I cringed. That was the last thing I wanted to do. My mom especially would lose her shit when I told her that not only did I let someone who wasn’t approved by them drink my blood on her turning day, but later I turned it around and drank her blood as well.
***
“I don’t think they’ll like me.” Scout sighed as she stared out the car window. I continued the drive to my parent’shouse.
“And why’s that?” I tried to give her a reassuring smile,but it appeared awkward and forced. She saw right through it.
“Because I’m not yourbetrothed.”She stuck her tongue out at the word and made a gagging motion with her finger.
“Well,I’m going to make them like you. They might not right now, but they’ll have no choice once they get to know you.”
“Why is it so important to meet them? I’ve never met my parents.”
“Yeah,but mine are—” I stopped myself. I felt like a jackass. She raised an eyebrow and glanced at me.
“What are yours exactly? Special? Are they like that guy with the Sunshine?” Her hand went to her side, where she’d been stabbed with apoison-dipped knife. I grimaced.
“Yes,and no. Pretentious as hell, yes. But not as violent.”
“If they aren’t going to kill us,why even bother? I don’t need approval from anyone.” I glanced at her and saw she was playing nervously with the frill on her dress.
“You’re right. You don’t. But I want to stop being harassed about not marrying Aleida. I have to show them why the marriage is off.”
“This is all so dumb,” she muttered and turned back to the window.
The rest of the ride was spent arguing in a similar fashion, and I found myself relieved to see my family home up ahead.
The Amato home was grand. My family had been living on the property for almost two hundred years. Over time they’d expanded and redid this part or that, but overall, it looked much like the home I’d been raised in.
“Jesus Christ,Desi, you grew up here?” Scout whistled when I stopped the car and helped her out on her side.
I laughed. “Yep. Born and raised.”
“So it’s literally just me that’s poor. I’m the only poor vampire in existence.” She laughed.
Not for long, if I had it my way. When we get married, my money will be your money.
“Come on, Nerd.” I ignored her and motioned to the house.
“You first, Loser.” She took my hand and leaned up on her tiptoes to give me a quick peck on the cheek. It put a small smile on my face. We then started up the long walkway to the door.
The door swung open before I could ring the bell.
“Peter? No shit, you’re still here?” I exclaimed upon seeing the butler, the same fucking guy who’d been doing this my entire childhood.
“The benefits are worth it, Mr. Amato. It’s good to see you too,” the man snickered. While he looked just like every other vampire, eternally twenty-seven, his personality was of a man who was born five hundred years ago. “Your family has been anticipating your arrival.”
I forced a smile and urged Scout to go into the house ahead of me. “Your jacket, Miss…?” Peter seemed confused that it wasn’t Aleida that I had brought. While I hadn’t told them I’d be bringing my girlfriend, I had told them all a dozen times that I was not with Aleida anymore.
“Scout.” The brunette goddess, with every part of me wrapped around her lightly tanned finger, answered him confidently.
“Scout.” Peter nodded, although his eyes appeared weary. “Scout…?”
“I don’t have a last name.”
I blinked, suddenly realizing that I had never thought to ask. The first time we knew each other or now. How did I not know that?
“Oh. Well, why don’t I take you to the den where the Amato family is waiting.”
