Page 78 of Searching for the Prince
“This isn’t fair to me or Hyax.”
“You’re immortal, what’s a few months?” Oliver said, unrepentant. “I can offer you some sort of gift. You probably aren’t in need of money but maybe I can be of help in other ways. I’ve a few friends in need of the services you could offer.”
Gwil realised this was probably the best he was going to get. Men as rich as Oliver moved outside the law and no one wasgoing to charge in and make him do right by Gwil—not when Oliver was right and it would all blow over in a few months. Oliver hadn’t offered to help his business previously, it had been a bit of a sore point towards the end of their relationship.
“You were never keen to help me with contacts. In fact, I’m pretty sure you said it wouldn’t be ethical—which coming from a vampire was a bit ridiculous.”
Oliver chewed the inside of his cheek, a sure sign he was on the back foot. “Perhaps I haven’t been fair to you in this whole fae-golashe-marriage thing.”
This was the closest he’d ever come to an apology or any acceptance that Oliver Hoffman was capable of making a mistake. “So, what, this would be your idea of reparation?”
“Maybe.” That looked like it hurt to say. “I have some very important friends, friends and acquaintances who could use the discreet services of a professional such as yourself. And now you can claim to have come recommended from the senior echelons of vampire society, I would not think it inappropriate to proffer the relevant introductions.”
He wasn’t going to get a full apology or anything else in terms of compensation, and he’d bet the sort of cases Oliver’s contacts would put his way would be a lot more interesting than poltergeist ferrets.
“Then I look forward to hearing from you in the future.”
Oliver smiled and stood. He wasn’t unattractive, nowhere near Hyax’s league, but he was a self-absorbed twatwaffle who didn’t like people much and had more money than he’d ever spend, even being immortal. Gwil struggled to see why he’d spent so long with him.
“Take care of yourself. If you do manage to become Hyax’s second husband, I’d love an invite to the wedding.”
Gwil walked over and opened the door. “No fucking chance. Have a nice rest of your night.”
Oliver left, chuckling. Gwil wondered how he was going to explain it all to Hyax without him going ballistic.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Hyax stared across the London skyline, the rooftop bar empty, its usual patrons kept away, as Hyax had plans and enough money to make them happen. London by night had a specific quality that was hard to pin down. Maybe it was because the city was almost as busy at night as in the day, or that the urban sprawl cast a pattern that was almost as bewitching as the night’s sky.
“Now this is posh,” Gwil said, sipping a glass of good champagne. “I didn’t think you were a fan of this part of the city. Didn’t you say there were too many arseholes in suits?”
“None of them are here now.” The square mile was loaded with sacks of skin who thought they were important because they wore expensive watches, but by now most had fucked off home to their overly medicated spouses or were snorting coke off a hooker’s arse.
Gwil pouted. “What am I? Chopped liver?”
Hyax ran his finger down the front of Gwil’s waistcoat. “You’re not an arsehole.”
“Can I quote you on that, as I’m sure you’ve called me one several times?”
“How about overbearing twat instead?”
Gwil shrugged. “Been called worse. And that was only yesterday.”
Gwil had sat him down the evening before and calmly explained what his ex-boyfriend had admitted to and Hyax had thought he had done well not to blow the roof off the house with a discharge of anger-induced magic. An hour of raging later, he’d calmed down and realised there was nothing they could do about the situation for the moment, but Hyax would find a way at some point, to make Hoffman pay. He didn’t know how yet, but he had the time and the stubbornness to do so.
“I did apologise.”
“Calling into doubt my taste in partners doesn’t say much about yourself.” Gwil smirked. “You made up for it once you’d calmed down. Repeatedly.”
“I hope that tonight will also show my appreciation for you, and everything you’ve done for me.” Gwil could have dumped his sorry arse several times over what had happened but instead he was still at his side. “I love you, my pointy-toothed muppet.”
“You too, my favourite sparkly douchebag.”
Hyax decided now was the perfect time, he reached into his jacket pocket and brought out an oblong jewellery box. He wanted to make this special, and somewhere Gwil would appreciate. This might be a fae tradition but London was Gwil’s home, so doing what he planned in the city was perfect. “Usually us fae exchange collars when we marry, but there was never a possibility of me giving this to Metra.”
Gwil took the box and opened the lid to reveal the strip of shiny metal. “Silver?”
“It was originally, but I’ve altered the atoms and it’s platinum now.” He reached out and gently tugged on Gwil’s tie. “Will you wear it?”
