Page 26 of Roman

Danny rolled his eyes but still didn’t quite meet Roman’s gaze. “I know. I got it. Real subtle with the ‘hunting’ reference.”

Okay, so not jealous anymore. Clearly something was wrong though. Roman just wasn’t sure what. “Then why do you look so upset?” he asked.

“Didn’t leave your number,” Danny mumbled, under his breath enough that, even with his superior hearing, Roman almost didn’t catch it.

Oh.Oh.

“I apologize. That was foolish of me. I am not used to—” Roman started, but Danny interrupted.

“You knew how to reach me. Where I work, where I live. And I didn’t even have yourphone number.” His voice was growing steadily louder, and Roman began to suspect this was perhaps not his first cocktail. “You tell me what you told me and then just disappear? That’s some…some messed up power dynamics! And I’m not here for it.”

Roman was torn between distress that he had so clearly hurt Danny with his inconsiderate actions and overwhelming delight that the boy had clearly missed him.

Dannywantedhim.

Fix it. Soothe, protect, ours, ours, ours, his demon hissed at him.

Right. First things first. Reassure and comfort their mate. But before he could start to explain himself, a familiar dark-haired figure interrupted them, swooping in over Danny at the spot Chloe had vacated. “Is everything all right here?” he asked, eyes on Roman, tone accusatory.

Gabe. The brother.

Roman kept his own eyes firmly on Danny, who was rolling his own at his brother. His mate got a little bratty when he was drunk, apparently.

The bartender appeared suddenly. “King,” she said, voice throaty. “I’ve been wondering when you would show up.” She gestured at Danny with her chin. “It’s just been Little King sitting here for hours.”

“Little King?” Roman mouthed at Danny, brow raised in question.

Still scowling, Danny muttered so that only Roman could hear, “Our last name. It’s Kingman. Golden boy over there got the nickname King in high school, and then when I showed up four years later…” He shrugged. “Only a few people still use it. Generally“—he sent a pointed look to the bartender, who was leaning over the bar in front of Gabe now, cleavage on impressive display—”when they’re trying to get intosomeone’spants.”

Roman leaned in so his shoulders were brushing Danny’s, ready to finish their conversation now that the elder Kingman brother was seemingly occupied.

“I am very sorry, mylittle king,” he murmured, watching as the most delicious blush spread from Danny’s cheeks down his throat at the use of his nickname.

How delightful.

“I am…unaccustomed to modern dating,” he continued. “Or to any dating, really. I am used to staying in the shadows. I did not think to leave my number. And I wanted to give you at least the semblance of space, should you have needed it.”

Danny, too quick by half, picked up on his wording. “Semblanceof space? Have you been…watching me?”

Roman winced at the slip. “Would that upset you?”

“Not exactly.” Danny slowly shook his head. “I know it should, but—”

“It definitely should,” Gabe cut in harshly. The elder brother was apparently no longer occupied, the bartender having stepped away to serve someone else a drink. “Who the hell is this guy, Danny? He’s been—what—following you around?”

Danny shot a surprisingly vicious look over at his brother. “Butt out, Gabriel.”

“I’m not going to butt out when some creep—”

“I would be careful who you call a creep,Your Highness,” Soren crooned, having materialized a few steps behind Danny’s brother.

Gabe peered over his shoulder at the blond vampire, who—despite the challenging tone of his words—was grinning maniacally at Danny’s brother. Jesus. This was becoming pure chaos.

“Now who the hell is this guy?” Gabe demanded, tone hostile as ever.

Soren’s grin didn’t falter. “I’m new in town. Be nice.” He stepped in closer to Gabe, breathing in subtly as he went, seeming to inhale the brother’s scent. Roman really hoped it was just an intimidation tactic, because having Soren fixated on Danny’s older brother was just asking for trouble. “I’m actually in need of a big, strong man to accompany me outside for a smoke,” Soren continued. “King Gabriel, was it? I think you’ll fit the bill.”

That surprisingly seemed to take the wind out of Gabe’s sails. Roman watched as he stared, gobsmacked, at the blond man in front of him. “It’s just—it’s just Gabe. And I’m a doctor. I don’t smoke?” It came out like a question. He was looking into Soren’s eyes like he was hypnotized. “You shouldn’t either. It’s, um, bad for you.”

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