"It wasn't going to be my first choice; if it were I wouldn't let them back into Aurum starting now, I just wanted it checked for possibility as an exit plan," Golden says, mostly addressing Nathan.

Nathan's hand is making short careful stroking motions over one of the Joker's shoulders. He looks at Mary, but doesn't ask her anything and presently turns his gaze back on his mate.

(He was going to ask if the Joker would want to be immortal, if he'd do it with coins even if he never wanted to be a vampire and love Nathan back the way Nathan loves him.)