Last Chance by Viki Lyn Page B

something to you?”

    His brother's arrogant tone made Stu's pulse spike. “He didn't rape me, asshole.”

    “You're not gay like me.”

    Stu's jaw tightened. “No, I'm not you. And you don't know how I feel.”

    “He's a beautiful boy…very beautiful. Soft, delicate features…incredible hazel eyes…a slender, almost-feminine body, but I bet hard too, and extremely exciting to touch…” Corbin paused, gazing sternly at Stu. “I'm sure he attracts all sorts of curious straight men who want the experience of one night with him.”

    “It's not like that.” Stu fell into the nearest chair and propped his feet on the coffee table. Unlike his brother, he drooped in a perfectly inelegant slouch. He picked at this thumbnail.

    “Leave him be, Stu. He's dangerous.”

    “So are we.”

    “We?” Corbin's eyes narrowed. “I'll take care of things. You stay out of it.”

    “No. It's my oath, my problem, my choice.” As soon as the words escaped Stu's mouth, he knew he'd spoken the absolute truth.

    Corbin clutched the armrest. “You're not one of us.”

    “Only because Mom fought me on it. I know you want to protect me, especially since Dad's… But I make my own decisions now.” He ran his hand through his hair, his eyes downcast. “I can't explain it…I can't run away from it.” He looked up. “Dad always said it was a foolish man who believed he could outrun fate.”

    “You don't have what it takes.”

    “I'm as strong as you, maybe stronger.”

    “It takes more than strength. It takes a temperament of coldhearted determination. You're too…kind, good. I fight so you can stay the way you are.”

    “You're not my protector. I admire—”

    “Don't…” Corbin held up his hand. “There's nothing to admire about a killer.”

    A growl rose from Stu's throat. He was tired of being put off. “Either you let me help you, or I go it alone,” he said, firm and determined. “I don't plan on letting you have all the fun.”

    Corbin sighed, shaking his head. “Stubborn ass. This isn't a game. It can get you killed, and what would Mom say if I had to bring her that kind of news?”

    “You aren't invincible either.”

    “She can live with my death, but if something happened to you, she'd die inside.”

    “How can you say that? She loves you.”

    Corbin fluffed a throw pillow and played with its fringe. He stared hard at Stu. “She also would die if she thought you were like me.”

    “You got it wrong. She doesn't blame you.”

    “If it weren't for my arrogance, Dad would be alive, and you know it.” The bitterness emanated from Corbin.

    Stu wished he could wipe away that horrible night of their father's death, their mother screaming at Corbin, Corbin leaving. Once his brother had walked out the front door, he'd never returned. “You're both too stubborn to talk things through. How can you make up when you never come home?”

    Corbin aimed and tossed the pillow at Stu, who batted it aside with ease. Stu sensed him shutting down—his heart, his emotions, his anger.

    “Piss off,” Corbin warned. “We need to find the strix, and it'll be damn hard if we don't get Aric to cooperate. How much does he know?”

    “I told him the truth. That we're Kresniks, vampire slayers.”

    “Does he know why you're so damn good at catching those high-flying footballs?”

    Stu bit a hangnail, drawing blood. So he forgot to mention his ability to use the talents of his animal spirit when in human form. “Why should I tell him that ?”

    Corbin rose and went to the fridge. He opened the door and rummaged through the contents, then took out two beers and twisted open the caps. He took a swig from the longneck bottle and left the other beer on the counter.

    Stu sighed and forced himself from the chair. He retrieved the bottle and drank down the cold brew. Once he'd finished, he slammed the bottle on the counter, catching Corbin's attention. The beer did little to relax him.

    “Tell me what's