Page 17 of A Hunter Turned
“I’m hungry,” Jamie finally announced once the laughter had died down. “Is anyone else hungry?”
“Let’s have ice cream!” was Cady’s excited response and Archer groaned. “How are you not tired, little girl? It’s way past your bedtime.”
That statement earned him a pouty face and a, “Please, Daddy. Just a little bit longer?”
With a sigh of defeat, Archer glanced at Jamie who raised the not so crookedly penciled-in eyebrow in question. Shaking his head, he asked, “Do you have any ice cream?”
Jamie nodded and Cady cheered, gaining her feet to once more bounce around.
Still smiling as she turned to look Archer’s way, Jamie remarked, “I wish I had that much energy.”
Archer let out an amused snort. “Don’t we all.”
Cady’s energy reserves failed her not long after the ice cream was finished, her little head nodding drunkenly, and her eyelids at half-mast. Picking her up in his arms, she went boneless against him mumbling about still needing to make wings for Jamie.
Jamie’s bandage-wrapped hands rubbed over Cady’s back as she stood up next to Archer and promised, “Next time, sweetheart.”
Looking down into Jamie’s smiling face, Archer kept his voice low as he sincerely said, “Thank you for tonight. We had a good time.”
“I did too.”
With that said, he should have headed for the door but Archer’s feet proved uncooperative as he stared at the vampire that continued to surprise him in unexpected ways. He didn’t want to leave and it was only the realization that his rapt fascination was making her uncomfortable that finally pried his eyes away from her.
“Well,” she began, clearing her throat and moving to pick up their empty ice cream bowls. “You should probably get her to bed.”
Yes, he should. Absolutely. And yet, he still stood there for a moment more, searching for something to say, an excuse to linger in her presence. Finally, he blurted, “Do you want to go out on the boat tomorrow night?”
Glancing up from the dishwasher she’d been loading with their dishes, a look of intrigue on her face, she asked, “You have a boat?”
Archer nodded, the movement causing Cady to stir slightly before she sighed and settled her head back against his shoulder, her fingers tangling in his beard.
“I’ll pack a picnic,” Jamie suggested, agreeing to the outing with a smile.
And suddenly, with the promise of spending time with her again assured, Archer could once more move. “Tomorrow night, then.”
“Tomorrow night.”
Chapter Twelve
Sitting at a Popeyes, Kane’s phone buzzed and he flipped it over on the table to look at the screen. The text was from his eldest brother:Dad and I are coming for your oath. Don’t be a dickhead.Lovely, something to look forward to, he thought dryly. To say Kane and his dad didn’t get along would be an understatement, that rift being the catalyst for why he had joined the Hunters. If the Born that sired him thought that this promotion would somehow mend the breach, he was sorely mistaken.
Not wanting to deal with his blood relations, even in text, he flipped the phone face down again. He had more important things to concern himself with, and with that thought, he raised his hand to alert the vampire that had just walked through the door of his presence. The Turned was short in stature, skinny as a beanpole, and wore pocket protectors but he’d already proven himself incredibly useful and was now loyal to Kane. Almost slavishly so thanks to Kane having been the one who rescued the man from Rodolfo’s punishment greenhouse. The guy had been Rodolfo’s clerk until he’d refused to make certain requested alterations to records that were to be submitted to The Court of Elders. He’d been punished for those ethics, beaten, mostly buried in the ground without sustenance to bake in the heat. That wouldn’t happen on Kane’s watch. Unlike Rodolfo, Kane actually appreciated ethics in a person.
“Edward,” Kane greeted the man with a nod, motioning for him to slide into the seat across from him. “How are you doing?”
“I am very well, sire, thank you.”
Kane grimaced at the address, looking around the restaurant. Which reminded him, “I need you to get me in contact with a realtor, we can’t continue to meet in places like this.”
“Immediately, sire.”
“Kane or Mister Fletcher is fine, especially when we’re in public.”
Edward gripped his chest, his look of surprised shock almost comical. “It would be an honor to address you so, Mister Fletcher.”
Shaking his head, Kane sighed. “You want some food, my man?”
“Oh, no, sire – I mean, Mister Fletcher. I’m quite well, thank you.”
