Page 63 of Equalizer
“The wardings were easily broken, and apparently he never thought anyone would search for his notes and materials,” Winston said with a sniff of judgment. “We sent all his papers up in flames, took the things we couldn’t burn so we could destroy them in a safe place, and did a powerful cleansing ritual.”
“He won’t be going back,” Owen said. “Calvin killed him.”
“Serves him right.” Winston’s tone was pure steel.
Now that the crisis was over and he wasn’t dead, Calvin felt the adrenaline fade as the events of the day hit hard. “Shower—and tea.”
“The water is already boiling. I’ll have tea ready in a trice,” Winston replied.
“I bet Calvin’s got a roaring headache too, between the knock-out drug and the smoke,” Owen told Winston.
“I have just the thing for it,” Winston replied. “Clean up. I put fresh clothing for both of you in your rooms already. I’ll have something to eat fixed by the time you’re done.”
Calvin let Owen steer him to the bathroom and strip off his clothes, which were stained with smoke and blood.
“I’ll burn them,” Owen promised as he added his soiled clothing to the pile. “Let’s get you clean.”
Calvin allowed Owen to maneuver him, glad not to have to think. He figured that shock was finally setting in, considering his close call. His head no longer throbbed, but Calvin feared it might come back at full strength if he moved wrong.
Owen pressed up against him, skin to skin. The hot water sprayed over them, and Calvin felt his shoulders relax just a bit.
“Let me get your face first.” Owen’s voice, calm and careful, sounded like he was talking to a spooked animal. He wet a cloth and gently wiped it over Calvin’s forehead, then down over his eyes and cheeks, washing away the sweat and grit.
“Better?”
Calvin nodded. Now that he was safe, he felt close to tears and didn’t want to break down.
“Shh. It’s okay, whatever you need,” Owen said in a voice just above a whisper. “Cry, rant, scream. I’m here.”
“You came for me.” Calvin could barely hear his words above the water.
“Of course I did. Hell itself couldn’t stop me.”
Calvin’s breath hitched. Owen pressed a kiss to his neck. Then he soaped up his hands and began to lather Calvin’s shoulders and chest, working his way down his arms and noting where the rope had abraded and the hidden saw had cut his fingers.
“I’ll take care of those when we dry off. Let me make sure they’re clean.”
Owen washed Calvin’s back and buttocks, then down both legs before rising to clean his groin, gentle but not sexual. Grateful as Calvin was to be home safely with his lover, sex was the furthest thing from his mind right now.
“Time for everything later,” Owen murmured as if guessing his thoughts. “We can have glad-you’re-alive sex in the morning. No rush.”
There were so many questions Calvin wanted to ask, but the hot water and clean scent of soap drove them all from his mind. His body responded to Owen’s care, working its own version of touch magic.
Owen took his time washing Calvin’s hair, massaging his scalp before rinsing under the water. “There. Just like new,” he said with a strained smile. Calvin could see the toll the day had taken in Owen’s eyes and knew they needed to talk about Steven, although he couldn’t muster the courage just yet.
Owen shut off the water and reached for a towel, gently drying Calvin first. He patiently held out Calvin’s clothing and helped him dress, then hurried into his fresh outfit.
“You should eat.”
“Not hungry.”
Owen looked at him fondly. “I know. But you need to heal and that takes energy. I’m sure Winston has something that you can stomach, even if it’s just tea and crackers.”
Calvin knew Owen was right, although his stomach balked at the thought of food after everything he had seen.
Winston had left a pot of tea, two cups, and a plate of crackers with sliced cheese in the parlor, guessing correctly that sitting at the dining table seemed too much right now. A glass of water and some willow bark sat next to the food.
“Stay close.” Calvin reached for Owen’s hand.
