Page 29 of Handcuffs & Honey

Julian rolled his eyes, even as he felt a flicker of amusement at the thought. “I’ve never had James Bond fantasies. I like my boring life, thank you very much.”

He glanced around the kitchen, his eyes landing on the heavy meat cleaver hanging from a hook on the wall. He wondered for a moment if he should grab it, just in case. But then he pushed the thought away. He wasn’t a killer, and he didn’t want to be.

Just the thought of using the cleaver as a weapon made him queasy.

Roman chuckled. “Suit yourself. But if things go south, that cleaver might come in handy.”

Julian frowned. “How did you know what I was thinking?”

“I can see you eyeing it.” Roman took the cleaver down and set it on the chrome workstation. “Just in case.”

“Oh no.” Julian shook his head as he took a step back. “I could never use that on a person.”

Roman’s features grew serious. “You will if Ezekiel somehow, by a miracle, gets past me. You’ll use it to save your life, Julian.”

Maybe if a shot of adrenaline spiked in him. Maybe if things really went south. Even so, he still didn’t like the idea. Not one bit. He wasn’t sure he even had it in him to do someone else harm.

Julian jumped when Elijah slammed his palm against the door leading into the kitchen and entered. “I’m not sure what’s going on, but the dinner crowd is getting rowdy,” he said. “It’s not even five, and people are coming in to eat.” He chucked a thumb over his shoulder. “Mostly elderly, but they can be mean when they’re hungry. One guy stomped his cane, and I thought for sure he was going to whack my legs with it.”

“You’re afraid of geriatric people?” Roman asked.

Julian suppressed a laugh.

“Has anyone on a motorized wheelchair ever tried to run you off a sidewalk?” Elijah asked.

“You’re lying,” Roman said with a smile.

“Honest to god,” Elijah said. “Nearly took off my foot!”

Julian burst out laughing, holding up a hand in way of an apology. The thought of Elijah running from a wheelchair that probably only went fifteen miles an hour was hilarious.

“Go ahead and yuk it up,” Elijah complained. “You’d think differently if you had to live with them. My granddad has a mean bite when he puts his dentures in.”

Julian frowned. “Your grandfather bit you?”

“He’s ninety-five,” Elijah stated. “Half the time he thinks I’m an intruder, even though he’s been living with me for four years.”

Julian hadn’t known that. It was sweet of Elijah to take care of his grandfather.

“My grandma swears I’m her daughter and keeps calling me Kit, telling me I need to find a man and settle down, even though my mom and dad are married.” Elijah rolled his eyes. “I have PTSD from old folks.”

“Where’re your parents?” Julian asked.

“They were smart enough to move away to Florida for their retirement,” Elijah said. “They had me late in life, and now they’re down there in Miami living the life while I’m taking care of my mom’s parents.”

“It could be worse,” Roman said. “You could be taking care of your dad’s parents, too.”

Elijah looked at Roman in horror. “Don’t even joke about that. My paternal grandparents are even more insane.”

Julian felt a pang of sympathy for Elijah. Taking care of elderly relatives was no easy task, and dealing with their quirks could be exhausting. He wondered how Elijah managed to keep his sanity intact while juggling his own life on top of everything.

“Well,” Roman said, “if it’s any consolation, you’re doing a great thing by taking care of your grandparents.”

Elijah shrugged. “Thanks, even though it’s not easy dealing with them. Old people are set in their ways.”

“I understand,” Julian said. “My grandmother had Alzheimer’s before she passed away. It’s tough seeing someone you love slowly slip away.”

Elijah nodded in agreement. “It is tough. But I wouldn’t trade these moments for anything. My grandparents have taught me so much about life and love. And I know that when they’re gone, I’ll at least have the memories.”

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