Page 25 of Pointy Ears and Purple Glitter (Quirk of Fate #5)

Inside, with the doors locked and security system armed, Malik finally allowed himself to relax marginally. Ian made coffee while Tynan booted up the laptop.

“So what now?” Ian asked, handing mugs around. “Do we call the police?”

Malik and Tynan exchanged another look. The police weren’t going to be a lot of help.

“It’s probably not the best idea,” Tynan said hesitantly.

“At the moment, from what you said, all we could report is that a couple of men were following you and trying to warn you to stop working here, for whatever reason. That’s hardly a crime. ”

“We need to be more careful,” Malik said finally. “All of us. No one goes anywhere alone. Ian, I’m driving you home tonight and picking you up tomorrow morning.”

“And we need to accelerate our search for Hayley,” Tynan added. “That Instagram post from last night might be the key. If we can trace where it came from...”

“I can do that,” Ian offered eagerly. “There are tools online that can help narrow down the location.”

“Good,” Malik nodded. “But we work together on this. No solo investigating.”

The workshop phone rang, cutting through the tension. Malik answered, half expecting more trouble.

“Malik’s Motors.”

“Is this Malik?” A familiar female’s voice asked.

“Speaking.”

“This is Joanne from the bakery, again. You were just in here with that red-headed young man.”

Malik tensed. “Yes?”

“Those men who were watching him - they came back after you left. Asked questions about you and your friend with the silver hair.” Her voice lowered. “I didn’t tell them anything, but thought you should know. They seemed dangerous.”

“Thank you, Joanne. I appreciate the warning.”

“Be careful,” she added before hanging up.

Malik set the phone down, feeling the weight of responsibility settle more firmly on his shoulders. The threat was escalating, becoming more direct. And now it wasn’t just him and Tynan at risk - it was Ian, and possibly others in their orbit.

“We need a plan,” he said, looking at Tynan. “A real one. Because this is only going to get worse before it gets better.”

/~/~/~/~/

Malik closed and locked the workshop doors after a tense day.

The normalcy of working on engines had helped calm his inner rhino, but his protective instincts remained on high alert.

The shop had stayed busy enough that they hadn’t had time to formulate a proper plan, though they’d agreed that Ian would go home earlier, and Malik would personally drive him there.

“All set?” Tynan asked, emerging from the office with Sparky perched on his shoulder. He’d spent most of the day researching ways to trace the Instagram post’s location.

“Just about.” Malik nodded, wiping his hands on a shop rag. “I’ll take Ian home first, then we can figure out our next steps.”

After dropping Ian off - and having a brief, reassuring conversation with his concerned mam - Malik drove back to the workshop in thoughtful silence. Tynan sat beside him, silver hair catching the fading light.

“I’m worried about him,” Tynan finally said. “Ian shouldn’t be involved in this.”

“I know.” Malik’s hands tightened on the steering wheel. “But he is, whether we like it or not.”

When they returned to their apartment, Malik triple-checked all the locks and security systems before going to look for his mate. He found Tynan at the kitchen counter, surrounded by notes and his laptop.

“I think we need to talk about combining our resources,” Malik said, setting two mugs of tea on the table.

Tynan looked up, brow furrowed. “What do you mean? I thought we were.”

“This situation isn’t going away. If we’re being watched, if Garrison’s people are targeting us, we need to consolidate.” Malik sat across from him. “Your office is vulnerable. You’re vulnerable when you’re there alone.”

“I’ve only been back there once since we met, and I dread to think what state my apartment might be, as I haven’t been there at all. Are you suggesting what I think you are?” Tynan’s green eyes searched Malik’s face.

“Move in. Properly.” Malik reached across the table, taking Tynan’s hand. “Bring everything from your apartment here. Close down your office and work out of the workshop.”

Tynan’s expression softened. “Are you sure? I know we’re fated, but that sounds like a big step.”

