Page 116 of A Vampire's Pain

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"I told you I wanted a drink."

"Don't you got alcohol at your own house?" I asked.

Damon turned to me, still looking at me as coldly as he used to.

"We do."

"So ..."

"I wanted a drink here," he said.

"Why?" I asked.

"Because then I could punch you too."

I smiled a little.

"Felt that good, huh?"

He nodded.

"It actually did."

We were quiet for a little while, just sipping our drinks and not really sure what to fill the silence with. Eventually, I couldn't take it though.

"Damon, I already got the message, okay?" I said.

"The message?"

"That you don't want me near your sister ever again," I said.

"Oh, that one."

"Yeah, that one."

"I do think I delivered it rather well," he said.

"Dominic has definitely taught you some moves," I said.

Damon smiled a little and nodded, but then suddenly turned very serious.

"Valeri is everything to me," he said.

"I know."

"I'm sure you understand, considering you know what it is like losing a sister."

I sighed.

"Yeah ... I do ..."

"Would you have done things differently?" he asked.

"What?"

"If we could change places? If it had been your sister, would you have done it differently?" he asked me.

I sat there thinking about his question for a little while, but then I started to smile a little. It seemed to confuse Damon.

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