“Deal.” He sealed the deal by shaking hands with Cain.

“And now to celebrate making money the easy way, how about a dance?” Cain addressed Maya. “Or is your mate going to kill me?”

Maya took his proffered arm. “Only if you put your hands where they don’t belong.”

As they walked off to the dance floor to join Zane, who was dancing with Portia, and Quinn, now twirling his wife Rose in his arms, Eddie looked at him.

“How come you’re so sure that Oliver is going to ask Ursula so soon?”

Thomas winked at him and leaned closer so that nobody would be able to overhear them. As he moved his lips near Eddie’s ear, he inhaled his male scent. His heart immediately began to race, and his pulse galloped. He had difficulty remembering what he wanted to tell Eddie.

“Because I saw Oliver buy a ring the other night.”

He pulled back and took a step away from Eddie, putting distance between them so that he wouldn’t be overwhelmed by his desire for the young vampire and do something stupid.

Eddie’s mouth dropped open. “You dog! You just robbed Cain of a hundred bucks!” Despite his outraged words, his eyes twinkled, and his lips curved into a smile. Dimples appeared on his cheeks, and for a moment he looked exactly like the innocent kid Thomas had taken under his wings a year earlier. His heart clenched. Life had dealt him a card he didn’t know how to play: he’d never loved anybody like he loved Eddie. And he’d never felt so powerless in the process.

You’re not powerless, a voice deep inside him said. He knew all too well where this voice came from: from the dark power within him. A power so strong that he could force his will upon anybody, particularly a young vampire like Eddie. If he wanted to, he could use mind control to make Eddie think he was attracted to him. He could make Eddie desire him. But it wouldn’t be right. It would be a shallow victory, because he’d never truly win Eddie’s love. It would all be a sham. He would violate Eddie’s mind. Just like he would violate Eddie’s body. And that he couldn’t do. He would hate himself for it.

He suddenly felt a hand squeeze his shoulder and blinked, looking into Eddie’s brown eyes.

“Hey, I didn’t really mean that. Cain’s a big boy. He should know better when to bet with somebody.”

Thomas forced a laugh over his lips. “No worries. Just keep it to yourself. I don’t want the news about the ring reaching Ursula’s ears before Oliver has a chance to kneel down.”

Eddie laughed. “Kneel down? You don’t really think he’s going to get on his knees. That’s old fashioned.”

“Nothing wrong with being old fashioned. If I found the right person, I’d get on my knees too.” He would fall to his knees for Eddie if it made a difference. But he knew it didn’t. No amount of groveling would win him the love of the young vampire he couldn’t banish from his heart.

Eddie lowered his lids and looked away. “Oh hey, look at that.” He pointed to the dancers.

“Didn’t know that Quinn is such a good dancer.”

Thomas sensed awkwardness in Eddie’s gesture as well as his voice. Was he embarrassed that Thomas had talked about finding the right person? Maybe it was better not to bring it up anymore.

“I’m sure Quinn had plenty of practice in those ballrooms in London. Trust me, it can be torture for any guy!”

Eddie looked at him from the side. “Did you dance much when you were living in London back then?”

“I did, until I could fake a leg injury and had a valid excuse to sit at the gaming tables instead. Now that was fun!”

“Yeah, I’m not much of a dancer myself,” Eddie admitted. “Nina tried to teach me when we were younger, but she gave up. She was quite disappointed in me that I was so clumsy. I hate disappointing her.” He looked down at the floor, chuckling. “She claims I have two left feet.

She’s probably right.”

“It’s never too late to try.”

“Well, we’re short of girls here anyway.” Eddie motioned to the few vampire females assembled.

“In hindsight it was probably a bad idea to have Haven’s party at the lounge, given that none of the humans could join in.” Samson had only intended for it to be a little welcoming celebration. How suddenly a band had been brought in, Thomas wasn’t sure.

“And I’m afraid it’ll be a short party,” Gabriel added, approaching them. “I’m calling a staff meeting. Upstairs. In fifteen minutes.” His boss looked casual in his black pants and black Tshirt, his hair as always pulled back in a ponytail, his scar that reached from his ear to his chin standing out against his olive skin. He’d been handsome once, very handsome. But the scar that marred one side of his face had put an end to that. Nevertheless, he’d found love. It just proved that the outside shell didn’t matter.