“And Sonny,” Gregor added, “your parents wanted you to grow up amongst your own. Humans. It was also their wish.”
This was an outright lie, considering they were vampires.
However, for thirty-one years, Gregor and Yuri had taken great pains to live the charade of a human life.
For Sonia.
And to protect her destiny, not only as Callum’s mate, but also for the reason why fate chose her to be at his side during this time.
She tore her soft gaze from Yuri and looked to Gregor. She pulled in a deep breath and then released a heavy sigh.
Callum decided Sonia had had enough. It was time for this to be over and therefore he announced, “Sonia’s had a stressful few days. Share why you’re here so we can get on with our night.”
Gregor looked to Callum and replied, “Actually, I’m here to speak with you.”
“So speak,” Callum ordered.
Gregor took a step back, glanced over his shoulder at his son then back to Callum and invited, “Let’s walk.”
Callum’s eyes also went to Yuri, who was standing with arms crossed on his chest but his face was carefully blank.
Gregor had something he wanted to share privately, not for Sonia to hear.
He looked back to Gregor. “I’ll not leave Sonia. It’s unsafe.”
“Yuri will stay with her,” Gregor replied immediately.
Callum looked at Yuri to see he was now smiling.
“I don’t think so,” he told Gregor. “We’ll go into the kitchen.”
“We’ll walk,” Gregor replied firmly.
“We won’t,” Callum returned even more firmly.
“Worried?” Yuri taunted and Callum tensed.
“Why can’t you just talk here?” Sonia cut in.
“I need to have a private word with your mate,” Gregor answered and it was Sonia’s turn to go tense.
“More secrets?” she queried irately.
“Business, Sonia,” Gregor retorted, his tone surprising Callum by turning positively fatherly and surprising Callum further when Sonia’s expression turned visibly daughterly. Gregor continued, “Between his family and mine. It’s late, I’m tired, I want to get this done and it won’t take long,” he turned to Callum. “Let’s walk.”
Callum didn’t move a muscle.
“Callum,” Gregor said on a weary sigh. “No matter Yuri’s behavior tonight, Sonia’s safe with him. He’d never do anything to cause a rift between our families.”
“That’s surprising, considering some of the things that have come out of his mouth tonight,” Callum replied.
“Take a moment and stand in his shoes,” Gregor retorted sharply, uncharacteristically losing patience.
Callum didn’t want to do as Gregor suggested but he couldn’t stop the visions from invading. The very thought of wanting Sonia and walking in on her naked and connected to a vampire made his blood start to heat.
“We’ll walk,” he muttered but his eyes went to Yuri. “Sonia’s going directly to bed.”
“I thought she and I could share a nightcap,” Yuri returned acidly.
“She’s going to bed,” Callum repeated and, not waiting for further response, he turned and guided her up the stairs.
She was unresisting and she was silent.
Until they hit the room.
“Callum –”
“Get in bed, honey, I’ll be back before you know it.”
She stood by the bed and crossed her arms on her chest, declaring, “I don’t like this.”
Callum didn’t either but he clearly had no choice.
There was something pressing on Gregor’s mind and Callum’s instinct was to find out what it was so he could deal with it, as well as everything else, and move on.
He buttoned the buttons on his shirt saying, “The longer we discuss this, the longer it will take for me to get this done.”
Sonia didn’t seem to be worried how long it would take for she retorted, “I don’t know what part about ‘this’ I don’t like most. The fact that you and Gregor are taking a walk to talk about something you don’t want me to overhear. The fact that you stated I was going to bed when maybe I don’t want to go to bed. Or the fact that you led me out of the room without letting me say goodnight to the men who raised me.”
Callum studied his mate. He didn’t know her very well but he was beginning to recognize something about her. And that was, only Sonia could find three things about the vague concept of “this” to be pissed about.
“We’re not arguing now,” he stated decisively.
“Then we’ll argue later,” she returned.
With that, she climbed into bed, turned out the bedside lamp and settled in, commanding, “Leave the Christmas lights on when you go.”