Bound in Blood Read Online Free PDF Page B

accountant and has a part time job at the Xtasy Club, off Santa Monica.”
    Roger grimaced. “Ugh, that dump.”
    “It’s not the best of places,” Carlos agreed. “Nor the safest,” he added after a pause.
    “You had trouble?” Marcus asked.
    “Some thugs were out to beat Chris…Christopher to a pulp, so I stepped in and stopped them.”
    “And now, he’s yours forever,” Roger sighed. “You’re his hero.”
    “Actually, he defended himself very well,” Carlos said with a trace of admiration in his voice. “He showed he could be calm and courageous when faced with armed cowards.”
    “How romantic,” Andorra remarked dryly, shaking her head. “You and your one-night love affairs, Carlos. It is time you found a forever companion again.”
    “Would you care for some wine?” Marcus asked quickly.
    “I’ll get it,” Tony said as Carlos nodded after a sharp look at Andorra. “I think I could use a martini right about now.”
    “No, I mean it,” Andorra insisted. “You have been alone too long, Carlos.”
    “ Andy ,” Tony said in a warning tone as he poured a dark red wine into a crystal glass.
    “Carlos doesn’t want to talk about it.”
    “But I do,” Andorra said, ignoring Tony’s warning. “We have all lost loved ones.
    Marcus and I can attest to that.”
    “Andorra,” Marcus murmured. “Now is not the time.”
    BOUND IN BLOOD
    J. P. Bowie
    28
     
    Carlos gave him a tight smile as he accepted the wine from Tony. “It’s all right, Marcus.
    My dear cousin delights in meddling in my affairs.”
    “I do not meddle, Carlos,” Andorra sniffed. “I merely want you to be happy.”
    “I am happy.” Carlos’ smile widened. “In fact, tonight I have never been happier.”
    “He was that good, eh?” Roger teased, his blue eyes glinting.
    They shared a smile. “He was— is— a very interesting young man,” Carlos said.
    “So you’re seeing him again?”
    “I’m planning on it.”
    “Great!” Roger positively beamed. “When do we get to meet him?”
    “Uh…that may take some time to arrange.”
    “Why? Hey, Marcus laid it all out for me the first night we were together.”
    Carlos chuckled. “We are not all as self-assured as Marcus.”
    “Oh, come now, Carlos,” Marcus said with a light laugh. “I have never known you to be unsure of your considerable charm.”
    “Well, let’s just say I want to very sure before I reveal my true nature to him.”
    “You didn’t take a little sip?” Roger asked with an impish smile.
    “No, I did not.” Carlos grimaced for a moment. “That is not to say I wasn’t tempted. I was. But I felt something more than just a hunger for his blood. The waiting will be hard, of course.”
    Andorra sighed impatiently. “Why bother? You will have discarded him and made him forget you as you have done with so many others over the years. Ever since Miguel died, you have—”
    “Andorra!” Carlos glared at his cousin through narrowed eyes. “I have asked you repeatedly not to mention Miguel’s name. If you cannot honour my request, perhaps it is time I made you forget!”
    “ Carlos .” Andorra stared back at him, her beautiful face shadowed by shock.
    Tony moved away from the bar and came to stand by her. “Carlos,” he said quietly putting a defensive arm around her. “Andy didn’t mean anything by it.”
    Carlos’ glare swept away from his cousin and fixed on Tony’s frowning expression. He let out a long, hissing breath from between his teeth, but his shoulders visibly relaxed as his gaze softened. He bowed his head slightly.
    BOUND IN BLOOD
    J. P. Bowie
    29
     
    “My apologies, Andorra…Tony. I’m afraid the memory of that time is still like an open wound on my soul.”
    “Oh, Carlos…” Andorra stepped forward and embraced him. “I am sorry. Sometimes my tongue is faster than my brain. I know how much you loved him—how much we all loved him.”
    “I apologise again, Andorra. But for your quick actions all those years