“Are all of those people in the picture vampires?” She changed the subject after my confession sat heavily between us. I smiled, remembering the crew.
“Nah. They’re all old men now. Mid-to-late fifties. Kids, careers, wives. All that picket fence stuff.”
All the stuff I wouldn’t mind having.
I closed my eyes and moved to rest my head against her. I loved sleeping next to her. It was easier to relax and actually dream. Her slow, steady breathing told me that she felt the same.
That next night I was determined to get my parents to see that Scout was who I was meant to be with, whether they liked it or not. I found my family all at the dining room table, sipping warm cups of blood and chatting, presumably about me.
“Good evening,” I said to them.
Gianni snickered. “Where’s your girlfriend?”
“Where’s your wife? Fucking some random vampire across town?” I shot back. I reached for the teapot and poured myself a cup.
My brother glared at me and said nothing. I was probably right. He had chosen to marry for name and money. My sister did as well, and now they were both in unhappy marriages.
“She is pretty, but besides that, I presume there’s good sex. She can’t provide much else.” My sister shrugged. I felt my cheeks flush.
“Caterina, stop being vulgar,” our mother scolded.
“What? I mean,how else could someone with no last name, Bloodborn or not, have pulled an Amato?” My sister brushed back her long, dark hair and smirked. I rolled my eyes. I always found it uncomfortable how proud they were of our last name. It was just a word.
“She is rather pretty. Is she from another country?” My mother asked kindly. I noticed that my father had been stewing silently on the other side of the table. He refused to look at me.
“No, although she thinks her family may have come from Mexico. If you guys gave her a chance,you’d like her.”
“Why? We’ve given you many chances,and we still don’t like you.” Gianni shot at me. He looked so much like our fatherthat it wasalmost comical. My brother was far too stupid to take control of all our dad did. It was probably why our dad had yet to retire.
“So you intend on marrying this woman? When?” my dad asked finally. I blinked.
“Yes. I don’t know. I haven’t really thought about dates yet. There’s no real rush.”
We’re immortal.
“I made the painful call to the Linotti’s last night. It was embarrassing.” My mother faked a sniffle. She was stiff and regal, as always.
“I’m sorry. I wish I had told you thirty years ago,” I told her. She sniffled again but said nothing.
“We have no choice but to accept your future with the orphan,” my dad said flatly.
My mood lifted slightly. “Does that mean I can have the ring?” I asked.
“That ring had been for the marriage we had arranged,” he replied sharply.
“No. It had been for the marriage I went through with. There were no stipulations. Grandma said I could have it. Where is she now? I’ll go visit her.”
There was a slight pause as my four family members exchanged silent looks.
“What?”
“When you got your curse,Grandma gave me the ring to save for when we thought you were ready.” Gianni grinned at me. My mouth fell open as I took in his words. I shut it quickly, realizing how stupid I looked.
“Okay, well,give it back. It’s mine.”
“Not a fucking chance, baby brother.”
5
