Rescue Inc Collection Vol 2: Mine to Protect & Mine to Keep

by Pritchard, Megs

  "But, I..." Silas' eyes dropped to the floor. "I thought he had," he murmured. "I thought he had."

  Chester stepped back and Troy pushed past them, running upstairs and slamming his bedroom door shut. Silas watched Chester lick his wrist, sealing the wound closed.

  "I'll go and talk to him," Chester muttered as he lifted his head from his wrist.

  "No, I-"

  "No." Chester grabbed his shoulder. "He doesn't need his pops right now. I'll deal with this. Trust me, Silas. He might hate me, but he needs another vampire right now."

  Silas didn't say a word and Chester nodded once, then jogged up the stairs after Troy. He heard the door open and then Troy screaming.

  "Shit," Silas muttered, dropping his head. This wasn't what he expected to happen. Not at all.

  * * *

  "Get the fuck outta my room!"

  "No," Chester said, closing the door behind him.

  "You didn't even fucking knock! Who the fuck do you think you are? Get out! Now!"

  "Nope." Chester walked over to the bed and sat down. "Not going anywhere."

  "You black motherfucker! Fucking bloodsucker!" Chester raised an eyebrow. "Murderer!"

  "Now, I draw the line at that. I haven't murdered anyone."

  "Really? Pops said you were special forces or some shit. Bet you slit hundreds of throats and drank their blood."

  "You really need to stop watching those films, boy."

  "Boy?" Troy's glowing red eyes bulged.

  "Well, you're acting like a child, so..."

  "You fucking cunt!" Troy stomped his foot.

  "And we're back to the name calling."

  "And I've got a fucking long list of them."

  "Yeah, I know. I'm black, a vampire and gay. I'll just get comfortable while you scream them at me." Chester moved up Troy's bed, resting against the headboard.

  Troy's mouth dropped open, and he waved a hand at Chester. "Get off my bed. For fuck's sake, you've got your boots on my bed."

  "That's it?" Chester sighed. "You need to apologize to your pops."

  Troy crossed his arms over his chest and glared at Chester. "I call him pops, not you."

  Chester closed his eyes, muttering, "No wonder I'm not a parent." Louder, he said, "Please apologize to your father."

  "No."

  "Why? It wasn't his fault."

  "He should have been there! He left me with her!"

  "Your mother. He left you with the one person he thought would never hurt you. How is that his fault, and didn't he also take you away?"

  Troy stared out of the window, giving Chester the silent treatment.

  "Troy."

  "It isn't, okay."

  "Okay, so you need to-"

  "I don't need to do anything."

  Chester shot up of the bed, crossing the floor and grabbing Troy by the shoulders. Fuck this patience shit. "Do you think he deserves it? You screaming abuse at him, you abusing yourself by not feeding? Don't you think he's suffered too, knowing he left you with her and that you were forced to kill her?" He shook Troy. "Don't you think he wishes every single fucking day that he'd seen something, known something, so he could have saved you from all this?"

  "I know, all right!" Troy shrugged him off. In a quieter voice, he asked, "But who else do I have to blame?"

  "No one, Troy. She's dead, and you need to move on with your life."

  "You're just saying that cause you want to fuck Pops." Troy rubbed his eyes. "Gonna need to bleach my eyes now."

  "How do you think you got here?"

  "The fucking stork! I don't want to think about them having sex. Do you?"

  "Er, no. I don't want to think about your parents-"

  "No, your parents."

  Chester blinked seeing an image of his parents in his head, then grimaced, which caused Troy to laugh. "Thanks for that, Troy."

  "Now you know how I feel." Troy grinned, then nodded towards the door. "The blood’s in the bathroom."

  "Why didn't you feed?"

  Troy shrugged, a blush covering his cheeks. "I was hoping being half vampire..."

  "You're not half. Vampire genetics wins. Always."

  "Yeah, I know."

  Chester sat on the bed and patted the spot next to him. Troy rolled his eyes but sat down. "What if I wasn't here, Troy?"

