“Are you sure about this?” Tolly turned to him on the way home.
He knew Tolly meant what he’d promised the detectives. “Don’t tell Alvin. Not ’til it’s over. If it doesn’t work out, I don’t want him to get hurt. If it does, then we’ll come clean.”
“Okay. I trust you.”
Leigh just hoped that trust wasn’t misplaced.
MAYBE TOLLY had banished more monsters than his own reflection in Leigh’s subconscious when he sang that night, because the tides had been changing ever since, and he saw only hope on the horizon.
Leigh was getting restless again, however, as the days passed and no word came from Alvin of the meeting between the other snitches and Vincent Moretti. When they did see Alvin, it was for social reasons, which Tolly preferred. Alvin had not known Ralph was working for his father. Few people had, or Leigh would have caught wind of it sooner.
Thankfully, Alvin finding out Tolly’s nature had only strengthened their bond, and the lessons in sign language continued. Alvin was very dedicated to learning and was making notable progress.
“You and Cary are growing closer, then?” he asked during one of their lessons as they sat on Leigh’s sofa.
“Actual conversations are definitely the right direction,” Alvin said. “And they’re friendly too. Like he asks questions sometimes instead of only grunting and nodding, wanting to know my opinion and interests. Just a little longer and I’ll be ready to ask him out. It’s gonna be amazing, too, coz I’m gonna use everything you’ve taught me. Hopefully, he’ll be so stunned, he won’t remember to tell me to get lost.”
“Oh, I am sure he will not respond that way. He will say….” Tolly signed the rest, and Alvin giggled as he understood: You are my heart’s desire too.
“Done,” Leigh called from where he had been sitting at the table fixing a microwave. “Hey, Al, think you can drop this at Roy’s place downstairs so Tolly and I can head out? We’re gonna be late.”
“Late? Where you guys going?”
“Leigh will not tell me,” Tolly said. “He says it is a surprise.”
“I bet I know, then.” Alvin grinned. “Galaxy?”
“Yep.”
“Galaxy?” Tolly parroted.
“You’ll see when we get there.”
Tolly loved surprises. Or at least he believed he did, since he had never had one before. Leigh clearly wanted distraction as the week ended, claustrophobic from staying in so often, so he donned his hat and glasses as they headed onto the streets after dark on a path he seemed to know well.
“Most people would use a car, but Alvin and I always cheated a little since we never had one or much cash. If you don’t mind a little criminal activity?”
Tolly was far too excited to say he did, unsure where Leigh was leading them until they reached a back alley and a fire escape that Leigh began to climb. Tolly followed. Only when they reached the top and Leigh walked to the edge of the roof did Tolly realize that beyond the building was a cleverly hidden outdoor movie screen.
A drive-in with a vintage sign proclaiming Galaxy Theater, and they had the best seats.
“When I heard they were playing Princess Bride, I figured we had to.”
Tolly rushed to Leigh’s side, bringing his hand down to lace their fingers together. “You said it was a happy story, yes? A romance?”
“One of the best.” Leigh smiled in his half-crooked but adoring way, accepting Tolly’s contact more readily every time. “You’ll love it.”
Little did Tolly know that Leigh had stashed sodas in his jacket, and a box of Milk Duds he had procured from the store. They sat on the ledge of the roof, feet dangling, with the perfect view of the screen and all the people in their cars below. The audio was loud enough echoing up to them that they had no trouble hearing, but there were subtitles as well to be sure everyone could clearly understand even if they were far away.
This was much better than watching from the water, especially with Leigh beside him. Tolly was riveted by the film, the humor, the cleverness of it all, and the romance—oh, what a romance, even with every obstacle in their way. The eels were not Tolly’s favorite, but the rest was perfect, every moment of sharing it with Leigh and leaning into his body whenever something startling happened.
“All this love of film and there’s still so much about humans you don’t know,” Leigh said with a fond smile.
“It is not the same as firsthand experience or being formally taught.” Tolly blushed at the tease. “I suppose sometimes I do not pay as much attention to the details as I should, more the relationships and emotions. The way a film makes me feel. But I do so want to learn more.”
