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Sorry, sir. Having a look around the hotel room. Master Hughes would know if Freddie was lying mind-to-mind, but maybe he would let it pass this time.

You’ve spent some time with Anthony then.

A few minutes.

I’ve only met him once, at my wedding, but he struck me as intelligent, charismatic, and a massive pain.

Accurate, sir. The water turned off in the bathroom.

How are you getting along?

We’re not. He’s angry. I’ve made it clear he’s stuck with me.

There was a pause. Freddie felt his master’s attention split. He was probably speaking to someone. Anthony’s hair dryer blared from behind the bathroom door.

Daniel says you have to wear him down. Anthony is stubborn, but he can be persuaded. Daniel suggests that you seduce him.

What?Freddie’s brain short-circuited as Master Hughes’ words crashed up against his lustful thoughts from earlier.

Evidently, he’s susceptible to flattery. You don’t have to sleep with him if you’d rather not. Freddie started, then heard the rumble of Master Hughes’ laugh in his mind. Oh, come now, you’re one of my lieutenants. You can’t hide such a powerful emotion from me.

He’s handsome.

Of course he is, as are you. It’s a good pairing.

It’s a job.

This is a vampire coven, Freddie, not a Fortune 500 company. There’s no HR department.

Freddie didn’t answer. He wished Master Hughes would move on from his line of thinking.

Keep your integrity, if you feel that strongly. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Let me know if you need anything.

Very well, sir.

As his coven master’s presence left his mind, the door to the bathroom opened and Anthony stepped out. A towel was wrapped around his waist.

Freddie swallowed, and his throat tightened. Fine, dark hair covered Anthony’s chest, just as Freddie had imagined, and his pecs were surprisingly well-defined. Freddie fought to prevent his eyes from following Anthony’s furry treasure trail down lower.

“I’ve decided what to do.”

Anthony was trying to project authority, but the fact that he was nearly naked made the whole thing cute. Freddie waited, one eyebrow raised.

“My uncle may have set this up, but I shouldn’t have to deal with you. I won’t tell you where I’m going or what I’m doing. You can figure it out on your own. And you can’t sleep in my room. I’m not going to switch rooms to get you a bed.”

“I can sleep in the armchair.” Freddie didn’t ever need sleep, but Anthony couldn’t know that.

“No. I don’t want you watching me at night, and you can’t be around when I bring someone back to my hotel room.”

“No guests.”

“What?!” Anthony’s face flushed with frustration. “That is not okay. I’m not going to let you—”

“No guests. It’s not safe.” Freddie sat back down in the wheeled office chair. He guessed that he should find Anthony’s anger annoying, but it mostly struck him as adorable. He liked that the man had a big personality and strong opinions, but he was throwing himself against a brick wall. Freddie wasn’t going to budge.

And he sure as hell wouldn’t wait outside while Anthony fucked a stranger. His fangs tingled at the thought of it.

“This is ridiculous! All because of a few stupid letters!” Anthony went to the dresser and pulled out a pair of underwear, putting them on underneath the towel. He tossed the wet cloth back on the bathroom floor and threw on a white t-shirt.