Page 206 of The Texas Sterling Collection
Wyl gazed at his husband over the top of the car. “You amaze me sometimes. You understand this situation clearer than I give you credit for.”
“I have a huge stake in this fight, you. I have a stronger urge to protect you than to foil MacGowan’s plan.” Rod stopped at the front of the car. “Yes, I realize the two are connected. But if anything happens to you, my life is over.”
“We’ll come out of this alive and safe, babe.” Wyl squeezed Rod’s hand.
“I know.” Rod stroked Wyl’s cheek. “I need you to know how I feel.”
“I feel the same way.” Wyl kissed Rod. “Now, let’s enjoy the evening.”
Inside, Ailbe and Declan sat at a table with a good view of the stage.
“Hi Ailbe, hi Declan,” Rod faked a big smile as they approached. “It’s good to see you both.”
“Hi, lads,” Declan said. He stood and offered his hand.
“Hey.” Ailbe remained seated but saluted in the air with two fingers. “We’re glad you could join us.”
“We like this place.” Wyl accepted Declan’s handshake as he and Rod sat. “Good food and good music.”
“We like it too.” Declan sat. “And Pearson is aces.”
“I agree. He’s quite the musician. I can tell he’s had classical training.” Rod said. “He’s too good to be self-taught.”
“You can tell that, Rod?” Declan asked.
“Musicians have an ear for those things, Declan,” Ailbe said. “There’s a lot of discipline involved in proper musical training. Training is easy to spot when you know what to listen for.”
“I agree, Ailbe,” Rod turned his focus to Ailbe. “Your love of opera has obviously taught you a few things.”
“I know what I like, but I could never approach your level, Rod.” Ailbe's voice had unsettling undertones. “Your presentation on Tuesday was quite detailed. I very much enjoyed it and learned a lot.”
“My husband is the expert,” Wyl winked at Rod.
“I know how to get what I want.” Rod gazed at his husband.
“As I recall, youwantedto learn to play the guitar.” Wyl winked back.
“My lack of guitar lessons is entirely your fault.” Rod put on a show for their tablemates.
“We’ll have to pick up where we left off.” Wyl took Rod’s hand in his.
“Hey…lads,” Declan snapped his fingers. “Audience here.”
The four of them shared a laugh. Rod and Wyl’s little performance cemented their relationship further for Ailbe and Declan, setting the hook.
“We need drinks,” Rod raised his hand to signal the server. “And are we ordering dinner? I’m eyeing the fish and chips on the menu.”
Rod and Wyl ordered Guinness, and the four of them ordered their meals.
“And speaking of experts,” Ailbe reflected on a prior conversation. “I was quite impressed with your keynote speech yesterday, Wyl.”
“Thanks, Ailbe.” Wyl released Rod’s hand. “I’m sorry we didn’t have a chance to chat afterward. The room was quite crowded.”
“You’re right about the crowd. You and Rod got mobbed after your talk, and I needed to hurry back to my office to make a few notes about the points you made.”
“Notes? That surprises me, Ailbe. You’re an educated professor, and I’m an ex-Marine with no degree.”
“Yes, but your enviable field experience is something that books and lab work cannot duplicate. You have first-hand knowledge of things that we can only read about. You were in the trenches, dealing with new situations as they arose. I was in a lab doing exercises or sitting in a conference hearing about situations after the fact.”
