“Yes, my people are very excited to become part of the process, and bring forth fair and equal change on both sides,” the vampire said happily, sounding like an infomercial—very fake.
Harlow had a sneaking suspicion that Foxx liked to hear his own voice…What a nightmare, he thought with a sigh.
“So…a partner… Why me? Surely, the other hunters haven’t found partners yet?”
“They have. All starting this week.”
“Bullshit!” Harlow snapped.
“Can you prove otherwise?” Tony asked with a bright, shit-eating grin. “Oh, right, your anti-social ass definitely can’t.”
This motherfucker…He narrowed his eyes at him. “Convenient. This whole partner thing starting right while I'm on my vacation, boss.”
Tony chuckled. “This was an order from the higher-ups. An order we received Monday. No more solo hunts, unless a willing partner cannot be found. So congrats, here is your partner,” his boss said as he came forward, wrapped his arm around Harlow's shoulder, and guided him back around to face the vampire. “Foxx Honeywell, meet Harlow Blackmore. Though, as I understand it, you two have already met.” The man finished sounding way too bright and smug, in Harlow’s opinion.
Harlow stared at the way too innocent looking vampire, and could only think, this couldn’t fucking be real…
Foxx forced an even brighter smile on his face, trying to look nice and friendly.
Okay, his new partner didn’t read emails, so what? Everyone had their issues. Good to note for the future though. And maybe, he was a bit grumpy…but who wouldn’t be after being called in when they were on holiday?
Pushing past his irritation at being ignored multiple times, Foxx stubbornly stuck out his hand again, hoping this time the guy got the memo and actually shook it.
Come on. Look, I’m nice and smiley and cute, shake my hand, he thought hard at the human. He didn’t actually try to use any mind control, as one, it was super-duper rude, and two, he doubted it would even work on Harlow. Hunters’ minds tended to be too strong for that. The defenses in their minds were already in place from undergoing mental training. And if they weren’t…well, those hunters usually didn’t survive for very long.
Harlow's face appeared to be stuck in hard-ass mode. Stern, with his lips pressed into a tight line, a possible tick in his jaw. He looked fucking hot, but so not impressed. Which was slightly gutting.
Foxx had dressed to impress. Really, he looked extra adorable today. He could have done without the strawberry shortcake comment… Tall folks and their propensity for making fun of the vertically challenged.
Harlow’s eyes snapped down to his hand, then back to Foxx’s face, and then back to his hand.
Foxx’s eyes widened a touch when the human, Tony—his new boss—suddenly slapped Harlow upside the head. “Could you stop being rude for one fucking second?”
Harlow’s glare turned murderous, but he did finally reach out and shake his hand. His cock twitched at the look. Mmm, why did he find the look so hot? Oh, he really was a bit fucked in the head.
Despite the intentions in the human's glare, the man didn’t try any dumb strength test. Foxxwasa vampire, so duh.
“Hello, again,” Harlow's deep voice rasped before he released Foxx’s hand.
“Hello! It is a pleasure to officially meet you. I assume we won’t be starting until after you return from holiday. And I am sorry you were called in. I know how frustrating it can be to have your downtime interrupted.”
Instead of responding to anything Foxx had said, the man glanced at Tony and asked, “Is this all you called me back for?”
Foxx’s smile dimmed. His new partner was apparently not a talker. Which was fine. Foxx could talk enough for two or three people, as long as Harlow responded… Which he wasn’t so sure the hunter would. No matter. He wouldn’t let this dim his excitement!
Tony’s brow rose. “Yes?”
Harlow spun on his heels and yanked the door open. “I’m going back to my vacation,” he growled without even looking back. Hands up, he flipped them off, along with the whole room, as he walked off.
Tony growled, “Very mature, Harlow.” He sighed and closed the door. Turning around, he gave Foxx a hesitant smile. “Sorry about that. Please, sit.” He waved at one of the chairs in front of his desk.
Foxx smiled back just as hesitantly, and walked over to sit down as Tony made his way to the chair on the other side to do the same. The human groaned, and it sounded like a few of his joints popped as he sat down. Foxx was so not sorry that he’d never got the chance to experience the wonders of aging.
Tony sniffed and cleared his throat. “So, your partner is prickly. I’d like to say he’s a good guy…but Harlow is a bit of a psychopath.”
Foxx’s brow rose. That was not what he had expected to hear. Then again…he had witnessed the man slam someone into a wall until bloody, with zero expression on his face. So…he guessed it sort of made sense.
“Is he now? So, he was diagnosed with a severe form of antisocial personality disorder? I’m not sure it’s legal for you to tell me his medical diagnosis…”
