Rafi found Julian before he even reached his glittering mistake of an apartment building—saw him on the sidewalk two blocks away from it, feeling his way along a wall with blood on his face and shirt. Rafi slammed on the brakes, parked semi-legally along the nearest stretch of sidewalk, and leaped out of the car.
“Julian?”
Julian didn’t try to run away; as stiffly as he was standing, Rafi thought he might not be capable of it. He had his eyes closed, as if gathering strength, but when Rafi approached he opened them, crossing his arms over his chest and lounging with studied casualness against the wall. People on the sidewalk were doing double-takes as they passed, possibly recognizing him, definitely seeing the blood.
“Well, if it isn’t my boyfriend,” Julian drawled.
“Julian, are you h
