Chapter 7

"You're tapping the steering wheel,"Vena said. "What's on your mind?"

"I just wish I knew what Shepard wanted to talk about."

"He probably figured out how much of a distraction I am to his men and is going to fire me. If he does, I'm totally taking up Cross on misogynistic pin money."

"Misogynistic?"

"You know that's exactly what that was."

"He wasn't trying to be, though. And you're not getting fired. You're staying right by my side where I can keep an eye on you. Three kidnappings in a row already. I don't want you to go missing next."

"Pretty sure I won't."

"Just like you were sure nothing bad would happen on the last treasure hunt, right? And what happened?"

"We made a new friend," she said with a smile. "And he's proven very helpful."

"I'm surprised you're still speaking to Cross after seeing what happened to Gunther," I admitted.

"Well, it helps that Cross is old and rich and managed to feed off of the supermarket guy without marking him like Gunther had been marked. And if we're lucky, Cross will kick the bucket while the money is still in your account, and you'll be set for life."

I snorted. "Until I'm audited and have to explain where that money came from. We really need to get it out of there. No more talking about this," I said as I approached the employee parking lot.

Jaws stood by the back door and watched us park.

"You're here early," he said.

"Yep. Shepard asked us to come," I said.

"What for?"

I shrugged. "I'll find out in a few minutes."

Vena and I walked inside, stowed our things, then headed toward the main bar without clocking in. Shepard was there prepping the drink garnishes. When he saw us, he stopped slicing oranges and wiped his hands on a towel.

"I appreciate you coming in," he said. "Vena, would you mind clocking in early and finishing this up while I talk to Everly? And make sure you say hello to everyone who comes in. By name. Loudly."

Vena wasn't dumb. She knew what all that meant. He wanted to tell me something privately that his own people shouldn't hear. And knowing I would confide in her, she willingly jogged back to clock in and winked at me as I followed Shepard up the stairs.

He invited me to sit as soon as he closed the door behind me.

"What's going on?" I asked.

"I wanted to talk about this morning. Doc mentioned that MC showed up, but he didn't notice anyone else. Who did you notice and where?"

I rattled off names and where they'd been according to the pictures Cross sent.

"How could you see them from the house?" Shepard asked. "I've been there, and your neighbor's house isn't visible from your room."

"Am I being interrogated? Did I do something wrong?" I asked, avoiding having to lie.

"No, no," he said quickly. "Just trying to understand. Did you leave the house last night, Everly?"

"Nope. I was inside from the second we walked through the door with Doc to the second we left to check on Miles."

He inhaled deeply. "I can smell your shampoo and body wash and the lingering scent of vampire, Everly."

I tried to keep my face straight, but there was no controlling the way my pulse spiked, and I knew he heard it too when he tilted his head and studied me.

"I'm worried," he said.

"You don't need to be. I promise."

He nodded slowly and sighed. "The vampires are a huge problem. There are more of them than we thought. They're scattered, which makes it harder to hunt them down. But despite that, I didn't send more men to watch over you. MC did that on his own, and I'll talk to him about it. But I'd like you to consider staying with me for a while."

Shepard was my boss, and he considered me family, but staying at his place seemed too intimate. What if I saw him walking around in his underwear? An image popped into my head, and it wasn't a bad one. Still. Staying with him was going into a territory I wasn't prepared to go.

"I…um, don't think that's a good idea. And we've been safe at my place so far."

His jaw tightened, but he gave a nod. "It's up to you. If you change your mind, let me know. But Everly, if something else happens with the vampires, I might not give you a choice."

I blinked at him.

"You know I'm only looking out for you, right?"

I nodded.

"And I'd never hurt you. You can trust me."

"I know."

"Good." He glanced at the door.

"Is someone here?" I asked.

His gaze returned to me. "No one to worry about. Why don't you get ready for your shift."

I stood and went to open the door. Pausing on the threshold, I glanced back at Shepard.

