Page 2

Heat warmed Evander’s cheeks at his lover’s blunt admission.Viggo wasn’t exactly wrong.He’d initiated their lovemaking the previous evening and had worked the Brute to his very limits.

Judging from Viggo’s heated gaze, food wasn’t the only thing he was hungry for.

“Very good, sir,” Hargrove said brightly.“I shall add an additional table setting.”

Viggo and Hargrove exchanged a smile.

“You two are getting along mighty well,” Evander noted sharply.

“I’m not sure what you mean, my Lord.”Hargrove’s expression turned suspiciously innocent.“As someone in charge of your physical well-being, may I express how pleased I am that you no longer have a need for your…toy.”

Evander drew a horrified breath at this blatant betrayal of trust.

“What toy?”Viggo’s gaze swung from Evander’s accusing glare to Hargrove’s unrepentant grin.

The manservant glanced pointedly at the bedside table.

Viggo frowned and leaned over to open the drawer.

A violent burst of wind slammed it closed, startling the Brute.

“Silence is an underestimated virtue, Jasper,” Evander fairly growled as he retracted his magic.“I’m sorry, Viggo,” he added briskly, not quite meeting his lover’s eyes.“There are certain matters I would prefer to keep private.”

Suspicion wrinkled Viggo’s brow at his evasive behaviour.He studied the drawer as if he intended to make it his mission to find out what was inside.

Hargrove rocked back on his heels, eyes fairly twinkling.

Evander had little inclination to reveal to his lover that he’d once procured an enchanted device from the exclusive sex club he occasionally attended in Bloomsbury so as to satisfy his libido on those lonely nights when his needs could not be satisfied with his hands.He had no doubt he would forever be teased for it if he did.

“Incidentally, Mrs.Sinclair would like to know if Mr.Stonewall will be present for luncheon,” Hargrove continued, as if he hadn’t just thrown the cat among the pigeons.“She is finalising the menus for the week.”

Evander and Viggo traded a glance, the question highlighting the still-uncertain nature of their arrangement.They had fallen into a pattern of sorts since they became lovers, Viggo spending several nights a week at the Mayfair townhouse.But neither had broached the subject of more permanent plans.

It was a topic Evander was aware they were both carefully avoiding while they navigated a burgeoning relationship neither of them could have anticipated a few weeks ago.

“I’m afraid I have matters to attend to at Nightshade this afternoon,” Viggo said lightly, sparing Evander from having to answer.“Please convey my regrets to Mrs.Sinclair.”

“As you wish, sir.”Hargrove dipped his head graciously.He turned his attention back to Evander, his face growing serious.“There is a message from Scotland Yard among your correspondence, my Lord.The constable who relayed it pressed upon me the urgency of the matter.”

Evander’s brow furrowed as he lifted the sealed envelope from the tray.The familiar insignia of the Arcane Division was stamped in the wax.

“Thank you, Jasper.That will be all for now.”

The manservant bowed and departed, closing the door behind him with a soft click.

Evander sat on the edge of the bed and broke the seal.

“Trouble?”Viggo inquired.He looped his arms around Evander’s waist from behind and kissed the side of his neck.

Evander unfolded the message and scanned the contents.“Potentially.Commander Winterbourne wants to meet urgently.”He frowned.“Something must have happened.”

Viggo’s fingers flexed involuntarily on his belly.“Isn’t today your first rest day in over a week?”

“It is,” Evander admitted guilty.

Unease swirled through him as he studied Winterbourne’s missive.

It was rare for his commander to demand his presence so pressingly, especially on his long overdue day off.As one of the most formidable magical duelists in the history of the Metropolitan Police, Reginald Winterbourne was not a man who could be easily rattled.