“Happy to help with your continuing education, then.” Leigh held him to his side.
It was fun watching everything close after the film ended as well, and the people started to drive away. A few noticed them up on the roof and waved, to which Tolly happily waved back, even if they had cheated and not had to pay for a ticket.
Their hands were clasped between them as they enjoyed the evening together, the stars above and Leigh warm against Tolly, with an air of wonder about them after watching a fairy tale with a perfect ending kiss.
“Are you sure you want this?” Leigh asked softly, not looking at him but keeping close. “Me, I mean?”
“Why do you continue to ask that? My answer is not going to change.”
“So much could go wrong, I just… I want you to be sure.” Leigh sighed as though he had never believed in happy endings for himself, but Tolly was determined to have one now that he had banished the plague of his true form from Leigh’s nightmares.
It must have slipped in through their connection somehow, from Tolly’s subconscious, but it was gone now, and Tolly meant it that he would never allow Leigh to see it again.
“Did you ever hear the line: a bird may love a fish but where would they live?” Leigh asked.
“I have, and it has an easy answer: the fish must grow wings and the bird fins so they can live wherever they wish.”
“It’s not always that easy, Tolly.”
“For us it could be, if I am able to keep my legs.”
“Able to?” Leigh repeated, pulling away to look at him.
What a fool he was for letting that slip when he could not tell Leigh more. “Forgive me, I… I cannot explain. The spell prevents me from giving you details about the pact.” Even that much was difficult for Tolly to say, but if he tried to explain more, the words would vanish on his tongue, unable to flow past it.
“You could lose them?” Leigh asked with the dawning fear Tolly had been holding at bay.
“I hope not.”
“I can’t grow a fin, you know.”
Tolly smiled because Leigh did not know how wrong he was. “Magic makes many things possible.” While his left hand remained tangled with Leigh’s, Tolly reached with his right to draw him into a kiss.
A honk from below startled them, one of the last cars leaving with smiling faces inside. Tolly and Leigh both laughed as they broke apart, that rare, lovely flush in Leigh’s cheeks again.
“Hey, umm, I think I’m ready to try—”
Leigh’s phone cut him off, sounding with Alvin’s ringtone—the only reason Leigh had not put it on silent.
“Yeah?” Leigh answered, and Tolly was close enough that he could hear Alvin on the other end.
“I got a time and location.”
“Where?”
“East docks, that old warehouse that’s been out of commission.”
“When?” Leigh asked with hardening resolve.
“Tomorrow night.”
THE EVENING of their movie date ended with restless sleep that had nothing to do with nightmares. Getting through the day proved even more difficult, time passing like a glacier, but when evening rolled around again, it grew worse.
Tolly did not think he could feel the sort of fear he used to experience when being chased by his brethren simply by waiting to watch a group of humans meet in
a warehouse. Perhaps it was Leigh’s fear feeding into his own, but he worried as Leigh worried that this would not go as simply as they hoped.
If it went well, the detectives could do what Leigh did not wish to—take care of Vincent Moretti. But it was not the same as killing him, and Arthur Sweeney might not like that when they spoke with him later.
“It’ll be fine,” Leigh said as he had many times already. “Stay quiet and follow my lead like always. I know this warehouse and how to get there without being seen. We just have to hope it stays that way.”
Tolly had never seen Leigh like this. He was not the type to outwardly show if he was frightened, but he kept wringing his hands, his gestures more pronounced. He was scared. For himself and for Tolly.
The docks were familiar to Tolly now, but the route Leigh took them on was winding and well before the scheduled time for Jake, Rosa, and Moretti to meet. They would need to stay hidden and wait for some time, something Tolly and Leigh were both used to.
They talked in hushed voices, even though Tolly checked often in every direction for anyone nearing the warehouse. They were upstairs on the second level, hidden behind a well-placed beam. If someone did come up the stairs, they could easily get out before anyone was upon them. A few times Tolly hissed that a handful of people were nearby, but so far, none were the ones they wanted.
