Chapter 13 #2
Fox huffed a weak laugh and started to descend the stairs. “Yeah. Mom and me probably couldn’t achieve the same volume.”
It was a good reminder that Fox was already a fish out of water around the Variks. He hadn’t grown up with the big, loud family. It had been just him and his mother for years. And then, he was alone.
At the bottom of the stairs, they turned to face the living room and found everyone closely watching them.
Or rather, closely watching Fox as if he were a ticking time bomb.
Winter clenched his teeth, wanting to snap at them all.
Did they really think Winter would bring back someone who would kill them all?
Shit.
Yes, that was exactly what he’d done.
But things were changing. Spending time with Fox, talking to him, Winter was sure now he had no intention of hurting them.
Which meant that either Fox was the wrong witch, or possibly something he couldn’t control was going to hurt the Variks.
And maybe the witch as well. Winter’s job was to make sure none of that happened.
His family just needed to spend five minutes with Fox to realize he was truly innocent in this mess.
River was the first to move among them, stepping around the sofa to approach Fox with his hand extended and a smile on his face. “Hi. I’m River Varik. We talked on the phone the other night.”
Fox instantly brightened, shaking River’s hand like he was grasping a lifeline in the middle of a storm. “Hey! Great to meet you in person. Thanks so much for everything you got. It’s perfect.”
“Why has River gotten to speak to your new plaything and not us?” Rafe immediately demanded.
“Maybe because I know he’s not a plaything,” River shot back. “Plus, I know how to shop for clothes.”
Rafe jumped to his feet, his face flushed with surprised rage.
But then, no one ever mocked the vampire’s fashion sense.
Tonight, Rafe was dressed impeccably in a custom-tailored charcoal suit, black oxfords, and a blood red-tie.
The man looked like the goddamn devil. “Are you fucking kidding me, Mr. Jeans and T-Shirt?”
River’s expression turned incredibly smug. “I guess Wyatt and Bel don’t have Philippe’s patience. They don’t want to wait around for me to get naked.”
Laughter exploded in the room. Winter looked over to find Fox’s hand covering his mouth, but his shoulders were shaking as if he were trying very hard to hold in his own laughter.
“It’s true,” Bel admitted.
Rafe turned at the sound of Philippe’s soft chuckles, his mouth falling open. “You too, mon ange?” Rafe asked in horror.
“You have to admit that it does take quite a bit of time to get you properly naked,” Philippe replied, his voice wobbling slightly. The beautiful blond vampire grabbed Rafe’s hand, pulling him down to the sofa. “But anticipation is all part of your wonderful seduction.”
“That is not quite the introduction I imagined when we met Fox for the first time,” Aiden muttered.
He stopped and sighed, his smile returning.
“But that’s my fault. I should have known better.
” Aiden crossed the room and extended his hand to Fox.
“Aiden Varik. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, and I am sorry you’ve been dragged into this vampire mess. ”
Fox’s relief was a palpable thing in the room. His tensed shoulders slumped, and he exhaled loudly. “Thanks. I want to do whatever I can to help Winter and his family.”
Aiden guided him over to the rest of the family and made formal introductions to each person while River remained at Winter’s side.
“He’s cute,” River said in a low voice.
Winter narrowed his eyes on his playful clanmate. “Don’t. It’s not like that.” Panic streaked through Winter as he wondered yet again if his family could actually tell his lips were swollen.
River lifted both eyebrows, his eyes wide. “Really?” River leaned in and dropped his voice even lower. “Because your scent is all over him.” The werewolf paused and drew in a deep breath like he was smelling the air. “And his scent is all over you. Interesting.”
Oh, God! He hadn’t even thought of that when it came to the werewolves.
River grinned at him and tapped the side of his nose before he casually strolled over to Bel and Wyatt. Both of his mates looked questioningly at him and then over at Winter, but to his credit, River didn’t open his mouth.
But it was coming.
His brothers would be in his business sooner or later.
Even if he had no intention of making Fox his business.
He couldn’t be his business. Winter had his own prophecy to worry about, and this break from the ghosts was only temporary.
Fox had a life to return to in Denver. He and Fox were just having a little fun.
Enjoying themselves. There was nothing for his family to get involved in, though he was sure they’d try to make a bigger deal out of it than necessary.
