"Exactly." Reuben locked the folder back in his cabinet. "But that's irrelevant for now. You have forty-eight hours to bring him in, and Harmon won't care if the intelligence was fabricated. What matters are the results."
"I understand, sir."
Results wereallthat ever mattered.
Chapter
Six
Charlie woke to the sound of aggressive positivity.
"Rise and shine, vampire lord! Time to face the day!"
Brent stood in front of his living room windows, arms stretched wide, about to pull open the heavy curtains.
"No!" Charlie rolled off the couch, landing behind it with a thud. "Don't open those!"
Brent paused. "Dude, it's noon. You can't stay in the dark all day."
"Actually, I can. The sun will burn my skin."
"No way, bro, vitamin D is important." Brent pulled one curtain halfway open.
Sunlight streamed across the room. Charlie pressed himself against the back of the couch, his skin prickling with an uncomfortable heat even from indirect exposure.
"Please, just close it!"
Brent sighed but pulled the curtain shut. "This is getting concerning. When's the last time you went outside during normal hours?"
Three weeks ago, Charlie thought. When he was still human.
"I work night shifts," he said instead.
"Right, but you're not working today. Or tonight, since you called in sick." Brent moved away from the windows, and Charlie cautiously emerged from behind the couch. "Which means we have all day to hang out! I was thinking we could hit the gym."
"I can't go to the gym."
"Why not?"
"Because..." Charlie's mind went blank. "I don't have a membership?"
"Guest pass, bro. Already called ahead." Brent grinned, clearly proud of his planning. "Come on, it'll be good for you. You look like you haven't eaten in days."
That was technically true. Ketchup packets and cherry Kool-Aid didn't really count as eating.
"I appreciate it, but?—"
"No buts!" Brent was already heading to his room. "I've got extra workout clothes. We'll get you swole in no time!"
"Brent, I really can't."
"You know what?" Brent emerged with an armful of gym clothes. "If you're that committed to staying inside, we'll work out here. I've got dumbbells, resistance bands, and a pull-up bar."
Charlie stared at the offered clothes. "Here?"
"Yeah! It'll be fun. We'll open up some space, get a good pump going. Maybe it'll help with whatever's got you so stressed." Brent's expression softened. "Because honestly, man, you seem like you're going through something. And exercise helps. Trust me."
The genuine concern in Brent's voice made Charlie's chest tight. Here was someone actually trying to help him, even if Brent had no idea what was really wrong.