“We’re already mated,” Malik reminded him with a gentle squeeze of his hand. “I wouldn’t be happy if we were apart. And this isn’t just about us. It’s practical. Safer.”

“You’re right.” Tynan nodded slowly. “It’s not like I’m missing my apartment, and as for the office…” He glanced down at his notes. “After yesterday’s confrontation with Mrs. Cooper, I doubt I’ll have many clients seeking me out there. She’s probably blacklisted me and my business all around town.”

“You could work right out of the workshop office. Ian’s already helping you with research. I’m sure our clients wouldn’t mind seeing a handsome PI when they come to pick up their cars.” Malik’s thumb traced patterns on Tynan’s palm. “We’d be together. Safer. Stronger.”

“My lease on both places runs through the end of the month,” Tynan mused, thinking aloud. “I could pack up this weekend, be out by Monday.”

“I’ll help. And we can use my truck to move your furniture.” Malik paused, considering. “Unless there’s nothing you want to keep. Your magic seems to be doing a pretty good job of decorating these days.”

That earned him a smile, the tension in Tynan’s shoulders easing slightly. “I’ve never really felt attached to my apartment. It was just a place to sleep. The office, though, that’s a bit different. It represented something to me. Independence. Proving I could make it on my own.”

Malik understood the symbolism. “You did make it on your own. You built a business from nothing in a realm you barely understood. That takes courage. But now you’re not alone anymore.”

“No, I’m not.” Tynan’s smile widened, the bond between them humming with warmth. “And I like the idea of working out of your shop. Our shop.”

“Our shop,” Malik repeated, liking the sound of it. “We could put up a sign. ‘Malik’s Motors and Tynan Investigations.’ Has a nice ring to it.”

“It does.” Tynan’s fingers intertwined with Malik’s. “What about you, Sparky? You’ve been unusually quiet about this plan.”

“I’m processing.” Sparky hopped from a stool onto the kitchen counter. “Calculating the increase in fruitcake accessibility if we’re permanently stationed near at least two bakeries I’m currently aware of in this area.”

Malik chuckled. “I’m sure we can keep the fruitcake cabinet well-stocked.”

“Then I approve,” Sparky declared. “Plus, the workshop has more interesting hiding spots for when I need to eavesdrop on your romantic moments.”

“You do that, and I’ll pluck your tail feathers,” Tynan warned, though there was no heat in his voice.

Malik stood, pulling Tynan up with him and into his arms. The fae fit perfectly against him, a fact that never ceased to amaze Malik. “It’s settled then. This weekend, we consolidate. One home, one business location, one united front.”

“One family,” Tynan added softly, resting his head against Malik’s chest.

Malik pressed a kiss to Tynan’s silver hair, his inner rhino settling with the knowledge that his mate would be permanently under his protection. Whatever challenges they faced - Garrison, Mrs. Cooper, the mystery of Hayley’s whereabouts - they would face them together. He loved how that sounded.

However… “There’s one more thing we need to discuss,” Malik said after a moment. “We should tell Ian something about what’s happening. Not everything, but enough that he understands the danger.”

Tynan pulled back slightly to meet Malik’s eyes. “Are you sure? Humans aren’t supposed to know about paranormals.”

“I’m not saying we tell him what we are,” Malik clarified. “But he deserves to know why he’s being targeted. That these people are dangerous, and it’s not just about Hayley Cooper.”

“That’s fair.” Tynan nodded. “He’s already involved, whether we like it or not. Some context might help keep him safe.”

“Exactly. We’ll talk to him tomorrow.” Malik ran his hands up and down Tynan’s back, feeling the hidden space where his wings connected. “But for tonight, I just want to hold you and forget about everything else for a few hours.”

“I think that can be arranged,” Tynan murmured, rising on his toes to press his lips to Malik’s.

“Gods, again?” Sparky’s shriek pulled them apart. “We haven’t had dinner yet. Get your priorities right, people.”