Page 63 of Protected by the Vampire

“Spade,” Razor called from across the room.

I smirked automatically, that name settling over me like a second skin. It fit here. Always had.

We made our way over, the room subtly shifting around us. Brothers shouted their greetings or paused to slap me on the shoulder and say something to Soren.

Razor was leaned back in his chair like he didn’t have a care in the world, boots kicked up, a drink in his hand. Riker lounged nearby with lazy confidence and sharp eyes. Monkey and Coms were mid-argument about something that sounded completely pointless and exactly like them.

Nothing had changed.

Yet everything had.

I dropped into an empty chair, stretching out like I owned it. Soren took the seat beside me without hesitation.

Monkey glanced over, his eyes flicking between me and Soren before he snorted. “Well, look who decided to show up.”

“Miss me?” I shot back.

“Not even a little,” he said dryly.

“Sure,” I drew out.

Coms barked out a laugh. “He’s been complainin’ for days. ‘How come Spade’s not around? He needs to get back here and pull his weight.’”

Monkey flipped him off without looking. “Shut up.”

Coms kicked at Monkey’s chair. “Make me.”

“Glad to see nothin’s changed,” I muttered, shaking my head.

“Yeah, well,” Razor said before taking a slow drink. “You disappearin’ for a few days tends to get people talkin’.”

I lifted a brow. “I didn’t disappear.”

Riker snorted. “You absolutely did.” He was now bouncing in his seat with a wide-ass grin.

I shrugged. “Had shit to handle.”

“That what we’re calling it?” Riker’s grin turned sharp, his gaze sliding to Soren, then back to me. “Handling shit?”

I smirked. “Somethin’ like that.”

The bond flickered with amusement coming from the vampire beside me.

Riker leaned forward slightly, resting his forearms on his knees, eyes locked on me. “Come on,” he whined. “You can’t keep us in the dark. Tell me everything, but most importantly, how’s the sex now?”

Monkey groaned. “Here we go.”

Riker ignored him. “No, wait. We need to get back to the sexy time part?—”

“We don’t,” Razor said with humor, reaching out and manhandling Riker to sit on his lap. “It’s good to have you back, brother.” Razor added, tipping his chin my way.

Monkey and Coms nodded. They were the only ones who knew where I’d been. Soren told me he’d called them, and I made a follow-up call once I’d been back to myself.

“Thanks, brother,” I said, curling an arm around Soren’s shoulders.

Riker rolled his eyes and relaxed back against his mate. “Fine.” He winked at Soren and mouthed, “Tell me later.” Then, loud enough for just us to hear, he asked, “How are you handling being a bloodsucker?”

There was no judgment in his tone—just curiosity and a little bit of shit-stirring.