Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 54305 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 272(@200wpm)___ 217(@250wpm)___ 181(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54305 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 272(@200wpm)___ 217(@250wpm)___ 181(@300wpm)
Gideon hurried after him, sticking close to Ryder’s side as they cut through the parking lot and to Ryder’s big black truck. Gideon had yet to get his driver’s license, and while the idea of learning to drive tempted him, that desire flew out of his head every time he saw Ryder’s vehicle. It was a massive beast Ryder had to help him climb into. He could never manage something so huge.
But he loved riding in it.
He was so high off the ground, allowing him to gaze down on the other cars. He felt safe. Not to mention, Ryder also turned on the seat heater for him during the winter, keeping his butt toasty. The interior was always spotless and smelled faintly of something soft, mixed with a hint of Ryder’s old leather jacket. The perfect combination.
The three-story building Rafe had purchased was four blocks from the nightclub, allowing Gideon to walk to work if he wanted. It was more likely that Ryder wouldn’t give him the option, preferring to drive him in or walk with him if the weather was nice. Despite being in the city, the neighborhood was quiet and a quick jaunt from the theater and shopping.
Not that Gideon did much of either, but he hoped that moving into his own place would be a true new beginning for him. After Rafe rescued him from his maker, he’d spent the past couple of decades existing under Rafe’s protective wing. He didn’t go out and do fun things. Work and hanging out with his close friends within the Varik Clan were the only things in his life.
But it was time for him to be brave. He might not be a powerful or fierce vampire, but he certainly wasn’t helpless. Hunting was easier now. His confidence was steadily building as he did more on his own. He could do this. He could reclaim his life. His maker had not taken that away from him forever.
“Gideon?”
His head snapped up to see Ryder watching him with a worried look as they sat at a red light. He flashed him a bright smile. Maybe too bright, because Ryder lifted a questioning eyebrow, so Gideon toned it down.
“I’m good. Everything is good,” Gideon chirped, nearly bouncing in his seat with his hands tucked between his thighs to stop them from fidgeting as he talked.
Ryder grunted and turned his attention to the road. The light shifted to green, and he smoothly continued along the nearly empty road. Water and slushy snow made the streets messy, blurring the reflections of lamps and the glow from the shops they passed. Hartford wasn’t a bad town.
“It’s okay to be nervous.”
“I’m not nervous!” Gideon piped up, earning another skeptical side-long glance. “I’m not. Okay, maybe I’m a little nervous. It’s that there have always been other people close by for as long as I can remember. Even when I was human I lived with four other dancers in a tiny apartment. The idea of it being just me is…exciting…and scary. But it’ll be good. I can decorate how I want and do what I want in my spare time.” He bit his bottom lip to stop his babbling.
Yeah, okay. He was definitely nervous, but Ryder hadn’t needed to call him out like that.
Another block and his companion was settling the truck by the curb. That saved them both from his out-of-control mouth. Ryder parked behind Rafe’s sedan. It wasn’t surprising in the least that Rafe was there. He could count on Philippe being present as well.
Gideon jumped from the truck before Ryder could come to help him and raced up the four stone stairs, but a locked door stopped his triumphant arrival.
Locked out of his own place.
He jabbed the doorbell with his finger three times, barely resisting the temptation to stomp his foot. Rafe’s deep chuckle echoed through the hall as he approached.
The suave vampire smirked at him as soon as he opened the door. “Impatient?”
“Impatient was a month ago,” Gideon teased. “Why did you lock us out?”
“We had to make sure the place remained safe for you and Ryder.” Rafe reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring of shiny silver keys along with a metal keychain in the shape of a phoenix. After those bastards had dared to burn Rafe’s first nightclub, Blush, the wicked vampire had gone all in with the rising-from-the-ashes phoenix imagery. Now everything was red, orange, and black.
Gideon snatched the keys and threw himself at Rafe, wrapping him in a tight hug around his middle. “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”
Rafe huffed a soft laugh and ran his fingers through Gideon’s messy blond hair. “Be a good little tenant, and I’ll be happy. Now, go check out your place.”
He released Rafe and ran up the stairs in a flash. He caught a whisper of the conversation between Rafe and Ryder, as his boss told the other vampire that they had safely delivered his few things to his place on the first floor.