Page 15 of High Stakes and Soulmates
“But what if they’re someone you interact with every day? What then? What if you’re just playing into their hands? And then I fucking hear that Casimir is seeking data from other territories because a vampire is slaughtering humans in his?”
“Two humans died. Is that why you ran back here?”
“Of course it’s why I ran back here. You’re just a human, but more importantly, you’re my brother and the only family I have left. I don’t know if we should scratch all of this, or if we should explain to Casimir what we’re doing here.”
“And expose that you didn’t really die?” I ask anxiously. “We know the only reason he stopped is because he thinks you’re dead.”
“I thought you trusted them? Casimir and that Ezio guy.”
“I do, but… what if it puts you at risk and it’s my fault? And you know what Donovan said,” I remind him. “Just… Joaquin, let me think on this for a bit. Right now, things are going okay. I know you get anxious every time there’s an incident with the vampires, but it’s been fine. I’ll talk to Julian. He seems to always know what to say.”
“The wolf?”
“Yeah.”
Joaquin seems to debate that. “I’ve never talked to him before, but I don’t trust his father. That man is… odd.”
“I don’t either, but Julian’s not going to run to his father. I just…” I close my eyes but when I do, I see myself sitting in blood, I see the hollow eyes. I see my brother dying before me as the blood from our mother runs toward me.
Quickly, I open them again. “Fuck.”
“I’m sorry. I came in and unloaded on you. Just… relax. You’re right. I’m being paranoid. I just want to make sure you’re safe, and once I’m sure, I’m going to follow this lead. Maybe Julian could stay here a couple of nights while I do? Or you couldstay there… or maybe you could stay with that vampire who wants to woo you,” he teases.
“Ha, you’re funny.”
Joaquin laughs and turns to the kitchen. “I’m starving. The animals kind of hid from me along my way here because of the rain.”
“I… I guess you could bite my wrist.”
“No, I don’t want to bite you again; you didn’t handle it well last time.”
“You’d been freshly turned when you bit me. It’s not your fault. I’m well aware you couldn’t control yourself. It’s been four years now since you were turned. I think I can trust you. And we’ve done it before.”
“Only in emergencies.”
He walks over to the fridge and opens and closes it a few times.
“You act like food will just appear for you.”
“I know. Like maybe a rabbit for an appetizer or something,” he jokes.
“Joaquin, I’m going to tell you a secret… you’re never going to just find a live rabbit in my fridge.”
He laughs. “You want to play a video game?”
I eye my bedroom because right now, I just want to sleep. But I know that with my brother staying in hiding because of the man who wants him dead, he doesn’t have too many who even know he’s alive, and I feel guilty denying him.
“Alright. Fine. Just for an hour and then I’m going to sleep.”
“Can I pick the game?”
“You always do.”
Joaquin laughs again. “Fine, something co-op so I don’t have to be careful to not slip on your tears when we get up for bed.”
“How thoughtful of you,” I say as he hurries me over to the couch.
“You know I didn’t like it when you started working your ass off to be a detective. I knew it’d put you in risky situations. You promise you’re being careful, though?” he asks.
