Page 70 of From the Shadows

Speaking of which, he sat back and watched the people. He’d missed out on so much when he locked himself away. It wasn’t just because of the humans. He’d basically cut ties with everyone, for the most part. Yet Shay had come in and pulled them all together. Made them more cohesive.

And now he would be by Diego’s side. For eternity. And that didn’t sound half bad.

Shay had taken to learning about his new life. He threw himself into it with a fervor. What had taken Diego years to learn, Shay got the hang of in months. Of course, he had Diego helping, so there was that.

Still, Shay obviously didn’t mind the change. He had no family to miss, no friends outside of the mansion to worry about him. That was probably why being a vampire, starting a new life, was so exciting to him. He had no ties to his old life, so everything was new for him. Still, one thing bothered Diego, and it was high time he corrected it.

“Shay?”

He turned and gave Diego a megawatt smile that melted his heart. “Hm?”

“I love you.”

Shay’s eyes widened, and then his lips curled down as he said, “Oh, baby. Been waiting for you to figure it out. I love you too.” He leaned in and gave Diego a quick kiss.

Jeremy’s face lit up at the display of affection. “I love you both!” he shouted.

They grabbed him and dragged him into their family and kissed his face. He giggled, but when they loosened their grip, he tightened his.

“Don’t stop. Please?” he begged. “I’ve always wanted two dads. Diego needed someone in his life, and I am really happy it’s Shay.”

That was a sentiment they shared.

Diego could understand Cristobal wanting a family. Now that he had it, he’d make certain to never lose it. If only Cristobal hadn’t been a psychotic bastard who murdered people to make it happen. Then again, his fate was sealed the day he turned Diego without his knowledge or permission.

“Wanna go check out the closet in our room?” Shay whispered. “You’re looking a little peaked. I stashed some lube in there, just in case.”

“Yes. Yes, I do,” Diego replied, his cock thickening at the prospect of being buried in Shay once again.

Before he could move, though, he found a six-foot reticulated python slithering up his leg and making its way to his shoulder, where it perched, surveying the area. It stuck its tongue out at him, and Diego chuckled. He kissed the snake on the nose, then turned to Shay. “Raincheck?”

“Yeah, I think that can be arranged.” He stroked a hand over Jeremy’s head. “That’s awesome, Jerm,” he said. “You make us so proud.”

Jeremy let loose with a soft hiss, then snuggled against Shay’s face.

“How about we go swimming?” Diego offered.

Jeremy squirmed around Diego’s shoulders, smacking their heads together.

“Someone likes that idea. Shay? Wanna join us?”

“Always,” Shay vowed, and Diego knew it wasn’t just for this. He was making a promise that he would be there, come hell or high water, to help Jerm grow and to make sure Diego didn’t fall back into bad habits.

Diego was certain it would never happen. He was too happy with what he had now.

Shay. Jeremy.

And their family of hunters.