Chapter Three
Silas paced his office, watching the clock. Every second felt like an entire day. Troy had been in the interrogation room for hours, but he wasn't alone, and he had Chester to thank for that. The vampire hadn't left his side at all, providing him with the quiet support that Silas had desperately needed.
His son was in there, being questioned, revealing the truth about his life with Tina, and Silas hated every second of it. How did he miss the signs? Why hadn't he seen what his wife was doing to their son? How had he been so blind? God, he was-
"No, you're not," Chester said.
Silas closed his eyes when he heard Chester's words. Fucking blood exchange. He opened his eyes and looked over at Chester, shaking his head. "Stop it." He didn't want Chester using their connection.
Chester walked over to him and kissed him. "No."
Silas took a step back, wiping his lip. "Why?"
"You needed it, and you're my mate. I'm not going to stop when you need me, even if you think you don't."
Silas opened his mouth to reply when the door opened, and Troy walked in. "Troy." He looked like shit. Pale skin, red-rimmed eyes, and Silas walked over to him, pulling him close. He felt his arms come around his waist and hold him tight. Troy's body shuddered in his arms and Silas held him tighter, trying to give him the strength that Troy needed.
He looked at the man—no, vampire—who came in behind Troy and closed the door. "He'll be fine," he told them, putting his briefcase on the floor.
"You sure?" Silas almost collapsed, and he might have if Chester hadn't stepped behind him, putting his hands on Silas' shoulders.
"Yes. He'll have more questions to answer, but for now, he's free to go."
"And the family of the victim?"
"Will be informed. They might bring a private prosecution, and if that happens, we'll support you, but for now, Troy’s free to go. Take your son home, Sheriff."
"Thank you, Mr...."
"Romeo Bamber, and you're welcome. Don't hesitate to call me if you need me."
"I will."
"Romeo. Great to see you again." Chester shook Romeo's hand. "Thanks for coming out."
"We're always here for you when you need us, Chester. How's the business?"
"Good. We have another team now to help with the workload."
"Walk me out, and we can talk some more." Turning back to Silas, Romeo said, "It was nice to meet you and your son, Sheriff. I wish it were under better circumstances, but please call me if you have any questions. I'm always available."
Chester touched Silas' cheek, causing his eyes to widen. He watched them leave the room, and when the door was closed, he pulled Troy back and looked at him. Pale, blotchy skin, no doubt from crying, Troy stared back and gave him a weak, wobbly smile.
"How do you feel?" he asked.
"Actually, I feel better, Pops. Like I'm not carrying everything."
"I wish you'd told me sooner."
"I know, but I was scared, Pops." He glanced over at the closed door. "He likes you."
Silas sighed. "We're mates. Apparently, that's how it works."
"Does it feel different from with her?"
Her. Tina. His mother.
"Yes. I loved your mother, well, before, but I can feel Chester, like he’s a part of me." He shook his head. "I don't know how to explain it, Troy."
"Don't, you know, not try because of me."
"What? Are you telling me to give Chester a chance?" Silas smiled, watching the blush on Troy's skin.
Troy shrugged and mumbled into Silas' chest.
"Come on, let's go home."
"Look, Pops. Could I go to prison? I'm eighteen now."
"You were twelve when it happened, and there are mitigating circumstances. That Romeo guy seems to think everything's okay now and if not, they'll be there to help us."
"Some way to start a new… whatever it is you two have."
Silas chuckled. "Yeah, whatever it is. So, burger and a beer?"
"Pops!"
"One, Troy. I think we deserve it, don't you?"
Troy smiled. "Just one."
❊❊❊
Chester watched as Silas and Troy left the Sheriff's office and smiled, seeing how close they were.
"He's your mate," Romeo said.
Chester's smile widened. "Yeah, he is."
"Kid’s strong like his dad. He'll need to be to overcome what the mother put him though."
"That bad."
Romeo sighed. "Unfortunately, I've heard worse. Doesn't matter what species you are, we're all capable of horrendous acts." Romeo tapped the roof of his car. "Anyway, I've got a vamp counselor coming over to see him."
Chester watched Silas drive away. "Is there anything I can do?"
"You've not got it easy, Chester. Troy's been damaged. He hates who and what he is. I imagine the dad will have issues too."
"Yeah, he has, and you’re right about Troy. He doesn’t want to be a vampire."
"I'm not surprised, poor kid." Romeo opened his car door and said, "My advice would be to take it slow. Be there, offer support, but don't push it. Let him come to you, and in time, he will."
Chester snorted. "Not likely."
"He will."
"Romeo by name." Smirking, Chester added, "Romeo-"
"Fucking Shakespeare." Romeo slapped Chester's back. "Later."
