The man maneuvered him until Cecil was once again sitting on the edge of the counter. Though he felt slightly wobbly this time.
Sin’s hand froze against him and his eyes narrowed. “What is that?” Sin asked sharply.
Cecil was confused until he realized where the vampire was staring. Now that it had fully formed, the bruise on his wrist was looking pretty nasty.
Deciding it would be best to not piss off the men more than he already had, Cecil lied. “Nothing, really. I just bumped into something.”
Glaring, Sin growled, “Bumping into something does not leave finger impressions.” The eyes looking back at him held a level of rage that he hadn’t thought Sin capable of.
Cecil gulped and rubbed his wrist. “Please…” he begged.
“Cecil—”
“Let it go, please.”
He watched Sin struggle with his emotions. Sin’s expression shifted between furious and murderous, before finally settling on deadly calm. “Fine, but this will be the only time. Youwilltell me if this happens again.”
That was definitely an order. Cecil was sure Sin would still warn his men. For their sake, he hoped they listened.
Today was the day he had been waiting for. Cecil could barely contain his excitement. It would be his first time attending a birthday party, and he was nervous. Cecil had never given anyone a gift before, or spent so much money on one thing. He just hoped Sin liked it.
The watch he’d purchased for the vampire was expensive, getting it engraved even more so. Well, it was expensive for him, but probably wouldn’t be for Sin.
But he had bought it with his own money—money that he had earned himself. Cecil felt accomplished. He also felt increasingly worried about what he had gotten engraved on the back.
Sin sat down in his desk chair, his hands nervouslysmoothing down non-existent wrinkles in his jacket. Hyde and Jekyll stared at him, waiting for Sin to speak.
“I will tell Cecil tonight,” Sin announced. Just the thought had his heart racing. “He deserves to know before things go any further.”
Jekyll frowned. “Sin, I understand your worries, but Cecil is not like the others you have dated.”
“I agree,” Hyde said. “The young man is not one to judge someone over something that cannot be changed.”
Sin wanted to believe that, and perhaps he was wrong to project his doubts on Cecil. But even knowing the quality of the man’s character, Sin’s fears refused to dissipate.
The party was taking place in the giant living room, but a few extra chairs had been added. Some people were standing, while others were sitting down and relaxing, and most were talking. But, in one way or another, everyone was angled toward Sin—who was sitting in a plush chair against the wall.
The food had been eaten and it was finally time for presents. And lucky him, Cecil got to go first. No pressure at all. No pressure, as in all the pressure.
Here goes nothing—his grip tightened on the box as he walked up to Sin. The box was black with a gray ribbon tied around it in a bow. His hands were shaking when he held it out to the man.
Taking it, Sin gave him one of his signature, yetirritatingly beautiful, smiles. The look caused Cecil’s cheeks to heat and his insides to flutter.
When the man pulled the ribbon off and opened it, he shyly asked, “Do you like it?”
Sin wrapped his arm around Cecil’s waist and pulled him to his side. “It’s perfect.” He kissed Cecil’s cheek. “And just what I needed, as I recently misplaced mine.” The man gave him another kiss. “Thank you.”
“Look on the back,” Cecil said, feeling all warm and fuzzy and hopeful.
That feeling died only a second later. The room had gone unnaturally quiet. And he wasn’t the only one who noticed.
Sin was eyeing his people; there was a frown on his face. Looking at them, Cecil flinched at their expressions. Then the murmurs began.
“Wonder where he got the money for that.”
“Where do you think?”
“You don’t know what you guys are talking about,” Hyde hissed, in an attempt to silence them.
