Page 87 of Feral
“Thanks. I don’t have to do it anytime soon. I can wait.”
“But you don’t want to, do you? You’re ready to commit your whole life, literally, to him?”
“I can’t imagine anything ever being better than this. I can’t imagine wanting someone else the way I want him. I don’t want anything to happen to me that would take me away, you know?”
“Like bullets?”
I half smile. “Car accidents, illness, and yeah, pissed-off Mafia guys with guns. I’d be forever thirty-four.”
“Strong and healthy for eternity. Not a bad deal.”
“No. I could always look out for you too. You’d never be alone.”
He smiles, grabbing my hand. “I know you think I’m a kid, but I’m an adult. A little stunted, but I can do this. I’m ready to grow up and take care of myself.”
“I don’t think you’re a kid, Dimi, but you can’t stop me looking out for you.”
“I know.” He lets go of me and drags his hand through his hair. “How did you plan to hide all of this from me tonight?”
“No clue. Hale told me to trust him and I did. I think they have a drink that makes people forget details.”
He laughs. “Oh, drug me. Nice.”
“Harmless drugs. Pretty sure, anyway.”
“Is that how they hide it from people who come here?”
“Yeah. A lot of the customers aren’t mortal. Some are though.”
“Wow.”
“I’m sorry you were scared. There wasn’t time to warn you.”
“It’s okay. I was scared, but I was mostly in awe of what I was witnessing. Hale and Thorn… Wild.”
“I hear Thorn is a maniac when he’s in vampire mode, but I don’t think it compares to Hale.”
“He doesn’t scare you?”
“No.” I feel my cheeks burn.
“Ooh, dude, you’re turned on by it.”
“Shut up, Dimi.”
“Oh my god, you vampire slut.”
“I’m not a—” I end up laughing. “Fine. Hale’s vampire side does it for me.”
“Kinky. I like it. Have you done it with him when he’s like that?”
“I’m not discussing my sex life with you.”
“Which means you have.” He does a little shimmy in his seat. “This is a whole new side of my big brother.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
We laugh together until Dimi sobers and puts his hand on mine.