Page 73 of Absolution

“Asshole,” I threw back at him.

“Exactly that,” Con replied.

“Anyway, after we talked online the first time, I knew we would click in person. My dad made the arrangements for me to move here and still have a large part of his business.”

I smiled at Luca.

“Don’t be creepy,” Luca told me. “Did he tell you something?”

“Just to take care of you,” I assured him.

“And he gives you a cushy loft and a fancy super car? Makes sure you have a good job?” Con teased. “All housed in a building with heavy security?” He pointed toward the guard station which was manned with big guys with guns.

Luca frowned as he got in the driver’s seat. I got in the passenger seat and Con jumped into the back. “He’s never said anything. Always says his emotions don’t work right.”

His emotions worked just fine. I think he’d just had far too long learning to ignore them. “Maybe you should talk to him about it sometime. Though not right now. He sort of has someone over…” In that moment I realized who it had been in his lap. Kenrick, the guy from the club.

Fuck.

Didn’t Luca say he got jealous of his dad being with people? That was a blood thing, right? Territorial or something? He froze, staring at his hands. And I wondered if I’d made a mistake. Would he freak?

After a minute he shook himself and started the car.

“You okay,” I asked.

“Yeah. Thought the jealousy would rise up like it always does. But it didn’t.” He looked at me, and for a second his eyes seemed to glow, a bit of the vampire in him coming out. “It’s you I need now.”

“But you’re not jealous of Con,” I said, pointing toward the backseat.

“No. He doesn’t get to feed you. Only I do.”

“For now,” I allowed. Max had suggested that even Luca wouldn’t be enough on his own forever. Would I have to hide others from him? I hoped not. I really just wanted it to be the three of us for a while.

“I’ll work on it,” Luca said. “Some of it is instinctive.” He used the GPS on his phone to navigate us to the new address Seiran had sent me. It was actually outside of the cities a good way.

“How well did you know that guy at the club?” I asked Luca. “Kenrick, I think his name was.”

“Not well.”

“How long has your dad been sleeping with him?” I clarified.

He glanced at me and growled.

“Thought you said I was what you need now?”

“He says he doesn’t sleep with Kenrick. Just feeds on him. And um, gross, thinking of my dad with anyone.”

“Your dad is hot,” Con said.

“Truth,” I pointed out. “If you like the tall, dark, and dangerous businessman sort. Total daddy kink.”

Luca narrowed his eyes at us. “Really? What the fuck is wrong with you two?”

“You look like your dad,” Con amended.

“Just not as big and dangerous,” I agreed.

“I hate you both,” Luca said without heat.