Page 14 of Blades and Bone

His body was not convinced. He wanted to brush Hamish’s hair off his neck, and lick the pulse, before biting and making him groan.

Hamish turned to look at him as if he’d spoken the desire aloud. “So, we’re sharing a bed?”

“Yes. Kill me, and everyone you love dies.” That was why it was in the Reids’ best interest to send someone they trusted not to fuck up.

“I am aware. You don’t need to keep reminding me.” He pulled off his jacket and dropped it on the end of the bed, before ripping off his tie and unbuttoning the top two buttons of his shirt. “Where is my suitcase?”

“Walk-in robe.” Brodie turned on the light. On one side were his clothes, and on the other was a single case. “I can arrange for your home to be packed up and sent over.” Though he had no idea where to put the furniture.

Hamish joined him at the entrance. “It’s a furnished apartment in one of our buildings. There won’t be that much to pack up…but I would like the rest of my things. What about my car?”

“It can be brought over, or you can get a new one. You don’t have to decide now.”

“I need to decide soon, or Ann will have the place cleaned like I never existed.” He leaned against the wall as if standing was too much effort, yet he somehow still made it look as though he was doing the wall a favor.

“I’m sorry you weren’t told. It was a cruel manipulation.” That had been done for a reason, though it was too soon to pry and ask why.

“It’s done now, isn’t it? No point in complaining about the how or the why. It might take me a little longer to figure out how to make the best of it.”

Brodie had a few ideas, though it was probably also too soon to suggest including sex and blood when they had only agreed not to kill each other. He hadn’t planned on wanting more than the political marriage. His duty to his family was to keep Hamish out of trouble. He had not thought beyond that because he hadn’t met the man.

Hamish was pretty…but lacked the edge the other Reids had.

He was obviously smart and capable in his job, but that didn’t make him adept at being a vampire and all that entailed.

“Would you like some time to unpack? You can order from the restaurant, and it will be delivered, or I can take you for dinner.”

Hamish rolled his eyes in Brodie’s direction. “I really cannot deal with performing for any more people.”

“Understandable. Is there anything you would like that is in my power to give you?”

Hamish’s lips twitched as if he’d been about to ask for the impossible. “No. I will unpack and then join you in the living room for some food.” He placed his hand over his heart. “I promise not to flee into the rainforest.”

“Steak or something else?”

“Pasta? Something sweet? As much as I love a rare steak, I’ve had enough blood today as I enjoy walking in the sun.”

“So do I. I’ll order a selection of food.” He paused. “I am going to need your phone.”

Hamish reached into his pocket and handed it over.

“Thank you. The rest of your tech has been removed from your case. Ann will return it when it has been cleaned of anything sensitive, which should be tomorrow morning. Your phone will also be cleaned. You will be given limited access to our side of things, with greater access over time.”

“Ann will have already stripped me of access to family funds, and you’re reducing my allowance. Without a job, I’ll burn through my savings and be financially fucked.”

“I have no idea what your blooded stipend was, but you are correct that it will have ceased as you are not a Reid. You are a blooded Ashby and will be paid accordingly. Given that you have no role at the moment, that will be your only income. However, you are also my responsibility, so if your request is not unreasonable, I will not keep you in rags and staring at the ceiling with only spiders for company.” Perhaps he was overdoing it, but he didn’t want Hamish to feel trapped, even though he was.

A pretty, luxurious prison was still a prison.

“What is unreasonable? Our agreement was simply no murder, and no fucking other people.”

“We can discuss that over dinner. Unpack, shower, do what you need to feel at home. Thirty minutes?”

Hamish nodded, still leaning against the wall.

Brodie set the timer on his watch. “If I order in the next ten, you will be right on time.”

“Great.”