"I want to make a treat for Gunther tomorrow. Will he be at work or at home?"

"He'll be at home for another day or two."

"Can I take it to his place?"

Shepard nodded. "I'll send you the address. Message me when you're on your way."

"Message you?" I asked. "Is he staying with you?"

"A pack sticks together," MC said from the hall.

Startled, my hand flew to my heart. "I didn't see you there."

He smiled at me. "I didn't mean to scare you."

"It's okay."

"Is there a reason you're here?" Shepard asked MC.

"I heard something about treats and wanted to get in on the action."

"I'll make a batch for you and your guys, too," I said.

"Can't wait."

"Everly, head downstairs and help Vena."

I nodded and swapped places with MC.

"Close the door," Shepard said to MC, his tone fiercer than I thought the situation required.

Once the door was closed, I crept back to listen. It was fine that Shepard wanted to protect me, but being aware of what was happening was its own form of protection as well.

"What were you doing at Everly and Vena's house this morning?" Shepard asked MC.

"Just checking up on them and bringing breakfast."

"That explains you. What about your guys?"

"Safety in numbers."

"Doc could have handled anyone that came. He didn't need your guys, and I didn't assign them to be at her house."

"Her house?" MC laughed. "You're as transparent as glass, Shepard. I'm not encroaching on your turf, so stop thinking things are more than what they seem."

"This isn't about turf. This is about you not following orders."

"What order didn't I follow? I patrolled where and when I was scheduled to patrol. What my guys and I do during free time is my business, not yours."

"Not while you're in D.C. As soon as you got off the plane, your business became mine. You're here for a reason. Don't forget it. Follow the orders you're given, and don't do anything else."

"After seeing what they did to Gunther, I'm not sure if I want my guys under your leadership. You've let D.C. go to hell. Under my watch in California, we don't have vampire uprisings. We kill them as soon as we see them."

"Your arrogance doesn't make you a better leader, just a blind one if you think the same thing can't happen to your territory. The vampires have changed how they feed. They've adapted. We need to do the same, or we'll find ourselves back on the edge of extinction. And if you don't like how I'm leading, you know your options. Leave or challenge. Until then, it's my way. Now, get out."

The last words, coldly delivered with an underlying growl, sent me scurrying away from the door and to the VIP bar just as MC stormed out. Pretending to wipe the surface without a rag, I waited until he jogged down the stairs to follow. He'd already disappeared through the kitchen by the time I reached the main floor.

Vena glanced at me. "What was that about?"

I shook my head that now wasn't the time, and she took the hint and continued the bar prep.

Thankfully, that was the peak drama for the evening. Blur's regulars showed up in force and left generous tips for prompt drink service with a smile. Vena seemed to be doing just fine every time I looked her way, too. For the most part, she completely ignored MC, who had taken Anchor's place at the base of the stairs to the VIP section. Not that MC wanted to be ignored. I caught him winking at her. Twice.

Winks delivered across a crowded bar had never worked to win Vena over in the past, and I knew they wouldn't now. However, they could annoy her. She seemed to keep her cool, though, as the night progressed.

By closing, she was too busy gleefully counting her wad of tip money like Scrooge McDuck to be annoyed by anything. I sat by her to count out my money and handed over the percent due to the bartenders.

"Thanks for the fast service tonight," I said to Buzz. "Made a difference."

"Anytime," he said with a nod. "I hear we're seeing you tomorrow. You bringing enough fudge for Gunther to share?"

"You all live together?"

He shrugged. "You live with Vena. My family's just a little bigger."

"Fair enough. How much fudge should I bring?"

"Do not answer that," Shepard said behind me. "Just bring what you want, Everly."

Buzz threw me a sad pout before turning away. Laughing, I went to the lockers with Vena to grab my things.

"I'm going to have to get some more sweetened condensed milk in the morning. You with me?"

