Page 16 of Blades and Bone

He either accepted his place or resisted.

He’d never been much of a fighter, even though he was perfectly capable. And while he made plans, he was perfectly capable of pivoting if something changed.

“Right.” Things had changed, yet he wasn’t sure what direction to pivot.

While the marriage may not be legal in the eyes of any human, blood was binding, and neither family would look kindly on him if he walked away. Leaving was the kind of thing that had once resulted in hunting parties where the only outcome required would be his death, as it would appease the honor of both families. It was no wonder so many political marriages involved the locking of someone away. It was safer.

Since he didn’t want to be locked away, he needed to manage both Brodie and his family so he could assemble some kind of life.

In his mind, he created two lists.

On one side, he got to live in a resort on the doorstep of a glorious beach with a rainforest for a backyard. His husband was rich, attractive, and also a vampire, so there were no secrets that needed to be kept in that regard.

On the other hand, he had never wanted to live on the generosity of someone else, as it could be taken away far too quickly, something that had been proven today. He also didn’t know anything about his husband and what he was like as a person, though he had tasted desire in his blood.

Not that it was unusual, as most vampires liked to be bitten. Male vampires were usually gay, something he’d noticed as a teenager. There was no point in being straight when they were effectively infertile drones existing only to protect the females. Vampires were the equivalent of human-shaped bees.

His mother had not been thrilled when he presented her with that realization, complete with references. She’d called him an odd child even though he was fourteen at the time and hardly a child. Perhaps if they hadn’t been looking at bees and insects in biology, he may not have jumped to the same conclusion.

When had Ann told his mother about his change in address?

He ran his fingers through his hair, messing up the curls. Had everyone known before him, or would Ann make an announcement when she returned to Perth?

He closed his eyes and sucked in a breath. It didn’t matter.

It really didn’t matter, and he needed to stop giving a shit.

Voices made him open his eyes. He tilted his head, trying to catch the words, and when that failed, he padded softly out of the bathroom and through the bedroom, his socked feet silent on the carpet. When he reached the doorway, he paused, recognizing Garrick’s voice.

He pressed his tongue to the roof of his mouth as if he could prevent his fangs from dropping as a surge of anger flooded his blood. His fingers curled into fists. The one person he’d trusted more than anyone else, who he’d followed instead of obeying orders.

Fuck, he wanted to blame Garrick.

It would be so much easier to lay all of this at his feet instead of acknowledging his role. But he couldn’t have lived with himself if he hadn’t helped Garrick. That was not the kind of man he wanted to be, even if that was who he was supposed to be.

“Hamish,” Brodie called, his footsteps growing louder as he walked toward the bedroom. “Your uncle is here to see you.”

“Coming.” He forced himself forward as a thousand different words filled his mouth.

He met Brodie in the corridor.

Brodie’s gaze skimmed over him. “Everything okay?”

“Fine. I don’t have much to unpack, and I decided to wait until after dinner to shower…I don’t know where the towels are.”

Brodie smiled. “In the bathroom cupboard, but no matter. Dinner will be here soon, and Garrick doesn’t have long.”

“You let him in?”

“I have no reason not to.” He flicked a look at Hamish as if to ask if there was a reason to worry.

Garrick wasn’t sitting. He loitered in the lounge room as if he didn’t want to stay any longer than necessary. It was rare to see him unsettled, and Hamish didn’t like it. Did he need to be worried?

“Hey.” What else was he supposed to say? He couldn’t demand answers while Brodie stood there watching and judging his loyalty.

“I came to give you the file you should have gotten before we left.” He pointed to the folder on the table. That was probably the closest thing Hamish was going to get to an apology. “Once your phone has been cleaned, it will be returned.”

“Thank you. I’m sure you could have sent someone else to run your errands.” Hamish was aware of Brodie standing near him.