  "I know. But I’d never hurt Pops."

  "Not intentionally you wouldn't, but you need to have control. If you go too long between feeds, then you're going to attack someone. You're a vampire, Troy. You can't change that, so you're going to have to find a way to accept it."

  "It's just..."

  "What?"

  "What if I'm like her?" Troy whispered the question, looking away, and Chester's heart ached for him. No child should have to ask a question like that about themselves.

  "Could you ever do what she did?"

  Troy reared back, eyes widening in horror. "Fuck no!"

  "Then that's your answer. It’s as simple as that."

  "You don't know for sure."

  "No one does. No one knows what's going to happen tomorrow. You just get up and live each day the best way you can."

  "Wow, great words of wisdom."

  "Hey, if you were looking for a pretty little speech, you're shit out of luck."

  Troy grinned. "Poor Pops. He really does like to give me these long-winded speeches."

  Chester winced. "Ouch."

  "Yeah. Sometimes I thought my ears would bleed."

  "Not me."

  "I'll come to you then when I piss Pops off."

  "So, I can come over then?"

  Troy rolled his eyes again. "You're mates." He fiddled with his T-shirt. "Will I have a mate?"

  "Yeah, you will. He or she will be perfect for you."

  "Really? Even though Pops is human?" Troy looked at Chester with such hope in his eyes that Chester was unable to stop himself from reaching out and gripping his hand.

  "You're a vampire, and we get mates. All of us, even you."

  They both looked at the door when they heard a knock on it and Troy walked over to Silas when he stepped in. "Sorry, Pops."

  Silas held him, smiling. "It's okay. You feeling better now?"

  Troy nodded. "Yeah, but no sex where I can see you. I still feel sick."

  "Hey, you wouldn't have seen anything if you'd been at school, which is where you should be now." Silas looked pointedly at Troy.

  "I know, but I didn't feel right."

  "Because you didn't feed."

  "I know, and I'm sorry."

  Silas hugged him again. "Just look after yourself, Troy."

  "I will, Pops."

  Chester quietly left the room and went downstairs into the kitchen. He checked the cupboards and refrigerator, pulling several items out. He'd make steaks for them tonight. Troy would need the meat after the emotional day he'd had.

  He'd spotted a grill out back and, wrapping the potatoes in tinfoil, he took everything outside and began cooking. He put the steaks in a marinade, and as the food cooked, Chester made a salad. As he was finishing it off, both Silas and Troy walked in.

  "Steaks are marinating, and the potatoes are on the grill."

  "You didn't have to do this." Silas walked over and quickly kissed the back of his neck.

  "I wanted to. You two okay now?"

  "Me and Pops are good." Troy opened the refrigerator and pulled out a soda and two beers. "Steaks. My favorite."

  "Mine too." Chester agreed. "Nice and bloody too."

  "God no," Silas said. "Medium rare. You two can sit together on your side of the table."

  They finished preparing the meal, and once cooked, sat outside to eat. Chester told them about his various missions with Rescue Inc. and Silas told them funny stories of incidents he'd been called out to assist. Even Troy had things to add to the conversation.

  When Chester was ready to leave, he walked to the front door, Silas following.

  "You don't need to go."

  "We both know what will h
appen if I stay. I know you can feel it."

  Silas nodded. "Yeah, I can."

  They stared at each other for a moment before Chester closed the gap and slowly kissed Silas. He stepped back and Chester touched Silas' cheek then walked away, leaving Silas behind.

  Chapter Six

  "Hey, Robert. Have you got a minute?"

  "Sure. Let me save this report I'm working on, and I'll come straight over."

  Silas walked into his office, keeping the door open, and sat behind his desk. Looking at the paperwork piled high on his desk, Silas wondered why he'd returned. Couldn't one of his deputies have attempted to do some of it? Just one report?

  Robert came in and Silas nodded to the door, which Robert closed. Sitting across from him, Robert glanced at the paperwork, winced, and looked away.

  "What's been happening while I've been off?"

  "We've had a spate of burglaries, a few car jackings, muggings, but nothing too serious. No rapes, murders."

