Page 93 of Butterfly

Captain swivelled to face him and got to his feet.

“Does the silver sugar daddy know you’re up?” Ollie asked.

Rory gave Captain a hug. Hooking his chin on his broad shoulder, he spoke to Ollie, “Don’t ever let Sebastian hear you say that.” He smacked Captain on the back. “How have you been?”

“Good,” Captain said, pulling back. “As I said to the silver sugar daddy, really fucking good.”

Rory shook his head. “Where is he anyway?”

“He went to make me a coffee,” Captain said. “But that was a while ago.”

Rory groaned. “He’s probably trying to use the machine.”

“Does Grandad need help?” Ollie asked.

“He will drown you in a toilet if he hears that too.” Rory sighed. “But yes, I’ll help him.”

Rory left the room and returned five minutes later with a cup of coffee for Captain and one for himself.

Sebastian followed him, seething under his breath. “The instructions make no sense, and they use a font size no human can read.”

“Maybe you need glasses,” Ollie suggested.

By the glare he received, he guessed it wasn’t what Sebastian had wanted to hear.

“Have you got somewhere to stay?” Rory asked Captain.

Captain nodded. “The prison sorted me a room for a few nights. I’ve got money put away, and I’m going to start flat searching tomorrow.”

“I can offer you a good price on one of mine once it’s built,” Sebastian offered. “Cellmates rates.”

Captain cocked his head. “Will that be higher or lower than the standard?”

Sebastian laughed. “Lower, but with a few added extras, like a Snickers and a bottle of Coke. Per month, of course.”

“Okay.” Captain glanced around the living room. “I’m interested.”

“I’ll show you around the site tomorrow.” Sebastian gripped Rory’s shoulder, who was still hovering by the sofa, and pushed him down until he sat on the one opposite Ollie and Captain.

Rory didn’t protest. He flashed Sebastian a grateful smile.

“Been busy?” Captain asked.

“Extra shifts, long nights…”

Sebastian took the cup from Rory when it began to tip and placed it on the table.

“There’s a lot of unrest in the city.” Rory’s lips lifted at the edges. “Damn criminals.”

Captain frowned. “We were criminals once.” He darted looks at Sebastian, then Ollie.

“Some of you still are,” Rory said with a chuckle.

Sebastian’s expression soured.

Captain smirked. “You’re an angel, are you?”

“I can confirm he’s no angel,” Sebastian said as he sat down beside Rory. “But he has been run ragged the last few weeks.”

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