“I warned you it was weird.” Cody sits across the table. “You should be asleep.”
“I’m the boss. You don’t get to tell the boss to go to sleep.” Tobias rubs his eyes. “Fuck. I’m sorry I messed up. This wasn’t the plan.”
Tobias’s sense of responsibility is one of the reasons Cody likes working for him so much. Tobias holds Cody accountable, and he holds himself to the same standards on the rare occasions he fucks up. Even when he’s tangled up in a paranormal job he just isn’t equipped for.
“It turned out okay.” Cody hopes nothing in his expression gives away how much better than okay it turned out. “Simon’s safe downstairs again, you just need a nap, and I didn’t scratch up the furniture. Pretty good outcome.”
“I need a better report than ‘all’s well that ends well,’ Weston,” Tobias says sternly. “Why was tonight different?”
Because Simon feels safe. Comfortable. Pack. Because Cody’s wolf hates being trapped. Because—
“I like Simon,” Cody says, because there’s no other explanation. He’s going to have to tell Tobias sooner or later.
And he just can’t hide his wide, sappy grin anymore.
Tobias stares. Then slumps, head in hands. “For fuck’s sake. We have policies, you asshole.”
“You could put me on probation after this job,” Cody suggests helpfully.
“I’m too tired for this shit.” Tobias straightens up, finally looking more alive than exhausted. “I was wondering why you looked so fucking smug. Don’t tell me anything else—I’m going the fuck to bed.”
Which is when Cody knows they’ll be okay. If Tobias was going to fire him, he would do it right now. Anything that could wait was something they could sort out. That’s good. Cody’s done shoving himself into the cage of professionalism, and this whole situation isn’t a job anymore.
He isn’t protecting Simon for the paycheck.
Chapter 23
Simon
Simon toys with a glass of blood. He’s using one of the fancy crystal goblets, just to give Tobias a show. Sitting cross-legged on the porch probably ruins the effect, alas.
The stars are sharp this far out of the city, and the air is silver with moonlight. There’s a brief window of time between Simon waking and the full moon taking hold of Cody. Apparently, Cody intends to use that time to be difficult.
“I should just stay in the safe room,” Cody says, pacing the porch. “Last night worked out, but tonight could be different.”
‘Worked out’ is quite the understatement. Simon takes another sip of blood. “You said being outside would help.”
Tobias stands alert next to Simon. Tonight’s t-shirt saysMy Other Kid Is a Pomeranian, and he seems better rested. Simon still resents the intrusion, but Tobias’s flight out is scheduled forthe morning. He’ll be tolerable until then. Most importantly, he agrees with Simon.
“I’ve never liked locking you up like a rabid dog,” Tobias says. “We’re not downtown tonight. This is a good time to test it.”
“What if someone is camping out there?” Cody gestures towards the blurred darkness of the woods. “What if I get past the fence?”
“I’m a reclusive vampire,” Simon says. “My estate is remote on purpose. If anyone is nearby, they deserve to get eaten.”
Tobias chuckles, then cuts off. “Wait, that was a joke, right?”
“Of course,” Simon says sweetly, and sips his blood. “Seriously, there shouldn’t be anyone out here.”
“Except for you two,” Cody points out.
Nobody responds. Bringing up the silver loaded into their guns seems gauche.
Cody sighs. Moonlight washes the shadows from his face. After a moment of complete stillness, he says, “Fine,” and crouches to unlace his shoes.
Tobias averts his eyes as Cody undresses.
Simon doesn’t.
