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The house was quiet as he exited, either a very good sign or a bad one.

He kept his enigmatic expression in place when he stepped out onto the porch and saw Aodhan and Calix standing by the sleek black hover car they only took out on occasions like this.

It was registered under an alias that couldn’t be linked back to them, though that was an extra precaution he didn’t really need, considering who he was.

Connects could get away with just about anything.

Calix’s gaze dropped to the mask in his hand as he approached.

“You don’t seem surprised,” Titus said.

“Kind of figured it was you that night,” he drawled. “Not many can affect people’s emotions, and I doubt you’d let Aodhan get away with hooking up with someone else.”

“I won’t let you get away with it either.

” He cornered the detective against the side door of the car while Aodhan snickered and went to turn the vehicle on.

“Fair warning, I’ll be pumping aphrodisiacs into the air at this party as well, after the main event.

I heard you were propositioned the last time. ”

“Just some woman,” Calix shrugged, but it was obvious he was uncomfortable. Still, he knew better than to ask Titus to step back.

Progress.

He captured Cal’s chin. “Tonight isn’t a game.”

“It’s a test. I’m aware.”

Every day that passed, the detective proved to him more and more that he’d botched his last case on purpose.

Whether that was because he’d grown suspicious of Titus and Aodhan, or simply because his heart hadn’t been in it, it didn’t really make a difference.

How Calix felt about them was constantly changing.

“You’ll really behave?” Titus asked.

Calix scowled but still didn’t pull away or shove him back. “Connects are said to be experts at mental manipulation. I started keeping my eyes out for it after Troya told me what you are.”

“And?”

“I know what you’re trying to do—What you’re doing,” he corrected himself.

“You’ve shown me Aodhan is obsessed with me and you’re the only one who can keep him from accidentally pushing things too far.

You’ve made it clear you can be caring and nice so long as I stay in line.

But, Titus? None of that proves to me you really want to take me as your Third. ”

For the first time since they took him over a month ago, Calix sounded somewhat open to the idea.

Yes, definitely progress.

“Even if I changed my mind later on,” Titus replied, “the bond is unbreakable. Once we form it, I couldn’t get rid of you. Neither could Aodhan.”

“All that guarantees is I’ll spend the rest of my life trapped. There’s a difference, you know? A difference between being forced to stay with people who are stuck with me, and people who actually want me.”

“Are you asking for love, Calix?” He slid his hand across his jaw and rested it over his throat, feeling the steady thump of the other man’s pulse beneath his thumb.

“Can you even give me that?” Cal held his gaze without flinching. “Are you even capable?”

Titus could lie, it would be the smarter move.

But with Calix staring up at him so earnestly, he found himself unwilling, even if it would help tie the man to him.

“I love Aodhan.” He did. Not more than himself, but as an extension of himself.

The doctor felt the same way. “I’m capable of falling in love with you, too. ”

“So you took me just because our frequencies match.”

They’d had Calix in their home for a little over a month now, and Titus didn’t monitor the conversations had between his Second and Third.

The problem with that was he didn’t know how much Aodhan had said or to what end.

It seemed like there was something specific Cal was trying to get at, but even though Titus typically was able to read the other man like an open book, he struggled to identify what was being asked between the lines.

“Do you love us?” he questioned.

“It’s been weeks,” Cal stated. “If I don’t love you, and you don’t love me, shouldn’t we call it quits? Wouldn’t that be simpler?”

He clicked his tongue. “Always trying to take the easy way out, Detective.”

“I’m no longer a detective,” he reminded.

Up until now, he’d allowed them to continue to call him that, but it seemed he’d reached his limits.

“I’m not an agent anymore. I’m nothing.” He held up a hand when Titus went to speak, stopping him.

“That’s not me being self-deprecating. A clean slate was what I wanted.

That’s the problem, can’t you see? There’s nothing clean about the two of you. You can’t give me what I want.”

“Perhaps not.” Titus released him, and it took all his willpower not to react to the flash of disappointment in Calix’s eyes.

The temptation to skip the party, drag him back upstairs, throw him on the bed, and show him how good Titus could love him was strong.

But he resisted. They were close to a breakthrough, and he wouldn’t allow his desires to cost them that.

“But I can give you what you need , little monster. That’s more important than your wants. ”

“No part of me needs to see another man get sawed in half.”

“That’s old news.” Aodhan came back around, motioning for Titus to take the driver's seat. “The theme tonight is different.”

Cal eyed him suspiciously. “What’s the theme?”

Ever the instigator, the doctor leaned forward and whispered against the curve of Cal’s ear, “Auction.”

Titus shook his head and turned away.

Tonight was either going to be the best idea he’d ever had.

Or the most foolish.