Page 105 of Mystique of the Fallen
“Well, a nondescript coffee shop with few people should give us a chance to chat.”
“Unless someone calls the cops the minute we walk through the door.”
“Vampires walk around on human land regularly. Rarely does anyone bother to even talk to them, let alone involve the police.”
“Okay, is it stupid to be nervous?” Grant asked.
Roman trailed his fingers along Grant’s jaw as they turned to face each other. Leaning forward, Roman slipped his tongue between Grant’s lips and kissed him softly and slowly. The tenderness of it swept through Grant, and he smiled in appreciation for Roman and the love they’d built.
“You’re never stupid,” Roman told him. “And every emotion is valid. For instance, I’m getting a little turned on because I know the minute we walk in that coffee shop, you’re going to roast this jerk’s balls.”
Grant laughed. “I’ll start by being cordial.”
“Come on, Mr. Geniality, let’s go meet your ex.”
“Ew, can we not call him that?”
Grinning, Roman unsnapped his seatbelt. “Whatever you want, baby.”
Since rolling his eyes would be a waste of effort, Grant climbed out of the car and stalked to the door. Roman pulled it open, and Grant sailed through, his eyes immediately locking on the immaculately dressed lawyer who was already seated. Heading for Reginald, Grant noted the exact instant his brown eyes landed on Roman. His mouth curled into a sneer. Was Reginald reacting like that because Roman was a fallen knight, or had he figured out his connection to Grant?
“I wasn’t aware you were bringing company,” Reginald stated tightly as Grant took a seat opposite him at the small table. No one else paid Grant any attention, so he figured they didn’t mind that a couple of fallen knights were currently breaking a two-centuries-old treaty.
“Reginald Bradley, this is Roman,” Grant said.
“I don’t care who he is.” Reginald’s gaze landed on Grant’s left hand and the two rings Roman had given him as Grant’s senses told him Bradley’s words were a lie. “Are you married?”
“Mated.”
“Excuse me?”
“It’s like being married,” Grant replied. “Sort of. I’m not sure how to explain. I’m no expert in human customs.”
“So, you moved on,” Reginald remarked. “Nothing we had together meant anything to you.”
“Pretty sure I already told you I have no memory of being a human.”
“How can I trust your word?”
Grant cocked his head as he studied Reginald. “I don’t know. Most people do, but I’m not sure you’ll buy the whole incorruptible soldier thing.”
“Fallen knights can lie,” Roman pointed out.
“Good point. I guess Reginald can’t believe shit that comes out of my mouth. Maybe I do remember stuff,” Grant said, wondering how Reginald would react if he thought there was any shred of memory left of his former life.
“What do you remember?” Reginald demanded.
Leaning back in his chair, Grant studied Reginald. “When did you find out I was dead?”
“Excuse me?”
“I figured someone had to tell you. We were in love and all that. I couldn’t have disappeared without you worrying.”
“What I recall is that you broke things off,” Reginald said. That was the truth, and Grant was grateful for his senses. And his human self for dumping Reginald before he breathed his last. “Our love was past tense because you died.”
“So, I broke your heart?”
Reginald tugged on his sleeves. A sign of nerves. “Of course. I gave you everything.”
