Chapter 64
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Manhattan, Zachary’s, 4 P.M.
“I feel great, but how I got there, I’m not so sure about that,” Julio told Donal as they piled into the limousine. “I’ve been buffed, polished, massaged, and had my face covered in goo. I can’t believe how good it felt to lie there and have Helena take care of me.”
“I love your new haircut, but why so conservative?” Donal playfully nudged his friend.
“I can still jazz it up with mousse, color, and modeling clay, but I like the way it looks.” Julio ran his hand through his hair. “I had a feeling that it was time for a more mature look now that I’m not hooking. I’ll always be fairly small, like you, but it doesn’t mean that I have to look or behave like I’m fourteen. Are you ready to leave tomorrow?”
Donal settled back into the leather seat of the limousine. “We’re going for my photo ID in the morning while Boris, Katya, Grigory, and Vasily pack. After that, they’ll pick us up at the DMV, and we’ll meet the others at the airport. Next time you can go with us.”
“I don’t know if I’m made for the mountains. I’m a city boy.” Julio glanced out the window. “Drop me off here. I’ll take the subway uptown.”
“Are you sure?”
Julio nodded. “I’m sure.”
“Do what he says,” Colin told Donal. “Marc insisted on bringing his limo to my apartment in Hell’s Kitchen, and someone broke in and burglarized the place. We almost walked in on them, and they had a knife. They dropped it on the fire escape. Scared the shit out of me. I agreed to go home with Marc that night and wound up agreeing to marry him.”
“Well, there is no one on the horizon to marry me, so I’ll move into my new apartment while you guys are gone, and you can visit when you come back. I have to go. Kiss Kiss, Donal.” With a small wave, Julio got out of the limousine.
“He is certainly a character, very fem.” Colin watched Julio stroll away.
“He’s my friend…” Donal snapped.
Colin put up his hand. “That wasn’t a complaint. I’ve met Alphas whose Mates were trannies. I’m a whatever-floats-your-boat type of guy.”
“I’d dress a little fancier if I didn’t teach school. I’d love to be able to wear guy liner.” Kane gave Colin the evil eye.
“Hey, I didn’t mean anything bad, it was just an observation.” Colin leaned toward Donal. “We all like Julio and are especially grateful to have you, for Alexei. We’d do most anything for him. That’s why Alexei wants to try to fix him up with Alpha Daurensbourg, to keep him around.”
Donal calmed down. “I know I have to keep our secrets, but I don’t want to lose Julio.” Donal was adamant.
“Alexei told Gabriel yesterday that he thinks the gods had a reason for putting you and Julio together. That’s why he is so anxious for Julio to meet Daurensbourg. He plans on giving Giraud and Bellaire a chance, but Etienne is the one responsible for getting Alexei out of Russia, and he’s a close friend.” Kane observed. “If I were in charge, Julio would be for Etienne.”
Donal sighed. “Why wasn’t he at the birthday party?”
“Pack problems in Chicago. Is that where Alpha Daurensbourg’s home base is? Julio wouldn’t do well in Alaska.” Colin’s face scrunched.
“I don’t see him doing well in the Pacific Northwest either. If the gods intend him for any of them, it would likely be Etienne,” Kane said, restating his previous position.
“From what I’ve seen, I don’t think it’s a good idea to second guess the gods,” Donal said decisively. “Things don’t necessarily turn out the way you plan. He could be meant for one of the pack Alphas or for that matter a Beta. You never can tell, and I’m new at this. You guys should know better.”
Boris pulled up to Gramercy Park, and Phillipe and Colin got out. Boris continued on to SoHo to drop off Kane and Gaspard. “I’ll see you guys tomorrow.” Donal kissed their cheeks.
“By the way, who’s going to be your best man?” Kane asked.