“Well, I didn’t think so. But I’m beginning to wonder.” There was a raw hurt in Cross’s voice that made Rusty move up closer beside him, shoulder and hip against his in silent support. Cross threw a grateful glance up at him.
LaCroix said, “When Amy told me you were in danger, I ran out of a meeting. Borrowed a plane from a friend, since Marie has ours in Japan.”
“Marie!” Cross exclaimed. “I should let her know I’m okay.” He pulled out a phone, snapped a selfie that included Rusty, then sent it. Rusty saw him add,~I made Amy earn the big bucks today, but we’re fine. Pelicans are now my favorite bird.
He kept the screen tilted to Rusty as Marie answered back,~Don’t do this shit to me, baby bro. I’m at the airport right now.
Cross sent,~Stay put. I mean it, we’re fine. Dad’s here. He can keep you updated.
~Are you sure?
~Positive. Have some lunch and relax.
“Lunch?” Rusty asked.
“Sixteen-hour time difference. It’s eleven-thirty tomorrow morning there.”
Rusty was suddenly aware that it was early evening and he hadn’t eaten in much longer than he’d planned. His stomach grumbled loudly.
Cross laughed. “And we’ll get some dinner. A pity it won’t be Fedora pizza but maybe another time.”
“Now, RJ…” his father began.
“Nope.” Cross stuck his phone away in his pocket. “You’re not invited, Dad. Maybe we can have breakfast, if I’m over being mad at you and you decide to stick around.Andif you can be polite to Rusty.”
“Your mother’s on her way—” LaCroix cut himself off. “You know, breakfast is good. We will both be there. If you’re headed back to Portland, I can get a suite up at the Silver Regency. What time shall I order breakfast for?”
Rusty had to admire LaCroix’s persistence. Apparently Cross couldn’t resist it either, because he mumbled, “Maybe nine.”
“I have to work,” Rusty pointed out.
“Not if the power’s still out at the community center, and if it isn’t, well, you might want to call in sick, at least till we figure out if there’s going to be fallout.”
Amy came striding in at his words. “Not too much, if I can help it.” She glared at Cross, though. “Now maybe you’ll listen to me about personal security?”
“Thanks for the empathy,” Cross drawled.
To Rusty’s shock, Amy grabbed Cross in a tight hug. “Dammit, kid, you took years off my life.”
“It wasn’t his fault,” Rusty pointed out. “We weren’t doing anything.”
“Except apparently dating a sociopath,” LaCroix chipped in.
“They reported Wellington to me, Pierre,” Amy told him, her voice cooling. “The threat should’ve been neutralized.”
“So what happened?” Cross asked, which Rusty appreciated since he really wanted to know how a guy he thought was just a pathetic asshole, safely in jail on a drug charge, turned into a kidnapper with a gun.
“As far as we can tell, he talked about having a way to get at a billionaire to an older ex-con sharing his cell while waiting for trial,” Amy said. “That guy bailed them both out, and they planned the kidnapping together. Wellington told the ex-con that if they lured Rusty, they could get hold of you without running into your security.” She arched an eyebrow at Cross and let her tone rise.
Cross huffed. “Okay, I hear you. But it was mostly bad luck.”
Amy’s attitude wilted a bit. “To be fair, it was also my error in not making sure Wellington stayed behind bars where we put him. He was strung out, desperate, and managed to hook up with just the wrong guy, someone who already had a history of violence and extortion. Wellington is now spilling everything he can think of to pin all the blame on his accomplice, and on Rusty for mistreating him. Won’t work, but the info’s useful. Some of his ranting makes me glad Rusty wasn’t in his hands very long.”
Rusty was really fucking glad too. He shuddered. “Yes, thank you! But how do you know all this info? Cops don’t usually tell anyone shit.”
She set a finger beside her nose like the guys inThe Sting. “Trade secret.”
“Either way, we’re grateful,” Cross said. “That could’ve been bad.” He hugged Rusty against his side hard enough to make him stagger and clutch Cross’s shirt for balance.