Then the appointed time drew closer, and once again Tolly nodded after sending out his vibrations, sensing two people coming from one direction and five from another, before voices and a bustle of movement alerted them that these were, in fact, the people they were waiting for.
Tolly took out his phone and began recording so Leigh could message the detectives, though he had told Tolly he would wait until he was certain all the right players were in attendance.
Vaguely, Tolly recognized Jake’s voice from the club that day and assumed the female to be Rosa. The only other person who spoke was Vincent Moretti, judging by Leigh’s reaction.
“One thing before we start,” Moretti said, and there was a scuffle, like someone being forced forward, and a far too familiar voice calling out:
“Hey!”
Leigh froze, eyes wide with dread at the sound of Ralph’s voice.
“This little rat has been seen with Hurley a few too many times. Not sure I trust his loyalty anymore.”
“He’s nothing to get your panties in a twist over, Vinny,” Rosa said, though she sounded half-bored and uncaring. “Just some brat. I thought he was the one who told you Hurley was alive before we could.”
“He was, and now he’s trying to get out. But you see, kid, once you’re in, you’re in. But if you’re out…. Well. Jake, Rosa, why don’t you do the honors to set the right example.”
In the split second before more could be said, Leigh put his phone in his pocket without messaging the detectives and stepped out from behind their hiding spot.
Chapter 10
LEIGH HAD no idea what he was doing when he stepped out from behind the beam hiding him and Tolly from view. All he knew was that if he didn’t make his presence known right that second, they were going to kill a fourteen-year-old kid.
“No wonder you have so many holes in your organization,” Leigh said as he descended the stairs, causing every head to turn—and every gun to point at him. He was packing tonight, too, he wasn’t stupid, but taking it out now would be. “You’re relying on these two to do your dirty work, Vinny, and for what? A kid you can’t muzzle? Sweeney’s laughing all the way to the bank over this one, trust me. And I’d say he’ll be here in about….” Leigh smugly looked at his watch. “Two minutes.”
At least Leigh was a good liar, but he couldn’t be sure if Moretti bought it. Everyone else looked like they might—except Ralph, who only looked terrified and was crying. They must have grabbed him from home. Leigh should have known they wouldn’t let him out easy.
“Hurley,” Moretti said with a sneer, lowering his weapon, though all five of the others remained aimed. He might as well have been a clone of his younger brother, just in a nicer suit. “You’re sticking your nose everywhere lately, aren’t you? I don’t know what you did to our guys the other day, but they couldn’t even remember going to see you. Came limping back all dazed and bloody.”
It was different men with Moretti tonight. He probably hadn’t been happy with the other three for failing to take Leigh out.
“How’d you get out of the river anyway?” Moretti asked. “Leo was pretty confident he’d offed you. A regular Houdini act? Or did you have help?”
“He’s got this cute young bodyguard hanging around,” Rosa spoke up, less nervous-looking than some but with a sharp eye moving about the room. “Maybe it was him.”
“Please,” Jake scoffed, “that pretty boy’s just around to keep Hurley’s bed warm.”
Tolly hadn’t come down the stairs. He was staying hidden—or so Leigh thought until he saw shadows moving behind the others as if someone had snuck around the second floor and dropped down without a sound.
Leigh couldn’t give away what he’d seen. He had no idea how to fix the situation, since Sweeney was not coming and neither were the detectives, but it would have been too risky to call them with Ralph in the cross fire. If Tolly could even the odds, though….
“Don’t you believe in fairy tales?” Leigh held his ground, feigning confidence he didn’t feel to put Ralph at ease. “I grew gills and swam back to shore. Happens all the time.”
Moretti cleared his throat, and the goons with him squared their guns on Leigh more seriously. “I’m gonna need a bit more than that, coz I don’t think Sweeney knows a thing or you’d have brought more backup.”
Tolly crept up on the largest goon first; Leigh could clearly see him now and took a steadying breath.
“Who says I didn’t?”
