Things Happen That Way

by Tinnean

  “Are you comfortable, Mark?”

  “I make a good living.”

  “What?”

  He gave a snort of laughter at my confusion. “Sorry. I couldn’t resist.” He tightened his hold on me and nuzzled my ear. “You bet your ass I’m comfortable.”

  “In that case, if you’ll give me the key, I’ll go collect the Dodge.” I held out my hand, and he fished the car key from the pocket in his sweatpants and placed it on my palm. “Is there anything in particular at your condo that you’d like?”

  “No. Pick what you want to see me in.” His expression became too innocent, and I realized why when he added, “Or get me out of.”

  I pinched his earlobe. “All right, then.” The drive from Great Falls to Dulles to Alexandria and finally back to Great Falls should take a bit more than an hour and a half, barring any delays. I checked my watch. Adding in the time I’d have to spend at Mark’s condo and the start of the weekend traffic, I decided to give myself an additional hour and a half to make sure I was covered. “Gregor will stop at my town house so I can drop off my suitcases and pick up my car, but then he’ll be back in time to get dinner ready. He’s making shrimp scampi.”

  “Jesus. I guess we won’t have to worry about vampires again.”

  I couldn’t help laughing. The last time Gregor had served shrimp scampi when Mark had dined with us, he had added an inordinate amount of garlic to the dish, resulting in Mark making the vampire comment.

  “Oh, and Mark? I’ll make sure Gregor doesn’t see the sequence of the locks.”

  “I never worried about that.”

  “Good.” I gave him a final kiss and rose. “I’ll see you later.”

  It was dark by the time I accomplished everything I’d planned. I parked the Jaguar at the curb in front of the Tudor in Great Falls, got out, and took the overnighter from the trunk.

  I let myself in the front door and came to a halt. Mark was riding the stair lift down to the first floor. I opened my mouth to call a greeting, but before I could, he pressed a button, and the lift changed direction.

  “Mark? Had you forgotten something upstairs?”

  “Hi Quinn. No. I... uh...” His face turned red as he pressed the button again, and the lift returned to the first floor. “I was bored.”

  “O-okay. Did Gregor take your suitcase to your room?”

  “Yeah, and the duffel, too.” Mark flipped up the safety arm, angled himself out of the lift, and got the crutch under his arm. “I put everything away.”

  “And that’s when you got bored.” I handed him the keys for the Dodge, and he put them back in his pocket.

  “Yes. No. Uh...”

  “I’m sorry, babe.” It was obvious something was bothering him. “I shouldn’t tease you.”

  “No, it’s fine. Quinn, I called Theo.” He ran a hand through his hair and lowered his voice to a degree that I had to step closer to hear what he said. “I forgot all about the kitten. Theo’s had her for over a week, which isn’t a problem, he’d keep her longer, but he and Matheson have plans to go to Cambridge for Easter, and yeah, it’s a couple of weeks away, but I have to figure what I’m going to do about her.”

  “No, we have to figure what we’re going to do about her. And what we’re going to do is bring her home and give her to Mother even though it’s a little early. Gregor was wondering about the cat condo at your place, and when I told him about Pita, he got excited about having her here. While I packed for you, he broke the cat condo down to a couple of sections and managed to get it in the Town Car. He said he’d store it the garage and put it back together once we brought Pita home.”

  “I have to say I’m surprised by his enthusiasm.”

  “He’s never had a pet.”

  “He does know she’s for Portia, doesn’t he?”

  “Yes, Mark.”

  “Okay.”

  “Why don’t you call Theo and ask when it would be a good time for us to pick her up? Just not tomorrow evening.”

  “Why? What’s happening then?”

  “I’m having dinner with DB. He’s having problems with his ladies—”

  “Still?”

  I frowned at him. “Don’t make fun of my friend. He’s having a hard time.” It was fortunate for DB he wasn’t a Sebring. Losing your “one” could be difficult, but if you were in love with “two,” and you lost them both? That could be soul-destroying. “I... uh... I thought I’d tell him the lady I was seeing is actually a man.”

