Chapter Fourteen

“Talk to me, please.” Simon wasn’t the type to beg, but through the long morning and half of the afternoon, Kolton had become more and more closed off.

It wasn’t that they hadn’t had a lot to do. Kolton had to speak with all of his managers - after a bloodied faced Jethro had been dragged out by council guards - soothing ruffled feathers that were all Jethro’s doing. The accounting team was thrilled they got to do an audit. The manager there, a portly Mr. Jones, complained long and loudly to Kolton about how that “upstart vampire” kept making veiled threats about his own employment, trying to pressure the man into revealing confidential financial information about Kolton and the company.

Simon, with Kolton’s approval, chatted with the reception staff and the people on the floor in the casino. One good piece of news was that the housekeeping staff had kept Kolton’s items from his office safe. They appreciated the value of Kolton’s items, even if the vampire didn’t. They promised to have Kolton’s office back the way it used to be within a week.

Monica and Jane admitted they didn’t mind having music playing as their offices were rather cut off from everyone else on the lower floors. But they would prefer something more upbeat, similar to the music that was played on the gaming floor. Simon assured them that wasn’t a problem and gave Monica the authority to call in the electricians to ensure Kolton’s office stayed quiet, and she could control the volume from the reception desk.

For the rest of the complaints and concerns about Jethro’s behavior, Simon suggested Monica and Jane write a report and send it through to Kolton’s email. The vampire would be charged – it was just a case of how many charges he would be facing.

Once everyone was happy Kolton was back, had given condolences on Warner’s death, and had been introduced to Simon, the two men finally had time for the lunch Kolton had promised. Rather than go out, because it was getting late in the afternoon, Kolton arranged for his restaurant to cook their meals, and for them to be served in one of the restaurant’s private dining rooms.

But even when the steak was eaten, Kolton still seemed to be in a funk.

“I realize seeing the changes Jethro had done in such a short time was a shock, babe.” Simon reached across the table, laying his hand on Kolton’s. “But you nipped it all in the bud really quickly. None of the damage he caused to your business appears to be permanent.”

“I don’t even know how you can look at me.” Kolton was looking down at where their hands were joined. “He made a king-sized fool out of me. I was so busy with Warner, I didn’t pay any attention to my business. He could’ve robbed me blind.”

Is this a pride issue? Simon was struggling to understand. “But he didn’t, and how do the actions of another person make you look foolish? Jethro’s the asshole here, not you. I saw the way you were with your staff today. You were so good with them. They all adore you and love working here.”

“You don’t understand. I can feel that through our bond.” Kolton looked up, and Simon could see genuine anguish in his eyes. “Everything about your life is so perfect. Perfect house, perfect job until I came along and wrecked that for you. You always know the right thing to say, and I haven’t heard you raise your voice once in the few days we’ve been together. I bet you’ve never done anything wrong your entire life. And you got the bad luck to be stuck with me. I hired some con artist, believed in him, and when I finally checked up on him, he was trying to borrow money he was probably going to steal from me, against my business, and my office was completely trashed. None of the other hounds would be that stupid.”

“Stop calling yourself that.” Simon frowned. “You’re not stupid and it’s not on you if a person you trust lets you down. I’ve had some things go wrong for me in the past. The secret is to just learn from those mistakes, so they don’t happen again.”

“How much time is that meant to take? I’ve already lived for thousands of years.” Kolton snatched his hand out from under Simon’s, jumping out of his chair and tugging at his hair. “First I think the wrong man is my mate, totally ignoring the one meant for me who was right under my nose for a month. I lost my collar box, I could’ve lost my business, and no, I didn’t forget you were the one who caught the vampire and found my box. How can you stand to have anything to do with me when I’m such a damned mess, and you’re so contained and perfect all the time?”

“Kolton, I’m not...” But Simon was talking to dead air. Kolton had clearly zapped himself, goodness knows where, and Simon knew he had no way of following. Heaving a sigh, he pushed his chair back and picked up his wine glass.

You should’ve told him. You should’ve told him the truth about your past when he asked you about it the other night.

Simon shook his head and then took a sip of wine. What was the point in dredging up ancient history? He who won’t be named isn’t part of my life anymore. We barely got out of that situation alive… I wouldn’t have made it out at all if it hadn’t been for you. It’s not like Kolton can save me from my past, so telling him about a situation he could never help with would just make him feel worse, wouldn’t it?

Sharing your story, showing you were capable of failing at something, and making an error of judgment – that might have made you seem more approachable, or relatable, or dare I say it, more human.

It’s not like I can say anything to him at all at the moment because my mate, the one who is meant to be my forever, ran out on me. And he’s blocked our bond.

Simon eyed his wine glass, half filled with a clear sparkling liquid. Alcohol wasn’t the answer to any problems. It never had been in the past. But Simon was hurting – Kolton’s assessment of him pained him deep inside, even though he knew that had never been his mate’s intention. Doesn’t make it hurt any less. He skulled back the last of his wine and reached for the bottle.

Alcohol wouldn’t give him any insights on where Kolton might have gone, but it would dull the ache of his disappearance for five minutes. It’s not like Kolton’s going to complain if I get messy, he thought bitterly, taking a swig from the bottle directly.