Page 13 of By The Moon

“I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that.”

“I found him.” He knew they would know who he was talking about. He’d mentioned Louis hundreds of times, the man who had saved him. He’d known they hadn’t fully believed him, but that hadn’t stopped him, and when Louis had comforted him after his mother had passed, he’d known for sure.

“Him? The mystery man who saved you?” Candice glanced at Shaun as she pushed away from the counter. “He actually exists?”

“Yeah, he does.”

“What does he look like?”

“A little taller than me. Blond hair, blue eyes. Gorgeous smile. Kind and caring.”

“White?”

“And?” Jerome stared at Candice. “What of it?”

“Nothing at all. I’ve dated white men and they’re some of the nicest men I’ve met.”

“That’s because a white man knows the worth of a black woman.” Shaun passed Jerome a glass. “Corina’s married to one and said he dotes on her and their kids. Blake’s dating a white woman and adores her. You should see the way she looks at him.” Shaun patted Jerome back. “He remembered you?”

“Yeah and I have some things to tell you and you’re not going to believe me.”

“Okay. Go ahead and make me not believe you.” Shaun leaned back on the counter and folded his arms over his chest.

“So, Louis—that’s his name—is a vampire and I’m his mate. That’s why he’s been watching over me. To make sure I was safe and cared for. Like those romance books about mates and shifters. And before you say anything, I saw the fangs, felt them too.” Jerome rubbed his neck. “His eyes glow with intense emotions as well and I can talk to him telepathically now we’ve… er… you know.”

“Had sex.” Candice stared at him open mouthed then snapped it shut. Narrowing her eyes, she said, “Prove it.”

“Close the curtains and I will.”

“Not the old sunlight shit.” Candice rolled her eyes. Shaun pulled the kitchen blind down and nodded. “What? Dad! You can’t believe this.”

“I believe Jerome.”

I’m home, in the kitchen. Want to pop in by the fridge?

Coming now.

“Hi.” Candice screamed and threw her can of soda at Louis who caught it and pulled a face. “What the fuck?”

“You can’t just do whatever you did and appear without saying something!”

“How do I say something if I’m not here?” Louis glanced at Jerome. “Is she okay?”

“Candice is having trouble adapting to you appearing out of thin air. Me too, but I can hide it better.” Shaun held his hand out. “I’m Shaun, Jerome’s father, but you know that.”

“I do and it’s nice to meet you.” Louis shook Shaun’s hand. “I wasn’t planning on meeting you so soon.”

“And why is that?”

“I wanted to spend time with Jerome first.”

“You watched over him. Not sure how I feel about that.” Shaun moved closer to Louis, peering at his face.

“You want to see the fangs.” Louis sighed then opened his mouth and Jerome watched as they dropped from the roof of his mouth.

“Holy shit, they’re real. Can I touch them?” Shaun lifted his hand.

“Dad!” Jerome grabbed Shaun’s arm, pulling back.

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