Chapter Six
S chool sucked, but every day he went in meant there was one less day to go. He had assignments to do and no Max to spend time with. Two weeks. It had been two weeks since they’d last seen each other. They kept in contact, but they hadn’t been able to meet up.
Maxim kept Max busy. Peter was beginning to be extra vigilant, and Rex knew Max had risked exposing himself so Peter would be more aware of his surroundings. If Maxim had found out, Max would have been severely punished, if not killed. Maxim didn’t tolerate traitors. Max had told him of instances where Maxim had punished and killed traitors, and Rex’s stomach rolled thinking about it.
How Max could stand there and behave like it didn’t affect him was beyond Rex. There was no way he could stand and watch someone be tortured then murdered. But Max had to. He had no choice. The day after, when he managed to find time to be with Rex, resulted in Rex comforting him. What kid should have to live like that? Exposed to that level of hatred?
Rex
Rex slowly exhaled. Max. How are you?
Where are you? I can meet you for an hour. Maybe two.
School. Want me to skip my last class?
Can you?
Yeah. I’ll tell you when I’m free.
Love you.
Love you too.
Max’s presence left him, and Rex felt so much lighter in himself. He was going to see his mate. Class took forever. What should have been thirty minutes seemed like a week. Each second crawled by, each minute feeling like a day. When the bell rang, Rex grabbed his things, shoved them in his bag and left. They had a spot in the school where Max would come and get him. It was rarely used, so Rex considered it safe.
It took him five minutes to get there. The hallways were full of kids going to their next class, pushing past each other, laughing and joking, or shouting and arguing. Dodging an argument that was becoming heated, Rex carried on until he entered the hallway that led to the room. Checking over his shoulder, Rex went inside and shut the door behind him, checking the coast was clear.
Here.
Max appeared, grinned, then hugged him and the next second they were in their bedroom. Max. Rex threw his bag to one side and kissed Max, moaning when their tongues touched. Both stripped and lay on the bed.
I have thirty minutes.
Rex pulled Max’s head back, staring up at him. “That’s it?”
“I’m sorry. Maxim decided I have to start work early.”
“Don’t you ever apologize. It isn’t your fault.”
“I can’t wait.” Max pushed between Rex’s legs and made quick work of prepping him. Seconds later he pushed inside, and Rex arched up, his ass stretching and filling, taking Max in deep. It was hard and fast and over far too soon. Rex lay, skin damp with sweat, fingers running through Max’s hair, his head resting on Rex’s chest.
“I don’t want to leave you,” Max whispered. “I hate leaving you. I hate not knowing when I can see you again.” He sniffed and Rex felt the tears on his chest.
Running his fingers through Max’s hair, he said nothing, giving him time. He felt the same way. The time apart made him want to scream and cry at the same time. He hated Maxim. Hated him with every fiber of his being.
“It won’t be long now, and we’ll be free.”
“I tell myself the same thing, but some days I have to wonder if it’s worth it.” Max lifted his head, the streaks of his tears showing clearly on his face. “We could leave and say fuck it to everyone else.”
“Could you live with yourself if innocent people were hurt?”
Max sighed and rested his head back on Rex’s chest. “No,” he murmured.
Rex said nothing. They both knew why Max stayed instead of leaving, even if they both hated it. All too soon Max was in the shower washing Rex’s scent from his skin. Rex dressed and waited for him. Once Max was ready, they kissed, and Max left him in his bedroom at home.
Sitting on his bed, Rex let his bag slip from his fingers and felt tears prickle his eyes. He was about to let them fall when he heard voices downstairs. Peter and Minho. There was no way he could have made it to his bedroom without one of them knowing. Shit. Unless he faked an illness.
Changing into pj bottoms, he messed up his hair and went downstairs. “Hey.”
“What are you doing home?”
“Migraine. I’ll catch up tomorrow.”
Peter came over and placed his hand on Rex’s forehead. “You don’t feel too hot.”
“I don’t feel as bad as I did. I missed a couple of classes. I’ll catch up, Dad.”
“Hmm. Want some soup?”
“Tomato?”
“I have some in the freezer from that batch I made the other day.”
Minho pulled a chair out. “Come and sit. I’ve had migraines before. I know how painful they can be.”
Rex smiled, ignoring the guilt inside, and sat. “Not at work today?”
“I can take a day off now and then.”
Rex glanced at the window, noticing the blinds were drawn. ‘Don’t you get tired if you’re not asleep during the day?”
“I’ve had enough sleep.”
Max was the same. He could manage on less sleep than Rex. Must be a vampire thing. “Are all vampires like that?”
“For the most part we don’t need as much sleep. A pain when summer is here, and we have limited darkness.”
“You heal quicker too.”
Minho gave him a quizzical look and Rex shrugged. He knew most of the answers. “We do. We have a stronger immune system as well.”
“Guess us poor humans get the shitty end of the stick.”
“Not really. It’s harder for us to have young and our females are pregnant for longer. Around fourteen months.”
“I would never have been a father if Diane had to go fourteen months. She had terrible morning sickness with both pregnancies. I say morning sickness, but she was sick morning, noon, and night.”
