Robert peered over the recipe he’d printed earlier, then double checked he had everything he needed. The main ingredients were already lined up in the proper order on the counter. All that remained was to measure the exact quantities of spices. As a novice cook, he shouldn’t improvise but follow the instructions to the letter.

Julian walked into the kitchen and glanced at the orderly display. “You should have barbecued, dude, or ordered takeout.”

Bridget’s son was the best roommate possible—easy-going, equipped with a sharp mind and a good sense of humor, and not nearly as messy as Robert’s previous roommates. The most Julian left lying around was a book or a magazine or one of his electronic devices. No empty pizza boxes, no dirty dishes, and no shoes in the hallway for someone to trip over.

“I want to impress Sharon. This is our first official date, and since I can’t take her out to a restaurant, this is the next best thing. If I can manage a complicated building-supplies order, I can manage a simple recipe.”

Julian leaned against the counter and crossed his arms over his chest. “I can sleep at the clinic tonight. Give you guys some privacy.”

That was very gracious of him to offer, but there was no way Robert could accept. “I wouldn’t dream of inconveniencing you like that.”

“It’s not a big deal. I’m used to sleeping on hospital beds, and right now there are no patients in the clinic. I have plenty of beds to choose from.”

Robert measured two teaspoons of paprika, pouring the spice onto a small plate, the second in a row of spice plates he’d prepared. “I appreciate the offer, but I can’t accept.” He looked up. “There is more to this arrangement than us sharing an apartment. You’re supposed to keep an eye on me.”

Julian uncrossed his arms and pushed his hand into his pocket. “I have this.” He pulled out the remote to Robert’s cuff. “The clinic is not out of range. I can watch the feed from the security camera out in the corridor to see if you’re trying to leave.”

“What if I want to escort Sharon to her car? As a gentleman, I should.”

“Then I’ll watch the feed from the guest parking lot as well.”

“You forget that per Kian’s instructions, which you’ve agreed to, you are supposed to stay here when I come back from work, and if you can’t make it or need to leave, you have to arrange for someone else to take your place.”

Julian rolled his eyes. “I was desperate for a place of my own, but I didn’t want to hurt my mom’s feelings and ask for it. I love my mom, but she needs her privacy too. When Kian asked me to move in with you as a favor, I was so glad that I would’ve agreed to whatever. That’s why I didn't argue and point out that he was overdoing it. We can bend his rules a little, and no one will know. It’s not like I’m leaving the building.”

The level of insubordination the clan members were allowed still shocked Robert. Kian was too lax of a ruler. He ran the place more like a business than a stronghold, which would’ve been okay if they had no enemies and their existence didn’t need to remain secret. To keep the clan safe, Kian needed to rule like a military commander, and not like the chairman of a board of directors.

“You can bend the rules, but I can’t. If I want Kian to trust me, I need to obey his instruction and go by the book.”

Besides, Robert preferred it that way. He wasn’t a rebel. He liked rules. Life was easier when everyone knew their roles and didn’t take liberties. Robert’s one and only rebellion had been practically forced upon him. Carol’s suffering and the need to end it had overridden everything else. He’d had to save her.

It dawned on him then that perhaps he hadn’t been the only one doing the saving; in a way she’d saved him too. If not for Carol, Robert would’ve never left the Brotherhood. He would’ve spent eternity as a meaningless cog in a machine that didn’t give a damn about him.

The clan, regardless of the limitations imposed on him, had given him a new life. He had a job he enjoyed doing, and now he had a shot at love, maybe even an immortal mate. It was a life he would’ve not dared dream about while in the Brotherhood.

“I understand,” Julian said. “I’ll stay in my room, listening to loud music with noise-canceling headphones on.” He grimaced. “Those are so uncomfortable to sleep with. But whatever.”

Robert inclined his head. “I’m grateful.”

“One more thing,” Julian said. “This time as the clan’s new physician and not your roommate.”

Robert arched a brow. “Yes?”

“We need to have a talk about condoms. Do you have any?”

“No. I never use them. What for? I’m sure Sharon is on birth control like all the other human females I’ve been with. The immortal females never asked for them either.”

If the chances of him impregnating a human were slim, they were almost nonexistent with an immortal female. Still, it had crossed his mind that if that miracle happened, an immortal female would not acknowledge his paternity. If he ever had a child, Robert wanted to be more than a sperm donor. He wanted to be part of that child’s life.

“You thralled the humans to think you used protection.”

“Naturally.”

“You should use them with Sharon, at least until you’re ready to reveal the truth to her, which you should do only when you’re sure she is the one for you and you for her. If she is a Dormant, a venom bite combined with insemination might trigger her transition. If it were me, I would want to spend a little more time with the girl and get to know her before that happened. It’s a big responsibility.”

It was also dishonest and a generally shitty thing to do to someone without telling her. “What happens when I feel it’s time to induce her transition? Should I tell her then?”

Julian sighed. “The moment she knows, she becomes a prisoner like you. Kian might relax the rules for her because of Eva, but that’s not a sure thing. That’s why I’m suggesting you wait until you’re positive it’s the right thing to do.”

“Do you have any condoms?”

Julian shook his head. “You can order a quick delivery. There are services like that. Someone buys what you need and brings it over. It’s expensive, but you don’t have much choice unless you can ask someone to go get them for you.”

Right. He could imagine the sniggers. “Do you have the number for a service like that?”