  "Gun crimes?"

  Wincing again, Robert said, "Old man Harrison threatened to shoot the Macgregor boys."

  "Jesus." Sails muttered. "What for now?"

  "Stealing." Robert grinned. "Said if they were going to steal his apples to make cider then the least they could do was give him some to drink. I think he was more pissed that he didn't get any cider then the fact they took his apples."

  Silas chuckled. "Is he still making his moonshine out in the old barn he doesn't think we know about?"

  "Of course he is. Last batch wasn't too bad either." Robert shrugged. "He doesn't even notice it disappearing. Thinks he drank it."

  "So, these house break-ins. How far along are we?"

  "I've spoken to the usual people, and I honestly don't think it's any of them. My guess would be an outsider."

  "Any newcomers, people passing through?"

  "No, that's just it, but we have found signs of camps around Blackbear Forest."

  "Camps?" Silas frowned.

  "Yeah, though not in the designated areas. I've increased patrols and thought about hiring some temporary deputies but wanted to run it past you first."

  "You've been investigating it. Do we need more manpower?"

  Robert frowned then slowly nodded. "We've had some questions regarding the investigation and how it's progressing."

  "Right, okay. Get the men you need and reassign where necessary. When was the last break in?"

  "Last week. The Somervilles. The reports are, er, in that pile." Robert pointed to the pile of paperwork that threatened to topple over at any minute.

  "Great." Silas sighed, rubbing his head. At least the paperwork would take his mind off Chester.

  "How's Troy doing?"

  "He went to see the vampire counselor. Screamed at her then sat in silence."

  Robert winced. "Ouch."

  "Yeah, at least he's reacting. She seems to think it's what he needs to do. She's patient."

  "He's been through some shit."

  "What about the family of the man you found? Anything on them?"

  "I went and spoke to them, the O’Connells, and explained what had happened. They were happy to have their son home so they could bury him. I gave them the card that vampire solicitor left and told them to call him because he was dealing with it. They buried him a few days ago."

  "Jeremiah Hawkins, twenty-two years old." Silas knew the details. Would likely never forget them.

  "It wasn't Troy's fault or yours. I knew Tina, and I never saw this coming. I don't think any of us did."

  "She was my wife, Robert, I should have spotted something. We were drifting apart, and she was different, but I put that down to the problems in our marriage, not a mental health issue with her. I should have seen something was wrong, that there was something off about her, but I didn't, and Troy paid the price for my failure."

  "It wasn't your failure. None of us knew. We're trained to spot the warning signs, and Tina didn't exhibit any. If there are no signs, how can you tell there's a problem?"

  Silas shook his head and glanced at the picture on his desk. Taken years earlier, in happier times, it was a picture of all three of them. Why he'd kept it, Silas couldn't answer.

  Sighing, he reached over and lifted it up. He turned it over, opened the back and pulled the picture from the frame.

  Staring at the picture, he raised his eyes to Robert and slowly ripped it up.

  Robert sighed and stood. "I'll leave you alone, Sheriff. Let me know if you need anything else."

  Silas nodded and watched Robert close the door behind him before glancing back over at the pile on his desk.

  Groaning, he muttered to himself, "Better get started."

  * * *

  Looking at the utter devastation around him, Chester briefly closed his eyes. Jared stood next to him staring at what was once a trailer park. A tornado had come through, ripping the place to pieces.

  When it had been deemed safe, emergency services and rescue teams had descended on the area, searching for signs of life.

  Opening his eyes, Chester watched Tank and his dog, Dodge, search nearby.

  "We got here quick enough. I have hopes on this one."

  It wasn't the first time they'd been called into an urban search and rescue and each time they attended one, it filled Chester with dread. They had a limited timescale to find survivors and with every passing hour, that number decreased.

  "Right, guys. Split up into teams and search the areas we've been provided. I don't need to remind you to be careful."

