By The Moon (Live By Night #3)

Chapter Six

“ D ad?” Jerome walked inside his house and went straight to the kitchen when he heard Shaun respond. Candice leaned against the counter and looked him up and down as her lips spread into a wide smile. Ignoring her, Jerome opened the fridge and grabbed the apple juice.

“Looks like someone had fun last night.”

“And this morning too.”

“I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that.”

“I found him.” He knew they would know who he was talking about. He’d mentioned Louis hundreds of times, the man who had saved him. He’d known they hadn’t fully believed him, but that hadn’t stopped him, and when Louis had comforted him after his mother had passed, he’d known for sure.

“Him? The mystery man who saved you?” Candice glanced at Shaun as she pushed away from the counter. “He actually exists?”

“Yeah, he does.”

“What does he look like?”

“A little taller than me. Blond hair, blue eyes. Gorgeous smile. Kind and caring.”

“White?”

“And?” Jerome stared at Candice. “What of it?”

“Nothing at all. I’ve dated white men and they’re some of the nicest men I’ve met.”

“That’s because a white man knows the worth of a black woman.” Shaun passed Jerome a glass. “Corina’s married to one and said he dotes on her and their kids. Blake’s dating a white woman and adores her. You should see the way she looks at him.” Shaun patted Jerome back. “He remembered you?”

“Yeah and I have some things to tell you and you’re not going to believe me.”

“Okay. Go ahead and make me not believe you.” Shaun leaned back on the counter and folded his arms over his chest.

“So, Louis—that’s his name—is a vampire and I’m his mate. That’s why he’s been watching over me. To make sure I was safe and cared for. Like those romance books about mates and shifters. And before you say anything, I saw the fangs, felt them too.” Jerome rubbed his neck. “His eyes glow with intense emotions as well and I can talk to him telepathically now we’ve… er… you know.”

“Had sex.” Candice stared at him open mouthed then snapped it shut. Narrowing her eyes, she said, “Prove it.”

“Close the curtains and I will.”

“Not the old sunlight shit.” Candice rolled her eyes. Shaun pulled the kitchen blind down and nodded. “What? Dad! You can’t believe this.”

“I believe Jerome.”

I’m home, in the kitchen. Want to pop in by the fridge?

Coming now.

“Hi.” Candice screamed and threw her can of soda at Louis who caught it and pulled a face. “What the fuck?”

“You can’t just do whatever you did and appear without saying something!”

“How do I say something if I’m not here?” Louis glanced at Jerome. “Is she okay?”

“Candice is having trouble adapting to you appearing out of thin air. Me too, but I can hide it better.” Shaun held his hand out. “I’m Shaun, Jerome’s father, but you know that.”

“I do and it’s nice to meet you.” Louis shook Shaun’s hand. “I wasn’t planning on meeting you so soon.”

“And why is that?”

“I wanted to spend time with Jerome first.”

“You watched over him. Not sure how I feel about that.” Shaun moved closer to Louis, peering at his face.

“You want to see the fangs.” Louis sighed then opened his mouth and Jerome watched as they dropped from the roof of his mouth.

“Holy shit, they’re real. Can I touch them?” Shaun lifted his hand.

“Dad!” Jerome grabbed Shaun’s arm, pulling back.

“Only if I can touch your dick.” Louis stared at Shaun who blanched and backed away. “They’re sensitive.”

“Are you hungry?” Shaun glanced between Jerome and Louis. “Do you eat food? Can you eat food or does it make you ill?”

“I can and do eat food. Steak is one of my faves, cooked over a grill. When it’s dark outside I like to grill for my friends.”

“Are any of them humans?” Candice moved closer, staring intently at Louis. “Do you know about humans?”

Keeping a straight face, Louis answered, “No. I’ve never met one in my life.”

“I swear to you she isn’t normally this stupid.” Jerome pushed Candice to one side and stood next to Louis, giving him a soft kiss. “Hungry?”

“I could eat but I can’t stay long. I’ve been called into work.”

“I thought you had today off?” Jerome cuddled into Louis’ side, sighing softly when Louis cuddled him.

“You know I said there were bad vampires?” Jerome nodded. “Well one of them has made a reappearance after being off the radar for a few decades.”

“Decades? And bad vampires? What have you gotten my son into?”

“There are bad vampires like there are bad humans.” Louis shrugged. “Neither species is perfect, and yes, decades. We live far longer than humans do and now that Jerome and I are mated he’ll live longer too.”

Shaun inhaled and Jerome bit his lip. Seeing his dad in front of him and knowing he would watch him grow old and die… “How much longer?”

“Centuries. My boss is over three hundred years old.”

Shaun pointed his finger at Louis then Jerome. “I need to sit down.”

Jerome glanced at Louis then followed Shaun into the living room, sitting next to him on the sofa. “Dad?”

“I always knew I would die before you so that doesn’t bother me at all. But Candice? Any children she has?”

“I’m sorry.” Jerome blinked and felt a tear roll down his face. Oh shit. He was going to stay young and they were going to grow old and die and leave him. He searched for Louis seeing the sad look on his face. “Louis.”

“I can’t change it. We’re mated now so we’re bound together. You’ll live as long as I do. I don’t know how to pass that on to your family. I don’t even think it’s possible. Maybe talk to Key. He’s human too.” Shrugging, Louis licked his lips. “I’m so sorry. I can’t…” Louis stared at the floor. “I’m sorry.”

It’s okay. I understand, but it hurts to know that one day they’ll be gone.

