WELL, AT least Barry had been partly right. Leonard’s obsession and killing spree were over, but the question-and-answer portion of the saga lasted for hours. Phillip was finally so tired of answering questions that he leaned across the table in his conference room and pointed a finger at the detective in charge of the case.
“I’m done. I spoke to the police on two occasions and told them what I thought was happening, and they didn’t do anything. So stop with the accusations or I’ll call my lawyers. I’ll have so many layers of them on you, you’ll be old and gray before you ever speak to me again about anything.” He stood and pulled open the door. “Barry, the detective is done.”
“Let’s go home.”
Phillip actually chuckled out of frustration. “And where is that? My loft, your house, or Heston’s? I’ve stayed so many places in the last few days, I have no idea where home is anymore.” Nothing felt right at the moment.
“We’re going to your loft, and you can sleep in your own bed tonight.” Barry guided him out toward the elevators, past his office, where technicians were packing away their gear and finishing up. Clark had said that he would arrange to have the window fixed, and Phillip was too tired to bother with much else.
They waited for the elevator in the otherwise empty office area. “You know the cop is only doing his job,” Barry added.
“I know, but I can only take so much.” The doors slid open, and Phillip walked inside with Barry right behind him. As soon as the doors closed, Barry took the computer bag, set it on the floor, and hauled him into a nearly bruising hug, kissing him hard. Phillip held Barry right back, returning the kiss with every ounce of energy he had.
“Damn, you were so hot,” Barry whispered when they drew apart. “You kept your head and stayed strong, and that’s incredibly attractive. I also liked hearing you go all alpha on the detective. He needed to back off a little.” Barry didn’t let him go until the elevator doors opened again and they stepped out.
“Where did Heston go?”
“He was done, so I told him to go on home. There was nothing else he could do for us.”
Phillip nodded. “Once we have a chance to rest, I think we need to have a dinner or something for the people who helped us.” Barry agreed, and before they knew it, Barry was pulling up to Phillip’s building.
They rode up in the elevator, and Phillip unlocked the door. He wasn’t sure what he was going to find. Had Leonard decided to take his frustrations out on his home? But opening the door, he stepped back into the loft, which looked the same as he’d left it.
“We need to get something to eat,” Barry said, obviously trying to take Phillip’s mind off of that afternoon. Then he started going through his kitchen, pulling containers out of the freezer and popping them in the microwave. Phillip sat on the sofa, making calls to his friends to let them know he was fine.
“I saw the news,” Mark said as soon as he answered the phone. “My God, are you okay? Did you get hurt?”
“We’re okay. Barry is here with me. I think I’m going to sleep for a week.” He sure as hell felt like that was what he needed.
“Okay. But you know everyone is going to descend on your place tomorrow, just to make sure you’re fine. The story is all over the news about how you guys stopped a killer, and they said that the car explosion was related.”
Phillip groaned. “Yeah, my assistant was a serial killer. Maybe I should write a book. That would be a great title, don’t you think?”
Mark chuckled. “Maybe, if you hadn’t had to live it. I’ll be over in the morning with some breakfast, and then we can all go down to your office. You can do whatever you need to in order to get things moving and answer your staff’s questions before getting out of there again.” Sometimes Mark could be bossy, but in a good way.
“I think I need a vacation,” Phillip said.
“So get the ship righted again, then take one. I’m sure Mr. Hot and Hunky there will be the perfect traveling companion.” Mark sighed. “Just take care of yourself, and don’t let the police or the reporters drive you crazy.”
Phillip paled and closed his eyes. “I’m more concerned about the people who are dead.” He sighed. “I’ll take care of any reporters who show up.” Now that he’d been through the worst life could hand him, Phillip wasn’t going to shy away from anything.
“Just let me at the reporters. I’ll scare the shit out of all of them.” Barry flashed a smile and returned to the kitchen.
