Page 18 of Tears of Revenge
“Please do.”
Varos stood by as she cleaned his desk and joined Marcus by the door. Before she stepped out of the office, she turned back to them and flashed them a sweet smile and a quick wave.
He caught Lysander’s disapproving gaze out of the corner of his eyes, but he ignored it. He focused on Marcus’s emails. Even if they were addressed to him, Marcus never bothered with any sort of work and Varos now took over without even asking.
Marcus returned moments later, a faraway grin on his face. He sprawled out on the couch, his legs spread wide open.
“Care to share what is making you so bubbly?” Varos asked curiously.
“She wanted to know why you never offer to take her back to her office and she thought it was very sweet of us that we didn’t want rumours of her spreading through her workplace. She called us gentlemen.”
“If only she knew…” Lysander mumbled under his breath.
“As if we’ll ever let her see any other side of us. Just because you choose to live like a monk doesn’t mean we should as well.”
Lysander’s blue eyes darkened, zeroing in on Marcus. “You’re playing with fire.”
“More like a cute little ball of fluff.”
“We won’t hurt her,” Varos stepped in.
“You might be able to resist sinking your fangs into her neck, but that doesn’t mean you won’t hurt her.”
“We will be sure to let her know nothing serious would come from this.”
“But that doesn’t mean she won’t fall for you—if she hasn’t already. You saved her life, gave her a new start. Of course that’s going to stir feelings deep within her. She’s not a toy. Why would you give her false hope like that?”
Marcus stood abruptly, eyes blazing red. “I liked it better when you stayed out of our business.” Before Varos could say anything to calm him, Marcus stormed out of the office and slammed the door behind him.
“You both know I’m right.”
Leaning back in his chair, Varos let his gaze drift to where Avalon had sat moments ago. “I know.”
Seven
Lysander
The week passed by quickly and though he didn’t want to, he enjoyed Avalon’s daily visits. He wasn’t a heartless man but after harming those closest to him, he’d chosen to isolate himself for the safety of others.
Timid footsteps approaching the office caught his attention. They weren’t expecting Avalon. Neither Marcus or Varos were in, nor had Avalon’s usual delivery arrived. She stopped outside the office, the flutter of her heart echoing in Lysander’s ears before a gentle knock on the door.
Refusing to be rude, he opened the door and was greeted by her bright smile. “Varos and Marcus aren’t here right now.”
“Oh…” she stammered. “I-I didn’t know. I didn’t mean to disrupt you.”
Lysander had already stepped aside to invite her into the room. He knew he’d be ripped to shreds if he sent her away. A little hesitant, she walked past him.
“I’m sorry, your food hasn’t arrived yet.”
“Oh, I didn’t order anything. I cooked too much last night and brought leftovers.”
Avalon walked over to the windows while he returned to his desk. Unlike before, this time she sat right in front of the glass, crossing her legs underneath her and placing her lunch bag in her lap. She sat quietly, eating her lunch and observing the view as if she hadn’t seen it every day that week.
He couldn’t help but understand why the other two men were so interested in her. She was simple, easy. She loved her life as it was, not needing much to stay happy. He didn’t know much about her past but had picked up pieces over the years, first from his friends and now from her. Avalon seemed to appreciate the small things, and every new day brought a brighter smile to her face.
Though he understood, he knew he needed to keep his distance. Whether any of them intended it or not, Avalon would only end up hurt—and she deserved better.
Being turned wasn’t an option either. Despite the portrayal of vampires in the media, turning wasn’t an easy process. Most humans died during the transformation, something Varos had learned the hard way when he’d tried to gift the woman he loved eternity.