“I’ll heat up the oven and throw some more frozen pizzas in,” Winter offered, already heading toward the kitchen.
He loved his family, but there was something unsettling about having them in his space.
He visited them in their homes all the time, but it was different when they were in his.
It had always been the one place where he didn’t have to worry about keeping tight control over his problem. It was the place he could relax.
Except that with Fox in the loft, he didn’t have to worry about being distracted by ghosts in his home. They couldn’t be seen or heard. He could unwind and enjoy his family’s crazy banter in the comfort of his own space.
It was a dream he’d never even dared to have.
“Winter! We have good news,” Bel suddenly exclaimed. “We heard from the builder, and a shipment we were waiting on came in earlier than expected. They think they can finish the house in two months now.”
Winter shot his brother a smile as he pulled three boxes of frozen pizzas out of the freezer. This was not going to be enough for two wolves and a young vampire who still liked to eat. He had no idea if Fox was still hungry.
“You can also grab the potato skins and the jalapeno poppers too,” Fox called as if he were reading Winter’s mind. Was he? That’d be more than a little creepy, but he figured it was more likely that Fox had read his worried expression.
“The Bat Cave is staying the same size, but we’re adding more weapons and gadgets this time,” River said and then suddenly hooted. “And more secret entrances to the Bat Cave! It’s going to be so awesome when it’s done.”
“I’m assuming you don’t actually mean a cave for keeping bats,” Fox said slowly.
Bel chuckled. “Oh, no! I think River is referencing that Batman comic book hero and his secret lair. The hidden room under my house is for emergencies. I modeled it after Winter’s.”
Winter looked over his shoulder in time to see Fox shoot to his feet and leap—honest-to-God leap—over the couch and run into the kitchen. The witch was suddenly standing right in front of him, both hands tightly gripping Winter’s arms.
“Is he serious? Do you have a secret lair full of weapons and gadgets? Is this where you keep your trusty butler and wonder dog Ace?”
“Yes to the first part. But no, I don’t have a butler or dog.”
“Can I see it? Please, I’ll do anything you want. Please, may I see your Bat Cave?”
For a moment, all Winter could think was that he wanted to kiss Fox again.
Just lean in and gently take those perfect lips in a slow, draining kiss.
It didn’t matter that Winter’s entire family was right there, watching them.
Didn’t matter that Winter’s entire world was in danger of being torn apart by a monstrous vampire and all his little fucking minions.
He wanted Fox with all his smiles, enthusiasm for life, and teasing.
But he couldn’t kiss Fox.
And it surprisingly had nothing to do with the all-too-attentive gaze of his family. He knew from their attempt at just one kiss that it wouldn’t be enough.
“Yes, you can see my Bat Cave, but I’ll warn you that I don’t think it’s as interesting as Bel’s.”
Fox whooped and thrust one fist into the air in triumph.
“I would never have guessed the Wee One’s Bat Cave would be so enticing,” Rafe murmured, and somehow it sounded dirty coming from his mouth. Of course, Winter focused on the much-hated nickname that wouldn’t die. Luckily, Fox was too busy celebrating to take any notice.
The witch remained in the kitchen long enough to help get the pizzas and other food prepped for the oven before they returned to the living room together. To his surprise, River nudged people around until a space opened up at the end of the L-shaped sofa so Winter and Fox could sit together.
If anyone thought it was strange, Winter was sure they were instantly distracted by Aiden’s questions regarding Fox’s kidnapping.
The witch detailed how he was grabbed after he was leaving work one night, the story similar to what he’d already told Winter.
Unfortunately, there were no new helpful details.
“And you don’t know anything about this prophecy?” Marcus asked, speaking for the first time since he’d initially growled at Winter. But then, Marcus tended to be all business, particularly when it came to the safety of his family.
“Nothing,” Fox said with a shake of his head. “I don’t think I’ve even heard the wording of the official prophecy, which could hold its own clues. Maybe this Damon is misinterpreting it. He could have the wrong witch entirely.”
“But if Damon is convinced that Fox is the right witch, he will do anything to get his hands on him. And if Fox fails to destroy the Variks, he’s dead,” Winter added.
Marcus grunted. “This is Damon we’re talking about. Fox is dead the second Damon no longer has a use for him.”
“Yes, but do we even know what Harry Potter is capable of?” Rafe said with a wave of his hand.