Billy joined in helping to undress Goodnight. It was something he'd watched a handful of time, and he'd thought about this exact act, stripping Goodnight Robicheaux out of the armor of his clothes. Now, it did not have to be a thought. Even if, in the stark light of morning, Goodnight changed his mind about all this, at least there would be this.

He chased after Goodnight incessantly for kisses, every kind of kiss he could possibly get, like a starved man.