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“I’m tougher than I look.”
“That’s not what I mean,” Tom said softly. “He’s lived for hundreds of years, been with who knows how many people—men and women, human and, well…not.”
Jesse’s skin prickled. “What’s your point?”
“The point is…” Tom raised his hands, checked himself and lowered them again. “Look… I know you’re special, Jesse. If we were able to make it work, I’d spend every day showing you that.”
Jesse’s throat ached. “There’s a ‘but’, coming, right?”
Tom sighed. “Do you really think any human can ever be special enough for one ofthem?”
“What about Alec MacCarthy and Terje Kristiansen, huh?”
Tom’s face tightened. “I still haven’t figured that one out. But…”Tom went on gently. “It’s a lot of pressure. Don’t you think?”
Jesse stared at him. “Is this what you tell yourself? Why you won’t go near another haemophile? Even though you’re clearly nuts about that lawyer?”
Tom blinked. “Darragh?”
“Come on, mate. It’s clear as day.”
Tom was silent for a moment. His face was grave. “I won’t date a haemophile because I’m addicted to getting bitten. That’s the beginning and end of that story.”
Guilt was sharp in Jesse’s gut. “I’m sorry.”
Tom’s expression softened. “Don’t be sorry, Jesse. Just trust me on this. It’s simply too easy to get hurt.”
“Emory understands me,” Jesse insisted. “He knows what I need.”
“Do you even know what that is yourself?”
“I gotta go,” he said, pushing past Tom. “I’m late.”
“Late for what?”
“Christmas with my nephew,” he said, hurrying down the stairs. He reached the bottom just as Greenway came back in. Her face was flushed, and her mouth set in hard lines.
“Greenway?” Jesse said, joining her. “What’s going on?”
“The situation is under control,” she said. “The police had no warrant, as I suspected. They can’t enter the grounds.”
“But they’re still here,” Jesse said, peering out at blue lights flashing at the gate.
“They’re camping out in hope someone leaves who they can then question,” Greenway said, glancing between Jesse and Tom. “I suggest you gentlemen get comfortable.”
Greenway swept away, and Jesse cursed.
“The delivery entrance then…?”
“Police will have that blocked, too,” Tom said.
Jesse swore again. “If I miss today, I’m screwed. Ant’ll not let me see Olly ever again.”
Tom sighed. He stared at the wall, his mouth twisting.
“Do you know a way?” Jesse asked. “Tom, please.”
“I guess we could wheel my bike over the moor? Get it onto the back road?”
