Page 67 of Colin

Dane looked surprisingly sheepish, running a hand through his mussed auburn hair. “We know that. We didn’t think we’d actually find a vamp when we took him with us.”

That was news to Colin. He glowered at Dane. “Excuse me?”

Jay stepped out of Colin’s arms, then pointed a deliberate finger at him, still looking at the twins. “This is my best friend.”

“One of several,” Colin muttered.

Jay ignored him. “You have to be careful with him.”

Fox tugged Colin back against him. “Weare.”

Jay’s judgmental finger didn’t waver. “You can’t just use him for sex and throw him into danger. He’s fragile.”

“I am notfragile,” Colin protested. He felt like he’d stepped into a fever dream. He’d gone from getting his brains fucked out to his tiny friend chastising the twins like he was the self-appointed protector of Colin’s virtue.

“You’re human,” Jay countered. “Of course you’re fragile. Alexei used to be too. It was very concerning.” He took a deep breath, finally lowering his arm.

Was it over?

“What are your intentions toward my friend?”

Apparently not.

Colin scrubbed at his face with one hand. “Oh my fucking God.”

Alexei pulled Jay into his arms. “Kotyonok. Maybe we should tone it down a bit, hm? Colin’s face is so red he looks like he might catch fire.”

“Thanks for that.” Colin flipped him off, even though he was moderately grateful at the big lug for stepping in.

Jay’s chin dipped down, his cheeks flushing pink. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to embarrass you. It was supposed to be afunsurprise.” He threw his arms into the air, incidentally whacking Alexei in the face. “We’re here!”

Colin smiled in spite of himself. “Yes, you certainly are.”

“And we—”Jay leaned back into Alexei, as if for courage. “—we’re staying with you,” he said decisively.

Colin rubbed a hand over his face again. Maybe if he scrubbed hard enough, this interaction would begin to make some sort of sense. “Short stack. I’m a guest here.”

“The fuck you are,” Fox protested. “Youlivehere.”

Colin twisted in his hold, staring him down. “So you’re okay with them staying, then?”

“Sure. They can stay in your room.” Fox’s gaze turned almost predatory. “You’ll stay in mine.”

Colin narrowed his eyes. “And you’ll be staying in Dane’s room, I presume?”

“We’reallstaying in my room.” Fox shot a preemptive glare at Dane, who was leaning against the doorjamb with his arms crossed, looking amused as hell. “Don’t be weird about it.”

“Wasn’t gonna.”

“Perfect!” Jay chirped. “Alexei, will you grab our bags? Colin’s going to show me his room, and then we’re going to have our own secret talk, just the two of us.”

Fox rolled his eyes. “Not very secret if you just told us.”

Jay looked back at Fox, his face serene. “I’m not sure I like you very much.”

Oof. Sucked to be Fox. Jay liked everyone.

Colin was suddenly overwhelmed by a wave of fondness for his friend. He threw an arm around Jay’s shoulders, ignoring the muttered protests of all three meatheads. “C’mon, short stack. I’ll give you the tour.”

---