Page 68 of Forbidden

When they weren’t hunting demons, regular investigative jobs helped to pay the bills. Alex and Luke had legitimate private investigator licenses now. Some of their paperwork on the application was fraudulent, since they needed new documentation about their school and work history. Talon had a halfling friend who created all the fake documents they needed. Ira’s role remained as the prophet. He had an official notebook in the Rink where he wrote things down they needed to research or investigate, usually pertaining to their nighttime demon hunts. They didn’t make much money yet, but they split it equally between the three of them. As far as Wolf could tell, their system was casual but efficient.

“I did,” Luke replied. “She’s coming by tomorrow for them. I think she’ll be very pleased. That should be enough evidence to keep her ex from ever being alone with those kids again.”

“Good. Piece of shit,” Alex murmured under his breath.

Wolf tuned them out, ducking his head and inhaling Ira’s scent, like clean linen and salt. “I’m kidnapping you when you finish eating, seidhr.”

“Oh?” Ira turned his head, blinking curiously. “What for?”

“It’s a surprise.”

Ira brightened. “Really?”

“Mm-hm. You think I can drag you away for the night?”

Ira glanced across the table at Luke and Alex, who said with a grin, “Sure, but you’ll owe us one.”

Talon let out a low laugh, leaning in to kiss Alex’s head.

Wolf hovered behind Ira while he ate, his hands idly roaming Ira’s sides and back. The velvet box in his pocket was heavy with purpose, and he was impatient to get Ira alone and give it to him. Talon’s dark eyes kept cutting toward him, his knowing smirks barely hidden behind his carefully cool expression. He knew what Wolf was planning, because Wolf had gone to him and asked where he’d gotten Alex’s ring. He wanted one for Ira, wanted to officially ask him to become immortal with him.

As soon as Ira settled back against him and pushed his plate away, he asked, “Done?”

“Yep—ah!”

Wolf dragged him from the stool and frog-marched him toward the door. “I’m stealing this one. Have a good night!”

“You, too,” Talon drawled.

“What are they doing?” Luke asked as they reached the door.

“I’ll tell you later,” Malachi replied.

Out in the uneven parking lot, Ira grabbed Wolf’s hands on his shoulders and pulled them around him. It slowed them down, because it was harder to walk this way, but neither of them cared. Wolf kissed his neck. Stray, wispy curls that had escaped Ira’s bun tickled his jaw. There was a streak of cream-colored paint near his temple. Wolf doubted he knew it was there.

“Where are we going?” Ira asked, looking at him over his shoulder.

“Home.”

Ira smiled broadly, like the concept oftheirhome still brought him joy. Wolf hoped that was always the case.

“Did you just steal me away for sex?”

Wolf laughed, leaning around him to open the passenger side door. “No, but if it happens, you’ll hear no complaints from me.”

“Good to know, although maybe I should shower.” Ira plucked at his shirt as he folded himself into the seat. “It’s been long and sweaty work today.”

Wolf leaned in, bracing one arm on the edge of the roof. “If everything goes as planned, you’ll have a long and sweaty night, too, seidhr. Might as well wait and have that shower later.”

Ira shot him a dry look. “Okay, but if I smell like paint and sweat, it’s on you!”

Wolf closed the door, chuckling. If Ira thought Wolf had a problem with his sweat, he’d just have to show him otherwise.

The drive home to their apartment was companionable. Wolf rested his hand on Ira’s thigh, and Ira leaned across the middle console to use his shoulder as a pillow. It wasn’t long before they were pulling up in the parking lot outside their apartment. Ira bounded out of the car and rushed around it before Wolf could even get the key out of the ignition. That kind of energy boded well for bedroom activities later, but right now, Wolf sputtered out a laugh.

Ira yanked his door open.

“What the hell are you doing?”

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