Page 32 of Just the Pool Boy at Vampire Mansion

Something to snap them out of their frenzy. It worked for angry cats, and this showdown gave off the same energy.

I spied the music player, dashed over, ramped the volume up to max, and covered my ears as Rihanna’s “Disturbia” played at ear-bleeding volume. So loud, folks in the bay could probably hear it.

Both vampires covered their ears, and sneered at me, their gazes locking on. Even Theo looked as though he wanted to tear my throat out for interrupting his little sibling fight.

I’d forgotten I was the prey in this scenario.

I turned the volume all the way down, leaving my ears ringing. The brothers glared, breathing hard, but less homicidal.

Working my jaw, I popped my ears. “Are you two done?”

Bentley’s top lip twitched in a sneer at me, then he diverted his glare back to Theo. “Why the fuck was the pool boy carrying your limp body in here?”

Theo’s gaze skipped to me, then quickly back to his brother. “I was high. I passed out.”

“No you weren’t,” I said, putting the broken beer bottle down on the table.

They both looked over at me again. I moved to the doorway and showed them the bloody tear in my sleeve. “I think Theo saw this⁠—”

“It was drugs, Owen,” Theo growled with enough venom in his voice to cut me off.

I blinked and lowered my arm. Right. Okay. The whole “passing out at the sight of blood” thing was apparently a secret. I could have done with knowing that before now, so I didn’t put my foot in it.

“What he’s talking about?” Bentley asked.

“Nothing. Fuck off, Bentley. Why are you even home?”

“Mother sent me for her vapes.” Bentley looked between us. “So, you two are fucking?” His mouth tilted into a smug grin. “Knew it. You were fast, Theo. Ditched Jay and you’re humping this one the next week.”

Theo narrowed his eyes, and was about to argue again, but if that happened, we’d be back to the angry cats.

I stepped out of the pool house, onto the patio. “Actually, we’re not. It’s not like that.”

“Sure.” Bentley’s smirk grew. “My brother invited the pool boy who’s easy on the eyes over for beers.” He cocked a hip and rolled his eyes. “Got a thing for the help, don’t you, brother? Maybe this one will live longer than your last pet.”

Theo raised his middle finger. “Run after mother, leech.”

“I will.” He tossed us a laugh as he left, and called, “I was just looking out for my beloved brother. Can’t have anyone else killing you.” He blew a kiss at Theo and strutted back out of sight down the side of the house.

Theo turned on his heel and marched toward me so fast I had to backpedal to get out of his way. He shoved by, went straight to the mini cooler, and pulled out a bottle of clear liquid that I assumed was alcohol or paint thinners. He twisted the top off and drank without stopping for air.

I hung back in the doorway, feeling like a spare part. What was I supposed to do now? Stay or go?

“They can’t know,” Theo wheezed, coming up for air. “A Witherborne who passes out at the sight of blood? That’s not a thing I’ll survive. Mother will kill me herself. She’ll kill the both of us, wipe the slate clean, and have two more children. It’s what she’s always done, when her spawn disappoint her.”

Oh . . . wow. My mom had been a mess, but at least she’d cared, when she’d been sane enough to remember who I was. “She’d do that?”

Theo laughed, as though the idea she wouldn’t resort to murdering her own children was amusing. “Bentley already wants me dead, he’s been trying for years, but he’s transparent. It’s Mother I’m afraid of.” He came over and leaned against the glass wall, taking a swig from the bottle every few seconds.

I waited, not sure what to say.

The seconds ticked by. He offered me the bottle. I shook my head. Still had to drive, and I definitely was not staying the night after being choked and threatened.

“Driving, remember.”

Theo sighed, frowned, and kicked at the patio slabs. “Sorry about my brother, and all the rest of it, I guess.”

Most families had their problems, very few were perfect, but to live with a brother who kept trying to murder you, and a mother you were terrified of? Made me grateful I’d been fostered.