"Ugh. Why do you hate me? Of course, I'm with you. You're going to wait until at least nine, right?"

"You know it needs time to set up," I said, nodding to Doc, who was waiting for us.

He walked ahead of us out to the parking lot.

"Fine. Eight o'clock. That's my final offer," Vena said as I unlocked the doors.

Doc was grinning as he got into his little electric car.

"How many do you think can fit in that thing?" Vena asked.

He held up four fingers even though both our doors were closed.

I started up my engine, waved, and pulled out of the lot.

"I bet that's why he went electric. He can hear better," Vena said softly. As soon as we hit the main highway, she turned to me.

"Okay. Spill it. What happened to make Mr. Crybaby storm off before our shift?"

"Mr. Crybaby?" I echoed.

"MC."

I rolled my eyes.

"Hey, it's a work in progress. Now, talk. I know you heard something."

"MC wasn't supposed to have his guys watching our house. Shepard called him out on it and told MC he either obeys his commands or challenges him. Not sure what a challenge is, but it didn't sound good. Oh, and before he talked to MC, Shepard told me he was worried because he could smell vampire on me." I sighed. "Should I just tell him what's going on?"

"I mean, if you do and they kill Cross for being their natural enemies, you'd be rich so…" She shrugged as she grinned at me.

"You are so unhelpful. But good job ignoring MC tonight."

"You have no idea how badly I wanted to see if I could toss a werewolf over my shoulder."

"With the way he was looking at you, he probably would have let you do anything you wanted to him."

"Ew."

I grinned, loving tormenting Vena for a change. We arrived home too soon to continue, though. We waited in the car for Doc to do his thing then went inside. Vena claimed the bathroom first this time, which gave me time to get Doc settled and check my ingredients in the kitchen.

By the time my head hit the pillow, I knew my list and had my alarm set for seven.

A light knock pulled me from my sleep prematurely.

"Ev, it's me," Doc said. "I'm heading out."

I gave a mumble of acknowledgment and sank back to sleep.

"I told her she'd be rich if someone ends up killing you." Vena's words teased my foggy mind. "You know what her answer was? She didn't want to deal with the tax audit. Her laces can't get any straighter, Cross. What do you think she's going to do when she finds you in her bed…again?"

I opened my eyes and stared into Cross' amber ones.

"Good morning," he said with his sexy light accent.

"Morning."

I heard Vena snort and move away from my bedroom.

"Did you sleep well?" he asked.

"I did. Why are–"

He pressed a finger to my lips as he lifted his head from my pillow. His eyes flickered black. Then he leaned in, kissed my forehead, and disappeared out my bedroom window.

I frowned at the now ripped screen and got out of bed.

Seriously, men caused more problems than they solved.

Just as I was leaving my bedroom, someone knocked on our front door.

"Not it," Vena called from the bathroom.

Groaning a little, I went to answer it.

MC stood on the front porch, holding a paper grocery bag.

"Morning, Everly. I heard you needed some more sweetened condensed milk to make fudge for the pack. Since I know I screwed up yesterday with you and Vena and Shepard, I was hoping this could be a peace offering."

Since he'd gotten into trouble for coming to our house when he wasn't told to in the first place, I doubted that coming here to apologize would win him Shepard's forgiveness, but I didn't say so. MC and I both knew he was here because of his misguided infatuation with Vena.

He lifted the bag. "I got seven cans. I wasn't sure how much you needed."

"That's more than enough. Thanks."

I went to accept the bag, but he pulled it back. "It's heavy. I'll set it on the table for you."

He walked past me before I could block him but jerked to a stop. His nostrils flared twice, and he looked at me like I'd grown two heads. I knew exactly what the problem was, but I played dumb for all it was worth.

"Please don't sneeze on me," I said. "I can't afford to be sick."

"Oh. Yeah. No. No sneeze," he said, turning and continuing to the table.

Vena chose that moment to leave the bathroom.

