Heart of Glass (Heart's Desire Book 2) by Gabrielle Evans

Author:Gabrielle Evans [Evans, Gabrielle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: PECCAVI PRESS
Published: 2024-02-21T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter five

Xeno’s watch read well after midnight by the time Lachlan received his discharge papers from the nurse. He’d been treated for minor smoke inhalation and a bruised hip, but he hadn’t complained once as the staff poked and prodded at him multiple times. The doctor prescribed a month’s supply of painkillers and plenty of rest for the next two weeks, but he assured them both that Lachlan would suffer no lasting damage.

“All ready,” Lachlan announced as he hobbled out of the triage on a pair of crutches. “They’re not as cool as my cane, but they’ll do until I can get something more manageable.” For someone who had almost been burned alive, he appeared in high spirits.

Xeno, however, hadn’t stopped shaking since they’d escaped the blaze. He’d lived through wars, famines, and plagues, but he’d never known true fear until he’d smelled the smoke seeping through the cracks around Lachlan’s door. Listening while the author explained the circumstances of the fire to the police had both terrified and angered him, and Xeno had come to an important decision.

Lachlan needed a keeper.

Clearing his throat, he offered a wobbly smile and dipped his head to press a kiss to Lachlan’s temple. “Grady’s waiting for us out front. You’ll stay with us until you find a new place.”

“Thank you, Xeno. For everything. If you don’t mind giving up your sofa for the night, I’ll be able to pull some money from the bank in the morning.”

“You’ll need your ID to do that.”

“Nah.” Lachlan shrugged as much as his crutches would allow. “Shadow Hills is a small town. Everyone knows me at the bank.”

“Then what?” The panic returned, squeezing Xeno’s heart with its icy fingers. Rationally, he knew Lachlan to be a grown man who could take care of himself. He’d cheated death twice, though, and eventually, his luck would run out. His brain said to let Lachlan make his own decisions and not hover. His heart told him not to let the guy out of his sight.

“I’ll rent a hotel room until I can find a new apartment.”

Neither of them spoke on the elevator ride to the first floor, not that Xeno didn’t have plenty more to say. He acknowledged it was too soon to ask the man to move in with him permanently, too soon by human standards at any rate, but he couldn’t deny the idea held appeal.

“Hey, Gimpy,” Grady teased while Xeno helped Lachlan into the backseat. “Ya know, if you wanted out of your lease that bad, you could have just paid the penalty.”

“Grady, you’re such an ass.” Smiling with false sugariness, Lachlan puckered his lips and blew air kisses when Grady flipped him off.

They fought like a damn married couple, clearly comfortable with one another. On one hand, at least the living situation wouldn’t be awkward. On the other hand, the familiarity caused Xeno’s jaw to clench in an uncharacteristic display of jealousy.

“Have you eaten?” Sliding into the front passenger seat, he buckled his seatbelt and shifted to look around the headrest.

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