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“A pounding. Like…like someone was inside the trunk.”
Okay…that was weird. “Did you look inside the trunk?”
Gideon immediately shook his head, his hands tightening on his shirt. “I was too afraid. After you dropped off the trunk, I talked to Ethan on the phone for a few minutes. I dusted off the trunk before bed and made plans for how I’d clean it up tomorrow night. It was empty. I put three of my fluffy pillows with the silky tassels inside, then shut it. No one else has been in my place tonight.” His head popped up the second he finished speaking, glistening blue eyes wide. “You don’t think a monster tore up my pillows, do you?”
Ryder reached up and gently brushed some hair away from Gideon’s face. “I don’t. Why don’t you stay here while I go check your place?”
The man in his arms shocked him by shaking his head. “No, I can’t let you go by yourself. You don’t know what it is.”
“I’ll be fine.”
“No, I’m coming with you. I’ll watch your back.”
He wanted to argue, but he simply couldn’t. Not when Gideon somehow looked terrified and fierce at the same time.
“Okay. Just wait here.” Ryder climbed out of the bed and sat Gideon in his spot, wrapped in the blankets. While Ryder preferred T-shirts and sleep pants regardless of the time of year, apparently Gideon slept in nothing more than silky boxers. Not only did he appear cold, but he was also a distracting temptation. If Ryder needed to do some protecting, he didn’t need to be distracted by all that lovely bare skin.
Crossing to his closet, he pulled out a long-sleeved shirt he had folded on the shelf and a pair of socks. He returned to the bed and handed the shirt over to Gideon. “Put this on,” he instructed, dropping it in Gideon’s hands. He shoved the covers away, sat on the edge of the bed, and lifted Gideon’s feet into his lap. With extreme care, he pulled his socks onto Gideon’s bare feet.
When Gideon didn’t move, he gazed at the vampire to find him watching Ryder with the most confused expression on his face. “What?” he grunted.
“Are you…I don’t know…like a secret prude? Does my bare skin bother you?”
Ryder jerked upright, eyes widening. “No!”
“I didn’t think so, but you’re always bundling me up and covering me. I’m a vampire. Plus, I dance in a cage almost completely naked five nights a week.” He still sounded confused and possibly on the verge of laughing as he stuffed his arms into the sleeves and lifted the shirt over his head.
Ryder dropped his gaze to Gideon’s sock-covered feet. “That’s work. I don’t care about work. And I know that the cold doesn’t bother you because you’re a vampire. But you’re at home now. When you’re at home, you enjoy being warm and surrounded by soft things. You looked…cold,” Ryder finished softly, feeling like an idiot.
Gideon’s feet pulled out of his lap and as he was glancing up, Gideon launched his body at Ryder, wrapping his arms around his neck. “Thank you for taking such good care of me. For knowing the things that I like.”
He hesitated for a second before folding him into a tight hug. There were no words. Not that it mattered. Nothing was getting past the lump that had formed in his throat. Of course, he knew the things Gideon liked. He adored this man. There was nothing more important to him than making sure Gideon was safe, cozy, and happy.
As much as he wanted to stay exactly like that, it wasn’t fair for Gideon to be scared out of his home. He needed to investigate that noise so Gideon could get some sleep and feel safe.
“Let’s go check out this noise,” Ryder prodded.
Gideon didn’t immediately release him, but asked with his face still pressed into Ryder’s throat, “You don’t think I’m crazy or making it up?”
“No, I don’t.”
“Okay,” Gideon whispered, sounding as if he were gathering his courage. Ryder was about to remind him that he could remain behind in Ryder’s bed if he wanted, but Gideon wanted to support him. He wasn’t going to take that from Gideon.
Ryder led the way up the stairs with Gideon following close behind, two of his fingers pinching the back of his shirt. He quietly opened the door to Gideon’s kitchen and poked his head inside. All the lights were on, making it bright as the middle of the day.
“Did you turn on all the lights?” Ryder inquired. He glanced over his shoulder to see Gideon shake his head.
“Just one lamp in the living room and probably the bathroom light.”
The idea that this might be a practical joke played by Fox did briefly cross his mind. Winter had installed a high-tech security system to the entire building that included metal shutters on all the windows, steel bolts on the exterior doors, and a state-of-the-art fire suppression system. He wouldn’t put it past the crafty vamp to have the power to turn on all the lights in the place.
But as insane as the Varik brothers could be, he didn’t think they’d do anything to scare Gideon.
That meant someone was inside Gideon’s condo, and that would not do. His fangs slid down and ached to pierce flesh. He would destroy anyone who dared to threaten his Gideon.
Teeth clenched, Ryder edged into the kitchen. The air was chilly, far colder than he thought Gideon would normally keep the temperature at. Almost as if Gideon had left a window open and a winter wind had swept through, carrying with it the faded scent of roses.
As he tried to take another step, a low metallic rattling surrounded them. Gideon squeaked and lunged forward, wrapping both of his arms around Ryder’s waist, his face smashed into his spine.
