Page 18 of Blades and Bone

“It will take time to rebuild your life, and for me to let you into mine because I am not sure of the ground between us.”

“And this is where we discussed how far we take this marriage. After all, it’s not like you can ship me off somewhere inconvenient and get on with your own life.” His lips curved as if he thought that might be a good solution for both of them.

“I don’t think either of our families would appreciate that. We are supposed to be the embodiment of a good working relationship.”

“So is it work, or pleasure, or both?” Hamish appeared to be relaxed on the sofa. The file on the coffee table temporarily forgotten.

If he said work, then it meant technically they were both free to pursue other pleasures, but he didn’t want all the questions it would raise. Not only that, he didn’t have time to manage the resort, manage his vampire husband, and still find time to pursue other activities. He also wasn’t prepared to lengthen Hamish’s leash that much. After all, if Hamish was finding other people to entertain him, he could meet with anyone.

“Why don’t we see how things go before we make plans or promises we cannot keep?”

“That ship has sailed. Promises and plans were made even though we weren’t the ones negotiating.” He sat up and rested his elbows on his knees. “I had always thought I’d marry for love, but since that has been taken from me, I will settle for money and sex.”

Brodie laughed, not sure if Hamish was being serious or not. It was hard to tell as he wasn’t used to his mannerisms or tells. A knock on the door saved him. “Why don’t we start with dinner?”

“Sure.” Hamish picked up the file Garrick had left and leaned back on the sofa.

Maybe comparing notes wasn’t such a good idea, since they didn’t trust each other and had no reason to… On the other hand, they needed to establish trust, or they may as well be sleeping with blades between them. He didn’t want to worry about getting cut every time he moved. Had Vivian considered what the impact would be on him?

Has she thought about what it would be like living with a stranger? A vampire from another family? Or has she been so worried about the potential of an Orlan takeover that she hadn’t cared?

Perhaps they should be more worried about a Reid takeover, as they now had a man on the inside. Perhaps the talk of loyalty tests and keeping Hamish in the dark was an elaborate ploy to engender sympathy.

Or was he being too suspicious?

Vivian thought that was one of his best traits, as it made him cautious and watchful, but this time around she had weighed her instincts against his and found his lacking.

More common ground with Hamish, not that he was going to share that. Not yet. The Orlan territory on the east coast was far enough away that he didn’t lose sleep…that and he trusted other families to deal with them. The Reids were in his bed.

He opened the door, already smelling dinner. “On the table, thank you.”

The man took both trays off the cart and brought them inside, placing them on the kitchen table.

Hamish turned, glancing over the back of the sofa, but made no effort to move.

By the time Brodie had seen the man out and returned, Hamish was standing, file now on the table as if he expected to discuss the contents over dinner.

“Do you have a preferred seat?” Hamish asked, lifting one of the silver covers and placing it aside.

“I rarely sit here. I have a favorite table in one of the restaurants for dinner, or I am meeting with people.”

“So you’re never home.”

“I run several resorts, not just this one, and there are often family things to deal with. When I eat at home, I often take it onto the back deck, or I sit on the sofa.”

“You don’t want to be seen in public with me yet.” His fingertips trailed over the back of the wooden seat.

“The staff gossip, and I’m not ready to start telling lies.”

Hamish smirked. “So tell them the truth.”

Brodie didn’t smile. “Vivian would not appreciate me announcing that I am a vampire to the staff.”

“That’s not what I meant, and you know it.” Hamish picked a seat and pulled out the chair, dropping into it with cat-like grace.

Brodie exhaled, pushing down on the annoyance that bubbled too close to the surface. Hamish wasn’t trying to get a rise out of him. “I’m not ready to announce a marriage which doesn’t exist in human terms.”

“Now you know how I feel…what do I say to the people I worked with and to my human friends? My family will be told the truth, but I need to lie to everyone else and tell them I was offered a great job or something. But there’ll be no farewell dinners or goodbyes.” He grabbed the empty plates and cutlery, then helped himself to half of the braised ribs and rice. “I assume we’re sharing.”