I Called It a Drunk Mistake, So the Mob Boss Made It Permanent novel · Chapter 19 of 24

Chapter 19: The Beads

"It was never the mistake," Linus said.

He said it on his knees on the cottage rug, in front of the fire, with the amber beads in both hands.

The fire popped.

Leandros sat on the edge of the old couch with his shirt open and a glass of wine untouched on the arm.

"You said that in September."

"I said it so you'd stop counting. I'm saying it now because it's true." Linus looked up. "I'm in love with you."

The room did not move.

"I've been in love with you since the Table. Maybe since the kitchen, maybe since the car. I don't know when. I know that the night I woke up in your bed I was frightened, and not of you." His voice shook. "I was frightened because I already knew."

"Linus."

"Don't say anything," Linus said.

"I..."

"Don't," Linus said gently. "I don't need it yet. I need you to listen."

He took Leandros's left wrist and wound the beads around it, once.

Then, still holding the loose end, he wound the other turn around his own right wrist, so that their two hands lay side by side, linked by three inches of amber.

"There," he said. "Mine and yours."

Leandros looked at their joined hands.

The beads clicked softly, once, in the firelight.

"I can't say it back," he said. His voice was rough, and he looked ashamed. "I don't have the word. I've never had it. I don't know where it's kept."

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