Page 19 of Dead Serious Case 5 Madame Vivienne

“That’s easy to say when it’s your nephew sniffing around him.” Chan squints at him. “I don’t want him doing anything before he’s ready, but if and when he decides he is, he’s going to do it safely. His family might be a giant bunch of wankers but he’s my family now, which means it’s my job to protect him. I’m not just talking about the mechanics of sex and not catching STIs. I’m talking about consent and respect. I want him to know how a man should treat him. Just because his birth family threw him away, I don’t want him to think of himself as disposable.”

I stand slowly and cross the kitchen to Chan, whose eyes flash fiercely. Unable to help myself and filled with so much love for this man, I wrap my arms around him and hug him tightly until I feel the tension in his slim frame ease.

“I love you, Chan,” I murmur against his cheek. “I’m so glad it was you that found him that day.” I pull back so I can look intohis eyes. “Stop worrying so much. Yes, he’ll make mistakes and stupid decisions. We all do, it’s how we learn. And even though he has all of us to watch out for him, it’s because of you that he’ll grow up confident and loved. Okay?”

Chan nods and lets out a breath.

“Besides,” Dusty adds, “the poor kid can barely string a sentence together around someone he’s crushing on. I really don’t think you have to worry about him hopping into bed with anyone anytime soon.”

“You’re probably jumping the gun a bit. I know you’re fiercely protective of him but they’ve barely said hello to each other,” Danny interjects.

“That’s pretty much what Dusty just said,” I tell him.

“Well she’s right. Although I have been out of Nick’s life for a little while, he’s always been a good kid. I think him and Aidan could be good friends.”

“Oh my god.” Chan lets out a shaky breath and blinks back tears. “I feel like a bloody parent.”

I grin. “I hate to break it to you, but I’m pretty sure you are one.”

He lets out a watery laugh and wipes his eyes as Aidan and Nick reappear in the kitchen for more plates. Aidan’s eyes immediately go to Chan.

“What’s wrong?” He rushes over. “Why are you upset? What happened?”

“Nothing.” Chan shakes his head. “I’m fine.”

“Oh.” Aidan frowns, his expression morphing into one of confusion. He looks down and seeing Chan’s empty cup he nods towards it. “Um, do you want me to make you another cup of tea or something?”

“Oh, you sweet boy.” Chan brushes his cheek affectionately.

“Of course it won’t be made with Grim’s tea stirrer, but I’m sure we can muddle through,” Aidan says impishly and a laugh bursts out of Chan.

I’m not sure what Grim’s tea stirrer is, but if it has something to do with Death and the weird gifts he tends to give Chan, I’m not sure I want to know.

“Forget the tea.” Chan wraps his arm around Aidan and turns to the rest of us. “I know today was Viv’s funeral and things are difficult at the moment, but I think we need to do something happy. Therefore, I suggest we make this a double celebration. We’re celebrating the life of Madame Viv, and Danny and Tris’ engagement.”

“Oh, that’s right,” Nick says from across the kitchen. “Mum told me about that. Congratulations.”

“Thanks,” Danny and I both say at the same time.

“We’ve barely had time to do anything since you two got back from Yorkshire, what with Viv and the murder investigation.”

“Murder?” Nick’s eyes widen.

“You get used to it, trust me,” Aidan says, and I can see he’s feeling a little more confident with Chan’s arm wrapped around him. “They drop it into conversation so casually around here.”

Nick blinks. “Okaay.”

“Everyone, grab plates of food and whatever drinks you can find,” Chan announces like he’s about to lead us all into battle. “Because tonight we’re gonna party like it’s 1999!”

5

Icrack one eye open painfully and hiss at the light stabbing at my retina. My whole body aches like I’ve had the flu and, for a second, I can’t remember where I am. My glasses are lopsided and digging into the side of my skull as I try to lift my head.

Everything spins.

The tiny movement just makes the pain in my head worse and I swallow gingerly as a wave of nausea churns my belly. I close my eyes again and try to recall how I ended up like this, but I’m drawing an alarming blank.

What the hell happened? I don’t remember getting drunk; in fact, I can only recall having one drink. Then nothing.