Page 75 of Johann

And this was why Jay should be in charge of talking. That was a much nicer way of saying “fuck off forever or we’ll break your face in half.”

But Tobias didn’t seem to appreciate the magnanimous olive branch being waved in front of him. “Of course you would,” he sneered. “Our little pacifist.”

And fuck, Alexei did not like that tone. Not when Jay was being nothing but pleasant to this undead mouth-breathing motherfucker. Before Alexei knew it, his beast was pushing out, and a strange growl he’d never heard before was coming out of his own mouth.

It was a little embarrassing, to be honest. So much for schooling his reactions to posturing assholes.

“Oh no. Did I upset your pet?” Tobias sniffed at the air. “He smells awfully fresh. You know the thing about baby vamps, Johann. So easy to put down.”

Alexei snarled at that, ready to tug Jay back and make a break for it.

But he found himself grasping air, as Jay’s hand had left his in that split second of distraction. Out of nowhere, Tobias was knocked flat on his back on the ground, and Jay was straddling him, pinning his arms as well as his legs.

Alexei gawked. Jay’s face was still human, and he looked oddly peaceful, as if he’d just happened to find himself in that position, nonchalantly holding the larger vampire down.

“I don’t like fighting,” Jay said evenly as Tobias struggled. “And I’m probably not very good at it. But Iamstronger than you. And I don’t like you threatening my mate.” He frowned down at Tobias. “It’s rude.”

Alexei fought the inappropriate urge to laugh as he pushed his beast back inside. He was worried Jay might think he was laughing at him, when really it was immensely satisfying watching this intruder try and fail to wiggle out of Jay’s hold.

After a few more minutes of pathetic attempts, Jay never looking even remotely strained by the effort, Tobias’s head fell back, a sneer still on his face. He resorted back to taunting. “Of course you don’t like fighting. You’ve never been a very good vampire, have you, Johann? Weak. Cowardly.”

Jay’s face remained as placid as ever, even as Alexei could feel a twinge of old hurt run through him. “Yes, I suppose that’s true,” Jay agreed. “But my friends are very different from me.”

“Too true, Jaybird,” Soren drawled, stepping out of the fucking shadows like a movie villain, Gabe a step behind him.

What the actual fuck? Alexei hadn’t even known they were there. He’d have to ask Jay about honing his vampire senses; he clearly had a lot to learn.

Soren crouched next to the pair on the ground, that creepy grin he’d once used to intimidate Alexei firmly in place. “You see, unfortunate stranger, we’re not nearly as nice as our sweet Johann here.” He wrinkled his nose as he sniffed at Tobias. “Thought I smelled a stranger in town. Don’t recognize you, so you must be a new addition to the den. You ever meet Hendrick, by chance?”

Tobias nodded warily. Soren’s shark’s grin widened.

“Perfect. Then you’ll be delighted to hear the story of how he perished. By my hands.” Soren tilted his head thoughtfully. “Well, by my shotgun to multiple parts of his body, actually. Then burned down to ash by flames, and poof—” Soren made jazz hands, waving them in front of Tobias’s face. “No more asshole. And let’s see…what else do we have on our group résumé? Our friend Roman just ripped the head off a feral vamp a few months ago. Really wish I’d been there to see that. I don’t know if you’ve heard of Lucien Volaire either, but he’s a truly unhinged piece of work, not afraid to leave bodies left and right, and he’s been pushing his way into our crew, despite my protests. And then Alexei here—” Soren shot Alexei a sly wink. “With his ties to the Russian mob. Lots of fun weapons to explore there. So no, Jay’s friends aren’t very nice. Now, can you remember that all on your own, or do we need to leave some permanent reminders?” Still crouched on one knee, Soren turned fully to Alexei. “What would your dear brother take as a message, Alexei? A finger?”

Alexei cleared his throat. “Coming into our territory uninvited, threatening our family? I’d say a hand, at the very least.”

Soren looked absolutely delighted at his cooperation. He turned his manic expression back to Tobias. “Did you hear that, stranger? A hand. Now tell me, are you a righty or a lefty?”

Tobias, thickheaded as he was, finally looked properly cowed. He shook his head frantically, rubbing gravel into his own hair in the process. “Un—unnecessary. I’ll pass on the message. Really. I was just here to check things out. Not threatening. No threatening here.”

Truly pathetic. But it seemed to be enough for Jay, who finally rose from his restraining position, allowing Tobias to run off into the distance at an incredibly unnatural speed.

Soren sighed happily, rising from his own crouch. “That was fun.” His grin dropped as he seemed to realize Jay wasn’t quite as enthused. “What’s wrong, Jaybird? You get his cooties on you?”

Jay twisted at the hem of his shirt. “I brought another den member here.”

Soren cocked his head. “And we scared him off.”

“But you—”

Soren sighed, not happily this time, and ran his hand through his coiffed blond hair. “I told Danny he was in charge of the mushy stuff,” he complained. “And I know he’s already gone over this—our…feelings about you. Don’t make me say it again.”

Alexei, absolutely loving the idea of every single person in Jay’s life reassuring him of his place there, spoke up. “Jay’s love language is words of affirmation.”

Jay nodded solemnly. “And also all the other ones.”

Soren looked pained for a moment, then threw his hands up dramatically. “Fine. You’reours, Jay. You and your big Russian. There’s not a day goes by I’m not happy you came here, even if I didn’t know what I was doing when I invited you. And most days, Istillfeel guilty for leaving you in that place for as long as I did. And I’m looking forward to the future, when I don’t have to think about any of it, and it’s just an accepted truth that we have one another’s backs for the rest of time. Good?” Soren gave Jay a sharp look, relaxing when Jay nodded. “Good. Highness?”

Gabe, who’d been leaning against the fence, clearly delighted by Soren’s discomfort, looked confused. “What?”

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