Chester got into his own car and drove over to Silas'. He saw the area around the barn cordoned off and sighed, remembering what Troy had said happened there. He left his car and knocked on the door before walking in, finding Silas and Troy sitting in the living room drinking a beer. Neither said a word when he sat on the sofa with them, and Chester took that as a plus.
"Beer's in the refrigerator."
Chester nodded, got up and grabbed three bottles then handed one to Silas and Troy. Silas immediately took the bottle from Troy.
"One only. You're not legal yet."
"Shit, come on, Pops!"
"Nope." Silas drank his own, ignoring Troy's glare.
"Shit's not fair." Troy sulked, arms crossed over his chest, bottom lip stuck out.
"Tough."
Chester sat back in his seat and closed his eyes, letting the day wash away. What a day. He'd never expected this to happen. Silas had a son, and he was a vampire. Slowly shaking his head, he opened his eyes and glanced over at father and son.
Both had dark hair, but where Silas had green eyes, Troy's were blue. A clear blue, like some Mediterranean ocean where you can see the sand through the water. Both pale skin, a contrast to his own much darker complexion.
Broad across the shoulders and a slim waist that tapered down to narrow hips, Silas was everything he looked for in a male. Tall too with big hands. Oh yeah, Chester had noticed the hands.
"I'm going to bed, Pops."
Troy stood and stretched, and Silas stood next to him. "You'll be okay?"
Troy hugged Silas quickly. "I'll be fine, Pops. I know where you are."
"And you will come." Silas gripped Troy's shoulder, looking him straight in the eye.
Nodding, Troy whispered, "I will."
Once Troy left the room and Silas had sat back down, silence descended. Chester and Silas stared at each other. Chester coughed and fidgeted in his seat, making Silas smile.
"Stop enjoying it," Chester muttered.
"The big, hard man, nervous to be alone with me." Silas chuckled, peeling the label from his bottle.
Chester stood. Fuck Romeo's advice about waiting. He strode over to Silas, who looked up at him, eyes widening with every step he took. When he reached him, he straddled his legs and leaned down until there was only an inch between their lips.
"I'm not nervous, Silas."
He closed the distance and slid his lips over Silas'. He pulled back, watching the pleasure on Silas’ face, and grinned before leaning down to kiss him again. Silas' lips opened and their tongues touched, making Chester moan as they tangled together.
Silas pulled back and pushed Chester away. "I can't."
Chester nodded. He understood, but he wanted Silas to know he was there, waiting for him. "When you're ready."
"Troy comes first, Chester."
"Always." Chester furrowed his brow. "He's your son and, fuck, he's gone through some shit with your ex."
Silas looked at him steadily. "Who was a vampire and now my mate is a vampire. Troy isn't ready."
"I'll wait. However long, but I'm not leaving, Silas. I only get one mate, the other half of me, and I'm not walking away from that. I want what other bonded couples have. I want that connection, and you've given me something I never thought I'd have."
Silas frowned. "What?"
"A son."
❊❊❊
Silas stared at the closed door. Chester had left soon after, but Silas was stuck to the spot. A son. He'd given Chester a son.
Scratching his head, Silas turned and walked the stairs to his bedroom and over to the doors that led to the balcony. Opening them, he stepped out and sat on one of the wicker chairs he kept out there.
The sky was clear, and the stars shone brightly. This was his place, a place he came to think and relax after the stresses of a long day at work and raising a child alone. Now, he had a mate, another stress to add to the list.
What was he going to do? Chester was right when he said he only got one mate and Silas wasn't that selfish to deny him a chance of happiness. He knew how important they were. Tina had often talked about them, but more in a mythical sense than actual reality.
Silas knew how rare mates were and how few had found theirs and bonded. Now Chester had found his in Silas, and he was scared. He could admit that. Scared about how this would affect him and his relationship with Troy.
The last thing Troy needed in his life was a person who represented the horror he'd experienced. He'd kept the secret of what had really happened that night he'd killed Tina to himself for years. A huge secret that must have felt like he carried the weight of the world on his young shoulders.
Maybe Chester appearing in his life had caused Troy to reveal it. Maybe seeing another vampire and knowing exactly who Chester was to Silas had caused Troy to open up. Whatever the reason, it had helped Troy to open up, revealing the secret he'd kept hidden for years.
Now, Troy needed time to heal, and he needed Silas, his pops.
His cell beeped and Silas glanced at the screen, seeing a message from Chester.
Don't over think it, just let it happen. I'm here for you both.
Snorting, Silas placed his cell on the small table in front of him. He wasn't going to respond. He knew Chester would be able to sense muted emotions from him, so he would sense what Silas was going through, and as his mate, Chester responded, offering support.
Sighing again, Silas stared at the night sky. "Why? Why him? Why a vampire?"