Page 33 of Fighting Fate (Monsters of London #4)

Dax

Do I? Maybe now I do, now that he’s said it.

My heart is beating some new rhythm in my chest as Vince holds on to my hand like he never wants to let go. He’s hardly touched his beer, but then me being halfway down mine doesn’t really mean anything.

I need to tell him about the bond. That’s the other thing that has me wondering about Kieran’s pack, after all. Vince is part of it, whether he’s aware of that or not. He must be.

“You looked worried earlier,” I say instead because I need to ease into this. “When you spoke to Kieran.”

Vince sighs, resting his chin on his free hand. “Yeah. I thought I saw someone watching the house yesterday. Or something. I’m probably being paranoid.”

My wolf growls, long and low, and the urge to shift rises in me. I push it firmly back down. There’s no danger here and now, so all shifting would do is cause trouble.

“You’re not.”

“I could be.” Vince shrugs lightly. “I told Kieran, anyway. He suggested wards, but I think that’s too far. It’s not like Nick and Jamie know about any of this. I’ve just got to be vigilant.”

“It can’t all fall on you.”

“It isn’t. Nick’s keeping an eye out too—he’s there now, or I would never have come here tonight. I just don’t know what we’re going to do. How can we be sure he’s gone?”

“I don’t know.” Well, there’s one way, though I wince at the thought. I’ve never killed anyone before, and I’m not sure I have it in me. I’d be happy to scare him off, though, if that was needed.

“It’ll be okay,” Vince says. His smile doesn’t reach his eyes. “We’ll keep this up as long as we need to.”

“Until you get sick of it. Or Jamie does.”

Vince laughs. “Jamie first, I’m sure.”

“I’m here, if you need m—If you need any help, you know.”

“Yeah, Dax. I know.” Vince squeezes my hand again, and when I look at him, he leans in. His lips brush my cheek, and though it might be the most chaste interaction we’ve had so far, my heart flutters.

He frowns, though, when he sits back in his chair, and I find myself mirroring the expression.

“I’ve not been fair to you.” His eyes drop to our joined hands.

“Vince…”

“No, I haven’t. I know I haven’t.”

“Vince, it’s fine.”

He looks at me, fire burning in his amber eyes. “It’s not . And I don’t want—I don’t want to keep being unfair. Not when I think I want more than this.”

If I thought my heart was going before—It leaps into my throat, and I suck in a surprised breath. “You do?”

“Yeah, I do. But I want to go slow. Slower. I know we’ve already—”

He cuts himself off and I can’t help my dopey grin. “Whatever you want.” I can tell him about the bond before we sleep together again. Before it becomes something more concrete.

“You’re sure that’s okay? I mean it, Dax. I want you to be sure.”

“I am,” I say and take a gulp of my drink. “I’m happy with that.”

“Happy?” Vince gives me a bemused little smile.

“More than.”

We leave the bar an hour or so later, and I linger while Vince waits for his taxi.

“You’re not heading my way?” He looks up at me from under his lashes, and I laugh, giddy at the thought of him.

“Not if we’re taking it slowly,” I say and mean it. “It’ll be dark still for a few hours. I’m going for a run.”

I’ve already sent a text to Alpha Axel, letting him know I’ll be in the park. He might not see it until the morning, but all I have to do is give him a heads-up.

Vince leans into my side. “Be careful, then. Wouldn’t want you to get spotted.”

“I’m always careful.”

He grins up at me, and I know it’s not the one beer he had that’s put that gleam in his eyes. They’re going dark in a way I recognise, but I meant what I said. If Vince wants to go slowly, we’ll go slowly. I’m not messing this up because I couldn’t keep it in my pants.

A car pulls up and Vince lets out a heavy sigh. “Time for me to go.”

He looks up at me expectantly, and I hesitate. Slow. Does that mean we can kiss, or we wait, or it’s just—

Vince stretches up and kisses me hard, teasing my lips until I open for him. Strong hands dig into my shoulders and the whole length of him presses against my front, hard and ready for whatever I want to give him.

I pull back, panting, and Vince’s grin is unrepentant. “I said slow, Dax. Not stop .” He winks as he opens the back door of the car. “Text me when you get in? After your run?”

“Of course.”

He waves and I stand there as the car pulls away, watching it go. I’m grinning so widely my cheeks hurt, but I can’t help it.

We’re actually going to make a go of this thing.

Oh, this might just be the best night of my life.