She was wearing her summer pajamas, which were comfortable cotton shorts and a cotton tank top. The way MC was looking at her, though, you would have thought it was lingerie.

"Can I talk to you outside for a moment, Vena?" he asked. "It's important."

She glanced at me, and I could see the ‘I'm going to throat punch him' look in her eyes. So I sent back my ‘play nice, or you'll be grounded' look.

"Fine. I'll give you two minutes," Vena said, marching toward the door.

He followed, and I saw the way his nostrils flared again when he walked past me.

After the door closed, I watched them for a moment to make sure Vena wouldn't give into her urge to smack him. Whatever he started saying to her removed some of her defensive edge, though.

Assured that they'd be fine, I went to my room to grab some clothes then went to shower. If I planned on dropping off fudge, I needed to wash off whatever MC had smelled, or Shepard would have another fit, too.

I sighed and heard the bathroom door open.

"Let me guess. He smelled vampire on me. Why is my life so complicated?"

"Do I complicate your life, Everly?" Cross asked from the other side of the curtain.

My eyes rounded, and I poked my head out of the curtain. Cross wasn't just standing in the bathroom. He was inches away from me. His gaze swept over my wet face and dipped to my lips.

"Allow me to uncomplicate it," he said before closing the distance between us.

His lips settled over mine, warm and firm. Desire and anticipation rushed through me against my better judgement. And when his hands cupped my face and he kissed me with a hunger that stole my breath, I knew I was done for.

I grabbed for Cross, wanting more, and lost my balance. His arm snaked around me and pulled me to his chest at the same time he took advantage of my surprised gasp. Stealing his way inside, his tongue stroked against mine. He groaned. The kiss changed, conveying his desperate need. My pulse thundered in my ears as I held on for dear life as I kissed him back.

When he finally pulled away to look at me, I was gasping for air.

"Beautiful," he whispered.

I shivered. "I think that added more complications."

He smiled slightly. "Depends on how you look at it. But I believe I interrupted your bathing. Would you like me to assist you?"

I started to nod then stopped myself. "Wait. No. I'm showering because the werewolves keep smelling you on me."

"Yeah, and that's a problem," Vena said from the other side of the door. "So stop being pervy, and let Everly shower alone. And there better not be any bite marks on her."

Cross' eyes flashed black briefly, and he let out a long-suffering sigh.

"Must you live with her?" he asked. "I swear she was a fishmonger's wife in a past life."

"I must," I said. "Now close your eyes."

When I'd slipped, he'd pulled me against him, so all my nakedness was plastered against his tailored self and was currently hidden from his view. I wanted to keep it that way.

He turned his head and looked at us in the mirror over the sink.

"This is a memory that will stay with me through the ages," he said.

My face flushed.

"Close your eyes or lose them," I warned.

He chuckled and closed his eyes. Then he had the decency to take my hand and help me straighten so I wouldn't slip again.

Once I was behind the curtain, he said, "I will wait for you in the living room."

The door opened and closed again. I did my best to scrub every inch of my front that had been in contact with him. When I reemerged, dressed and my hair towel dried, he was waiting for me in the living room with Vena.

"MC could smell Cross on you," Vena said. "He pulled me outside because he's worried you're under vampire influence like Sierra is. He told me what to watch for. Obsessive behavior. Flash anger. Disappearing in the middle of the night. Stuff like that." She turned to look at Cross. "We really need you to stop touching Everly."

Ignoring her, Cross watched me sit on the couch.

"Let them worry," he said. "They'll keep you safer because of it."

"Well, when he says it like that…" Vena uncrossed her arms. "Fine. But no biting. I'm serious on that one."

"Don't worry. I fed well last night while looking for your Anchor."

Vena and I both made faces.

"Yes, I found it rather distasteful, too." He shook his head. "The sex games the fae play hold very little interest to my kind, but feeding from her was the only way the fae woman would speak to me."

