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We were a long way from San Francisco, and hopefully from my brother. Maybe, just maybe, we could relax here for a while. Take a breather. Allow ourselves some much-needed personal time. And there was one among us who definitely needed some extra attention.

“Hey, you okay?” I asked Victor.

He stared at the coffee maker as though he could will the coffee from the beans. “Indeed.”

“It’s just . . . you seem a bit tense⁠—”

“Whoo!” A huge splash outside rained pool water over the windows. Zee had flung himself into the pool . . . with his clothes on. Although he wasn’t wearing much to begin with. I snorted a laugh, but Victor hadn’t looked up from the machine. Something was bothering him. Reaching out, I laid my hand on his where it rested on the counter.

He finally raised his head. “My apologies. I . . . have some concerns about our current situation, but I do not want to dampen your mood. You certainly deserve to enjoy yourselves.”

“So do you.” I tucked myself against his side, and his arm automatically looped around me, pulling me closer. “What’s on your mind?”

A whole array of micro-expressions crossed his typically stern face seconds before he stifled them. “Perhaps I am overthinking a few things. It’s likely nothing to be concerned about.” He smiled, and grabbing the coffee jug, poured me a cup. “Why don’t you freshen up. We’ll discuss it later.”

“I would, but now I know you’re overthinking something, I’m overthinking what it might be.”

“That was not my intention.”

“So tell me, and we can overthink together while Zee has fun.”

Victor inhaled, and poured a second cup for himself. “Very well. Adam, there are some inconsistencies in Toby Skrinde’s character that I believe warrant further consideration. I presume you noticed the weapon he carried?”

“Oh, the gun? Yeah, but I figured maybe Lost Ones have some issues here and might need some extra protection?”

“I had also come to a similar conclusion. However, Toby’s attire is of an exceedingly good quality, and likely tailored to his smaller frame. Especially as there are few well-made suits that fit trolls. Personal tailoring is not cheap.” Victor would know.

“It’s clear he has some money.” We only had to look around the living room to see that.

“Well, yes, but the car we passed on the side of the highway prior to rescuing him was an old, poorly-maintained wreck.”

“So is our van,” I snorted.

“But we do not have excess funds, whereas, if we assume the suit is tailored and this villa belongs to our host, then he clearly has the monetary means to purchase a newer vehicle.”

“Perhaps he likes beat-up old cars?”

“Also possible. But several times during our journey, Toby discreetly used his phone while you drove and Zodiac dozed. He assumed nobody was watching, but did not account for the rearview mirror, or me.”

When he laid all those little things out like that, Toby did sound a bit suspicious. “But is it also possible that all those things are just normal things and we’re so used to running—being on the road—that everything starts to look suspicious when you don’t get much sleep . . . or blood?”

A small smile thawed the concern on his face. “As I said, I may be overthinking this.”

“You’re right, you’re overthinking it, but also maybe not.” I took his coffee from his hand and set it down on the counter beside me, then stretched onto my toes and wrapped my arms around his neck. Victor peered down, his dark eyes aswirl with silvery vampire power. “We’ll mention it to Zee later. Right now, though, we really need a break from thinking.”

The firm press of Victor’s hands settled on my lower back, drawing me closer. He bowed his head and teased a kiss so close to my lips I imagined I could already feel his mouth on mine. He waited, and the heat of anticipation sizzled between us.

“You know what else I think?” I whispered.

“Hm?”

“That there’s a double shower calling our names.”

“My dear.” His voice had dropped an octave into warm, smooth, chocolatey levels. “I desire nothing more.”

I turned my head to catch a glimpse of Zee doing backstroke laps in the pool. Victor’s firm fingers caught my jaw, but instead of turning my head, he held it still. The soft touch of his lips on the corner of mine summoned a smile and delivered a thrill that spilled all the way to my toes. He tilted my head, exposing my neck, and sent those fluttering kisses down my jaw to the beating pulse point, where his lips sealed and his tongue swept, but no fangs . . . not yet. He was teasing, and setting ablaze the embers that always burned between us.

Zee wouldn’t mind if we indulged without him. In fact, he’d be all for it.