Page 62 of Fangs and Fudge

“Anchor? The missing werewolf that your Master has been searching for?” V asked. We know nothing about him.”

“Master?” I said at the same time Vena said, “Then why did you–”

Glass shattered behind us, flooding the space with loud music and shouting.

I spun around, but it was too slow compared to how quickly Cross moved. He caught me in his arms, his gaze black and full of rage as it swept the room.

“Leave or die,” he growled at the onlookers.

Half the people in the room bolted through the broken glass doorway.

V moved Master off his lap and stood to clap. “Well done, Cross. An impressive display of power.”

Cross left me and had V by his throat in an instant. His nails broke the skin, sending rivulets of blood down V’s neck. V continued to grin at Cross.

My phone picked that moment to ring.

“If that’s Shepard, answer the phone and tell him to send his pack,” Cross said. “There’s a vampire infestation here.”

I scrambled to answer the call as several of the vampires hissed.

“Shepard, we’re at After Curfew,” I said in a rush. “It’s another vampire nest. Cross says to send your pack.”

Shepard swore in my ear. Someone yelled, and a hand closed over my shoulder.

My gasp barely left my lips before Cross was tearing the vampire away from me with an order to close my eyes. I did and held onto Vena as I shook in my sensible waitressing shoes.

Why hadn’t I called Cross first? Why? I chanted the question in my head and tried not to hear the squelching sounds.

“Everly,” Cross said, cupping my face. “Where are you hurt?”

“Hurt?” I echoed, opening my eyes.

He had a drop of blood on his cheek.

“You were hurt,” he said. “That’s how I knew where to find you.”

“No,” I said, shaking my head, unable to look away from that drop of blood. “I’m not hurt.”

He inhaled slowly, and his gaze drifted to the front of my shirt. His head followed. With his face dipping to my cleavage, I finally saw the room. It was trashed hard, and there were three dead vampires on the floor. None of them were Pet or his Master.

Then I felt Cross’ tongue on my skin. My eyes went wide, and I turned my head to look at Vena.

She grinned at me. “My bad. I think my knife scraped you on the way out.”

I pushed Cross’ head away from my cleavage, and he stumbled back a step like he was drunk. Vena grinned and picked up my phone, which I’d dropped. I saw my call with Shepard hadn’t disconnected and cringed as I held it to my ear and watched Cross shake his head.

“Shepard, the vampires are gone, and we’re fine. We’re leaving now and heading straight home. I’ll let you know when we get there.”

I hung up without waiting for his reply.

“Yes,” Cross said. “You’re right. We should leave quickly.”

He grabbed my hand and ushered me down the stairs. Vena was right behind me. The dance floor was empty now even though the music still played.

Outside was chaos. People were still running around, and some were recording in another direction and saying things like, “Did you see how fast they moved?” while we jogged to the car.

Cross helped me into the front seat then took the keys from Vena. We pulled away just as the sound of sirens rang out in the distance.

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