Fox watched the vampire as he resettled the bag and returned it to the floor. That was interesting. He’d had the audacity to tease his other captors once, and he’d gotten the shit knocked out of him.
But this vampire…he could take a joke, take a little teasing, and not beat him for it. He’d also bothered to ask about his injuries. Had even gotten him something to reduce his pain.
Maybe not a total bad guy.
“You know, you never told me your name. What the hell am I supposed to call my knight in shining armor?” Fox teased as he carefully popped the top off a mini can of Pringles. He was already planning to alternate between salty and sweet until his stomach burst. With some food in him, he might be able to think more clearly, plan a better escape than just running.
The smirk was back on the vampire’s lips, and some secret part of Fox wanted to toss all his junk food aside just to taste that man’s mouth. At least, it looked more appealing until he spoke.
“Winter. Winter Varik.”
Fox was moving before his brain could catch up with his body. Varik was the name of the vampire who supposedly wanted him dead. He wasn’t sticking around to find out if it was true. Lunging across the bed, he made for the door, not caring about the food or even logical plans for escape. He needed out. Fast. Fast as he possibly could.
But despite his obvious fatigue, Winter was faster. He zipped in front of the narrow hall that led to the door. The only escape from the room.
Sucking in a deep breath, Fox opened his mouth to scream. Maybe someone would call security if they heard him, but Winter’s hand slapped across his face while the other grabbed his arm.
“Don’t!” the vampire snarled. “I don’t want you dead.”
“But—” Fox tried to say, the word muffled under Winter’s hand. His breaths were coming in short bursts, brushing against Winter’s skin.
“Think. If I wanted you dead, it would have been a lot simpler to just stab you while you were tied up at Damon’s, right?”
Okay, that kind of made sense. Winter had made sneaking out of the house look easy, but it probably would have been a hell of a lot easier without Fox in tow. Hell, Fox had been tied up like a goddamn present. Winter could have crossed the room, stabbed him, and been out the door again before Fox took his last breath.
Instead, he was here in this hotel room with aspirin, ointment, and a basket of junk food.
“Feeling rational again?” Winter demanded. Fox nodded. Winter slowly lowered his hand and released Fox’s arm. “Back to the bed and your junk food.”
Fox couldn’t help sticking his tongue out at the vampire before climbing across the large bed. The candy bars, canisters of premium nuts, and bags of chips were scattered everywhere from his poor attempt at an escape. He carefully gathered it up and organized his stash in order of most to least favorite. He wasn’t normally like this, but it gave his heart and brain a chance to settle. His hands were still shaking, and panic was threatening to choke him.
Because Fox was convinced that blood and oxygen were no longer reaching his brain, he asked, “Were you planning to kill me? When you entered the room at the vampire’s house?”
Winter sighed. “Do you really want an answer to that?”
“Oh, come on! Really?” Fox snapped.
There was just the tiniest hint of a smile on Winter’s lips. “You shouldn’t have asked.”
“But you just told me it would have been easier to kill me while I was tied up.”
Winter spread his open hands out to his sides. “And yet here you are, alive and with a pile of junk food.”
Fox tightly folded his arms across his chest as if it was the only way to hold himself together. He could feel the lines of confusion digging deep into his brow. “So…what? You changed your mind?”
“Do you have some evil plot to murder my family, the Variks?”
“Fuck, no!” he said on a gasp. That question alone managed to lock off Fox’s brain. The idea that he would plot to harm anyone was ludicrous and simply impossible. He’d never intentionally hurt anyone in his entire life.
Winter shrugged and dropped his hands back to his sides. “I don’t kill innocent people. I need to make sure you’re not guilty of plotting to hurt my family. If you’re not, you go free.”
Of course, the other half of that was perfectly clear. There was suddenly no doubt in Fox’s mind—Winter Varik had no problem killing people who weren’t innocent.
As the vampire approached, he waved to the side of the bed where Fox had settled. “Is this where you’re planning to sleep?”
“Sure.”
Winter came to the side of the bed closest to Fox and suddenly grabbed his right arm. Before Fox could say anything, one handcuff was slapped around his wrist.