Page 69 of The Devil You Know
“Yeah, we’re kinda hard to kill,” Joe said. “Jenna’s people cleaned up the mess, so there shouldn’t be awkward questions. She’s whisked Nelson off to some kind of paranormal WITSEC, and between the information Adrian’s data mining turned up and Jenna’s intel, it looks like Osborn’s drug empire will get shut down permanently.”
“That’s a nice bonus,” Evan agreed. “Hey, I’ve got a favor to ask. Parker wants to stay in Cleveland. Can you make some suggestions?”
“Sure. I can help him get settled. After all, I’ve been here for more than a century,” Joe said, and Seth could hear the smile in his voice.
“Thanks. I’ll give him your number.”
Seth looked up as Evan ended the call. “I’m going to go lie down,” he said, not sure he could hold his composure much longer as the memories of Jesse and his family came flooding back.
Evan nodded, his expression hard to read. “Sure. You need the rest. Mort said it would take a while to rebound.”
Seth felt like he was running away, but he couldn’t muster the energy to face the feelings that threatened to drag him under.
Jesse’s been dead for more than three years. I thought I’d accepted it. I guess not.
The time spent with the illusion had brought his ghosts to life. Seth knew he’d have to deal with them, but he hadn’t been lying when he told Evan he was tired. Soul searching would have to wait. Just the short time he had been awake felt like it had drained him completely.
He fell asleep, tossing and turning, and his dreams were dark.
* * *
When Seth woke,Evan lay beside him. “You were restless. I thought it might help if you weren’t alone.”
Seth reached for Evan’s hand and twined their fingers. “It’s always better when you’re here.”
Evan pushed the hair from Seth’s face and stroked fingertips down his cheek. “You know you can talk to me about anything, right? Whatever happened to you while you were gone—I’m here if you need to work through it.”
Seth nodded. “I know. I’m just not ready yet.” He squeezed Evan’s hand. “But I will. Give me time.”
Evan leaned down to kiss him. “As much time as you need. I’ll be waiting.”
The next time Seth woke, Evan was sound asleep beside him. Seth eased out of bed, knowing that Evan also needed to recover.
He slipped out of the bedroom and found Parker tinkering at the table.
Parker looked up. “Evan’s been twisted up in knots about you.”
Seth managed a chagrined smile. “Sorry about that. I’d have rather avoided the whole thing.”
“I’m sure.” Parker gave him an appraising look. “I think you’re good for Evan. He cares about you a lot, so don’t fuck it up.”
“I will do my best to avoid that,” Seth replied solemnly.
“Good. Because I’d be honor-bound to try to kick your ass, and I don’t think I’d win.”
Despite everything, Seth snorted a laugh. “Are all the Malones this feisty?”
Parker sobered. “Unfortunately not. Or we might have put an end to this murder stuff a long time ago. Evan has brass balls for going on a witch-killing rampage with you. Damn. I’m impressed.”
“I know it means a lot to Evan that you’re here,” Seth said. “He missed you.”
“We traded letters and emails, called each other sometimes,” Parker said. “I took too long leaving home. I should have followed Evan’s example a while ago. He’s always been my hero.”
Seth smiled, thinking of all the times Evan had his back. “Mine, too.”
“Do you need something?” Parker asked. “Food? Drink? You’re the one recovering.”
Seth shook his head. “No, thank you. But my thoughts are still jumbled. I want to take a cup of coffee outside and just sit for a while. If Evan wakes up, please tell him where I am.”
