Page 25 of A Thousand Cuts

Midas finally released his grip, and Fix was sure he was about to walk away and escape the awkward encounter while he had the chance.

Only…he didn’t.

In fact, he bent as well to start gathering the papers slowly and precisely.

Avery’s head snapped up in surprise, glasses falling down the bridge of his nose. The papers he’d already started gathering fell uselessly to the floor again.

Fix bit back his laugh. It really was kinda cute. Avery was arguably one of the most intelligent people he’d ever met—his knowledge of casts and curses in his purview was unmatched—yet in front of Midas he turned stupid and foolish.

Midas gathered the papers while Avery stared at him gathering the papers, and together it was cleaned up in a few moments. Midas finally looked up and offered the stack to Avery.

Which broke him out of his daze. He signed. “They’re for you.”

Midas looked down at them with disinterest as he got back to his feet. Avery hopped up after him like an eager rabbit, clasping his hands together at the small of his back. One of his long socks had slipped down his calf.

Midas flicked his eyes back up to Avery under his lashes and nodded, signing a simple, “Thanks,” before taking the papers and continuing on toward the hallway.

Avery stared after him with stars in his eyes, craning his neck to make sure he got every last glimpse while he could.

Fix shuffled toward Taylor, who seemed equally enthralled by the turn of events.

“I’ve never seen him stick around like that before,” she murmured out of the corner of her mouth.

Fix shook his head. “Nope.”

“Was he in a good mood this morning? Woke up on the bright and cheery side of the bed?”

“Not that I’m aware of.”

Maybe breaking and entering was the key to Midas’s happiness?

“I’ll be going now, um, have a good morning…afternoon…day of the month…” Avery rambled dreamily, barely paying them any notice as he nearly walked into the doorframe on his way out.

“Have a good day!” Taylor called after him in a faux-sugary tone. “Come again soon!” Then she said to Fix, “Definitely strange. You should check him for curses immediately.”

Fix didn’t think it was that bad, but then he remembered Hart and shuddered. “I’ll do it now. Anything for me while I’m here?”

“Nothing, Daddy.”

“I told you—”

“FIX!”

They both spun toward the door to find Liam silhouetted there like an avenging angel, his pale hair catching the sun and creating a burning glow around him.

“YOU BROKE INTO MY APARTMENT AND BROKE MY CURSES WITHOUT MY CONSENT!”

Fix grimaced as the words echoed around the space. He could hear office doors opening farther down the hall. Mary could probably hear it in the basement.

“Scratch that,” Taylor said cheerily. “I have something for you.”

Chapter 5

Liam

“How about we step into my office?” Fix said calmly.

Liam wanted to scream. Well, more than he already had, anyway.