Blood Ties

21. Right Now

Eli leaned his thighs against the desk, resting his weight on the corner before crossing his ankles. He was unsure whether or not he should say what was on his mind. After Adam told him about trip to UCLA earlier that day, Eli had wondered about when Quinn would make the change. He was fairly certain she would, and once she did, she wouldn’t be able to be around people for a while, so college was a tender subject.

“Son, I know you literally just started over with her, but because she still has a year and a half of schooling left, you might want to claim her before she starts the next semester. It will drive you mad, thinking of her being around all those strange men all the time. I should know. I hated knowing your mother was working at a gentleman’s club with horny men and naked women all the time.” He paused, rethinking his wording. “Not that I was worried about the women—or even the men for that matter. I knew she wasn’t going to be interested in them once we met, but it didn’t mean that having them ogle her while on the job didn’t bother me greatly. I was more concerned that those bastards wouldn’t keep their hands to themselves than I was she would be tempted by any of the clientele.” He still looked perturbed, as if reliving the memory of that uncertain time.

Adam thought it over for a moment before responding. Charlotte and Cassie were in the living room talking with Quinn, and he could hear the noise of them chatting even through the closed door. Once in a while, the sounds were accented by occasional laughter or a raised voice. None of it sounded anything more than a little mirthful, so it was like pleasant white noise in the background.

“How long will they keep her credits active? Does she have to redo any classes if she waits a little bit to go back to school? I didn’t even bother to ask. They accepted everything she had except for her performances. I’m in the process of contacting and getting copies of the shows she did at NYU, so I’m not worried on that account. If she gives Nia leave to pick up the copies at the university, we can have them here that much quicker.” He looked thoughtful and ran a relaxed hand over the ever-present stubble on his chin and jaw.

“I don’t believe another year would be a problem, though each university is different, and some are more lenient than others. Even if they usually wouldn’t be obliged to, they might make an exception to her on account of our powerful name. I would talk it over with Quinn, if I were you. The bond will work quickly I think now, and you will become moody and unstable if you wait too long. Trust me, I would know,” Eli told his son sagely.

Adam had been leaning against the wall. Vampires didn’t really need the support, though they were so used to acting ‘human’ that it was second nature for them to play the part. Whether it was lounging on a couch or settling their weight against a support beam or column, it was good downtime for them to reflect and look mortal. It wasn’t their natural repose, but it allowed them all to blend in more organically.

“I’ll bring it up with—” Adam began before there was a knock on the door. He hadn’t realized that the sound of voices had stopped since he was so focused on the conversation with his father.

The two men blinked at the door a millisecond before Adam was striding toward it. When it swung open, his eyes brightened when he caught the vision of his mate.

“Quinn? Is everything alright? I thought you were regaling Mom and Charlie about the show the other night.”

She nodded up at him, smiling before taking a step inside when Adam drew back. “I was, but I was actually wondering if I could talk with you in private. It’s about school and the summer shows they’re putting on. They updated their website, so I know that they are doing a musical version of Wind in the Willows for the kids, and Bye, Bye Birdie for the adult show. The auditions won’t be for some time, but I’d like to be prepared.” Quinn planned on auditioning for both, though she would never stretch herself thin by doing two musicals at once. She didn’t think it was possible either, as some of the performance days might overlap.

Eli stood tall from his slump against the desk, running his hand over his pants to get the creases out. “I’ll take my leave then. Little bit thirsty, and I think your mother wants to get back to the condo soon. She said something about the outline to the new script being done and wanting to get a head start on it.” He shook his head. “She’s been struggling with the ending forever, so I can only think that the small bit of writer’s block has cleared itself up.”

Striding over to Adam, he gave his son a brief hug, mumbling something quietly encouraging in his ear before he moved over to Quinn, who stared back up at his reassuring smile.

“I hope you don’t mind if I hug you, sweet girl,” he told her. “You are my son’s mate, even if you haven’t consummated the bond. I will think of you as a daughter until the moment you reject him, which I hope never comes to pass.”

Quinn was surprised, but she immediately shook her head. “Of course not. You’ve all been kind to me—as good as family.”

Eli moved in for a hug, Adam smiling as he watched the brief exchange. It was short but heartfelt, he could tell, and it warmed him deep as he listened to his father and mate talk. When Eli stepped back, Quinn looked pleased with it as well, and the older man stepped out of the room with a curt nod that belied the emotion he felt. It mattered that she got along with his whole family, though she hadn’t met Nia as of yet. His youngest sister was actually the easiest to get along with besides Cassie, so he had no doubt she would love Quinn too.

