Page 39 of The Vampire's Werewolf Bodyguard
Cody must recognize the olive branch. His shoulders settle for the first time since mentioning his control issues. “Gladly.”
Simon smiles, heading for the door. “I’ll grab a laptop from downstairs. Meet me in the kitchen?”
“Will do,” Cody says, following. His presence is warm behind Simon until they part ways. Cody to his guest room, and Simon to his private chambers.
Letting people close is terrible. Trusting people is even worse. Part of Simon wants to trust Cody anyway, at least enough to give him a chance.
Simon still loads his gun with silver before returning upstairs. Just to be safe.
Chapter 18
Cody
Cody’s senses hum as he paces the driveway. The rhythmic crunch of gravel blends with the surrounding forest sounds. Each individual ray of sunlight seems to tickle his skin.
Soon, the sunlight will fade, and the moon will take its throne.
One night before the full moon. One complete cycle since Cody’s disastrous last job. He can’t fuck this up—but anxiety won’t exactly help him control his wolf. All of his lapses have been caused by strong emotion or sudden danger. If Cody can keep his shit together, he might not even shift.
Key word: if.
“We have a plan,” Cody mutters to himself. “Everythingwill be fine.”
The containment room—or the kennel, as Simon calls it—is ready. Tobias is due at the house in a few minutes, which is why Cody is awake this early. He’s gotten used to the nocturnal lifestyle.
He’s gotten used to living with Simon, too.
They’ve settled into a pattern of not kissing. Not talking about it. Just existing in each other’s presence, observing each other’s instinctive behaviors. Cody doesn’t mind the scent of bottled blood on Simon’s lips. When they watch TV and the doorbell rings on the show, Simon laughs at Cody’s bristling fur.
Living in limbo isn’t frustrating like Cody would have expected. It’s satisfying, basking in the potential. Like the moon, ever present as it dances in and out of shadow. They haven’t left Simon’s property since their trip to the Broken Cross, and they’re both safe here.
For once, Cody dreads seeing his closest friend. Tobias’s arrival will disrupt that peaceful limbo.
Maybe Cody needs the disruption. Part of him feels guilty—not for lusting over a principal, but for being this happy. For not worrying about what will happen when the job is over and he leaves Simon’s side.
The scheduled intruder is driving up to the gate. Tobias had texted him the model of his rental car in advance, but Cody doesn’t relax until he recognizes Tobias in the driver’s seat.
Well. As relaxed as he’s going to get, with the moon’s strengthening pull.
“Hey, man,” Cody calls out, as Tobias exits the car. He’s rusty with small talk but does his best. “Any trouble on the way out?”
Tobias stretches. He’s wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with the wordsAsk Me About My Pomeranian.“Smooth flight, once itfinally got going.” He drags a suitcase out. “Sorry to cut it so close. I should have flown out yesterday—but looks like you haven’t wolfed out, so all’s well that ends well.”
“Don’t jinx it,” Cody warns.
Tobias’s answering laugh is warm, but tired. Cody hasn’t seen him this exhausted since college.
“How’s Aditi?” Cody asks, feeling guilty. “Sorry for dragging you away for this.”
“She’s doing great.” Adoration softens the dark circles beneath Tobias’s eyes. “Her sister’s staying over while I’m gone. Last I heard, they’re planning on eating pancakes and bacon for every meal.”
Cody’s unsurprised. “You married a smart one.”
“Yes, I did,” Tobias says, dreamily. Then he waves his hand, as if breaking his own besotted enthrallment. “How are you? You look…” Tobias peers closer, suspicious. “Why the fuck do you look so happy?”
Cody hadn’t realized he looked particularly happy. He’s the most stressed he’s been in weeks, readying to fight himself against an early shift. Then there’s the stress of the job, looking after Simon, monitoring the security system, staying constantly alert.
Except the job isn’t stressful when he’s doing it right. This is what he thrives on, every neglected pack instinct soothed. Especially when he feels a connection to the person he’s protecting. Then it’s a purpose, not a job.