  Chester moved off with Jared and Miguel and spent the next few hours searching through rubble, debris, and personal belongings. They were lucky and found some survivors in amongst the ruins, but for others, it had been too late. The highs of finding someone alive, destroyed by the lows of discovery of the dead. Seeing children amongst those who had perished tore at Chester’s heart, but he had to push it to one side; there was work to be done. He would grieve later, but for now, he needed to keep searching as there were others waiting to be found.

  Chapter Seven

  The need to be with Chester clawed at Silas, and he struggled to get through each day. As Sheriff, he was lucky that he had plenty of distractions, and whilst dealing with so many people, he was able to keep relatively busy, but the down times were the hardest. The nights were harder still.

  Dreams filled with visions of Chester. So vivid and full of color. Both of them touching, and kissing, and fucking. Silas would wake, hard and aching, remembering every sight, touch, and smell. God, he needed him.

  He spent far longer in the shower now relieving the constant ache and heat and arousal, and it still wasn't enough. He still needed more.

  Five days. Silas hadn't seen Chester in five days. Chester and Rescue Inc. had been called out to help in a missing person case, and even though Silas was proud of his mate, he still missed him.

  Even Troy had called him out on it one morning when they'd been sitting at the kitchen table eating breakfast.

  Dropping his spoon into his cereal, Troy said, "Just call him, Pops! Man, I'm sick of seeing you with that look on your face."

  Silas sighed. "Troy, he's busy. You know that."

  "Then message him or something and he'll get back in touch with you when he can."

  "You know, if we mated, I could talk to him telepathically."

  Troy sat up straight. "No shit."

  Silas chuckled. "Language, Troy, and yes, we could. No problems with signals or broken cells."

  "Awesome." Troy grinned. "When I find my mate, can I do that too?"

  Silas blinked. Oh no, that wasn't happening for a long time. "Years, son. Years."

  "Of course it'll be years. I want to have some fun before then."

  What? "Fun?"

  Troy smirked. "Condoms, Pops. I know all about protection."

  "You are not having sex until I say you can."

  Troy stood and grinned at him. "Too late, Pops."

  Silas smiled, remembering Troy running away, l
aughing hysterically. His son better not have had sex, but if he had, condoms. He was far too young to be a grandparent. He thought back to when he was Troy's age and grinned. Oh, he'd been young when he'd started having sex too.

  Now, he stood waiting for Chester to arrive. Troy was staying out for the night at a friend’s house because he didn't want to hear 'you two going for it' as he put it. Silas had put fresh bedding on the bed and had showered, making sure he was clean everywhere. There were plenty of condoms and lube by the bed. Just the thought of what they were about to do filled Silas with excitement, lust, and worry.

  If they did this, their relationship would change even more, and even though Troy appeared to be okay with it now, when it actually happened, would he change his mind?

  When Chester's car pulled into the driveway, Silas watched it approach the front of the house and pull to a stop. Chester got out, grabbed his bag, and walked over to him.

  Their eyes locked, and as Chester reached him, he dropped his bag, and asked, "Are you sure you want this?"

  Was he? Yes, he was. He wanted this, wanted Chester. He wanted the connection he already felt developing between them, and most of all, he wanted to stop fighting the need he constantly had for this vampire. He wanted Chester, and he wanted him now. No more waiting.

  Nodding, he answered, "Yes, I am."

  * * *

  Chester closed his eyes. At last.

  Opening them once again, he stared into Silas' green ones, and when Silas took his hand, he let him lead the way.

  When they reached Silas' bedroom, Chester noticed the supplies on the cabinet. "Prepared," he muttered.

  "Yeah."

  Chester noticed the slight trembling in Silas' hands, and he gripped them in his own, pulling Silas to him.

  "Kiss me, Silas."

  Silas made a small sound and brought their mouths together. Chester opened his lips, letting Silas' tongue in, and closed his eyes when they touched.

  The kiss was slow but thorough, with Silas' tongue touching, stroking, and sliding against his. God, he knew how to kiss. Chester moaned. He loved kissing. He loved fucking too, but kissing was an art, and so many men didn't give enough time to it. They were usually too busy trying to get to the main event.