After the door was closed, Adam tread quietly up to Quinn, leaning in to give her a kiss on the cheek before wrapping her up in his arms. They stood there for a good thirty seconds, quiet and comfortable in the moment before anyone said anything. When the silence was broken, it was Adam who asked a question.

“What did you want to ask me or discuss?” He knew Quinn well enough by now to know that she had something on her mind, though she seemed content enough in his arms.

She pondered that for a second before answering. “I would like to wait a year before mating,” she blurted out quietly. “I know it’s not ideal, but I want to at least finish my schooling before I do any of the vampire stuff you want me to do. I’m still young and healthy, so I don’t think there’s any risk of me giving it some time so I can finish school first. You said yourself that there are no creatures that would try to go after a vampire, except for another vampire, so I would think a future mate would be off-limits as well, for fear of retaliation. Am I right?”

Adam thought she probably was, but the most basic and visceral part of him balked immediately at the prospect of waiting. It was strange. Even though he’d said the same exact thing as she to his father a few minutes ago, he wanted to hold her to to his body and fight for her to be his now. Christ, if he could, he’d have officially met her months ago the proper way instead of waiting and acting like a savage. He felt like he’d f****d it up spectacularly. He was blessed that she was giving him a chance, and he had to remind himself of that before speaking his mind about bonding with her so plainly.

“I know I told you that you would have to wait a bit to be near humans after I’ve turned you, but I would be lying if I didn’t say this troubles me a little bit. Are you having second thoughts of any kind? If so, please tell me so we can work through it. The bond may be precarious at first, but once you’ve decided on becoming mine forever, there’s a shift, and you may want to do it all in a very short period of time. The marking and mating move swiftly, as it was intended once we’ve shared our life force.” He paused and thought it over before continuing. “I wouldn’t want to have you put your schooling on hold again because of a change in the middle of a semester. NYU and UCLA aside, it wouldn’t look all that great on your resumé after you graduate.”

She nodded up at him before reaching out to cup his chin. “Let me tell you something,” she spoke softly. “When I first started to date Marcus, everything moved too fast, and we were a couple before we had any right to be. I know that sounds strange, but humans are as impatient as anyone and can move fast if the feel threatened. I suppose it’s much like what you must feel, even though your lives are so much longer. I promise I’m not saying no. I do want to, though I’m still learning this new life. It’s like that any moment could be the moment, if you know what I mean. I can’t push myself, and I know I’ll regret it if I do. If I decide that somewhere in the middle of my schooling at UCLA I want to make the change, I will with no regrets. Yes, I’m logical with this because I have to be. I like it here with you, and I think that if we continue on this path the way I see it going down, there will be no question about it.”

He wanted to pressure her about it but was disappointed in her answer, even if it was the one he’d foresaw happening.

Over the past several days, they’d talked, first about her schooling, then about how it would affect them both. She’d seen his possessive nature firsthand, so she’d tread carefully, talking things through succinctly yet carefully.

Quinn didn’t want to give him the impression that she was doubting him. She simply wanted to focus on one goal before starting another. Too many, and she tended to get overwhelmed. Schooling was best done in one shot, whereas a mate would always be there, so long as she didn’t reject him first.

Adam understood, even if he didn’t like it. He nodded jerkily, cupping her shoulders and smoothing his hands down to her elbows. “You sure, love? The credits will always be there, and you still have until spring to make up your mind.”

She was certain he wanted to plead his case, but his restraint after kidnapping her had won over, and he closed his eyes briefly before nodding his head at her as if finally understanding what she was saying.

“I’m sure, Adam.”

He brought her into his arms because he had to feel close to her. Adam knew she wasn’t pulling away but basing her choices on the logical reasoning behind everything. Yes, the bond was working, and he only hoped she didn’t regret this choice in the future.

“Okay. We’ll do that, but if you change your mind before then, let me know as soon as you’re certain.”

She relaxed into him, wrapping her arms around his waist and hugging his firm form. Her fingers wanted to clutch at him, hold him tighter, but the reality of her making solid choices based on reason instead of heart wouldn’t bend.

“Of course. I will always tell you what I’m thinking, even if it’s not easy to hear or say. I promise you I’m not having second thoughts on being here with you. I promise this is exactly where I want to be right now.