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“It is true,” Quinten said, holding his gaze and gripping his hand as tightly as he could. “And it’s going to stay true, kitten. I promise.”
Chapter Twelve
“He’s my new what now?”
Quinten opened his mouth to answer, but the grinning vampire beat him to it.
“Your new bodyguard.”
That’s what Caden had thought Quinten had said. He planted his hands on his hips. “I don’t need a bodyguard.”
Quinten squeezed the bridge of his nose. “He’s not…” He stopped and took a quick breath. “He’s just a little added protection while we figure out if Tiho is going to slink off or if he’s going to make another move against us.”
Caden frowned at him. He had thought things were okay between them after he told Quinten what happened to him. It had been difficult to say the words, but he’d actually felt better after he had told his story, like the weight of it wasn’t sitting on his chest anymore.
But last night, Quinten hadn’t come to bed.
Caden had stayed up as late as he could, but he’d been exhausted after reliving everything and ended up falling asleep. He’d assumed that when he woke up, Quinten would be there. But he hadn’t been, and he’d barely seen him all day today, skipping all of the meals and then calling Caden into his office like he was just another employee.
And now a bodyguard. It was hard not to feel like Quinten saw him differently, like he was too weak to protect himself, and while that hurt, it also pissed him off. He was already feeling stronger. Each day, his jaguar was growing more and more restless, wanting to be free. Waiting the whole week to be able to shift was going to suck, but there was no doubt in his mind that when the time came, he’d be able to do it.
Despite what Kai and the others had said, healing at Quinten’s house without a strong pack around him was going just fine. He glanced at the wolf and vampire flanking either side of Quinten.
Well, without an official pack.
Crossing his arms over his chest, he lifted his chin. “You know I can protect myself, right? Despite what happened to me, I’m strong and fast, and I know how to fight.”
Quintin’s face softened, and he started to take a step forward but stopped himself. Instead, he leaned back against the front of his desk, clasping his hands on the edge until his knuckles were white.
“I’m not saying you aren’t. I know you can protect yourself. But we don’t know who else Tiho has working with him other than the seer. That alone gives him an advantage.” He nodded his head toward Nero. “Vampires are just as fast and strong as shifters, and their sense of smell is even better than a wolf’s. He’s just going to be sticking close to make sure that you’re okay.”
“No one even knows we’re here, do they?” Caden asked.
“Not necessarily, but again, if the seer is powerful enough, it’s possible that they know exactly where we are, and since Dare and I have to make a trip into the city in the next few days…”
Caden straightened. He hadn’t heard anything about that. Why would they be going into the city? That sounded like they were leaving him behind.
“I don’t want you unprotected while we’re gone.”
“Robbie stays here without protection.” He did his best not to jut his lip, but he was feeling rejected after Quinten had avoided him last night and today.
Quinten might say he still saw him the same, but it didn’t feel that way.
“No one knows Robbie’s here,” Quinten said, beginning to sound frustrated. “They don’t even know he exists. If anyone saw him coming in and out of the house, they would assume he was an employee. They have no way of knowing who he is to me, and while the same goes for you, Tiho is different. His seer already has his sights on you. We don’t know if he’s going to try and come after you again. Until we do—until he’s handled—Nero is sticking with you.”
“But—”
“Caden, this isn’t up for discussion.”
Clenching his jaw, Caden twisted around and stormed out of the office. He pretended he didn’t notice the vampire following him. He headed straight for his favorite place in the whole house and slammed the door to the library behind him, breathing heavily.
He didn’t hear it open or close again when Nero let himself in, but he could feel him.
“I’m perfectly safe in here.”
“I know. I just thought we could talk.”
“About what?” He whipped around and glared at the vampire. “About how you think I’m a weakling, too, and need protection?”