If I could change it I would. I know how much you love your family.

“Dad.”

“It’s fine. It’s just a lot to take in and I know you’ve waited for him. I’m not blind, and we’ve talked about him. I knew what you’d told me but didn’t quite believe in this mystery saver and now he’s here but he’s something else.” Shaun inhaled then slowly exhaled. “I don’t want to lose you.”

“I would never come between Jerome and his family. I know how much he loves you. And before you say anything, I would never stop him from earning his degree. He’s worked hard for it and I won’t stand in his way. I only ask that he’s more careful now we’ve mated.”

“I don’t even know you and now my son is stuck with you for life.”

“Stuck? Dad. How can you say that?” Jerome pushed away from Shaun and stood.

“Because I don’t know what to think right now.”

“I understand. This is a lot to take in. I’ll go and let you all talk about this.” Tapping his head, Louis asked, “Please let me know when you’re free.” Jerome nodded then found himself staring at the empty spot Louis had been standing in.

“Louis,” he murmured.

“That’s a great way to travel.” Candice moved to where Louis had stood and waved her hands in the air. “He’s really gone.”

“It wasn’t some party trick. He moved me like that last night. The room spun like I was on some ride.” Jerome sat next to Shaun. “Are we good?”

“I need some time. This is a lot to take in, like he said.”

“Louis.”

“Louis.” Shaun smiled, but it didn’t last long. “This mating thing.”

“It’s kinda like marriage, but no divorce, apparently. Mates rarely break up. Ever since he met me he hasn’t been with anyone else. Even though I was a kid he wanted to stay faithful to me. Said it wouldn’t be right, like he was cheating. He waited for me to grow up. Kept me safe. He came to me when Mom died. I remember him hugging me as I cried myself to sleep.”

“You said once that he was there but I didn’t believe you. Thought you were making it up.” Shaun sighed heavily. “I don’t know what to think. Vampires. Damn, they do exist.”

“They don’t want people to know about them. Can you imagine what would happen?”

“Oh yeah. Nothing good. His secret is safe with me and I can see how much you care for him. You’re the happiest I’ve ever seen you.”

“He makes me feel good. I’m not alone anymore. I can reach out and talk to him anytime I want. That’s how I was able to tell him to come over before. Imagine it, Dad. Being able to talk to the person you care about by simply thinking of them.”

“That does sound good.”

“I think it sounds great. Any single men vampires I could meet?”

Jerome closed his eyes. “What?”

“You know, try and hook me up with one. If you’re a mate then maybe I will be too, and the way he looks at you? I want a man to look at me like that as well.” Candice took a breath. “Is he good in bed? My last boyfriend couldn’t find my—” Shaun coughed. “You know what. Maybe vampires don’t have that disability.”

‘“I can’t believe this is happening.” Jerome opened his eyes. “You want me to ask Louis if there are any single men who want to date my sister.”

“Your hot as fuck sister. Sorry Dad, but you can’t blame me for asking. Look at Jerome! I’ve never seen him this relaxed. Louis knows what to do in bed.”

“Dad. Please save me,” Jerome begged.

“Only if you save me too. Candice. No father needs to know about his daughter’s sex life.”

Why did you leave? Candice wants me to find her a single vampire who could be her mate and knows what to do with her girl parts. Humans have a disability and can’t find it.

Can’t find it? Her clitoris?

Please don’t. This is my sister. I don’t need to talk about her and sex. I don’t even want to think about it. Now I know how my dad feels. Thank god I can’t have kids.

“ I’m going to cook. And think. Candice, don’t ask Jerome to find you a vampire. He’s not some dating app.”

Who said we can’t have kids?

What? You want kids? Jerome almost spoke out loud, but somehow managed to keep his mouth shut.

One day. Maybe. Who knows?

I think I need to sit down but I am already sitting down. Jerome could almost hear Louis laughing at him. Stop it .

I have to go. I’ll speak to you later.

Be safe.

I will. I have you to come home to.

Jerome smiled then went into the kitchen to watch Shaun cook. “I’m sorry.” He wasn’t sure what he was apologizing for, but he felt the need to.

“It’s a lot to take in, but part of me is happy you have him and that you’ll be together for a long time. He seemed nice, too.”

“He is. I like being with him. It doesn’t feel like he’s a stranger. I feel like I’ve been waiting for him and Louis said we’re mates, so I guess that makes sense.”

“I guess it does if what you’ve said about mates is true.”

“I want you to like him, Dad. He means a lot to me. Maybe more.” Jerome stared down at the floor. “He feels like home.” Looking up at Shaun, Jerome shrugged slightly. “I can’t explain it.”

“You don’t need to. I felt the same way with your mom. Like I said, Jerome, I need some time to…” Shaun shook his head. “Vampires and mates and us humans aren’t actually alone. How many of those stories out there could be based on truth? Do werewolves exist? What about fairies?”

“I don’t know.” Why was he being asked these questions? He only met Louis last night.

Do fairies exist?

What? Fairies?

Yeah. Fairies.

No idea and why would I need to know?

Werewolves? Jerome tapped his head when Shaun looked at him.

Come again? What?

Now you know how I feel! Dad is asking me about them, and I don’t know what to say.

Neither do I. Sorry but you’re on your own. I have to go now.

Of course you do.

Stay safe.

You too.

“Well? Do any of them exist?”

Jerome stared at Shaun, hoping someone would save him. Today was not going how he thought it would.