“I think Barry has the reporters covered,” Phillip told Mark. He was still so keyed up, his mind just refused to shut down, even if his body was worn out. “I’ll call you tomorrow. Please let everyone else know that I’m okay and will talk to them soon. Maybe you can all come over here for Friday dinner this week.”
Mark chuckled. “Are you going to cook?”
“God, no. I’ll have someone make something special. I promise. See you all at seven.” Phillip was already starting to feel a little more normal.
“I’ll pass the word,” Mark promised and ended the call. Barry brought over the heated-up dinner and handed Phillip a plate. They sat next to each other on the sofa. Phillip held his plate, staring at the scalloped potatoes, but didn’t pick up the fork.
“I’m not sure what I should say.” He lifted his gaze to Barry. “You saved me, and—”
Barry set his plate on the coffee table. “I guess I need to know what you’re thinking, because this sounds pretty bad.” The wariness was clear in his voice.
“No. I mean, you saved my life—”
Barry shook his head. “You did that. You kept Leonard talking long enough for us to get there so we could help.” Barry lightly bumped his shoulder. “What else is on your mind? I can see those gears grinding behind your eyes.”
“Okay. I’m just going to ask. What happens now?”
Barry smiled. “Well, first thing, you and I are going to finish eating, then we’re going to put the dishes in the sink, and I’m going to take you to bed.” He leaned closer. “You may not have the energy right now, but I’m thinking I can arrange for a really special wake-up call.” He winked, and Phillip felt himself blushing.
“No, I mean….” He swallowed. Why was this so hard to ask? Phillip didn’t want to revert to his old attitude, but it was hard. His history was so abysmal with guys. He knew why now, and that all sucked. For years, he had thought there was something wrong with him. But no, there had been something wrong with Leonard, a man he’d allowed into the very center of his life. “What happens…? What’s next with you and me?”
Barry shifted so he faced him, one knee up on the cushion. “I love you, Phillip. I want you, and I want to date and have dinners on Fridays with your friends. I want to plan vacations together.” He snickered. “Hell, I’ll even find you a new assistant, one you’ll be able to trust. Maybe someone with a touch of military efficiency. I know some guys I could put you in touch with who are efficient, manage multiple tasks well, and know how to keep a secret.” Barry leaned even closer. “I guess what I’m saying is that I want to try building a life with you.”
“Oh.” Phillip swallowed. “I want that too.”
“When I saw Leonard, with his gun pointed at you, I was so damned torn. I wanted to rush in there and tear him limb from limb. The thought of him anywhere near you had me seeing red. Then I realized he held your life in his hands, and that scared the crap out of me. I kept wondering what my life would be like without you.” He blinked. “And I came to a conclusion. My life would be just like it has been since I got out of the corps: aimless and empty.” He took Phillip’s hands. “You filled my life. And not just with action and intrigue, but with warmth and care. I love you, Phillip, and I want us to figure out a path forward. But there’s one thing I need.”
“What’s that?” Phillip barely managed to say.
“I need to know what you want.” Barry cocked his eyebrows in that way he had that made him look like an overgrown teenager, and suddenly Phillip remembered the college student he had tutored all those years ago.
“I want you too. More than anything.” Phillip’s heart was full to overflowing. Yeah, that may have been the first, fresh flush of love as it bloomed, but he didn’t care. Phillip was no teenager, and he knew what he wanted and what he was willing to fight for. “Because I love you too. So yes, let’s date, and go on vacations, have Friday dinner with friends. Does that sound like the life you want?”
“Oh, yes.” Barry smiled. “So, I’m invited this week?”
Phillip chuckled. “I was hoping you’d be the one to do the cooking.” He hugged Barry, and for a while, their plates were forgotten as Phillip leaned forward, kissing Barry, sending him sprawling back on the sofa. Barry wrapped his arms around him, and Phillip nestled right into his embrace, willing to stay there forever if he could. “You know, you and I should eat in order to keep our strength up.”
“Yes, I think you’re right.” Barry chuckled but didn’t move, except to lean forward and kiss him again.