Allyn and Ransom – 25

 

 

Ransom flagged down the waiter; they paid the check, tipped him, and took off. Arriving at the shore, Ransom looked questioningly at Allyn. "You really want to do this?"

 

Instead of replying, Allyn unlaced his shoes, toed them off, and stuffed his socks into them. Then, tying the laces together, slung them over his shoulder.

 

"Kids," Ransom muttered, doing the same.

 

The water was comfortably cool, the sand underfoot oozed between their toes. Allyn was almost tempted to go farther out, except for the fact he wasn't dressed for it and he wasn't about to tempt fate when he knew there were deep drop-offs in places. Unexpectedly, one drop-off was very close to him, as he found out when his foot hit the edge of it. Only Ransom grabbing him kept Allyn from taking an unexpected swim.

 

"You could have drowned," Ransom declared, not releasing his hold.

 

Allyn turned in Ransom's arms, saw the worried look on his face, and murmured, "But I had you to save me."

 

"Damned good thing, too. I'd hate to have lost you just when I've…" Ransom gazed at Allyn. "Just when I've found you again," he said huskily.

 

Allyn felt his heart lurch. "You…you mean that, don't you?"

 

"Yeah, I do. It's why the idea of you being anywhere near to that bastard…" Ransom hugged Allyn tightly.

 

"We weren't going to talk about that. Remember?" Allyn murmured.

 

"I know. I can't help thinking about it though." Ransom released Allyn, only to put his hands on Allyn's shoulders instead. "If he gets hold of you…"

 

"Ran, I'll be fine. I'm not the youngster I was way back when." Allyn smiled. "Appearances to the contrary, I do know how to take care of myself. He's just a man. Crazy, evil, but just a man."

 

"That kind of thinking can be the death of you," Ransom replied sharply before softening his tone. "For things to work out the way we're planning, you must remember, this man is dangerous—very dangerous—and clever. He is not someone to be taken lightly."

 

"Understood," Allyn said, feeling suitably chastened, even though he was fairly certain Ransom hadn't meant to do that.

 

"I'm not trying to lecture you," Ransom told him. "I just want you to come out of this alive." He put one arm around Allyn's waist, walking them both back to the sidewalk along the edge of the lake. "Alive, and preferably unscathed."

 

"I can get with that idea, especially the alive part." Allyn came to a halt, looking up at Ransom. "I think," he said quietly, "we might have plans for afterward and my being dead would sort of put a crimp in them."

 

Bending, Ransom brushed a kiss over Allyn's lips. "I definitely have several ideas when it comes to you. Most of them fairly lewd, involving you sprawled across my bed in all your naked glory."

 

"Well…" Allyn tried hard to look at Ransom as if, in his opinion, he wasn't at all certain it would happen. He failed miserably when he broke into a broad smile. "That sounds like what I was planning. Except it was my bed involved, not yours."

 

"We'll trade off?"

 

"That works." Wrapping his arms around Ransom's neck, Allyn kissed him, asking in frustration, "Do we have to wait until after this weekend and the hospital ball?"

 

Ransom nodded, smiling slightly. "Knowing what comes afterward will give us both a reason to make damned good and sure we stop the bastard."

 

"I think we already have reason enough. Damn him to hell. Still, I get what you're saying. The pot of gold at the end of the rainbow."

 

"More like the diamond at the end of a long, dark mine shaft."

 

Allyn chuckled. "That's a weird way to put it, but it works, I guess."

 

Putting his arm around Allyn again, Ransom said, "Now it's time for us to get home. I, for one, have to work tomorrow."

 

Reluctantly, Allyn nodded. As they walked back to their cars, he had a thought. "What was Ellis Patterson wearing at the masked ball?"

 

"According to his friends, he was a very flamboyant Cardinal Richelieu."

 

"So he would have been wearing red. So was Liam. And I had red accents on my costume. Do you know what Dawson wore to the 'Moonlight Gala on the River'? And what Ms Stevens had on?"

 

"Her, yes. All the servers were required to wear red shirts or… Well, I'll be damned."

 

"Let's hope not," Allyn told him, chuckling.

 

"I'll check first thing in the morning. If Dawson was also wearing red, we may know how our perp chooses his victims—or at least one part of it."

 

By then, they had reached the lot where both of them had parked. "Call me when you find out?"

 

"Of course." Ransom stopped in front of Allyn when they reached Allyn's car. Sliding one hand behind Allyn's head, Ransom kissed him with promise and a strong touch of desire.

 

Allyn returned it as given, sighing deeply when it ended. "I'd drag you home with me, but I know it wouldn't be the smartest move on my part."

 

"Or mine to let you. It will happen though. I promise." Ransom kissed Allyn again, lightly this time. "We had a good thing going before I walked away. I want that back again."

 

"You and me both," Allyn replied passionately. "All right. I'll wait for your call." He took out his phone. "What's a number where I can reach you, besides at the station?"

 

Ransom gave it to him, asking for Allyn's personal number in return. Then, after another brief but heartfelt kiss, they both headed home.