"Hold up," Vena said. "Did you have sex with a fae last night?"

"No. I fed from her while her partner brought her pleasure."

Vena sat and propped her chin on her hand. "You have my attention. I need details."

"No, she doesn't," I said. "Did you find anything about Anchor?"

"I found the werewolves are not the only ones having trouble with the vampires. It seems the vampires had made a deal with the fae here. In exchange for their occasional services in securing sexually uninhibited humans, the fae would help the vampires hide their presence from the werewolves. However, the vampires have recently stopped keeping their end of the bargain. Which is why the woman was willing to speak to me. The fae are growing hungry again."

Vena and I shared a look. "Hungry? What do you mean?"

Cross smiled slightly. "As I said, there's a reason the races hid in the shadows for so long. The fae are not as innocent or as benevolent as they would have humans believe. They crave human carnal pleasure. They feed off of it. But don't worry. The humans they currently have should last them for several more weeks before they need to be released."

"Damn," Vena said under her breath.

I couldn't agree more and touched my chest where my charm hung.

"Could the fae have taken Anchor?" Vena asked. "You said he smelled like lust."

Cross shook his head. "No. She confirmed that they have no interest in starting a war with the wolves. And that's what would happen if they took a member of Shepard's pack. It would be an act of war."

I stood. "It looks like we have a lot to ask Shepard when we visit Gunther today. I better get started on the fudge."

When Cross headed into the kitchen with me, I eyed him and his suit.

"You might not want to be near me when I make fudge," I said. "I don't try to make a mess, but it happens in a small kitchen."

"I'm not worried."

Digging out ingredients from the cupboard, I made sure I had everything before I started. I'd experimented with fudge a lot in the past, trying to come up with something that had a smooth, creamy texture like a firm ganache. For today, though, I planned to keep it simple.

Once everything was assembled, I measured, poured, heated, and mixed. Cross watched me as if fascinated by the process.

"Why are you watching me like you've never seen anyone bake before?"

"Never anyone as beautiful."

The spoon slipped from my grasp and landed on the floor with a thick spatter of fudge.

He picked it up and handed it to me. "And I had a houseful of servants. The kitchen was not my domain."

I set the spoon in the sink to rinse later. As I dug through the drawer to get a new spoon, I pricked my finger on something sharp and yanked my hand from the drawer with a curse. Before I could grab a towel, blood dripped from the cut and into the mixing bowl.

"No!" I groaned. "I just ruined the fudge."

Cross took my hand, looked at the blood dotting my finger, and brought it to his lips. His tongue swirled over my skin, and heat flashed through me. When he finished his version of vampire first aid and finally let go of my hand, the only sign I had stabbed myself was a thin pink line.

"I'll take this batch of fudge," he said.

Turning to the bowl to escape from his hungry gaze, I mixed in the blood and poured it into a pan to set.

After washing the bowl twice in hot soapy water, I attempted the fudge again.

"Ev, Shepard is texting you," Vena said.

"What does he want?"

"Asking when you'll be at his place."

"Give me two hours so I can make sure the fudge sets. It'll give us enough time to drive there. I might have to shower again, too."

Cross smirked at me. "You make me want to test how good of a sense of smell the mutts have."

"I was just talking about complications, remember?"

"I remember. And I also remember what your lips taste like."

My heart skipped a few beats.

"Behave, or I won't give you the fudge."

He sighed. "I'll give in. For now."

Vena dropped off my phone. "I told Shepard. He said he'll be waiting for us at the main entrance. Sounds like a big place. Maybe we don't need Cross to be your sugar daddy after all."

Cross' eyes flashed black at her. She backed up a step, but not in fear. She grinned at him. "If you want brownie points, go find Anchor."

"I will leave when you leave," he said.

"You just want the blood fudge," Vena said. "Everly, you need to be less accident-prone before he gets addicted to you."

"Too late," he said.