‘You’ve still got a lot of life left to live,’ I told him. He’d given up on our friendship because there had been little chance we’d ever make it with him in prison. But now he was out. I had done everything I could to give Emerson the life he deserved. I would do the same for Christian.
Christian flashed me a smile. Somehow it managed to be self-depreciating and cocky all at the same time.
‘Who’s going to hire an ex-con, sweetheart?’
‘Pessimistic, isn’t he?’ Emerson commented. I would have told him that without him needing to read Christian’s aura.
He was nonchalantly leaning up against his truck, his arms crossed as he surveyed the entire exchange. Christian had a few inches on Emerson and was bulked out in a massive way compared to my subtly strong witch. It was strange to think that once upon a time Emerson would have been able to snap every one of Christian’s bones in a second without breaking a sweat, and now Christian could easily overpower my lamia boyfriend.
‘I’ve got some friends who might be willing to hire a man with your skills,’ I told him, ignoring Emerson.
‘Friends, sweetheart? I thought you’d sworn those off?’ He was teasing. I’d written to him enough that he knew that was no longer the case.
‘As my best friend once told me: not every relationship I have is going to be shadowed by the Grim Reaper. I’ve learnt to focus on the successful ones, not the ones that end in goodbye.’
I hadn’t realised at the time that of course Christian had been right. It was impossible to say that Death killed every relationship I had. I’d simply brushed it under the carpet that because I didn’t talk to Ali or Nowak often that was why they survived. Or how the AA Team had never once been in remote danger the entire time we’d been friends.
If I constantly looked for Death, I would find it. It had simply become easy for me to ignore the relationships that Death hadn’t gotten to and keep them at arm’s length, fearing it was only a matter of time.
Yes, I still knew that Death would find me and everyone I loved. It was inevitable, after all. But I didn’t have to constantly look around the corner for Death. I just had to accept that when someone’s time came, that was it. It didn’t mean I had anything to do with it. It was the depth of life, after all, not the length of life that gave it meaning. And I’d been swimming in the shallow end of life being alone all those years.
‘Death said that? Sounds a bit too sunshine and bunnies, positive mentality for him,’ Christian said.
‘Death’s not my best friend, asshole. You are.’
‘Me? The jailbird who spent the past decade separated from you behind bars?’
‘You two are the only two guys who’ve ever stuck around me long term and not kicked the bucket. And since I’ve already gotten a death-proof boyfriend, you have to fill in the spot for my death-proof BFF.’
Christian looked over to Emerson, assessing him. His gaze raked over Emerson’s grey Timberland boots, the dark skinny jeans, hoodie and baseball cap. Christian looked back at me, as if to say: this guy?
I hid my laugh. Emerson didn’t seem fazed.
‘And what about if I want to swap roles so he can be the BFF?’ Christian asked.
Emerson chuckled. ‘She’s the one in charge, mate. I just do what I’m told.’
‘That so?’
I watched the conspiratorial grin pass between the two men I cared for most in the world. It was like only now I was realising how much trouble I was going to be in with both of them by my side.
‘If you two don’t behave, I’ll leave you both behind in the dust.’
I took down my bike from the back of Emerson’s truck and slipped on my helmet.
Christian was joking about wanting me back as his girl. I’d never been his in the first place. We’d been best friends who shared each other’s firsts because we were the only ones we knew we could trust. I kissed him, and lusted for him, but we’d never loved each other romantically. So… he had to be joking.
I watched as he studied Emerson, truly every inch of him. Like he was looking to see if Emerson was the worthy man Christian’d hoped he would be for me, when he’d said he wanted me to be able to find someone who could give me everything I deserved because he couldn’t. I couldn’t tell if Emerson lived up to Christian’s expectations.
Shit. I hoped he was joking.
Christian finally turned back to me, realising I’d been watching him watch Emerson. He winked at me.
Screw it. If not, I would have to cross that bridge when I came to it. Emerson could use a bit of competition, anyway. It’d been ten years of him being certain he was the best for me, that no one could compete so he didn’t have to worry we were living from moment to moment, bla, bla, bla – the usual things that cocky prick came out with. He was probably going to propose by handing me the ring, no question asked, simply knowing I was ready because he’d read my “aura”, despite how he said I was “in charge”.
‘Okay, love,’ Emerson said, as I pushed the keys into the ignition of my bike, agreeing to my order to behave.
‘You got it, sweetheart,’ Christian said. Christian walked over to Emerson. ‘I’m guessing you’ll be giving me a lift, then? Unless you’d like me strapped to the back of that fine ass.’
If Christian thought that was going to rattle Emerson, he had misjudged him. Since he had the ability to read emotions once more, Emerson’d stopped with the jealousy that’d plagued him when he’d been a vampire.
‘Yeah. Where’d you like to go?’
‘I don’t know about you, but I could murder a drink.’
I snapped my eyes to him, Emerson equally staring daggers at him. The prison our backdrop.
‘What, too soon?’ Christian chuckled, hopping into the passenger seat. They both had a shitty sense of humour.
I pushed down the visor of my helmet and revved the engine as I took off around the corner, Emerson and Christian following me in the truck behind. It was better I drove away now before I did something I regretted.
It may have all begun with a double homicide, but I was damn well going to make sure it didn’t end with one – even if I knew those two were going to test my last nerve.
Acknowledgement
To my wonderful husband. I proved I could finish a book in a fortnight once, here is my proof I can finish a good book in several months. Thank you for the long nights where you’d go to bed without me because I’d be busy typing; the times you barely saw me except for scarfing down meals and “another five minutes”.
Thea, thanks for being the one to read my books time and time again – it means so much to me. You’re an amazing sister, an amazing person, and a great soundboard whenever I need to ask what needs more explanation and whether my main character is swoon worthy enough!
Lilibet, you read a billion drafts of my first vampire book. I never thought I’d write one more for you to read, but here I am again: I hope you enjoy this one as much as you liked the first. (You will eventually get your zombie, I promise).
Ben Elton, for the wonderful musical We Will Rock You, as well as Queen for their fantastic music; Scaramouche and Galileo were perfect to represent the dynamics of Liv and Emerson’s relationship.
About The Author
Diana Greenbird
Diana Greenbird started writing stories back when she first learnt to pick up a pen at the age of three. “Twice Bitten” was the first original novel she wrote at the age of 13 back in 2008-2010, inspired by Twilight vampire-craze.
Diana grew up in the suburbs of Yorkshire, England, and studied Literature at the University of Sheffield. She travels as often as she can with her husband, especially to the wilds of Scotland, and envisions one day travelling to every place she’s ever written about.
Today, Diana works part-time writing her novels at home; looking after her two energetic pups, Beatrice and Flynn, and fitting in National Trust walks between seeing her crazy family on Sundays.
Diana Greenbird, Twice Bitten
Twice Bitten Page 55