Page 5 of Siren in Love (In Love #1)
Mike
M ike didn’t like stressful situations, but he could handle one when it came at him out of the blue. He kept pressure on Corvin’s wound and stroked his shoulder when he noticed how Corvin’s fingers were trembling on the table where they should’ve been having a quiet first date.
Time to take over .
Mike turned to the lady and her assault bag. “Do you have a card? I might have to contact you later on.”
“Erm, I… Sure.” She dug around in her murder purse.
While she was looking for her card, Mike spotted the silver buckle dulled with Corvin’s blood and a few blond hairs.
He scowled but took the card the woman handed him from her slightly shaky hands.
“I really am so sorry about this. Can I get you anything?”
She looked at Corvin, who was leaning forward, one hand covering Mike’s at the back of his head. He seems fine with me touching him and handling this. I’m glad.
“Not right now,” Mike told her. “I’m taking him to the ER to make sure he’s okay.”
She stared at Mike, blinked, then nodded and took a step back.
“You what?” Corvin’s voice was faint, and with how Mike was holding him, he couldn’t really turn his head to look into Mike’s eyes.
Mike leaned in. “Hospital. You’re bleeding a lot, and we have to make sure you’re okay.”
“W-we?”
Mike put the purse owner’s card in his inside pocket before placing his other hand on Corvin’s elbow to support him. “Yes. We. You and me, together.”
Corvin snorted, then hissed, presumably because something was hurting in an unexpected way. “So forward, Pineapple Mike.”
“Shush.”
Mike pulled out his phone to get an Uber to pick them up, hating that he didn’t have his car here to make this more comfortable for Corvin.
Then he lifted the napkins away from the back of Corvin’s head.
The fabric was already soaking through, the red spreading outward.
Partially hidden by Corvin’s shiny blond hair, the buckle had left an angry mark, and Mike dabbed at it again when blood kept welling up.
A server who had noticed the commotion came over and caught Mike’s eye. “Is everything all right here?”
Mike put on his lawyer face. “A little accident. Could you get us some paper towels, please?”
The server looked at where Corvin sat, hunched over and visibly not doing too well. The man nodded and hurried away.
“I don’t need to go to the hospital, Mike.” Corvin’s voice was still faint, and all he could do was mumble.
Mike turned to him. “Hush, you. We need to get your head checked out. You’re bleeding enough to ruin that sexy T-shirt you’re wearing, and that’s not okay. What’s your date going to think?”
Corvin snorted once more, the sound cut short when the pain hit him again. “Sexy, huh?”
“Yes, sexy.”
Corvin managed to glance up, pressing his head into Mike’s hand as he did so. “What is my date thinking?”
“Probably that going out with you is anything but dull. Taking you out is an experience. Nothing anyone could easily forget.”
“Smooth talker. Guess this is the universe getting back at me for calling this a pity date.”
Mike smiled and bent low so Corvin could see his face. “Did you ever really believe it was a pity date? Be honest.”
Corvin was pale, not a great look on him, but Mike could see the humor spark in his eyes. “I can’t answer that without my lawyer present.”
Mike felt something warm bubble up inside of him. Any siren of old would have grabbed him and dragged him out to sea to keep him. I don’t think I can let him go. If he’ll keep me.
The server picked that moment to reappear with a thick wad of paper towels that he handed to Mike. “Do you need me to call an ambulance or something?” he asked.
Mike shook his head, deposited the bled-through napkins on the table, and replaced them with the fresh ones. Corvin whimpered when he saw the blood. He was shivering all over, and Mike squeezed his arm gently.
“No, that’s all right. I already called a ride. Your name is?”
“Tim. Tim Huang,” the server said.
Mike memorized the name in case he’d need it later, nodded, and helped Corvin upright after checking their Uber was almost there.
Corvin’s movements were uncoordinated, and he wasn’t too steady on his feet.
Mike kept a firm grip on Corvin’s arm while he continued to apply pressure to the wound.
He turned and nodded at the women, then moved to leave.
“I really was looking forward to a drink, you know. With you.” Corvin managed to lock eyes with Mike, his pupils still wide with adrenaline. His smile was as shaky as the rest of him.
The server, Tim, overheard and grabbed one of the regularly changing special menus off a neighboring table, wrote something on it, and handed it to Mike.
“Here. Not a proper voucher, but two cocktails on the house when you come back. Everyone who comes for confession should have a great time in our church.”
Mike took the menu, letting Corvin lean on him. “Thanks, Tim. I’m sure we’ll use these.”
Corvin, while looking about ready to faint, wasn’t going to be silenced though. “You have to sin before confession, Pineapple Mike.” He glanced at the server. “You’re leading him astray.”
Tim took that in his stride. “It’s what we do here. Peace be with you. And feel better.”
Mike nodded at the server. “Car’s here. We should go.” As quickly as he was able, he ushered Corvin past the server, away from all the staring eyes, and toward the exit.
Outside the door, with the music and lights behind them, Corvin sucked in the cool night air. “I’m really sorry I ruined your evening, Pineapple Mike.”
“I keep telling you to hush. Besides, you heard the man. We can come back to talk about our sins.”
“Are you talking dirty to me, Mike?”
Corvin, despite his voice being reasonably steady, was swaying, and Mike put an arm around his waist.
“If you have to ask, then no, I’m not. Do you maybe want to concentrate on staying upright instead of getting deeper into this innuendo?”
Corvin started shaking his head, but cut the movement short. “Nope. It’s the innuendo that’s keeping me upright. In that spirit, how’s your pineapple doing?”
“Do you mean my carrot?”
Mike could see their car ahead, and he raised his hand to wave at the driver.
“Carrot? You’re calling it a carrot? Then what’s getting you to confession, huh? Playing rabbit?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Bunnies are cute. You’re cute too.”
Corvin leaned against Mike’s side. “But carrots are pointy, Mike. Is yours pointy?”
Mike chuckled. “It wasn’t the last time I checked.”
“This might be the blood loss talking, but I think I should check for you. What if you hurt someone with that carrot of yours? I’d feel responsible.”
Mike leaned forward. Corvin kept his eyes mostly shut, completely trusting Mike to lead him. This human. No other. I want him.
“And how do you figure that?”
“Because, Mike, you and I went to church together. You might even say we went to church together together. I feel I should handle your pointy bits.”
“You make a convincing argument, but we’re going to see a doctor first.” Mike tightened his hold when a cobblestone made Corvin stumble.
“You really don’t need to take me to the hospital. I’m sure it’ll stop bleeding soon. Maybe it already did?”
Mike rolled his eyes. “Does it feel like it stopped bleeding?”
“Uhm…”
“Exactly.” He looked at Corvin, who was focusing on the cobblestones at their feet, presumably in an attempt to keep vertical.
His face was utterly pale and his lips bloodless.
If he grows any more insistent about not seeing a doctor for this cut, I’ll use my song on him.
I’ll hate myself afterward, but he’s hurt .
“Look, I know I don’t need to take you, but I’m doing it anyway.
Our Uber’s already here. Let me know if you feel lightheaded. ”
“I feel lightheaded,” Corvin said, his voice faint as a high note from a reed flute.
“I got you. Lean on me.” Mike pulled Corvin closer. He ran his hand down to Corvin’s, feeling the clammy skin there. “I’ve got you, honey,” Mike hummed. “It’s going to be fine.”
“I am feeling fine…” Corvin’s voice resembled a wind chime moved by a breeze now; faint and fleeting.
The driver was already holding the door for them, and Mike helped Corvin inside. In a low whisper, well beyond human hearing, Mike repeated, “I’ve got you, Corvin. I’ve got you.”