Page 84 of Vampire's Cupcake
She nodded, though he doubted they'd have any money to buy anything for come Wednesday.He stood unmoving as he watched them go.
“I need to head back to the hotel.Will you be okay on your own?"Elijah also watched the old couple walk away.
“Yeah, the rush has calmed."He looked at Elijah.“Thank you."
He shrugged.“You'd have done the same if it was me."
He would have, but simply because he would have was no guarantee others would.
“Do you want me to bring the chickens here so you can sell them?"
He'd forgotten about the chickens.“No.Keep them.Did you hear Mable?"
Elijah shook his head, but before Eli could tell him what she'd said, there was a group of men pushing through the door.They had rifles slung over their shoulders, one of them had a large knife strapped to his thigh, and Eli almost groaned.
“I'll talk to you after closing."He smiled at Elijah who looked reluctant to leave him with the men.
“Are you...eh..."
A cool hand caressed his neck and Eli turned around.There was no one there.Without thinking he reached out and gripped a suit sleeve.Thano.The air whooshed out of Eli, and he wanted to cling to him, but he forced himself to let go before someone noticed.He didn't want anyone shooting in the shop.
Elijah's eyes were wide and glued to Eli's hand.He must've seen it.Eli smiled.“I'll come by the hotel later."
Elijah nodded and headed toward the door.“I put the...eh...items on the shelf underneath."He gestured at the counter, and Eli nodded a thanks before moving to stand by the till.
The men walked slowly, inspecting everything on the shelves in a way that made Eli think they were more interested in intimidating him than they were in buying anything.
An invisible finger brushed over the back of his hand where he rested it on the counter.“Ready to come home yet?"The whisper tickled his ear and he bit his lip not to smile.
“Not yet."
“What did you say?"
Eli jumped at the man's voice.He believed he'd spoken too low for them to hear.
“Nothing, only mumbling to myself."
The man snorted.“Fucking faggot."
Shit.Fraternizing with the enemy was one thing.The formulation was ridiculous, but everyone was aware of his contact with the others.Faggot, though.And especially after having spent the day with Elijah.It could hurt him too.
Eli didn't respond or outwardly react.He was pretty sure they wouldn't be able to hurt him when Thano was in the shop.
* * * *
Thano noted the way Eli tensed at the man's comment and considered how much trouble there would be if he killed him right there in the shop.Too much trouble for Eli.
He remained by his side behind the counter and watched the men.They moved like a wolf pack, but he also noted at least some of them wanted the food.In the end, after some more posturing, a few of them grabbed some items and went to pay.
Eli treated them kindly, which made Thano grind his teeth.Fucking humans.He was pretty sure the one who'd called Eli a faggot had been one of the men who'd pointed their guns at him but had been too scared to fire.
The moment they stepped out on the street, Thano nuzzled Eli's throat.He'd trimmed his beard.Nice.He liked Eli's beard, but now it was much shorter.“When will you come home?"
He spoke against his skin, shivering when Eli wound an arm around him and pulled him in between him and the counter.“If someone sees us here, they'll kill me."He dipped his head as if to kiss Thano but not knowing where his mouth was.Thano went up on tiptoe and brushed his lips over Eli's.
“I'll keep you safe."
His fingers twitched on Thano's hip, then he sighed and bent his head farther until his forehead was resting on Thano's collarbone.“They're throwing me out, and Mabel Mallon--"
