Chapter Fourteen
P eter trudged up the stairs and knocked on Rex’s door. When he heard a grunt, he opened it and stepped inside. Rex lay on his bed, his homework scattered around him. “Can we talk?”
Rex nodded and sat up. “Will you be safe?”
“We should be. Minho’s talking about extra security. You know they put extra cameras around the business?”
Rex started. “They have? So they can see who comes and goes in the alley?”
“Yeah, but don’t tell anyone. There has been someone using the alley and we think he could be related to Maxim.”
Rex licked his lips. “You got his face?”
“I don’t know about that. Minho will, but I wonder if it was the same person who came to me tonight. Whoever it was wanted me to know I had to watch my back.”
Rex glanced away, his eyes distant. “Maybe this person wanted to make sure you stayed safe.”
“I think so. He could have done anything to me. I didn’t know he was there. I was completely defenseless.” Rex’s eyes snapped to Peter’s. “But he warned me instead. Just… just be careful.”
“I will. So when is Minho moving in?”
“He’s gone to pack some things now.”
“What’s it like?”
Peter furrowed his brow, unsure what Rex wanted to know. “What?”
“Telepathy. What’s it like?”
“I don’t know how to explain it.” Peter stared down at his hands. He held them loosely between his thighs. “He’s there.”
“In your head? Like a presence?”
Peter shot Rex a look, his eyes narrowing. How would Rex know? “How—”
“Like something there but not? I keep trying to figure it out.”
“Did I mention him being there in my head?”
Rex blinked then shrugged. “I think you did when you said something about telepathy.”
“Oh.” Furrowing his brow, Peter tried to remember when he had mentioned it but couldn’t recall. “Maybe I did. A lot has happened the past few days. Are we good?”
“Yeah.” Rex licked his lips. “I’m just worried.” Shrugging, he picked up his pen. “I need to get this finished.”
Peter stood and ruffled Rex’s hair. “I’ll be downstairs if you want me.”
Rex had a distant look on his face and didn’t respond straight away. “I’ll be hungry soon,” he murmured.
“I’ll order something. Pizza?” One of Rex’s favorites, so Peter knew he couldn’t go wrong with that.
“What? Oh, pizza?” Rex was distracted. “I’d love some pizza.”
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine. I’m thinking about this.” Rex pointed to his homework.
“I’ll let you know when the pizza is here.” As Peter left Rex’s room, he reached out to Minho. I think Rex is hiding how he really feels.
Give him time. A lot has happened recently and we’re all adjusting. I’ll be in your bedroom.
Peter sighed and walked into his bedroom as Minho appeared with a couple of bags. “That’s it?”
Shrugging, Minho placed the bags on the floor. “The important items are here. I can bring the rest over in time.”
“I should clear out some space for you.” Peter looked at his furniture, the ones Diane had chosen.
“Do you want to show me where I can put my things?” Minho asked softly. “I can keep them in the bags until you’re ready.”
“What did I do to deserve you?” Peter walked into Minho’s arms, letting him hold him. “Never thought I’d feel this way about seeing you here. Diane picked out the furniture.” Peter looked at the pale cream closets and sighed. “She wanted a bright bedroom.”
“She always had good taste. The colors give the room a nice warm feel to it.”
“We should change it.” It was only right when they were starting a new life together but it made Peter’s chest ache at the same time. Like he was removing his wife even though she was no longer with him.
“We don’t have to. I like what’s here so why don’t we keep it? At some point we’ll want to change, but we don’t need to do that yet. I’m in no rush to… remove items.”
Peter leaned back and looked into Minho’s hazel eyes. “You are someone special, you know that? I would think most people would want to remove items like this, to create a new space, one that was theirs, but you’re fine to wait.”
“Diane was a huge part of your life, Peter. She gave you two sons, helped create a home and raised your children in it. I don’t want to wipe her away. I’m happy to be here with you now.”
Kissing Minho, Peter closed his eyes. “Thank you for understanding.”
“I’ve said it before. Diane was an amazing woman. You were lucky to have found each other. Now did I hear Rex mention pizza?”
“He certainly did. If he doesn’t get his weekly pizza he growls.” Exhaling, Peter murmured, “I wish I knew what was going on with him. He’s become distant recently. I feel like he’s hiding something from me”
“Maybe he has a girlfriend.”
“Ugh! I don’t want to think about that. Sammy at college is bad enough. But it does make sense. Maybe he’s not ready to mention her to me yet.”
“Give him time. I’m sure at some point he will.” Minho eased back when his phone rang. “Gray. Now? Give me five.”
Minho hung up and gave Peter an apologetic look. “You have to go.”
“Yeah we might have a lead.” Kissing Peter, he murmured, “Save me a slice of pizza.”
“I’ll order two large. I’ve seen how much you and Rex can eat.”
Minho chuckled as he left, the sound floating on the air after he’d gone. Peter furrowed his brow. He didn’t know the full extent of the situation, but from what Minho had told him, he wanted it to end soon. Leaving the bedroom, Peter went downstairs and ordered the pizza. As he waited for it to arrive, he puttered around, tidying up, thinking how his life had changed in a matter of weeks.
Rex stomped down the stairs and asked, “Where’s Minho? I want to ask him about stakes?”
Peter slowly closed his eyes. “I think a stake to anyone’s heart would kill them.” Opening them, he added, “Don’t you?”
“Yeah, but can he come back to life if the stake is removed?” Rex waggled his eyebrows then glanced away, a small frown on his face that soon disappeared.
“Rex?”
“Huh?”
“Are you okay?”
Nodding, Rex asked, “When’s the pizza coming?”
“Hungry?”
Rex rubbed his stomach. “You bet.” Rex grinned. “So, about Minho…”
Sighing heavily, Peter sat and waited for Rex’s questions. This was going to be fun. “Yes, Rex. What do you want to know?”
“Does it hurt when he bites your neck?”
Peter could feel his face heating up. “Well, Rex. We’re usually busy when that happens.”
Rex mimed gagging. “So no and eww. Thanks.”
“You asked and I think you knew the answer anyway. Was this a test to see if I would answer?” Peter arched an eyebrow then chuckled when Rex glanced away. “Thought so. Any questions not relating to me having sex with a man or vampire?”
“God no. I don’t need to know about you having sex at all! Bleach, eyes, remember?”
“You shouldn’t have walked into my bedroom without knocking first, then you wouldn’t have witnessed anything. You only have yourself to blame.” He wasn’t going to be made to feel guilty because Rex had walked in on him and Minho. Yes, at first he’d been shocked, angry, embarrassed, but that had now passed. He had a mate who loved him, let him know verbally and through their connection. He wasn’t ashamed of Minho.
“Gee, okay, Dad. I get it. I should have knocked, but you never let on at all that you were seeing someone.”
“I didn’t know I had to tell you. I literally met Minho the day you walked in on us. I had planned to sit you and Sammy down at some point and then talk about it. I’m still adjusting myself. I loved your mom. I never thought I’d find someone else. Minho is a surprise to me but I don’t regret mating him.”
Rex ran his finger over the table then nodded. “As long as he makes you happy.”
“I am happy. Like I just said after your mom died I didn’t think I would find this happiness again, Rex, but I’ve been very lucky to have been blessed twice. One day it will be you.”
Rex glanced at him, licked his lips then nodded. “One day, but not today.” Standing, Rex stretched. “Call me when the pizza gets here?”
“You know it.”
Rex left the kitchen and Peter exhaled. “Maybe one day we won’t have this conversation but I guess with my two that’s not going to happen anytime soon. They will have far too much fun teasing me.” Smiling, Peter stood. He might actually like the teasing too.