Page 38 of Fangs and Fudge

“No, you’re right,” Vena said. “Ev, maybe you should think about it. Shepard would understand.”

“Think of it as pin money,” Cross said. “All the women of high society are given pin money for their frivolities.”

Vena stared at him, and in her contemptuous expression, I knew she was no longer siding with Cross.

“It’s amazing how someone who looks so hot and young can have archaic views falling out of his mouth. You’re not helping win over Everly. You’re basically telling her you’ll give her an allowance so she can toddle off to the candy store.”

He reached over the table and took my hand. “Everly, I simply meant that your life has more value than tips at Blur. I have the means to help you. If nothing else, think of it as a reward for guiding me in this new world. Without you, I wouldn’t have funds at all.”

Vena nodded. “Very true. You’re starting to make sense again.”

I glanced between both of them. “I’ll think about it. But I’m not going to leave Shepard and the others stranded. And I’ll still need a job to pay for bills. So, until I figure out a solution, I’ll keep working.”

Cross frowned as he played with my hand, stretching his fingers along mine. “Then I will stay near Blur in case you need me.”

His actions and his words were doing things to my insides.

I shook my head. “The wolves are against all vampires right now. They won’t see you as a friend.”

“It doesn’t matter how they view me. They’d never be able to catch me.”

“Your life has value, too, Cross. Don’t risk it for no reason. The California pack is here. One-on-one, you might win, but not against two packs.”

Vena nodded. “I agree with Ev. Stay away from Blur for now, and focus on getting more information and finding Anchor.”

Cross didn’t look convinced, but I allowed him to play with my hand a little longer until a text popped up on my phone.

Miles: Don’t forget about your research.

Research? It took a moment before I remembered what he was talking about.

“Cross, is it okay if I give Miles your phone number?” I asked. “He wants to ask you a few questions about vampire stuff.”

Cross paused for a moment then nodded. “Of course.”

Surprisingly, Vena didn’t bring up what she’d learned about enslavement links and breaking them. After I found Cross’ contact information in my phone, I forwarded it to Miles, and he replied with an emoji of a happy-faced fairy.

We were going to need an intervention once everything settled down again.

I collapsed on the couch before I remembered I had Cross’ scent on me. Between playing with my hand at the table and his hand on my back as he walked with me, there had been a lot of touching…even before the unexpected hug when we said goodbye at the car and the kiss on my forehead.

Peeling myself off the couch, I headed to the bathroom to wash and change.

“Vena,” I called from the bathroom, “can you research sprays that can remove vampire scents? There has to be a better way than having to shower and change every time. And I’m not sure it’s really working. Shepard gave me a funny look last time.”

“I’ll check, but I doubt there is anything. You might be stuck showering and using perfume every time you see him.”

“Shepard hates perfume,” I grumbled.

And I hated that I had to hide Cross. He had done nothing wrong. In fact, he had only been helpful, but having to wash off his scent made meeting him feel cheap and dirty. He wasn’t a back alley hooker.

By the time I finished my shower, I had a text on my phone from Shepard, asking if I could come in earlier than usual for a quick one-on-one. Usually, those meetings were about personnel changes. Was he replacing Gunther with someone else? Sierra?

“Hey, we need to go in early,” I called to Vena. “Shepard wants to talk to me.”

“I’m already ready,” Vena called back.

I poked my still-wet head around the corner and saw her in the living room with a piece of our leftover bakery from this morning. It was the chocolatey one.

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