Page 59 of Sinful Mates

“No, just Theo. Vampire trick. I can feel what you feel but can’t read your thoughts. Theo can do both.” That makes me feel a little better, but not by much.

I glance toward Theo. “Does it bother you that much?” he asks. He winces, studying me. Since he can read thoughts, he already has that answer.

“I like to keep my thoughts private.” I snuggle against Tobias, doing my best to not think.

“I will try not to do it.” I didn’t believe him but let it go. I wonder what else he has overheard in my mind.

Tobias rolls me to the side between them before standing and grabbing some shorts, Theo peers up as well toward the window and Tobias quickly runs down the stairs, leaving us.

“Where is he going?” I follow his gaze through the glass pane. I’m not sure what they hear or see but I only see the darkness of the night. No, not anymore, there is the crackle of tires on gravel. I tense.

“We have visitors, get dressed,” Tobias demands, the softness in him melting away once more.

“Who?” I ask. Who would stop by so late at night? My heart races.

“My parents.”

My heart skips a beat, nervousness kicking in. It wasn’t so long ago that I ran away from these very people. What a great fucking first impression that was. They probably think I’m unhinged. Maybe I am. I think about it; what normal person would be involved in their world? One thing I know is that his parents don’t want me to be part of their world. That much is clear from what I overheard the last time I met them.

I quickly grab the first clothes I lay eyes on. A pair of tights and an oversized sweater. Nerves are already kicking in, making me sweat. What if I still smell like I had earlier? Or worse, what if I smell like sex? I long to go take a shower. I run my hands through my hair, trying to focus. Theo disappears downstairs with Tobias to greet them. It isn’t until I grab the banister that I notice how bad my hands are trembling. My palms are sweaty, and stuck to the lacquered wood as I descend. I’m halfway down, when angry voices explode from the living room. A glass breaks, and I freeze on the steps. I want to know what they are talking about to cause that kind of violence, and from what I gather, Theo is the one who had thrown a glass.

“I won’t give you any more time, the month is nearly up. If anyone finds out about her, we will have the counsel breathing down our neck, especially after the little stunt you pulled with Tom.”

There is no mistaking how angry Theo is. The deep guttural growl that emanates from him at the mention of Tom’s name makes my neck prickle with unease. Just because he'd been stopped from killing him, didn't mean the urge doesn't still live inside Theo.

“Don’t you start, boy. I warned you both to keep her here until she decided. Do you think what you did went unnoticed? For fuck’s sake. I can’t believe the pair of you. I thought you had more brains than to take a weak human as a mate. Not only is it forbidden, but no one will accept her as she is.”

“Who we choose as our mate is nobody’s business but ours,” Tobias snarls. The asshole Tobias is out for my sake this time. The thought makes me smile as warmth flickers inside of me.

“Anyone but a human, Tobias. You’re giving our family a bad name. She is a fucking human. Either fix it or I will, and you won’t like the consequences if I have to.”

Something heavy smashes into the wall, and I can visualize wood being crushed and splintered. I race down the stairs, worry for Theo and Tobias driving me forward. Theo holds his father by the throat, pressing him against the fireplace, fangs bared. The couch has been thrown across the room and upside down.

“Nobody fucking touches her. I don’t give a fuck if you’re family. Threaten her again, and I will fucking end you,” Theo snaps at his father, who glares at Theo, unmoved by his son’s anger.

“Please Theo, settle down. Let’s be rational here,” his mother says as she tries to calm him. She places her hand on his arm. It’s clear they hadn’t noticed me witnessing this entire scene, and heard their dispute, but one thing I refuse to be seen as by this stubborn man is weak. I square my shoulders and step farther into the room. Theo lets go of his father as soon as he sees me and steps away from the man. His father straightens his suit jacket, before turning and glaring at me. Like seriously, who wears a suit this late at night, or is it early morning? Time has escaped me.

The woman walks past her husband, giving him a glare on her way, before extending her hand to me. “I’m Caroline, it’s nice to finally meet you properly, Imogen.”

I shake her hand and she squeezes softly, her eyes glinting oddly under the light. I let her hand go before glancing toward his father Josiah. Is that man trying to kill me with his eyes? I hold my chin up, refusing to be intimidated by him, and I extend my hand.

“Hello Josiah, I’m Imogen, the weak human,” I say, my voice coming out strong, showing none of the fear I feel inside. He holds my gaze for a second, and I refuse to look away. I raise an eyebrow waiting, before I see his lips tug slightly upward, and he takes my hand, shaking it.

“Nice to meet you, Imogen. I suppose my boys have told you about me, then?”

I nod before he lets go. “Yes, your names, but not much other than that. Coffee?” I ask. I’m impressed with how calm I sound. It's a good thing they have shown up after the frantic fucking, I couldn't imagine how much a mess things would have been if it had been any earlier. I hide my shudder. I turn my back on him and trot to the kitchen, not waiting for an answer. Tobias tries to hide his smile as I saunter past. I’m not about to let one old ass vampire intimidate me. Not after the shit I've put up with living with two—count them two—supposed to be mythical creatures. I may have appeared weak, but I won’t be talked about and treated like trash. I don’t care how big and scary he is supposed to be. To me, he looks like an ordinary man.

The resemblance between Josiah and Theo though, is uncanny. They both share the same light brown hair and green eyes. He’s shorter than Theo, and has a stocky build. He looks like a man used to getting his way. Well, that isn't about to happen when it comes to me. I may have to submit to his son and Tobias, but this man is going to see the Imogen who has been clawing for her life for all this time. I’m not weak.

I turn the kettle on, before leaning against the counter. Everyone files into the room, and Theo comes over and kisses my cheek, before leaning against the counter next to me and crossing his arms. Tobias gets some mugs and hands them to me.

“Sugar?” I ask, looking at Caroline and Josiah. She nods before answering.

“Yes, two with cream,” she says with a warm smile. I glance at Josiah, but I have the feeling he is a black coffee, no sugar type of man.

“Black no sugar,” he says, my guess correct. I busy myself making coffee.

I hand them their coffees, before leaning on the island bench with my coffee in my hands.