The Man Who Never Looked Away novel Chapter 374

Julian blinked, confused. "What's wrong?"

Lavinia stuck her tongue out playfully. "Saul was duped by someone's 'poor boy' routine for years."

Julian burst out laughing. "Ah, I see. Though to be fair, Saul, I only realized how powerful he was today, too."

Saul looked at Julian. "Wait, what did you think he was before?"

"I just thought he was a wealthy expat kid with too much time on his hands and a lot of connections. That's it. A couple of years ago, I offended a local cartel down in Latin America and almost got myself killed. Charley saved my life. We didn't even know each other before that—he just stepped in out of the goodness of his heart." Julian stood up to leave. "Take it easy on him, Saul. Don't be too mad."

As soon as Julian was gone, Saul crossed his arms and glared icily at Charley.

Charley stood up with a sigh. "Stop glaring at me. Let's go."

"Where are you going?" Lavinia asked.

"Between friends, there's nothing a good drink can't fix." Charley met Saul's gaze calmly. "And if there is, we'll just have another."

"Who wants to drink with you, you liar," Saul grumbled, though he stood up and followed him anyway.

***

"Careful, don't bump into the door."

Saul was completely wasted, his footsteps heavy and uneven. Charley practically had to drag him back while Lavinia followed, carrying all three of their coats and bags.

"Which one is his room?" Charley asked.

She pointed down the hall. "Last one on the right."

They didn't turn on the lights as they entered. Charley deposited Saul squarely onto the bed.

Breathing evenly, Saul rolled over, mumbled a curse, and promptly passed out again. Charley took off his shoes and loosened his belt, while Lavinia draped a blanket over him. Moving quietly, the two slipped out and pulled the door shut.

"Can I come in?" he asked.

"Why?" she teased, blocking the doorway.

He took in the sight of her in an oversized nightgown, her damp hair cascading over her shoulders. She looked years younger, fresh-faced and adorable.

"Saul mentioned you brought your old photo albums here. I wanted to see them," he said.

"My old albums?" She felt a flash of embarrassment. "There's nothing exciting in there."

His gaze lingered on her face, his voice dropping lower. "I want to see what you looked like as a little girl. Plus, I moved to the States when you were in middle school. I missed your high school and college years. I want to see what you were like back then."

She hesitated before stepping aside to let him in, murmuring, "It's just nerdy stuff, nothing special."

Despite her protests, she pulled three thick albums from the closet.