Free Black On Black (Quentin Black Mystery #3) by JC Andrijeski

my neck.
    You know why. I didn’t wait for his reply, but decided to cut the crap all the way. Look, I know where you are. I can fucking see you, Black. Right now...   most of the time now, if you want the truth. I see more than I’ve been telling you. I see more all the time. I feel more all the time too, and not all of it is stuff you seem to want me to know...
    I hesitated again, still gripping the pendant.
    I’m done. I’m not waiting anymore, okay? I can’t do this, Black. I can’t just sit here and wait for you anymore. So after today, I’m not going to. I needed you to know that.
    Silence.
    Real silence that time.
    Images of Nick flickered through his mind. It might have made me laugh under different circumstances. Not because it was funny––I knew he was paranoid about Nick. I also knew why he was paranoid, and that it was mostly my fault.
    But Nick was so far from what I’d been thinking just then, Black and I might have been in two different conversations.
    I felt him taking my words, pulling them apart. I felt his fear and jealousy worsen as he tried to decide what I was really telling him.
    Oh? he sent casually. Can you explain that, doc?
    I shook my head, but not to his question.
    Or maybe to the question he hadn’t asked.
    Black, no. Still tugging at the necklace, I shook my head again. That’s not what I meant. You’re misunderstanding me...   relax, okay? Relax, Black.
    When his wariness didn’t lessen, I opened myself to him more, pushing reassurance at him, warmth, letting him feel more of me.
    He reacted to that too.
    Within seconds, his presence grew hotter, sliding deeper into mine.
    Gods, he sent. Are you trying to give me a heart attack? You’re not breaking up with me? This isn’t the go-fuck-yourself speech?
    I smiled at the ceiling, shaking my head.
    Not breaking up with you, Black.
    But you’re tired of waiting? I felt him hesitate, not sure if he should ask, or maybe what he should ask. I don’t know how to ask this, Miri...   he sent, even as I thought it. I know it’s not really my business, but––
    I’m not sleeping with anyone else, Black. I’m not saying I’m about to, or threatening to...   so stop worrying about me like that, okay? There is no one else. I promise. You’ve misunderstood me. Completely. That’s not where this is going.
    His relief intensified, enough to make me smile again, but not really in humor. I was worried he was in mortal danger and he was worried I was going to have sex with someone else.
    Typical.
    Miri, he sent, pulling on me again. Don’t tease me. Tell me what you mean.
    I’m not teasing you, Black. I’m telling you I’m not waiting for you anymore. I don’t care what you say...   or about your overprotective bullshit. I’m not doing it.
    But what does that actually mean?
    I let out an incredulous snort. What do you think it means? It means I’m coming to where you are. I’m not going to sit here and keep trying to convince you to come back. It’s obviously not working. You’re not listening to me, no matter what I say. And since none of your damned goons will help me, I’m doing it on my own.
    Silence fell in the darkness between us.
    Miri...   He hesitated, and that pain on him worsened. Baby, I want to see you so fucking badly. You have no idea. But you can’t. You can’t come here, okay? Please. Go to Hawaii or something if you’re going stir-crazy there. You can use my money for whatever you want. Take your friends too. He paused, his thoughts sharper. But not Nick––
    Jesus, Black, I don’t need a goddamned vacation.
    Miri, you can’t come here. I’m serious. You can’t.
    I shook my head. I wasn’t asking, Black. I was telling you.
    That pain on him intensified. Miri...   I understand. Gods...   I really really understand. I know it’s hard. I know what you’re going through right now, but please don’t come here––
    What I’m going through? I sent.
    He fell silent.
    That time, a density lived in