Vampires, Magic, and Monsters - Page 7

“That’s gross, Byron. I won’t be a blood bag.”

“It could be you, Neal.”

“Alistar is someone I hope to see again, and I hope she finds me interesting enough to date and have a relationship,” Neal told him, but Byron kept shaking his head.

“Why did you bother asking me if you already had made up your mind about it?”

“I hadn’t made up my mind but listening to you bad mouth him made me realize that he’s really a good man and talking to you made me recognize that my feelings are growing for him.”

“Well, when it blows up in your face, remember what I said.” Byron sat back and finished his water. Byron was a good judge of people, but Neal was certain that he was not reading Alistar correctly. He never met him and never spoke to him, so he didn’t know anything apart from his job title, which seemed to weird him out.

“I’ll remember what you said,” Neal repeated with a smile, and his brother tossed the empty plastic bottle at him. Just then, he received a message on his phone, a message he’d been waiting for since last night. It was his boss, Mrs. Reginald Ball.

“Don’t bother coming to work again, ever; you’re fired. That dress was everything to me, and you let it go up in flames. If you’d picked it up on time, it wouldn’t have gotten destroyed. Don’t bother shopping for another assistant position, I’ll make sure everyone knows what a useless disappointment you are.” Neal read it several times and then handed his phone to Byron.

“That was brutal,” Byron commented.

“It was just a matter of time anyway. She was impossible to please.” He then received another text from her stating that he could come and pick up his final check later in the day and it would be ready after five.

“Why doesn’t she just mail it to you or use direct deposit?”

“I don’t know. She’s peculiar. I’d rather pick it up anyway. It could take her forever to drop it in the mail.”

CHAPTER FOUR

After speaking with Master Kilconnor, Alistar was adamant that he reconnects with his adored and do it immediately. The distance he was feeling between them was becoming physically painful. He never should have left he should have come up with a reason or suggestion or something that would have kept them together at the hotel.

His plan had been to stay at the Monarch Hotel get to know each other, grow their bond and complete the claiming, at which time Neal would be fully aware and ready to start their lives together. Unfortunately fear and confusion took the upper hand and his adored fled for home and he just let him go. But he couldn’t force him to stay there would have been nothing gained by forcing him to do anything.

There should have been more talk and more explanation and more touching and he would make sure all took place this time. He wasn’t sure what kind of reception he would receive just showing up to Neal’s apartment, but he hoped that Neal was missing him even half as much as he was missing him.

Overriding the keypad was a simple process and it struck him that the complex was far from even moderately secure. He took the stairs two at a time and very quickly found himself at Neal’s door.

This time instead of breaking in, he knocked and waited. There were sounds from inside he could hear his adored and he could feel and scent his presence, and it was wonderful. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes as the closeness washed over him.

There was someone else in the apartment; he heard another voice and felt another presence. He knocked again firmer and harder this time conveying the urgency that was coursing through him.

The door swung open and there he stood looking just as amazing as the first time Alistar had laid eyes upon him. His silky hair, soft skin and those wonderous blue eyes and best of all, he looked excited to see him.

“Alistar!” He said and pulled him inside. Alistar allowed himself to be pulled into the room and closed the door behind him. He saw the other person sitting looking at him and giving him a very decided once over.

“I’m so glad you’re here.” Neal erupted, and the enthusiasm was exactly what Alistar needed.

“I’m glad too baby. I missed you.” He told him and then pulled him close slipping his arm around his shoulders. This was perfect the tension in his bones and the anger and frustration in his heart drained away. He boldly dropped a kiss to Neal’s cheek ignoring the pointed stare from the man across the room.

“Byron.” Neal exclaimed. “This is Alistar.” Byron stood and took several tentative steps toward them, never taking his eyes off Alistar and the possessive way he was holding Neal.

“Alistar this is Byron my brother.” Byron reached out his hand and Alistar took it in his. Both men sizing each other up.

“Pleased to meet you, Byron.” He said with a pleasant smile.

“And you,” Byron responded, but there was no smile or sign of acceptance. He was guarded and suspicious. Alistar used the contact of their hands to touch his mind and see what he knew but he could not break through. Byron’s mind was untouchable, which was a surprise.

A flash of perception crossed Byron’s face, and he pulled his hand away. Alistar wondered how much Neal had shared with his brother, perhaps too much, but a memory wipe was not possible. It would appear that Byron, too, was destined to be bonded. Whoever they were, they were going to have their hands full with that one.

“Come in,” Neal said and began pulling Alistar further into the apartment. Neal moved toward the couch, and his brother Byron moved toward the door. Alistar was relieved that Byron did not plan to stay.

“I’ll call you later, Neal,” Byron announced as he glared at Alistar, and Neal nodded. “If you need me, I’m just a text away. I can be here in minutes.” That statement was for Alistar’s benefit and not Neal’s.