Page 24 of Siren in Love
Corvin swallowed.“O-okay.Tea is fine, I guess.”
Peter nodded, a subtle smile like Mona Lisa’s on his lips.“Excellent.Make yourself at home.”
He gestured to a huge living room.Corvin’s old apartment would have fit into it easily, and it featured a large bookshelf, painted white to go with the general decor.
Corvin’s trained eye was drawn to the books on the shelf.“You collect old books?”
Peter waved his hand.“Ah, just this and that when I happen upon interesting volumes.Feel free to peruse.I’ll boil the kettle.”
Peter walked off.Corvin totally missed Mike, and of course it was very sad that Mike wasn’t here with him, but there were books.
“And books make the best companions,” he mumbled, making a beeline for the shelf.
13
Corvin
~Corvin
Peter’s oversized living room paled in comparison to the books.They were gorgeous—old and gorgeous, but in pristine condition.Corvin didn’t touch them at first, reluctant to disturb Peter’s hoard, but then he saw one he couldn’t resist.It was a copy ofThe Origin of Species.
Okay, probably just made to look old.Then again, he’s a hot, rich lawyer with his own townhouse, so maybe…Corvin pulled the book off the shelf.Huh.First edition?Okay, don’t fucking drop this.Ever so carefully, Corvin turned another page.To Peter.Your friendship has been invaluable,it said there, and underneath the dedication, Corvin saw Darwin’s signature.
“Another Peter.”
Corvin jumped, nearly dropping the book as he spun around.Peter had snuck up on him and stood not a foot away from Corvin with a mug of steaming tea in his right hand.
“You can borrow it, if you like.”Peter’s face was serene and perfectly at ease.
“Oh?Oh.I couldn’t.I mean, no.This is precious.”And priceless.“You’re taking very good care of these books.”Corvin put the book back on the shelf, then took the mug from Peter.He followed the other man to the fireplace and settled into an armchair.
Just before Corvin could ask how Peter had found that book dedicated to another Peter, a feral roar from outside cut through the relative calm.
Corvin spilled some of his tea and cursed at the heat against his hand.That roar, it wasn’t a normal cat having an alley fight, not even a tiger or a lion.There was something dark, something downright sinister and otherworldly about it, something that told Corvin that whatever had made that noise wanted to chew on his bones and suck the marrow from them.
Across from him, Peter’s lips pressed into a thin line, but the man barely turned his head, even if his eyes darted toward the window facing the street.
“What the fuck wasthat?”Corvin asked.
Peter’s eyes focused on Corvin, pinning him with an icy stare.That roar had told Corvin’s lizard brain something his conscious mind couldn’t fathom, and so Peter’s attention made Corvin freeze as if the other man were a predator rather than a rich-ass lawyer.
Peter didn’t move when he said, “It will be fine.I have full confidence the police will handle this.”
“That was not acat.” Corvin balled his hands into fists.His heart was racing.
Peter shrugged, but the motion seemed forced.“It’s probably an illegally imported exotic animal.You shouldn’t worry.”
“Mike’s out there.”Corvin stood.He put the tea down on the expensive-looking hardwood table and felt immediately guilty for not asking for a coaster.
“Sit down, Corvin.”Peter hadn’t moved a muscle.He sat there with casual calm that seemed like a mask, yet his voice was a command.
“But I-I need to go make sure Mike is o-okay.”
Corvin hurried toward the front door.In passing, he noticed Peter’s pale, raised eyebrow, but he paid the man no mind.He cared about Mike more, no matter how gorgeous or scary Mike’s boss was to look at.And he definitely wouldn’t let Peter tell him what to do.
Corvin made it to the door, but Peter snuck up on him again and put a flat hand on it before Corvin could pull it open.“Corvin, I promised Michael I’d keep you safe here.Therefore, I cannot allow you to leave.”Peter’s voice was calm as a grave.
Corvin knew all too well that people didn’t always take him seriously.They saw his cute T-shirts and sweaters and thought he was a dummy, maybe a good-looking dummy.He didn’t mind.It meant he could hide in plain sight and without anyone bothering him too much.
