Page 39 of Help Wanted, Vampires Inquire Within
“Fix what?” Mason asked, striding up with an eager expression on his face.
“Jack thinks you can fix him,” Remy said. “But I’m pretty sure he’s unredeemable.”
“That’s my best quality,” Jack sang out.
Mason covered the last few strides in one long step and swept him and Skyler up in his big, gargoyle arms. Mason pressed his lips to hers. It wasn’t much of a kiss because she couldn’t stop giggling.
Affection and joy from Skyler and Mason flooded the bonds, filling Jack. He hadn’t realized how empty he’d been before them.
“Are they going to do it in the garden?” Kayla asked, walking up to stand next to Remy. “Because then I need to keep the kids inside.”
Remy shrugged. “I don’t know, and what kids?”
“I was thinking of Marcus and Toby. They’re so immature they’d probably giggle,” Kayla said. “That would break the mood.”
“And a bunch of wolf shifters standing around watching isn’t a mood killer?” Remy asked.
“Book club!” Sklyer said, wiggling in Mason’s grip. “I want to go! Mila’s going to be there with pastries. And I want to see everyone! I haven’t seen Imani, Briar, or Cora in forever!”
Mason set her and Jack down. Jack held onto Skyler for a second longer, then let go.
“I’ve got to get cleaned up and change,” Skyler said, giving Mason and then Jack a peck on their cheeks. Then she ran off to the main house. They had a large room in the back on the first floor. Most of the pack took up the rest of the second and thirdfloor. Except, of course, Manny who lived in one of the small houses.
It only took a month to turn the barn into an office building, and Mason had moved his cyber security into one of the cubicles there. He worked part time for Clover Technological Industries while finishing out his obligations to other companies.
Even after working for so many years alone, Mason fit in perfectly with the Clover Pack computer nerds. He confessed that he looked forward to going to work every day instead of being annoyed the moment he woke up.
Skyler was thrilled to spend all day, every day working on the land. They had a lush garden, a flourishing orange grove, and a budding grove of avocado, plum, peach, and nectarine trees.
Life didn’t get much better than this.
“Marcus, Gail, and Miller want to go too,” Remy said. “I’ll go tell them we’re leaving soon.” He left in the direction of the converted barn.
“Some of us have a life and are going to head to Club Gaudium for some drinks and dancing. You guys have fun with your book club,” Kayla said. “Nerds!”
“Like you’re not,” Remy scoffed as Kayla bounced off with a laugh. All the members of the pack embraced every type of nerdiness. This was the place for nerds of all kinds including the computer, book, manga, anima, ren faire, and LARPers. Kayla’s cosplay was infamous in certain groups.
While Remy and Kayla shouted a few more friendly insults, Jack took Mason’s hand, tangling their fingers together.
“Are you hungry?” he asked the gargoyle as they strolled to the house.
“Nah,” Mason said. “It was pizza Friday. Damn but the Clover Pack has some strange taste in pizza toppings.”
Jack sniffed the air. “Thank you for not trying the sardine pizza.”
“That wasn’t hard,” Mason said. “But I also stayed away from the garlic, just for you.”
Jack squeezed his hand. “That’s sweet. Not that garlic hurts vampires, but I’m not fond of the smell.”
“I know. I was there when Marcel made that creamy garlic pasta, and you left the room as soon as the serving bowl hit the table. I wish you’d told me why. I wouldn’t have eaten it that night.”
“My dislike of garlic would never be enough to keep me from kissing you or Skyler,” Jack said. “Nothing could stop me from being with either of you. Even that disgusting bulb.”
He couldn’t keep the distaste out of his tone or the shudder. By now, they’d reached the house, and Skyler was already out front in a fresh outfit and ready to go. Remy soon appeared with the wolves who wanted to visit the Downward Dog.
The three of them took up the second row in the SUV while the wolves piled in front and behind. Skyler sat between him and Mason, right where she belonged. She might be far more powerful now than most nymphs, but neither of them could stop thinking of her as the vulnerable one.
Especially since she never protested and loved snuggling between them.
