Page 47 of The Silver Fox Vampire

“I have no family to hamper such tendencies.” Oliver tried to make it sound light, but truth was, it was beginning to really get to him. Though he was loath to admit it, Clare catapulting back into his life had made him yearn for something he could neverhave. Being around these guys with their happy domesticated lives was showing him what he had missed out on.

Truth was, the years when he should have been putting down roots, having kids even, had been taken up with wild and destructive behaviors. And by the time he’d crawled out of the haze of bloodlust and devastation, it was like he’d burned his bridges, missed the chance to settle down and start a family. And yet that was illogical, because in a real sense, time had no such meaning to a vampire. He was as potent, as able to procreate at 300, 400, 600 years old. And beyond.

What was missing was the ability to love, to care for another being, and to be cared for in return.

When death and devastation had been burned onto the back of your retinas, you learned early that love could be stolen from you in the most violent and heinous of ways.

You learned that you could never trust anyone, least of all a human.

Which was why he had taken his revenge, plundering young humans for over a century.

Except it never worked, it never healed the wounds.

You’ve made amends, you’ve given back to society. Solved thousands of crimes over the past hundred years. For fuck’s sake man, give yourself a break.

“I’m probably not the best company tonight, I would hate to spoil the vibe,” he said as he downed the last drops of his whiskey. “I’ll see myself out.”

“I’ll leave with you,” Saul said. After farewelling Grayson, they met Maisie on the stairs, carrying the uncooked burgers and buns on a tray.

“Oh,” she pouted, “you’re leaving already. Grayson made extra, in case we had guests.”

They both muttered their apologies. “Never mind.” She beamed. “Bring Harriet over and the kids next time Saul, haven’tseen them for ages.” She turned and grinned cheekily at Oliver. “And you, Mr Bachelor boy, we need to find you a nice partner.”

Oliver let out a bark of a laugh. “Firstly, I am not a boy. And secondly, no one would take me on.”

“Oh, I don’t know. I can think of one human who might.”

He raised a brow, heat sneaking below his collar.

“Clare Doyle.” Maisie winked. “Grayson and I always reckoned there was a spark between you two.”

The heat spread under his beard. He sensed Saul’s curious red eyes on him. What was he now, a fucking callow youth, blushing when someone called him on having a crush? He shrugged. “Humans and vampires are historically not a good mix.”

“You don’t deny it then?” Maisie wheedled.

“Ha, dream on, Ms Matchmaker.”

With that, he took the stairs, quickly farewelling Saul at the door and heading toward his own place higher up the hill.

He’d only got a few steps when his phone rang.

He grabbed it hastily from his pocket, pleasure rippling through him when Clare’s name flashed on the screen.

Merely excitement about the case, he told himself. Nothing more.

“Hi Clare.”

Hi.” She sounded tired.

“Are you still in Tween?”

No, I’ve just driven through the city gates.”

“Anything to report?”

“Yes, a few things of interest.” She paused. “Can you talk now?”

“Sure, I’ve just left Grayson’s place.”