Page 17 of Bullets and Blood (Hunting Hearts #1)

Chapter Fourteen

“Do you really think this will work?” Lance kept his eyes on the road as they headed out of Whispering River and inland toward Milltown.

No. It wouldn’t work, but it would buy him a few more days to think of something.

His options were extremely limited, and he didn’t want to surrender.

That was not the easy or painless option.

He couldn’t run forever, either. He was stuck.

He’d left Lance’s apartment just before dawn, ridden home, and packed his bag.

Then he called work and told them he had a gastro and gotten himself a few days off—no one wanted him near the winery for three days.

Finally, he called his contact at the Reids.

He warned them Scott Orlan might be in the area.

Then he’d asked for help. He was living quietly; he didn’t want to be dragged back, and couldn’t they protect him?

It had been a long shot, one that had failed because they didn’t want to get their hands bloodied, and he had nothing to offer them but the trouble his name would bring.

He didn’t blame the Reids, but the noose was tightening.

Nix closed his eyes and leaned his head back. “It’s a short-term solution.”

Several minutes passed. “You want a long-term one.”

“Of course I do. I want you all to fuck off and let me live.”

“Selling wine to humans?”

“Yes.” He cracked open his eyes. “Is that so hard to believe?”

From the expression on Lance’s face, it was.

“I told you I never wanted part of this. I don’t believe in this stupid feud. I was almost out.” Now he never would be. “The kindest thing you can do is make sure I’m truly dead before you drag me back. Don’t take me back alive.” Was that really his best option?

Was he down to choosing the best way to die? At least this time, he’d be dying on his terms, and as grim as that was, it would make a pleasant change.

“I’m not going to kill you.”

“Then you’re a coward and an asshole.” Nix stared out the window at the trees flicking past. He could walk into the national forest, hitchhike to somewhere else, and try again. And again, and again. Always looking over his shoulder. Never able to sleep.

If he gave in to death, Zinnia would be on her own, and he couldn’t do that.

Lance pulled over and stopped the car. Nix expected to be told to get out and start walking.

He had everything with him. He didn’t need to return to Whispering River.

But he didn’t want to spend his life doing bog laps of Australia or hiding out in a cave, losing his mind and feasting on bats—he didn’t want to become the vampire who haunted too many horror stories.

But some nights in the witching hours, it was hard enough to hold the fragments together.

“I’m neither of those things, or you wouldn’t be sitting in my car or sleeping in my bed. I’m an idiot for inviting you in the first time. But now we’re in this together, and we’ll find a solution.”

Nix shook his head but couldn’t look at him. It hurt too much. “Are you going to kick me out?”

“No, but you can go if that’s what you want. I’ll spend the three days as planned, then I’ll have to start looking for you again.”

It would be easier on Lance if Nix opened the car door and started walking. His family would believe he was still searching. Trouble was, Nix wanted to be found.