  “What, because you want to show him things could be worse?”

  “Mark, you’re being an ass.”

  “Yeah, well—”

  I ran my fingers over his ear. That usually distracted him. And it worked once again as his eyes slitted and he leaned into my touch, but I wanted to clear this up. “What I want to do is stop hiding who I am.”

  “You trust him enough not to go running to your director with that news and getting you fired?”

  “I do.”

  He straightened, studied my eyes, and finally gave a decisive nod. “Okay, it’s your call. But if those assholes can you, I’ll put in a good word for you at the WBIS.”

  “Thank you, Mark.”

  “It’s the least I can do for my significant other.” He brushed his lips over mine, but what he’d obviously planned to be a brief kiss began to escalate. I groaned and sank into it.

  “You’ve got a wicked, wicked mouth, babe,” I whispered against his lips. “But didn’t you have to make a phone call?”

  Breathing hard, he drew back, and I loved the glazed look I’d put in his eyes. “Right. Have to call Theo.” He took out his cell phone and pressed a number. After a couple of moments, he began talking. “Theo, it’s ... Yeah. ... Listen, I talked to my friend, and we won’t wait to bring Pita home. When’s a good time to pick her up? ... Tomorrow, late morning?” He looked at me and raised an eyebrow, and I nodded. “That sounds good. ... Lunch? Uh... I don’t know how I’ll feel. ... No, when am I ever sick? I got shot.”

  Mark flinched and held the phone away from his ear, and I could hear the screeching from where I stood.

  “What the fuck do you mean you got shot? And why didn’t you tell me this before?”

  “You want to tone down the volume a little, Theo? ... Thanks. It’s just a small bullet hole in my thigh, and I didn’t mention it because it wasn’t important.”

  I smacked the back of his head. “Yes, it was!”

  He rubbed his head and scowled, but continued to speak into the phone. “No, Matheson had no idea, so don’t pitch a fit at him. ... Look, I have to go. I need to take a painkiller.” Theo screeched again, but this time I couldn’t make out his words. “Bye, Theo, I’ll see you tomorrow.” He disconnected the call. “Guess I shouldn’t have used that for an excuse.”

  “I guess you shouldn’t have. Do you need something?”

  “No, I’m good.”

  It was my turn to say, “Huh.”

  To which Mark replied, “You’re hanging out with me too much, Mann.”

  “It can never be too much.” I stole a quick kiss. “By the way, did Theo happen to tell you how Val is doing?”

  “When I talked to him earlier, yeah. He’s good. He only had to stay in the hospital overnight, so he’s been home about a week now.”

  “Is he safe?”

  “Yeah. One of my men is keeping an eye on him until I can get out there to vet a bodyguard for him.”

  “Oh?”

  “Don’t go all Ice Man on me, Quinn. The kid’s a friend, and I have to look out for him.”

  “May I remind you that you have two bullet wounds in your body?” I spoke over whatever he planned to say to that. “My uncles can find someone. There’s John Cisco.” The former ATF agent would be perfect, and he could use the extra income, since Uncle Tony had messaged me that Cara Mia was pregnant.

  Mark’s expression became thoughtful. “Y’know, that’s a good idea.”

  “I do tend to have them on occasion.” I’d ca
ll my uncles after dinner and get that plan in progress.

  “Ass. I’ll have to e-mail a picture of him to my agent, but... yeah. That should work.” He pulled me up against him.

  Before he could kiss me again, however, Gregor called, “Dinner’s ready!”

  “Hold that thought,” I murmured against Mark’s lips, and I escorted him into the powder room off the entryway so we could wash our hands.

  Chapter 16

  “I can do the steps,” Mark kept insisting on the drive to his friend Theo’s place the next day. He also kept shifting, although he tried his damndest to be unobtrusive about it. The passenger seat of the Jag was back as far as it would go, but it was still cramped for someone with Mark’s long legs. “It’s only two flights.”

  “Mark, a bullet went through your leg.”

  “So?”

  “How are you planning on going up two flights of stairs in addition to the front stoop?” I’d been there a number of times when Mark lived in the attic apartment. The stairs weren’t particularly steep, but they were numerous.

