Johann (Vampire's Mate, #4)

by Grae Bryan

“Well, now you’ve named all five, haven’t you?” Jay’s flush deepened, if that was possible. “I guess I have. Is that horribly greedy of me?” “Maybe, but I don’t mind. You’re hungry for affection; I’m hungry to give it to you.” Jay beamed down at him. “Have I told you lately you’re the nicest human?” “Only to you.” Because you’re special and perfect and I adore you even though we’ve only been technically dating for a day.

“My name is Wolfgang. Or Wolfe, should you prefer the simplicity.” He met Alexei’s eyes. “I’m Johann’s fiancé.”

The point was, though, his human was looking a little green around the gills and seemed to be mouthing the word fiancé to himself.

“I’m assuming, as his dear friends, you all know Johann’s worth?” There was a moment of confused silence. “Like, as a person?” Danny finally asked hesitantly. “Of course we do. Jay’s wonderful.” Wolfe gave an amused hum at that answer, eliciting a growl from Roman, who clearly took it to be mocking (it definitely was). “I mean monetarily,” Wolfe clarified. At their blank looks, he sighed, clearly pained beyond belief. “Johann is, to be frank, a billionaire. Several times over.”

Jay patted Alexei’s knee, placating. “He can’t love me, Alexei.” Alexei turned to him, his brow furrowed, looking as stern as he ever had before he and Jay had gotten to know each other and his eyes had begun turning soft, just for Jay. “Why not?” Alexei asked harshly. “You’re perfect. Anyone could love you.”

“Well, he’s my friend, yes. But he’s also a psychopath.” Wolfe raised a hand, looking almost fond of Jay in that moment. “Guilty as charged, I’m afraid.”

“I get lonely too.” “You do?” Jay asked. “Not as much, now that I met you.” And wasn’t that the nicest thing to say? “I can be that person for you, Jay. Someone just for you. Let me be that person.” Jay covered Alexei’s broad hands with his own. He wanted that. More than anything.

“Well, Jesus. Haven’t you considered he could be your mate?” Ah. This. “Oh. Yes, I know he’s my mate.” Jay couldn’t help but frown a little at his friend, as much as he loved him. “I’m not stupid, you know.”

“Oh, I think he loves me.” Jay could feel it, whenever he was with his human.

“Is that what you’re going to do?” he asked when Wolfe said nothing more. “Snap my neck?” “I’ve been quite seriously considering it,” Wolfe mused, letting out a heavy sigh. “But I fear it would make our Johann even more difficult to handle in the end. The loss of a mate can make a vampire so…unpredictable. Too hard to control the outcome.”

“You know,” Wolfe said softly, squeezing Alexei’s wrists to the point of pain. “You’d really be much more my type, under ordinary circumstances. How big you are. With all those delightfully complex emotions hiding in that fragile little skull. Lucky for you I have no interest in someone so devoted to another, hm? Now, wrist or neck?”

Wolfe took a moment to think that over, his gaze wandering the room, catching briefly at the table where the blond doctor now sat with his friends. “I have a different proposal.”

“Half the money.” Wolfe took a considering sip of his wine. “And I want the doctor.” Soren’s grin grew even wider, but his pale eyes turned to ice. “I guess it’ll be two piles of ash in the forest.” Wolfe waved a dismissive hand at him. “Not your doctor. I want the other one. Monroe.”

“That he asked for Dr. Monroe as one of his conditions. The companion aspect of the den was never one that appealed to him.” Jay frowned. “It was part of why I always liked him.” “You did say he was a psychopath,” Soren pointed out. Jay nodded, but Alexei could still feel tendrils of nervousness coming from him.

Who knew love could feel so good? Who knew it didn’t have to hurt? That you didn’t have to push down parts of yourself just to be accepted?

“Um, I can be a little…loud.” Alexei gave him a lazy, heated look. “Mm. I know, kotyonok. You moan with the best of them.” Jay’s cheeks grew warm. “I’m not talking about that. Watching movies. I had to stop going to the theaters because I kept getting shushed by everyone.”

Jay couldn’t help voicing the questions out loud, which he knew had to be annoying. But it was like everything else with Alexei. There was no annoyance, no frisson of irritation through the bond. There was only amusement (the nice kind), acceptance, love. Jay didn’t care what Alexei said. He was the nicest human in the world. So Jay let go of his hesitations and allowed himself to enjoy the movie like he would if he were alone. Except it was all better than when he was alone because he was tucked under Alexei’s arm, feeling so warm and cozy and safe, and also Alexei had brought them both so many types of candy (even though Jay seemed to be the only one eating it) and Jay wasn’t losing any time at all (hadn’t lost a moment of time since Alexei had turned, as a matter of fact).

“Yes. Wolfe and Monroe both.”

If he didn’t think Roman would punch his lights out, Alexei could have kissed Danny on the fucking mouth. Nicest vampire indeed.

“Jay’s love language is words of affirmation.” Jay nodded solemnly. “And also all the other ones.”