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Oh really?

“How did that go down anyway? I mean, you got a tracker on him, so you must have gotten close.”

Intimately.

“Uhh… mostly just in passing. Five minutes tops. Sleight of hand, you know.”

Sleight of Isaac’s hand first.

“Well, I hope you get something out of this,” Kevin said, “but don’t stay out too late. You’ll get back on top with Ford soon.”

It took all of Isaac’s self-control not to laugh. He certainly hoped that was true.

“Thanks,” Andrew said with the hint of a sneer only Isaac would notice. “Have a good night.”

There was another click as Kevin signed off, but Andrew didn’t immediately hang up. He had an earpiece in as well, and insteadof reaching up to disconnect the radio, he placed a hand on the gargoyle’s head and looked out over the city.

“Not too shabby a view, eh, Bruce?”

Isaac pressed the voice button, causing a fresh crackle to sound over the line, as he stepped out of hiding.

“That you, Kev? I’m heading out. Honestly, I could use a nap. I am so ready to hit the nearest mattress.”

“That an invitation?”

Andrew gripped the edge of the roof in alarm, but he didn’t see Isaac, faced away from him. “Ford?! How did you—”

“It seems Mr. Sedgwick accidentally crossed our lines. And looks like we’re alone.”

Andrew glowered, not buying the ‘accidentally’ part one bit, but it wasn’t anything he could prove. “What do you want?” he demanded, relaxing against ‘Bruce’ after his initial startle. “Yeah, we’re alone. Kevin signed off for the night.”

“Not exactly what I meant.”

Isaac waited, watching and leaning against his own ledge until Andrew felt the weight of his eyes and finally turned. Isaac waved.

The buildings were three to four meters apart, enough for a narrow alley to exist below, though the drop was still significant, and jumping across would require nerves of steel. Not that Andrew looked like he’d try that. He stared in shock at how Isaac had snuck up on him, right in his line of sight if only he’d been looking in the right direction.

“Now I have to worry about you infringing on my favorite perches?” he said, his voice distant across the rooftops but clear over the radio.

Isaac pulled out the tracker and chucked it across the expanse.

Andrew caught it, and then scowled when he realized what it was. “Can’t blame me for trying.” He shrugged and shoved it into his pocket.

“Oh, I could, but all’s fair in corporate espionage, and that wouldn’t be nearly as fun as the punishment I promised you.” Isaac made a point to drift his gaze slowly down the length of Andrew’s body, dressed as he’d been that morning in a pressed button down and slacks with a long navy trench coat that revealed a flash of red interior when he moved. “You do owe me one.”

Irritation crossed Andrew’s face, followed by curiosity, a glance around to be sure they were alone on their respective rooftops, and then a slow, creeping interest. “If I agreed with that… what would you want?”

Chapter 2

ANDREW

Aflutterofnervesstirred in Andrew’s stomach. He still couldn’t believe he’d allowed Ford to touch him earlier, let alone such intimate skin on skin contact in a crowded room of his former peers—who were also police. But the memory of Ford’s hand on him had occupied his thoughts far more than stealing back business.

He should put an end to this, tell Ford off, tell him it was never happening again, and leave. But even just the thought of Ford’s touch, in public like that while still in secret, shot a spike of excitement through him, and he shuddered under his familiar stare.

Ford looked so good in actual clothes instead of in a prison jumpsuit or stolen uniform—sleek, simple attire in all black that made his blond hair stand out starkly in contrast. Like the tattoos Andrew knew were hidden beneath the layers.

“If I agreed with that… what would you want?” Andrew asked.