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in chasing after Kazaran for updates. I've got other priorities.
Zane stirred, almost restlessly. It's a good position.
That'd take me away from Chicago. And you. Eli put his hand on Zane's head to keep
him there. Neither is an option. Christ. He could feel the bubbling mix of thought and emo-
tion churning through Zane. What's going on with you?
It's the opportunity of a lifetime, Zane said, somewhat muffled by Eli's hold on him. Don't
put me in front of it.
The hell I will. Saying it once hadn't made further repetition any easier; still, Eli needed to
repeat himself and would as often as possible. I don't give a damn anymore about the job of
a lifetime. You, me, that's harder to come by. I love you. That's bigger than any job.
The fight surged out of Zane. Goddamnit, Eli. He let all his weight rest on Eli. You're a
chump.
You didn't already know that? Maybe I am. But I know what I want now. Eli made up his
mind. And I'll be here while you figure out what you want. I promise.
The knock on Zane's apartment door startled them apart. What the hell? Eli stood, auto-
matically going to get it for him.
Eli, I can answer my own door, Zane protested, already working his way to his feet.
Eli pointed sharply at him. Stay.
I'm your dog now? Zane settled, though not happily. More in the disgruntled vein. Arf.
Arf.
No. You're my patient.
Zane's eyebrows shot up. Really? Okay, then. That's so much better. I thought you were
my friend. My lover.
Eli stopped in front of the door, his still-raw nerves fraying fast. Are you trying to pick a
fight?
Zane grumbled under his breath and looked away.
Fine. Let him suit himself. Eli bent to take a gander through the peephole. He drew back
with a hiss. The fuck they say. Turn off the lights. We're not home.
That got Zane's attention. He sat upright again. Now you've piqued my curiosity. Who's
there? No, wait, let me guess. He tapped the cleft in his chin.
Sherlock Holmes, you're not. Would you hush already? They'll hear us.
The walls are so thin in this place they hear my neighbors wondering why we're being
pussies about answering the door, Zane retorted. He assessed Eli's expression. You look
like you're ready to murder in cold blood. It's Richie, isn't it? Richie and-slash-or Taye.
Eli glowered. They're not welcome here.
It's my damn apartment, Eli. Zane sighed, some of the defensiveness draining away.
They came because I told them they could. Should.
You what?
I'm the one who got it in the neck, no pun intended.
Good. It wasn't funny. Eli still saw Zane, pale and still, every damn time he closed his
eyes. He crossed the room, back to Zane, and caught him by the chin to lift his face and kiss
him once, hard, trying to get his point across. It isn't just you who's been through hell this
past week. Do you see that?
I know, Zane said. And that's why they're here. If I can forgive them, you damn well can
too, and Taye thinks the sun shines out of your ass.
Excuse me?
Don't let a mistake fuck up a good friendship. Neither of us have so many that we can let
them go on a whim.
I'd hardly call what happened a whim
Eli. Eli could tell Zane had reached the end of his patience. Let them in.
Eli threw his hands in the air, literally as well as metaphorically. Fine. Fair warning: if they
cross a single line, I'm putting my foot up their asses.
Now who's the dog? Zane made faux snarling noises.
Damn him for making Eli smile, anyway. Eli firmed his mouth into the best attempt he
could work up at a neutral expression and, only because Zane asked, opened the door.
Richie wasn't a big man in the most generous of assessments. He looked smaller now, al-
most as pale as Zane had been, and as miserable as a puppy left outside to shiver on a door-
step in the rain. Ah, jeez. Taye stood behind Richie, but with one arm around him, guarding
him. Bigger and stronger but no less unhappy.
Eli, Zane said behind him. Please.
Only because Zane asked. Eli stood aside and waved them through. He shut the door be-
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