  “Quinn, ten years ago I got myself out of South America in one piece, along with what was left of my idiot partner. Two flights of stairs plus a front stoop is nothing. And besides...” He slanted a grin in my direction. “You wouldn’t make me wait in the car while you have Theo’s baklava, would you?”

  That comment distracted me. “Is it that good?”

  “Oh, yeah.”

  “Might he let me have the recipe for Gregor?”

  “He might. If I were there to... persuade him.”

  “I’m so tempted to give you a kick in the ass.”

  “No, you’re not.” He reached over and ruffled my hair, then continued before I could tell him not to think he could order me to do or not do something. “But maybe I could tempt you to give me something else?”

  “For instance?”

  “I never say no to a blow job.”

  I thought back to our first dinner at Raphael’s, when afterward I’d gone down on him in the men’s room, and I had to laugh. “All right, Mark.”

  “Does this mean you’re going to blow me?”

  “Are you feeling well enough?” I’d been reluctant to initiate any form of sexual activity, especially after Max had advised me to make sure Mark didn’t overdo it, but the thought of having his cock between my lips made my mouth water.

  “I’d have to answer that with a big yes.”

  “Then this definitely means I’m going to blow you.”

  There was an empty space in front of the house where Mark had lived for some months last year. I eased the Jag to the curb and switched off the ignition.

  Mark started laughing under his breath.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “Matheson is going to be pissed. He usually parks here, and it burns his butt if anyone else does.”

  I growled and turned the ignition back on. Fortunately, there was additional curb space, and I let the Jag roll forward. “Better?”

  “Hey, it’s not me who objects to anyone taking my spot.”

  “Pain in the ass,” I muttered. “Okay, so what are we doing?” Given the promise of a blow job, I hoped he’d volunteer to wait in the car. I should have known better.

  “We’re going up to Theo’s.”

  I sighed, got out of the car, and removed the crutch from the backseat. “All right, tough guy. I just hope you don’t regret this.”

  The passenger door was open by the time I got around to it, and Mark had swung his legs out. I couldn’t help cringing, thinking of the pressure he’d put on his injured thigh, but I wasn’t going to ask him again if he was sure he wanted to do this.

  I helped him up and away from the car, and pushed the door closed with a thrust of my hip.

  “Smooth move, Mann.”

  “I aim to please.”

  “No, your aim is to turn me on.”

  What could I say to that? The fact of the matter was I did.

  I handed him the crutch, got my arm around his waist, and walked him toward the stoop.

  “Shit. I don’t have a key.” And while I had no doubt he could pick the lock, he would hardly do something like that in broad daylight.

  “That’s what the intercom is for.” I pressed the button.

  “Yeah?” A brusque voice came through the intercom.

  “It’s Mark Vincent.”

  “No, it isn’t. I know Vince’s voice!”

  I sighed. “Mark, would you assure your friend it’s you?”

  “Theo, open the fucking door before I kick it down.”

  “How can you do that? I thought you were shot in the leg.” But a click sounded as the lock was disengaged.

  “Thanks, Theo. We’ll see you in a few.”

  I opened the door, helped Mark in, and pulled the door shut while he hobbled to the staircase. I looked up… and up. I didn’t remember it being this steep. “Mark?”

  “Don’t baby me, Mann. I can do it fine.”

  “If you say so,” I groused as I slipped an arm around his waist again, but I shook my head.

  By the time we got up to the landing, he was out of breath. I knew this climb would be too much too soon for him, but he just had to do it. Macho WBIS Director of Interior Affairs.

  Abruptly, the door to the second floor apartment opened, and Mark made an abortive attempt to reach for his Glock, which he didn’t have. I had neither my Smith & Wesson Combat Magnum nor my clutch piece, but even if I had, my response wouldn’t have been as drastic.

  He relaxed as he saw the tall, curvy blonde who came out into the hallway. “Hi, Layla.”

  “Well, hello, Mark Vincent.” The very attractive young woman smiled at him. “I thought I heard someone out here. Hey, girls, look who’s come to visit!”