“I’m glad I’m male,” Minho murmured, wincing. “Women go through so much. They carry our young, nurture them, keep them safe, give birth to them. There is so much they can’t eat or drink, even medicines they can’t take. We have it easy.”
“I don’t think I want kids.” It wasn’t something they’d talked about. Children. Some days it felt like they didn’t have a future, but Rex always pushed those thoughts and feelings aside. He loved and trusted Max. Believed in them.
“Why?” Minho smiled at Peter when he gave him a drink.
“What about you?”
Minho’s smile widened. “I’m stepdad now.”
Rex snorted. “That’s a no.”
“Gee thanks. You know how to make a vampire feel welcome.”
“I’m too old for a stepdad.”
“And I’m not?” Rex looked at Minho and they both laughed. “You’re right. We should be friends instead and that way I don’t have to get involved when Peter wants to shout at you.”
“Hey! I’m right here and I can hear you.”
Minho winked at Peter who flushed and muttered something before turning back to the stove to stir Rex’s soup. He knew they were talking to each other telepathically by the way Minho grinned and Peter snorted.
Are you ok?
I’m in security. Talk later?
Be safe.
Rex murmured thanks when Peter placed a bowl of piping hot tomato soup in front of him and ate it slowly. Or was that drank? It was a liquid and Max always liked to have his in a mug.
“What plans do you have this weekend?”
“I have some assignments, and I need to review for a test next Friday. Biology, so it’ll be fine.”
“We’re having a new security system put in.”
“Makes sense.” Rex glanced at Minho. “Are you living here now?”
Minho blinked, opened his mouth then looked at Peter, who answered. “We want to take this slow so not yet, but soon.”
“I’m fine about it, if you’re worried.”
“I had been considering you in my decision, so thank you for saying that.”
“You kept us going when Mom died. You should be happy.“ Rex glanced at Peter. “Don’t ask me to repeat that. I’ll deny I ever said it.”
“Can’t have you being too nice to your old man.” Peter sipped his coffee, his eyes crinkling when he smiled.
“Less of the old.” Minho nudged Peter. “There’s only one old man at this table.”
“And one old man who looks it.” Peter pointed to himself.
Rex paused and stared at Peter. There was definitely less gray than before and were his wrinkles less wrinkly? “You look better. Like five years younger.”
Peter snorted. “What do you want?”
“No, I’m serious.” Rex stared at Peter. “You do look younger. The gray and wrinkles aren’t as bad.” Looking at Minho, he asked, “When I’m older can I have some of that magic eternal youth juice?”
Minho burst out laughing. “You want to drink my blood?”
“Eww, fuck no!”
“Rex!”
“Sorry, Dad. It slipped out. Is that why you look younger? Are you drinking Minho’s blood?”
Peter blanched, which made Minho laugh again. “No.”
“I’m the only one who drops fangs.” Minho grinned. “They’ve been getting a lot of use lately.”
“Again. Eww.”
“You, Sammy, the ladies at the cafe.”
“They know?”
“Funnily enough they check him out on the vampires are real website. Now they get to see him in the flesh. Mildred has a soft spot for him.”
“I like them. They always bring cakes in and make sure me and Sammy have one.” Rex smiled when he remembered the chocolate layer cake Pat had brought in. He’d snuck a piece for Max who demanded more.
“They’re the only ones who I let do that, but they’ve been coming for years.” Peter sipped his tea and sighed. “Finish your soup then go to bed. I’ll check on you in the morning before I go to work.”
“Thanks, Dad.” He hated lying to Peter. Hated the secrecy. Watching Minho, he asked, “All vampires are good?’
“No, no. We have our share of bad apples like humans do.”
“Should we be worried?”
Minho furrowed his brow. “We’re updating your security system here just to be safe.”
“Who are they? The bad ones.”
“Why? Are you concerned?”
“You’re mated to my dad.”
“Rex.”
“It’s fine, Peter. He has a right to ask these questions.” Minho placed his hands on the table and clasped them together. “Could our mating bring potential threats here? Yes, it could, so we’re updating your security and we’ll have vampires keep an eye on your home.”
“I’ve done Ju Jitsu. Should I do more?”
“I don’t think that’s necessary, but if it will make you feel better then yes.”
“Minho’s right. We’ve discussed this and I don’t think we have anything to worry about.” Rex saw them share a look.
“What aren’t you telling me?”
“Everything will be fine. We’re tracking the ones we need to so nothing will happen to you but in the meantime, we’re taking all necessary precautions. You’re fine.”
Max. Is my dad safe?
They know about him and Minho. All those vampires working security are monitored.
What should I do?
Travel mainly during the day, improve your security, be vigilant when alone. I’m sorry. I didn’t want to worry you.
We’ll talk about this later. Rex pulled away and exhaled softly. He knew why Max had remained silent. He didn’t want Rex to worry about his family when he was already scared for Max. He couldn’t wait for this to be over. For Maxim to be dead. At one point, he’d thought Maxim could be saved but now he didn’t care. Dead was far better than alive and with a chance to plot and scheme.
Rex wanted Maxim dead and buried.