Page 15 of Benicio

“And I’m coming with you,” David said. He didn’t like how pale Benicio appeared, and he would feel guilty as hell if he didn’t stay by Benicio’s side. Benicio was in this predicament because he’d chosen to help David save Deon’s life.

Chapter Five

David was curled up on the chair in Benicio’s bedroom as the vampire slept. He wasn’t sure how long the guy would be out of it. So far Benicio had been sleeping a full twenty-four hours, and David was becoming increasingly worried about him.

Unable to stand it any longer, he set his book down and went in search of Matteo. He found the guy in the library—this mansion had a huge library—skimming the titles.

“How much longer?” David asked when he entered.

Matteo didn’t bother turning around. “I have no idea. He’s never slept this long before.”

“You don’t even have a guess as to when he’ll wake up?”

This time Matteo turned, his eyes filled with frustration and annoyance. “Let me whip out my crystal ball and conjure you up an estimated time.”

David dropped into the closest chair. “I’m just worried.”

“You don’t even know him.”

“That doesn’t mean I can’t be worried about him,” David argued. “He went there to help me. I feel responsible for what happened to him.”

“Don’t.” Matteo gave David his back again. “I’m more than capable of seeing to Benicio. You may leave.”

David had a suspicion that Matteo was being curt with him because he was just as worried. People tended to snap at others when they were worried about someone. “How long have you been Benicio’s assistant?”

Matteo’s shoulders slumped slightly. “Fifteen hundred years.”

David was taken aback. No wonder Matteo was so protective of Benicio.

“Fifteen hundred years... That’s a long time,” David said softly.

Matteo spun around, his eyes narrowed. “Long enough to know when to mind my own business and when to take charge.”

David swallowed hard but didn’t take Matteo’s words as a dismissal. He suspected that the older vampire was trying to push him away to protect him in case something happened to Benicio. But David wasn’t one to back down so easily.

“Look, I get it. You’re worried about him. I am too,” David said. “But I don’t know what to do to help him. Is there anything you need me to do?”

Matteo hesitated for a moment, studying David’s face. “There is...something you can do.”

David leaned forward. “Anything. Just name it.”

“You can leave,” Matteo said.

“Leave? I can’t do—”

“How many times must I tell you to go? Benicio is not your concern.”

The hell he wasn’t. He’d helped David rescue Deon. Benicio had put himself at risk. The least David could do was stay by his side until he recovered. “Probably a hundred more times. I don’t walk away from my debts.”

Matteo grunted. “Then go to your room. Let Benicio rest.”

When David walked out, he snuck back into Benicio’s room. He slipped inside, quietly closing the door. To his surprise, Benicio was awake. David moved a bit closer, unsure how Benicio would act.

“You are stubborn.” Benicio sat up, tossed the covers aside, and moved his legs until he was sitting on the side of the bed.

“You heard all that?”

“Yes.” Benicio ran a hand through his salt-and-pepper hair. “I thought we already had the conversation that this wasn’t your room.”

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