I thought that was freedom and that I’d chosen my own path.But in reality, Viktor had just been alone. Completely alone, never giving a fuck about anyone until Ant had walked into that courtroom in his button-up and jeans - the ones without the rips. Viktor smiled at the memory. In that moment, Viktor’s entire world had shifted, even though he didn’t know why until later.
And today, that fucking Claudius had tried to take it all away.Viktor quickly took a few calming breaths. Ant could pick up his emotions even in sleep, and he was already exhausted - Viktor didn’t want him feeling any worse than he already was. But inside, he still seethed.
The fucker hadn’t thought for a moment that maybe I’d changed,and Viktor knew why. It was because Claudius was the one who hadn’t changed in all the time they’d been apart. Claudius looked at Viktor and saw what he used to be - a loyal coven member bound by the old ways.
But Viktor wasn’t that person anymore, and in truth hadn’t been that person for a long time. But in Ant, he’d foundsomething worth fighting for, worth protecting, and perhaps more importantly, someone worth loving.
Able shifted at the foot of the bed, and Viktor glanced down to find the dog watching him with dark, intelligent eyes. The German shepherd’s ears were pricked forward, his expression alert despite his own exhaustion.
He’schecking on us,Viktor realized.Making sure we’re safe.
“We’re okay, boy,” Viktor murmured. “You can rest.”
Able’s tail thumped once against the mattress before he lowered his head back onto his paws, though his eyes remained partially open.
A loyal guardian to the bitter end.There was nothing Able wouldn’t do to protect Ant. He’d die to protect Ant if necessary, and Viktor understood that instinct completely.
He looked down at his sleeping mate - his brilliant, literal-minded mage who could see the horrors people inflicted on others and refused to let those scenes sway him from doing what he believed was the right thing.Finding justice for the innocent.And because Ant believed in doing the right thing, Viktor was learning to do it, too, because Ant mattered.
Not the violence, ancient vampire laws, or the old ways. Not even a life in the shadows that Viktor had clung to like a cloak because he didn’t want to be seen. Before Ant, he’d just wanted to be left alone to survive.
But curled up around his mate, holding him close in the late afternoon while Ant slept, Viktor knew that was the most important thing he’d ever done in his life - protecting the quiet domestic life they’d built together…with the occasional murder hunt.
Home,Viktor thought, pressing a kiss to Ant’s temple.This is home.Ant made a soft sound in his sleep and burrowed deeperinto Viktor’s embrace. His fingers curled loosely against Viktor’s forearm, and his breathing remained deep and even. Healing, recovering, and able to do so because he trusted Viktor to stand watch.
I’ve got you, precious,Viktor thought.For as long as our hearts keep beating, you’ll have me.
Chapter Twenty-Three
“You’re telling me thatonecase generated six hundred and forty-three pages of legal documentation?”
Bridget set her wine glass down with more force than necessary. “Six hundred and forty-three pages ofinitialfilings. The amended complaints added another two hundred. And that’s not counting the financial forensics reports, which Robert can tell you about since he’s been helping catalog the magical evidence.”
Robert shifted in his chair, looking like he’d rather be anywhere else than the center of attention. “The ward analysis alone required seventy pages of technical documentation. Claudius had been layering protections for over a century, and each iteration needed to be cataloged separately for the Justiciary’s records.”
Ant watched his sister roll her eyes toward the ceiling. Three days had passed since they’d left the Raven Estate, and while his body had mostly recovered from the whole ordeal thanks to the fact that his magic could finally breathe again after being freed from those wards, Bridget appeared to be suffering from an entirely different affliction - bureaucratic fatigue.
“I spent nine hours yesterday arguing with three separate insurance adjusters about liability coverage,” she continued. “Apparently, vampire covens don’t typically carry policies that account for ‘criminal enterprise’ or ‘mass financial fraud through illegal mind control.’ Who knew?”
“Shocking oversight,” Viktor said, deadpan. He leaned back in his chair, one arm draped across the back of Ant’s seat. “You’d think that would be a standard requirement at the very least.”
“Right? That’s what I said.” Bridget speared a piece of chicken with her fork. “Then the lead adjuster had the audacity to suggest the victims should have been more careful about whothey associated with. I may have threatened to sue his company into oblivion.”
“You definitely threatened to sue his company into oblivion,” Robert murmured. “I was there. You used the phrase ‘scorched earth litigation’ at least twice.”
Bridget’s expression softened slightly as she glanced at her boyfriend. “You were very supportive.”
“I just took the notes.”
Under the table, Able’s cold nose pressed against Ant’s knee. Ant glanced down to find the German shepherd staring up at him with hopeful eyes, his tail sweeping slowly across the floor.
You’ve already had three pieces of steak,Ant thought, but he slipped his hand down anyway to scratch behind Able’s ears. The dog leaned into the touch, and his tail wagged faster.
Viktor caught the movement and smirked. “If you keep spoiling him, he’s going to expect steak at every meal.”
“He earned it,” Ant said simply. There were many people who simply looked at Able and saw a highly trained service animal, but Ant knew his constant companion was so much more, and he’d proven that in spades at the Raven Estate.Three pieces of steak doesn’t even begin to pay him for all he does for me.
As if reading his thoughts, Viktor picked up a piece of meat from his own plate and held it under the table. Able’s tail became a blur of motion.
