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Evander clenched his jaw.“Why didn’t you tell me this last night?”

“It was only today that we confirmed Tom Simmons’s resignation letter was likely forged, and Lord Fairfax informed us about the dead man and five more disappearances,” Viggo retorted.“That’s why I came to find you tonight.”

Evander’s temper flared.“You could have sent a note, Viggo.”

“I was gathering evidence first,” Viggo shot back.“I wanted to be certain before I brought it to your attention.And I wanted to do so in person.”

Evander scowled.“That’s rich coming from the man who just castigated me for not immediately sharing information about Leon!”

Chapter22

Viggo’s face darkened.“That’s different.”

“Is it?”Evander crossed his arms.“You criticise me for not mentioning a former lover who arrived in London this morning, yet you’ve been investigating multiple disappearances for almost two days without a word to me.”

“Perhaps I would have been more forthcoming if I’d been certain I would have your full attention,” Viggo said, his voice dangerously low.“Or is your focus divided nowadays?”

Evander’s magic flared with his anger, sending a chill across the room.“If you’re suggesting I have any interest in rekindling things with Leon?—”

“You seemed quite cozy at dinner.”Viggo stepped closer, looming over him.

“Like I already told you, we were discussing the case!”Evander hissed, refusing to back away despite the intimidating wall of muscle before him.“Besides, I made it abundantly clear to him that I am already in a relationship.”

Something shifted in Viggo’s expression.“You did?”

“Yes, you stubborn ox!”Evander threw up his hands.“I explicitly told him I have a lover I am wholeheartedly committed to.”

Viggo studied his face intently.

“I am not interested in Leon, Viggo,” Evander continued, his voice softening.“What we had ended years ago and not amicably at that.”

Viggo blinked.His face grew stormy.“Don’t tell me that French bastard cheated on you?!”

Evander shook his head.“He didn’t.In a way, it would have been better if he had.He just…wasn’t there for me when I needed him most.”He reached up and cradled Viggo’s face between his palms, his thumbs tracing the sharp lines of his cheekbones.“My heart is spoken for, Viggo,” he murmured.“Surely you know that by now.”

Viggo’s expression loosened marginally, his large hands coming to rest on Evander’s waist.“I don’t like the way he looks at you.”

“That makes two of us,” Evander admitted.“But Leon’s feelings are irrelevant.What matters is that we have multiple disappearances that appear to be connected to dark magic, including two professors who were researching magical transference.”

Viggo released a heavy breath.“You’re right.”His fingers tightened on Evander’s waist.“But I still don’t appreciate being kept in the dark.”

“Nor do I,” Evander countered.“We’re supposed to be partners in this, Viggo.Not just in bed, but in our work as well.”

Viggo was silent for a long moment, his dark eyes searching Evander’s face.He pulled Evander against his chest without warning and cradled the back of his head with one hand.

“I apologise,” he said gruffly, the words muffled against Evander’s hair.“I should have told you about the disappearances yesterday.”

Evander melted into the Brute’s solid embrace, the tension draining from his body.“And I should have mentioned Leon immediately.”He pulled back slightly and looked up into Viggo’s face, a soft smile curving his lips.“No more secrets between us, agreed?”

Viggo’s eyes darkened.“Agreed.”

He lowered his head and captured Evander’s mouth in a kiss that started gentle but rapidly blazed into something fierce and possessive.Evander gasped against his lips, his body responding instantly to the familiar heat of Viggo’s touch.

Viggo growled low in his throat, his hands sliding down to Evander’s buttocks.He lifted him effortlessly against his chest.Evander wrapped his legs around Viggo’s hips, his fingers tangling in the Brute’s dark hair as the kiss deepened.

“Bed,” Evander gasped when they broke apart for air, his manhood aching where it dug insistently into Viggo’s belly.“Upstairs.”

A wicked gleam entered Viggo’s eyes.He shifted his grip and hoisted Evander over his shoulder like a conquering warrior with his spoils.