  Two equally attractive women, a redhead and a brunette, came to the door.

  “Gus, Sable.”

  “Hi, Mark.”

  “Bonjour, Mark.”

  “Are you going to introduce us?” Layla asked, running an interested gaze from my own sweat-slicked hair to the cuffs of my trousers.

  “Sure. Quinn, these are Theo’s tenants, Layla, Gus, and Sable.” Mark tightened his grip on my waist, and I realized his breathing had become rather heavy. “Ladies, this is Quinn, my significant other.”

  “Well, hell,” Layla muttered. “No wonder you were always busy.”

  I pretended I hadn’t heard, although truthfully, I was gratified. “Ladies. It’s nice to meet you.”

  Layla turned back to Mark. “I have to say I didn’t expect to see you here again so soon.” She frowned. “And certainly not with a crutch under your arm. You look awful!”

  “Thanks,” he said dryly, but she was right. Most of the color had left his face and sweat beaded above his upper lip.

  “What happened to you?” Layla brushed the hair back off Mark’s forehead.

  “He fell off a ladder,” I snapped.

  “Seriously?”

  “Wrong place at the wrong time, Layla.” Mark turned to me. “You were right, Quinn. I probably shouldn’t have climbed the stairs.”

  “Why didn’t you ring the first floor bell? You could have ridden up in the elevator.”

  “You have an elevator?” I demanded. “Does it go up to the third floor?” I was ready to smack my lover for being willing to put such a strain on his injured leg when he had a viable option.

  “No, sorry.”

  Dammit.

  “See? It would have only gone one floor.”

  Well, that was disappointing. I dropped the subject. “Do you want to go on up to Theo’s or down to the car? It’s the same distance either way.”

  “I’ve got no intention of missing out on Theo’s baklava.”

  “In that case, up it is. Ladies, it was a pleasure. Have a good day.” I helped Mark toward the stairs leading up to the third floor.

  “Bye, Mark,” Layla called softly. “Watch out for those ladders.”

  “You bet.” He grin
ned back at them over his shoulder. If he meant it as devilish, it fell far short. There was more weariness in it than I liked. “Bye.”

  “Lean on me, Mark,” I ordered as he prepared to set his left foot on the first stair tread.

  “Yes, master.” He leaned heavily against me. After the first two stairs, he cocked his head. “You gonna say ‘I told you so’?”

  “No.”

  “Thanks.”

  I pinched his hip, then looked up at the remaining eighteen stairs and drew in a breath. “Okay, onward and upward.”

  The climb could have been worse. We’d made it about halfway up when we heard, “Geez, Vince, what’s taking you so long? Wills went out for cold cuts, and he should be back any—Fuck!” Theo came galloping down the stairs, sounding like a herd of elephants.

  I remembered him from New Year’s Eve. He was about six feet tall, an exceptionally good-looking redhead who wore a tuxedo with élan.

  He arrived at Mark’s left side and reached around, inadvertently gripping the wound on his right arm.

  Mark hissed out a curse.

  “What did I do?” Theo actually looked scared.

  “He was also shot in his right arm.”

  Theo smacked Mark’s left shoulder. “Why didn’t you tell me? And don’t say because it didn’t matter.”

  “Look, just get me up the fucking stairs, okay?”

  It was a bit easier with two of us helping him. We made it to the landing.

  The front door was closed—“I didn’t want the cats to get out,” Theo explained—and as soon as he opened it, we got Mark inside and through to the living room.

  He sank down on the couch, his right leg stretched out before him.

  “Wills should be back soon. Like I said, he’s gone out to get some cold cuts for lunch. Can I get you something in the meantime?”

  “Coffee? Theo has an amazing stash, Quinn.”

  “Coffee sounds good.”

  “Okay. Give me a few.”

  “No rush. I have to catch my breath.” Mark waited until Theo left the room, then said, “I’m sorry.”

  “I knew you should have stayed home. I could have picked up the cat. And don’t say you had to have some of Theo’s baklava. I’d have brought it to you.”