"I wanted to. God, I wanted to." Charlie's voice was shaky. "Is that what it's always going to be like? Will I always be struggling with this need?"
"Yes."
The simple answer seemed to steady Charlie more than platitudes would have. He sagged slightly into Simon's hold, and Simon realized he still had his arm around the vampire's waist. He should let go. He was going to let go.
He didn't let go.
"Thank you," Charlie mumbled into Simon's shoulder. "For the rescue."
"You looked like you were about to either bite her or have a panic attack."
"Both. Definitely both." Charlie pulled back slightly, looking up at him. The hood had fallen back completely now, exposing Charlie's too-innocent features. "The boyfriend thing was quick thinking."
"It was efficient." But Simon still didn't remove his arm. Charlie fit against his side too easily, and with his senses heightened from the skipped pills, Simon was hyperaware of every point of contact. The way Charlie unconsciously leaned into him. The rapid flutter of his not-quite-alive heart.
This was a mistake. All of it.
"We should move," Simon said, but before he could act on it, a voice cut through the bar noise.
"Well, well. Simon Hale."
Chapter
Fourteen
Simon's arm tightened around Charlie before he consciously decided to do it. Four figures approached through the crowd, moving with that too-fluid gait that marked them as predators. Old enough to have control, young enough to be stupid about it.
The one in front looked like he'd raided a thrift store's grunge section, dressed as he was in ripped jeans with a wallet chain and a Creed tour shirt from 2002.
"Didn't expect to see the Organization's pet killer here." The vampire's smile was almost fever bright. "Slumming it with the natives?"
Simon cataloged exits, weapons, potential collateral damage. Fifteen feet to the back door. Two stakes accessible. Silver knife in his boot. Too many humans in the splash zone.
"We're looking for someone," Simon said, keeping his voice level. "Vampire, brown hair, questionable music taste. Nickelback shirt."
The Creed vampire laughed. "Danny? Oh, this is rich. What'd that idiot do now?"
"He turned someone three weeks ago. Behind this bar."
Interest flickered across the vampire's face. His gaze slid to Charlie, still pressed against Simon's side. "Three weeks? Wasn't that when…" He stopped, nostrils flaring. "Oh shit. Oh, this is beautiful."
The other vampires shifted, picking up on something Simon couldn't identify. One of them, a redhead with too many piercings, started giggling.
"Is that him?" She pointed at Charlie. "Is that Danny's joke?"
Charlie stiffened. "Joke?"
Creed's grin widened. "Danny thought it would be hilarious to turn some random human, see how long he would last. He had some bets going."
Simon hated this vampire more than he hated most vampires. "Where's Danny now?" he demanded.
"Dead. He was murdered two weeks ago." Creed stepped closer. "Some hunter with a grudge. Danny was my progeny. My responsibility." His eyes locked on Simon. "Know anything about that?"
Simon hadn't killed anyone named Danny two weeks ago. He kind of wished he had.
But that didn't matter. He could still stake the vampires who were in on his 'joke.'
"Outside," Simon said. "Now."