The goon howled as Tolly struck him in the back, everyone spinning in surprise, but Tolly had more than a large enough shield in the man. He snapped his arm back, relieving him of his gun, and kicked him forward into the next goon, who he charged before anyone could react. Kicking the second goon in the face as he stumbled from the first man falling on him, Tolly snatched up one of the downed guns and seized Moretti by the front of his suit, spinning him around to press the muzzle of the gun to his temple—all in the span of about ten seconds.
The final goon stared dumbstruck at his fellows moaning on the ground, one with a broken arm, another with his head nearly cracked open from that kick. Jake faltered just the same, realizing Leigh’s backup was indeed the pretty face he’d dismissed, but Rosa scanned the room again, working on a plan, Leigh could tell, so he pulled his gun finally and pointed it at her. Much as he had never thought he wanted a partner, he couldn’t deny the logic in Sweeney’s mandate for pairs.
“I don’t believe all of you have met Mr. Allen. Trust me, Jake, I don’t need more than just him and me to take you all out, so maybe we need to have a firmer discussion about the easy and hard way this might go down.”
Ralph backed away, drawing the attention of the remaining goon. This could all unravel too quickly. Were there too many people for Tolly to sing? Could he not risk it with Leigh and Ralph there? Did Leigh even want him to?
He wasn’t sure, but they couldn’t take the chance of anyone finding out what Tolly was. He knew the hardness in Tolly’s eyes was a front, but he also knew that if Leigh asked him, he’d pull the trigger and take Moretti out on his behalf, and Leigh didn’t want that.
“Sweeney had a special mission for me,” Leigh lied with that same confidence. “Wanna guess what it was?”
“He knows we’ve been playing him,” Rosa surmised with her quick eyes and mind spinning like a top.
“There’s still more of us than there are of them,” Jake growled.
“Not if Sweeney knows.” She turned to point her gun at Moretti—“I told you this was a stupid idea.”—and shot him in the head.
Everything stilled, time frozen like a picture, until Tolly released Moretti’s bo
dy and he dropped, dead weight, to the floor.
Rosa turned her gun on Jake, allowing Leigh to point his gun at the final goon. Tolly eyed the two on the ground, but neither had any intention of causing trouble, so he hurried to Ralph, who was staring wide-eyed at Moretti’s body like he couldn’t look away.
Tolly made him look away by tucking him against his shoulder, and the last goon threw his gun on the floor.
“Rosa—” Jake tried.
“Call Sweeney if he’s not already on his way,” she said to Leigh. “He wanted you to off Vinny. Now you have. I’ll take your side if you take mine. It was all Jake. I played double agent. I was loyal. Deal?”
“You bitch.”
“Right back at ya, baby.” She winked at Jake. “Is it a deal?”
Leigh couldn’t think. He could barely keep his hand from shaking.
“We did this to get away from Sweeney!” Jake cried.
“And how do you think that’s gonna play out if he’s caught us? Well, you’ll find out. Hurley, is it a deal or not?”
Tolly cast him a plaintive look as if to ask, Are you sure?
Leigh could call the detectives now, couldn’t he? Could he? It was such a mess with Ralph there and a body. He didn’t know what to do.
So he said, “Deal,” and called Sweeney instead.
He was glad Alvin wasn’t with them when they arrived, but Sweeney came himself with Mark and Selene and some grunts for cleanup. They took the goons and Jake away. Jake was swearing up a storm at Rosa, but Leigh played along that he’d planned this with her help and he’d been the one to shoot Moretti, even if he was in a daze through it all while Tolly continued to hold Ralph.
“Aww, does the youngen need a pick-me-up?” Sweeney headed their direction, but Leigh grabbed his arm to stop him.
“No flowers tonight, boss. Let me take Ralph home.”
Sweeney wasn’t often sensible minded, but he rewarded a job well done. “We’ll talk tomorrow. You did good. You too, As You Like It!” he called to Rosa. “As for Ralphy-boy….”
“He’s done,” Leigh said. “Figured helping you with Moretti would keep you off his back as he’s getting older on the streets. He’s no runner. He doesn’t want to be. He’s just a kid.”
Coming Up for Air Page 13
