Page 56 of A Sip of Sin

The others dispersed without a word, Erie the only one who stood by with a frown etched on his face.Go. Just go.Munro turned away from his son.

“Am I going to die?” asked Hollen. He trembled so hard that his teeth chattered, digging his hands deep into Munro’s clothes. His cheeks were so pale, his eyes streaked red and wet.

Munro inhaled sharply before tilting his head back to glare at the ceiling. He couldn’t lie to Hollen, but he couldn’t bear to say it. He was warm now—here and breathing with that beautiful beating of his heart.

Hollen relaxed, heaving a sigh of what sounded like relief. “George says no. He says I’m safe.”

His heart cracked wide, the lies and truths trapped behind his teeth.Damn you, you demon bastard.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Hollen

Munro was so warm, his usually cool skin soft and heated as Hollen buried his hands into his shirt. He’d been clinging to him in dining room of the restaurant for close to a half hour, but he couldn’t bring himself to let go. Once he was standing on his own again, he knew he’d have to face the facts.

Someone is lying to me.

He could see it in Munro’s face when he asked if he was going to die. The word ‘yes’ must’ve been right on the tip of his tongue before George spoke up, his voice so strong and clear in his head that it seemed louder than his own. “I won’t let you die.”

“I didn’t realize you’d taken on a lover.”

Hollen peered over Munro’s shoulder to the only other vampire who remained in the room. Everyone else had retreated to either down the hall or had trickled out of the front door once George had decided enough was enough with his posturing. The other vampire was beautiful, with long hair tied into a ponytail and blue eyes almost as pale as Munro’s.

“It wasn’t planned, Erie,” said Munro, “Just like I didn’t dare hope for the best when I sent you on your task. But I’m glad things turned out the way they did…on both counts.”

Erie.Hollen gasped, his eyes going wide. This was the one George told him about—Munro’s son who lived with wolves in the mountains.

“It’s so nice to meet you,” said Hollen, slipping out of the hug and holding his hand out for Erie. His knees wavered, but he locked them. “George told me all about you. It’s nice to finally put a face to the name.”

Erie stared at his hand for a moment before gingerly accepting the offer. His palm was even cooler than Munro’s usually was, the pale skin stark against Hollen’s slightly golden hue.

“Pleasure.” Erie frowned, shaking Hollen’s hand before snatching it back.

Hollen forced a smile on his face, even as his knees shook. There was still a warmth in his limbs from George, but he was weak. It was terrifying to think he could slip again at any moment.

“I didn’t realize we were acquainted,” said Erie. He wiped his hand on his pants, his lips pressed into a thin line. Bits of fur, both black and white, clung to his clothes, sinking between the fabric strands.

Hollen could spot the similarities to Munro with the way Erie held himself, his neck a touch stiffer than most, along with the strange accent that Hollen hadn’t realized was there until he’d heard it on someone else’s lips. And those eyes— They were bright with something that he couldn’t quite describe.

“We aren’t.” Hollen dropped his hand to his side before leaning into Munro, who had come up behind him. He shot a look up at Munro, sheepish. “I might have pretended to know you to get the job here. George said you lived in the mountains.”

“Not quite.” Erie narrowed his eyes. “Did he tell you anything else?”

Hollen nodded, even as Munro stiffened behind him. He was treading dangerous ground with George still grumbling in his head and Munro at his back. They were two opposing forces, but they both seemed to want the same thing—him.

“George tells me a lot of things. It doesn’t mean I’m going to repeat them.” Hollen wasn’t sure how George knew the details—maybe he slipped into minds other than his own or cruised in the heart of an eagle some days. Either way, there were things about Erie that were best left unsaid, especially when his choice of lovers might turn every vampire against him.

Erie seemed to relax, dropping his shoulders and his gaze. “I should be going. My new friends will be missing me. Munro, are you prepared?”

Munro shook his head, his hair tickling Hollen’s cheeks. “That depends on Hollen.”

“What should I do, Munro?” asked Hollen. He touched the back of Munro’s hands, which were grasping his waist. He couldn’t keep working—not when he could barely stand, but he couldn’t go home either and pretend as if the last few hours hadn’t happened.

“Erie, I may need your help. Stay here—bring your new friend if you need to,” said Munro, suddenly tightening his grip on Hollen’s waist. “I’ll never ask anything of you again.”

Erie narrowed his eyes, a frown on his lips. “I’m not dragging my mates into this mess, no matter what your promises are. I came here to help you destroy a demon, and that’s as far as this goes.”

“So thereismore than one,” said Munro, avoiding the true topic. He flexed his hands, pulling Hollen tighter.

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