Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 10

the sudden arrival of entertainment during his liquid lunch.
    Charlie raised his hand to Tim. "I got this."
    Tim scoffed. "Luke'll whip my arse if I let those blokes rough you up again, mate. You're half their size."
    He wanted to tell the straight goon he was a fucking nightwalker and no one could 'rough him up,' and that if Tim pointed out his height one more time, he would go vampire on his ass. But he reigned in his anger. Luke needed his protection and Charlie couldn't do that if he flew off the handle and ate his friends every time they pissed him off. As long as everyone thought they were just a couple of regular humans having a big gay love affair, no one of consequence would ever pay attention to them.
    Pride be damned—Charlie had finally found a reason to control his temper.
    "You two," Margo said to her boys. "Go wait outside."
    Scowling, Tim watched them leave. On the way out, Allen knocked over a chair at the table where Stephen sat doing school work. Scott brushed roughly passed him.
    "Hey, watch it," the twink snapped.
    Allen and Scott laughed meanly then went outside. Probably going to finish the back-alley fuck Charlie interrupted two weeks earlier.
    Margo held out her hands in a show of surrender. "Better?"
    Tim grunted in acquiescence then went back to slicing lemons.
    "Can we help you?" Charlie asked.
    "Perhaps." Margo slid onto the stool beside him. "Vodka tonic."
    When Tim went to make her drink, Charlie leaned in. "Look, I don't want any trouble. They don't even know what I am."
    She gave him a sly look. "But I do."
    Frowning at her loaded tone, he asked, "What do you want?"
    "Are you for or against the Cause?"
    "I'm Switzerland." Years of training enabled Charlie to lie without allowing his heart rate to alter, something a wolf could hear. It also helped being three times her age and having the benefit of her Royal arrogance on his side.
    "You say that, but no one can stay neutral forever," she told him sagely. "Sooner or later the Cause will come to your door."
    "And I suppose today is sooner rather than later?"
    She didn't answer, instead, she watched Stephen stuff his books into a backpack and stow it behind the bar. He slid on an apron to help Tim get the bar stocked for happy hour.
    Margo stirred her drink, the ice rattling wetly. "You know one little phone call to child services about the under age kids working here and your human blood bank might get in trouble."
    Charlie fought a growl and his fangs tightened at the threat on his man. He forced himself to stay calm. He didn't know what the bitch was after, but he had to remain indifferent if he wanted to keep his sire bond a secret.
    He let out an indifferent sigh. "Luke is a good fuck and he's got plenty of blood to spare. I wipe his mind, so he has no clue. You know I don't have a colony, and I don't want any trouble. If you gotta find this magic savior kid, more power too ya. I just wanna live and fuck and eat in peace."
    Sniffing, her eyes roamed over the décor. She curled her lip. "This place is so tacky."
    "Your point being?"
    Taking her drink from Tim, she stood and began to peruse the empty bar, looking at the six-shooters, cowboy hats, John Wayne movie posters and lassos adorning the walls. Charlie followed, knowing she was scenting the place, but for what, he didn't know.
    The mechanical bull in the center of the room seemed to amuse her. "These Brits are so weird, don't ya think?"
    "I guess," he said, glad they were out of human earshot. Lenny had gone back to his gin and ogling Tim and Stephen as they worked.
    "You may be a nightwalker, but you're an American. You know they don't do things like we do. I can't trust anybody in this city and could use you on my side. I can make it very worth your while." She trailed a nail up his chest and gave him a seductive smile.
    Charlie chuckled. "You're barking up the wrong tree, sister. You got nice hair and tits, but I like cock. Big, juicy, dripping cock. Ain't got no use for a pussy. Or the Cause."
    Her sneer told him the F-word was on the tip of her tongue, but she wanted something and homophobic slurs would not be the way to get it. He waited for her to get to the point.
    "I'm looking for a scribe." She held out a card. "If you hear anything about one in this town, you call me."
    Charlie's stomach dropped to his feet then lodged in his throat. He took the card and somehow managed to keep his voice level and uninterested. "I don't usually hang around old men."
    She shrugged