Page 3 of Isabelle’s Forbidden Love

Orlando nodded. “Thirty-five years.” It had been a chance encounter.

“Come, sit down.” He gestured to the large living room.

“Thank you, Samson.” Orlando nodded and sat down on the sofa, hesitant about how to say what he’d practiced ever since he’d found out where Samson lived.

“Can I get you something?” Samson asked. “What’s your preferred blood type?”

Orlando swallowed. “You keep blood slaves?” It wasn’t something he’d expected from a man like Samson. First of all, he was mated to a human, so he only drank from his mate, and secondly, Samson was an honorable man, one who wouldn’t hurt innocents. He’d realized that immediately when he’d met Samson back then. Had he been wrong in his judgement of Samson or had he changed?

“Of course not,” Samson said with a shake of his head. “It’s bottled, and ethically sourced. Let me get you one.”

Before Orlando could protest, Samson left the room, and he heard a door being opened then closed. Orlando looked around the beautifully decorated room. On the mantle of the fireplace where a gas fire was burning, pictures of children at various ages and a beautiful dark-haired woman on Samson’s arm decorated the room. By the looks of it, Samson had bonded with a stunning beauty and sired two sons and a daughter. For a moment, Orlando’s heart clenched. He could have had a family too. A family like Samson’s. But fate was cruel, and what had been within reach once, had slipped through his fingers like fine sand and ended in blood and death.

Samson reentered the living room and handed him a transparent glass bottle. Orlando noted the label on it: AB+ bottled by Scanguards.

“Thank you.”

It had been a couple of days since he’d fed, and he felt the hunger now, felt the need to gorge himself on the blood. However, not wanting to come across as a savage, he took his time to unscrew the lid and set the bottle to his lips. When the rich viscous liquid touched his tongue and ran down his parched throat, he realized just how hungry he’d allowed himself to become. Living under the radar for the past decades had taught him to live on less. He only fed when he felt it was safe and the risk of being discovered was low. Sometimes it meant he had to forego a meal. He’d gotten used to it.

“Why didn’t you come find me earlier?” Samson asked.

Orlando met his gaze and set the bottle down on the coffee table. “I was doing fine. There was no need.”

Samson motioned to the bottle that was still half-full. “There’s more if you need it. I don’t judge.”

Orlando forced himself to wait a few seconds, before he picked up the bottle once more and gulped down the rest of the liquid. “I appreciate it.”

“Now tell me what brings you to San Francisco.” Samson leaned back in the armchair across from the sofa.

Slowly, Orlando took a breath. “I’ve come to ask a favor.”

“Are you in need of money? I can provide you with what you need.”

Orlando shook his head. “I don’t need money. I have enough to sustain myself. I need something else.”

“Name it, and it’s yours.”

He didn’t doubt that Samson meant it. Still, he hesitated.

“Orlando, you saved my life back then. I wouldn’t be here if you hadn’t acted. Without you, I wouldn’t have what I have now: a loving family.”

“I’m happy for you.”

Samson didn’t press him further, and he was grateful for it. He wasn’t used to asking for something. He’d always relied on himself, never on others, but he was at the point of realizing that without a place where he could belong, he would perish.

“I need a job, Samson. A job with your company.” So he could be part of something bigger, part of a community again, a family of sorts.

Samson leaned forward. “I think I have just the thing for you. It’s a good position.”

“I don’t care what it pays. I’m willing to take anything.” Even if that made him sound desperate. At least to himself, he could admit that. Without a community of likeminded vampires around him, he wouldn’t have the strength to go on. “And I need to start tonight.”

For a long moment, Samson looked at him, scrutinizing him, before he nodded. “I understand. We’ve all been there. I’ll get you set up tonight. Quinn can get you a company ID and an assignment right away. Do you need a place to stay?”

Orlando shrugged. “I’ll find something. Don’t worry about that.”

“I’ll let Amaury know; he’ll give you a list of available vampire-proof rentals, until you can find something more permanent.”

It was more than he’d expected. “I appreciate it.”