waited.
Which worried Akira. He felt oddly out of step with his best friend. They needed to talk. But it seemed that Uncle Jackie would be doing all the talking for now.
“Right. First. You absolutely cannot be angry with Argent. He isn’t asking anything of you that he’s not risking himself.”
Akira traded a look with Suuzu, who shrugged.
Jacques reasoned, “Suuzu, you may have to give up Akira, but Argent is giving up me.”
“It is not the same,” Suuzu said stiffly.
“Don’t underestimate Argent’s possessiveness. Nor his precautions.” Jacques arranged himself more comfortably and said, “We need privacy for this next bit.”
He took a ring of solid crystal from the first finger of his left hand. It had to be a remnant stone. Probably really rare.
Akira asked, “Can you use that?”
“No, but if Suuzu is feeling generous, we can all benefit from Michael’s gift.” Jacques reached for a pillow and propped himself up. “Come along, me boyos. Pretend we’re in the naproom. Nestle down with Uncle Jackie. He has a harrowing tale to tell.”
Jacques wasn’t satisfied until their heads rested on his shoulders. Pulling them snug against his sides, he grumbled, “Lord. This doesn’t have to be difficult. Now, unbutton me.”
Akira sighed. “Uncle Jackie ….”
“It’s not as if I’m asking you to unbutton my fly. Shirt buttons. Two should suffice.”
Suuzu murmured, “There is a sigil there.”
“Oh. Why didn’t you say so?” Akira lent a hand.
“You both need to be touching the stone, which needs to be resting over this sigil. Interlace your fingers and cover it.” Jacques waited patiently for their obedience. “Such good, compliant boys. Makes me want to hand down increasingly interesting orders.”
Akira snorted. “Is it any use asking you to stop?”
“Not a bit.” Jacques gave them both a small squeeze. “Did it work, Suuzu?”
“Yes.”
“Suuzu, you have exactly five days to get used to the idea of my running away with your boy. We’ll be incommunicado, so you won’t be able to keep tabs or check in. We’ll also be undercover. Or he will be.” With a haughty tilt to his chin, Jacques said, “I will be Jacques Smythe of the Uppington Smythes, a highly entitled lordling with expensive—and somewhat dubious—tastes.”
Akira chuckled. “It’s a good disguise.”
“True enough to be convincing.” Jacques’ smile faded a little. “Following so far, Suuzu?”
“Yes.”
“Akira and I will take a lovely little cruise to a highly exclusive resort where anything can be had for a price. Including discretion. It’s the sort of place where the rich-and-famous can indulge their fantasies with the world none the wiser.”
“I thought Inti was in some kind of lab,” said Akira.
Suuzu’s eyes widened. He hadn’t known.
Jacques said, “Same island. Different section. Argent thinks that whatever goes on in the lab is funded by the exorbitant fees charged by the adjacent resort.”
“So we’re pretending to be on vacation,” said Akira. “That doesn’t sound dangerous.”
“Not in the least, provided we can maintain our cover.” Jacques looked to Suuzu. “You need to know that Akira will be playing the part of my paramour.”
Suuzu goggled at Akira.
