Page 68 of Bound in Blood
Paddy let out a sharp breath of amusement, shaking his head as he leaned against the counter. “Make sure you retake the unit where you learn to not look like a kicked dog in public.”
Mateo rolled his eyes, tipping his glass toward Paddy in a lazy toast. “You know, we have a saying in Italy.”
“Oh, I’m on the edge of my seat. Do tell,” Paddy deadpanned.
“Vai a fare in culo.?*”Mateo replied, as neutral as he could, using thefullphrase, for extra offense.
Paddy snorted. “I’m assuming that doesn’t mean ‘you have beautiful eyes.’”
“Try saying it to the next wannabe Capone that walks in here, then report back,” Mateo huffed. “If you’re not already… what do they say? Taking a nap with the fish.”
“Whatever. I like my kneecaps the way they are, thanks.” Paddy poured a bit more whiskey into Mateo’s glass before setting an empty glass right next to him. “Your boyfriend’s here. Let me guess, Smirnoff?”
The barstool next to Mateo scraped back. “You wound me, Patrick. I have much better taste. In partnersandalcohol,” Alexei said, taking his seat. “But, if Smirnoff is all you’ve got, you will not catch me complaining. Much.”
Paddy sighed, rolling his eyes as he grabbed a fresh bottle from behind the bar. “I keep telling the doorman not to let you two in here.”
“Yes, but money is a universal language, my friend. Gaelic is not.” Alexei accepted his glass, taking a sip and making that face that said ‘I’ve had much better.’
“How did you know I was here?” Mateo asked, swirling the whiskey in his glass before knocking it back. He wasalmoststarting to feel a buzz, the frustration curling in his gutalmostdulling a bit.Almost.
“Followed the storm cloud. And look, at the end of the rainbow we have both a Leprechaun and the pot of gold he’ll be making off your sadness.” Alexei gestured to Paddy now pouring Mateo’s… third? Fourth? Glass of whiskey in the twenty minutes he’d been there.
Mateo snorted, barely holding back a smirk. “I’m the pot of gold in this scenario?”
Alexei shrugged, swirling his own drink before taking a sip. “Not you. Your wallet. Your family issues might be keeping the lights on at this bar.” He made a disgusted face as he tasted his drink. “It sure isn’t the alcohol.”
“Well, sorry to the local economy, but,” Mateo knocked back what he decided would be his last drink, giving him a second to gain the courage. “I’m leaving.”
He wasn’t sure when he’d come to the decision, not really. The idea had been gaining traction in his mind for weeks. He’d been reading up on other states and cities in America. Ones where he might be judged less or ignored more. Vampires typically preferred to stick together, but Mateo was fucking sick of vampires and their weird rules. These wereMarco’sfriends, not his. Well, other than Alexei. Alexei was Mateo’s friend. Or, he was just as miserable as Mateo, anyway.
Alexei quirked a brow. “Just you?”
“Marco doesn’t want me here,” Mateo responded, his tone clipped.
Alexei studied him for a moment before nodding. He didn’t look surprised. Alexeineverlooked surprised, but there was something else to his expression. Something keen and knowing.
“What doyouwant?” Alexei finally asked, voice smooth and unreadable.
Mateo snorted. “In a perfect world? I love my brother, and I want him back.”
“Yes, well, you know.” Alexei made a vague gesture with his hand, “Ourconditionhas a bad habit of making things likewantandlovemeaningless.”
Mateo scoffed, leaning on his elbows against the bar, putting his head in his hands. “Tell me about it.”
Alexei tilted his head, like he was measuring Mateo’s words against something deeper. Then, he exhaled. Slow and measured. “So, you’re leaving. Where are you going?”
“Boston, I think.” Mateo wanted to go far but not too far. In case… well, just in case.
“Boston would suit you. Heard they’re great at holding grudges.” Alexei lifted his glass in a mock salute. “And excellent at throwing tea parties.”
Mateo snorted, shaking his head as he threw too much cash on the bar. “Yeah? Maybe when I get there, I’ll throw one in Jiro’s honor. Dump his stupid, pompous ass right into the harbor.”
Alexei let out a quiet chuckle, throwing his own money on the bar. “Now that’s a party I’d attend.”
Mateo side-eyed him, skeptical. “You saying you’re going to come visit?”
Alexei shrugged. “I’m saying I’m coming with you.”
