Charley glanced up at me. “What d’you think? Game for coming last again?” He appeared to have ditched his fatigue at the suggestion, and his blue eyes glowed.
“That depends.” I caught Dalziel’s eye. “Is it to be a fair run?” I couldn’t believe I could contemplate shifting in front of three vampires, but it seemed nothing would be the same from now on.
Baxter clapped her hands with glee. “I’ve never run with a wolf before. Well, not socially. I’ll go and change. Leather isn’t as forgiving as gym wear. Don’t go without me.”
Dalziel watched her leave the room. Okay, we all watched her leave. She really did have the most amazing arse. He glanced down at his own rather formal clothing. “Suppose it wouldn’t hurt to change,” he muttered. “How about you and Charley wait for us in the billiards room? We’ll stay in the corridor until Charley opens the door.” He waited for my nod, then followed Baxter.
Charley twisted in the chair, and ran a slow hand down the centre of my chest, his eyes alight with the challenge. “Are you really going to shift, and run as your wolf?”
I bared my teeth at him. “Scared you’ll lose now, little boy?”
“Pffft. You only wish you were fast enough to catch me,” he bragged, but the renewed chewing of his lip told me he was no longer certain of his boast.
34
CHARLEY
The run was exactlywhat we needed. Dalziel led the way. It was a good job we were all equally fast, and had excellent night vision, as he took us far away from well-used paths and roads, and across country. We leapt fences, walls, and ditches, swerving to avoid the occasional house or farm building, running for the simple joy of being able to. In wooded areas or open fields, Luc easily kept pace with us in his wolf form, proving once again how well we fit together. When we arrived back at the house, we let him slip inside first to shift back without being watched. Baxter shepherded us into the kitchen to raid the fridge, lobbing a blood bag at me, while she knocked hers back like a vodka shot. I returned mine to the fridge unopened. “Thanks, but I’m sloshing. Might have something after I’ve showered. Luc, you want anything?”
He stared at the fridge, the cooker, then me. Twice. “Yes, but…”
Baxter giggled. “Feast or fuck, right? Tough choice. I don’t have to choose. Blood bags are yucky, but they’re fast. C’mon, gorgeous. See you two at twilight.” She grabbed Dalziel by the front of his long-sleeved tee, and bodily dragged him out of the kitchen in the direction of the stairs. He followed with a sheepish grin and a muttered, “Twilight, yes, see you then.”
My mouth dropped open. “Oh my god, my daddyisdoing the sex goddess. Like, for real.”
Luc snorted. “Apparently so. Lucky bastard.” I glared at him, and he held his hands up in surrender. “Dude, she’s fucking gorgeous. I’m not blind.” He pulled me against him, and palmed my dick through my shorts. “I am, however, committed to a lifetime of what’s in your trousers, not hers. Let me take you upstairs and show you just how committed.”
* * *
It was distinctlyanticlimactic waving Baxter off. She was less sex kitten and more hard-ass business woman as she stowed her luggage into her fancy sports car. She shook Luc’s hand with considerably more warmth than when she’d arrived, then gripped my shoulders in both hands and planted an unexpected smacker on my cheek. “You’re in good hands, Charley,” she said. “Get yourself home, and I’ll contact you, all right? I’ll be Ms Wragg when I call, okay?”
“One of your many aliases?” I hazarded a guess.
She winked. “Not this time. Very occasionally the world gets Baxter Wragg without any artifice. Well, apart from the whole immortal Victorian vampire bit, but what they don’t know won’t harm ’em, right?” She patted my other cheek, and stepped back. “Behave yourself, and it won’t be long before you’re in the clear.”
She walked towards the car, Dalziel following her. Luc tugged me back towards the front door. “Let them say goodbye privately,” he urged. He shoved me in front of him, but at the last moment I turned. Baxter had her head on Dalziel’s shoulder. One of his arms was around her waist, the other tangled in the hair at her nape. It looked as if they were whispering. Huh, they probably were, so we didn’t overhear them. I hoped whatever weird arrangement they had was enough for them. It was a long way between here and London. I allowed Luc to steer me towards the dining room. Of course, his wolf needed to eat — again.
* * *
I stoodon the bottom step in front of the house, gripping a small cool bag, full of the Baxter-approved blood bags. They looked like some space-age hipster vitamin drink from the packaging, but no expense had been spared in their design, and I knew my parents wouldn’t even blink at them. To be honest, they’d probably take one look at me and heave a joint sigh of relief. It might have only been a few days, but I could see the difference in my appearance since balancing my diet properly. I had the forms in my backpack, half filled in to show my ‘progress’ in the programme.
Pavel had made more fuss than usual over our breakfasts, and packed up a selection of foods for us both for the journey. He kept himself slightly physically distant, as was usual for him, but made sure to wish us a safe journey, saying he hoped fervently the young master, in particular, would return soon.
Eleanor was warmly efficient, ensuring we’d packed everything, and we both felt safe to return home. Luc eyed her sadly.
“Far as anyone knows, nothing’s changed for me. If my pack think of me in passing, they’re just glad I’m not making waves anywhere.” His lips twisted in a soundless snarl. “Shame I can’t persuade Grandpa to bring out a Pride version of the relish. I’d put my nameandmy face to that campaign.”
Eleanor failed to completely smother a smirk. “You do have a very handsome face. It would probably boost sales considerably. Not that Milton’s needs it,” she assured him hurriedly.
He gave her a quick, warm hug, surprising both of them by the look on his face. He grabbed his briefcase and the cool bag, making a point of tucking them safely behind the driver’s seat, leaving me alone with her. I felt suddenly awkward as fuck, so I rammed my hands into the pockets of my cargoes and toed the gravel with my boot. “So, uh, thanks for everything,” I ventured. “You’ve been great.”
She touched my shoulder, and I looked up at her, two steps above me, smart as ever in her tailored skirt and sensible heels. “Any time, Charley. You’re Dalziel’s son, and that means you’re as important to me as he is. This is your home, whether you view it that way or not. You never need to ask to come. Turn up literally any time and you will be welcome.” She stepped down and reached forward with her arms open, and I leaned into her offered embrace. It was motherly, but also no nonsense, precisely what I needed. Suddenly beset by watery eyes, I gave her a firm jerk of my chin and withdrew from her, gently, because I didn’t want to go upsetting her, and the hug had been damn near perfect.
“I’ll get Luc to message you when he drops me off,” I said, addressing the wide expanse of lawn. “’Cause, you know, my tendency to fry electronics and all.”
Her laugh was light and sweet. “You do that,” she replied. “Tell him not to drive like a lunatic. Just because neither of you are particularly breakable, doesn’t mean Dalziel needs to learn about an accident on the evening news.”
I snorted. “Luc’s fast, but he’s not crazy. And he won’t want to come to the attention of the traffic cops. We’ll be fine.”
