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He nods.
“What happened?”
“They don’t like me.” He shrugs. “I didn’t fit the mold they wanted me to, so I left home young—when I was around eighteen.”
Thatisyoung for species as long-lived as ours. Plus, species like his—and vampires—tend to be even more protective of their young ones, since historically, feeding could be so dangerous. The modern era has made that easier for them, but old habits die hard.
“I’m sorry you didn’t have their support.” I imagine Isaac leaving at eighteen,leavingleaving, not just going away for schooling or adventure and still being in contact, and the thought makes me cold.
“It was better that way. They wanted me to join their social circle and be the life of the party and marry well and be… not me. I wanted to do my puzzles and have quiet fun with close friends. I was a puzzle piece that didn’t fit, and leaving amicably was the best thing for all of us.”
Dread swamps me. “There’s more.” It’s not a question.
“Yeah.” He slides his arms around my waist and leans his head against my shoulder. “About forty years ago, they reached out. They wanted us to have a closer bond, they said. My parents. They missed me, and could they visit? Take me out for a meal and catch up.”
“You said yes.” It sounds innocuous enough.
“Of course. I was… excited. When you have trouble making and keeping friends, it can get lonely sometimes. Even if we weren’t ever going to be close, I liked the idea of having them in my life.”
I give him another little squeeze.
“It was fine. They came to town, and we went to dinner. Things were a little awkward, but we left on a good note. They asked if I’d like to come visit for a weekend, and I agreed. My older sister had—has—children, and I wanted to meet them.” He stops. Takes a breath. Shakes his head. “When I got there, they were having a house party. There were a dozen people or more staying in the house and the guest house. It wasn’t what I’d expected, and even if I’d been prepared, it would have been overwhelming. Because, you see, many of the guests were the best and brightest business minds my father knew. Exactly the kind of person he wanted to leave his company to. And what better way to ensure that could happen than to keep it all in the family?”
My jaw drops. “They were planning to marry you off? For a business deal? When you hadn’t been in contact with them for forty years?”
His head moves against me in a nod. “I didn’t even realize until halfway through the second day when one of the eager contenders tried to convince me I should pick him. He was… handsy.”
It’s hard to keep my rage contained, but Cam doesn’t need me shouting right now. So I swallow it down. “He assaulted you?”
“I didn’t think of it that way at the time, but yes. I got away from him before he could do more than grope me. When I went to grab my things and leave, I found that my parents had taken my car keys. They’d known I wouldn’t want to stay, so they made sure I couldn’t leave.”
I bite my lip so hard, I taste blood, but give Cam another gentle squeeze. “What did you do?”
He lets out a little sigh and tips his head back to smile at me. “Thank you.”
“What for?”
“For asking whatIdid. Not what they did. Not what happened next. What I did.”
That hurts me more than anything else he’s said. “You’re an intelligent, capable man who can run his own life. I just want to be part of that. Maybe help out sometimes, share the load.”
His smile widens. “I want that too.” He leans his head back on my shoulder. “Part of being an intelligent, capable man is knowing when to ask for help. These were the days before cell phones, and I didn’t even know the number for the local cab company. I could have called Enforcement, but my parents were—are—a big deal locally, and I wasn’t sure that would work out for me. The only number I could remember off the top of my head right then was Alistair’s. I figured he could at least help me arrange for a cab.”
I remember what he said at lunch and suspect I’m about to find out why he has such high regard for Garrett’s annoying cousin. “He helped you?”
“When I told him what was happening and asked if he could find me the number for a cab company, or a locksmith, he got all quiet—which should have been warning enough—then asked me for the address and told me he’d handle everything. ‘Get your bags packed,’ he said. ‘You won’t be there much longer.’ And an hour later, he arrived with a bunch of other agents, mostly hellhounds and demons. He demanded my parents’ hand over my keys, told them they were the stupidest people alive for not appreciating me, and then escorted me home.” He sniffles, for the first time losing his composure. “And then he stayed with me for two days while I cried and wondered what was wrong with me.”
It's a shame Alistair is such a pain in the ass, because he’s now my brother and will always be welcome in my home. Oh well. I’m used to having relatives that piss me off. What’s one more?
“There’s nothing wrong with you,” I say fiercely, even though I’m confident that he’s past that point in his life.
He pats my chest. “I know. I’m comfortable with who I am now. And Alistair told me that a million times those first few days.” He looks up at me. “I know he can be hard to take, but he really is a great friend. And his boyfriend keeps him pretty busy these days, so it’s not likely he’ll come to stay for a week or anything.”
“If he does, he’ll be welcome.” I’m proud of myself for saying that without cringing. Cam must know what I’m thinking, because he laughs.
“Don’t worry. We live in the same village as his cousin. He’s much more likely to stay with Asher and Garrett than us.”
I grin. Gideon giving love advice and Asher having to play host to Alistair? Cam’s brought nothing but good things to my life.
