His heart was still a tangle of confusing emotions over the results. On the entire drive back to the loft, Winter had been abuzz with excited energy, telling Fox about all the years of being haunted by ghosts. He couldn’t imagine how the man had stayed sane under the seemingly endless barrage of voices at all hours.
On the one hand, he was so happy Winter had found some relief and was even more excited that he was the cause of it. He’d done something right! Even if it wasn’t necessarily intentional, he hadn’t brought death and doom or even the crushing weight of his uselessness down on Winter’s head. He gave him peace. Relief.
But on the other hand, was this unexpected gift the only reason Winter stayed close to him? Sure, Winter needed him until this prophecy nonsense was settled, but he could just as easily shove him in a room like Damon had. They joked and teased constantly now. But did Winter really enjoy his company?
Fox didn’t want to think it was all an act. Winter didn’t seem like that kind of person. In fact, Fox liked Winter. He was interesting, told great stories, and his protectiveness was nearly as sexy as he was. Was it greedy to want Winter to enjoy his company the same way?
“Which brother?” Winter repeated as he pulled into an empty spot on the street. “Rafe.” He paused and smirked over at Fox. “The kinky one.”
Fox snorted. “That’s also the nightclub owner.”
“Yes.”
“Unlike Bel, who is the other kinky one because he has two werewolf lovers and likes science.”
Winter huffed a soft laugh. “Yes. But I don’t want to start grading my siblings on their kinkiness.” He put the SUV in park and turned off the engine.
“It does sound like it might put you into therapy,” Fox teased while looking around at where they were now sitting. It did not appear to be a safe area. All the buildings were rundown, and there was little in the way of lights. Streetlamps flickered on and off, highlighting broken sidewalks and trash-strewn gutters. “Is there a reason your brother picked the scariest part of town for this meeting?”
“Everyone ignores everyone they see here. Easiest place to go unseen.”
Fox jumped when Winter reached across the center console and placed his hand on Fox’s knee. He lightly squeezed, sending him a reassuring smile.
“You’re safe. I won’t let anything happen to you,” Winter said firmly.
Fox had to bite his tongue as a line from Finding Nemo danced through his brain. It was all he could do to not respond with “Not much fun for little Harpo” in his best Ellen DeGeneres-slash-Dory voice. If Winter didn’t want him, it was no surprise. He was a weird idiot.
To his surprise, Winter graced him with a half smile. “Later I’m going ask what you’re thinking to put that strange look on your face. Right now, I’m going to scout the area. You stay in the SUV with the doors locked.”
Fox straightened in his seat and saluted the vampire. “Yes, sir!”
“Smartass,” Winter muttered, but his voice was full of warm affection. He climbed out of the SUV, closed the door, and immediately hit the button on the key fob. There was a loud chunk from the other doors around Fox, securing him in the vehicle. His eyes remained locked with Fox’s through the windshield as he stepped backward into the dead world, disappearing from sight.
Fox’s heart clenched as Winter became invisible. He could tell his brain that Winter was safe and standing right in front of him, but his eyes were screaming that he was gone. Everything was fine. Winter was fine.
It didn’t stop Fox from staring straight ahead with both of his hands clenched into tight fists. His heart slowed to its normal pace as he dragged in a deep breath through his nose and then out through gritted teeth. Just a few minutes. Winter would return in just a few minutes. No vampires were going to find him. And if any dangerous humans came along, God help them if Winter spotted them harassing Fox.
Okay, there were some definite perks to Winter getting growly and protective. Just the idea sent a warm flush over Fox’s body. More of the tension melted away, and Fox swore his innards just turned to goo. Fuck, Winter made him completely illogical.
Three hard knocks banged on the passenger window. Fox jumped in his seat and screamed in surprise. He just barely saw the person leap backward in surprise before doubling over with laughter. Fox narrowed his eyes and snarled to see Rafe almost falling over in his amusement.
Fox had been so wrapped up in his thoughts of Winter that he hadn’t even seen Rafe approach the SUV. He cursed himself for not paying attention. He was lucky it hadn’t been one of Damon’s men. Of course, when Rafe straightened and faced him again, Fox flipped him off with both hands, which only sent him into fresh peals of laughter.