Page 71 of Fangs and Fudge

Shepard glanced up at me as he continued typing.

“I’ll take his number, but I doubt he’d answer me.”

“You might be surprised,” I said.

“Yeah, you’re both stalkery and overly interested in where Everly is and who she’s with. Lots of bro bonding potential there,” Vena said.

I shot her a look.

She shrugged. “This is why I don’t go for aggressive men. Fun to look at and maybe great in bed, but they try to take over your life. Might want to reconsider swimming in that pool.”

Shepard handed me my phone. “I apologize, Everly. I’ve done as you suggested and have his number now.”

I took my phone and looked at the messages.

Me: Everly thinks she can trust you. If you’ve compelled her to believe that, I promise you’ll regret ever looking at her. If, on the off chance, you truly are different, I’m giving you a chance to prove it. Meet with me in person. I’ll text you from my phone since she’s upset that I’m using her phone.

My gaze flew to Shepard’s. “No. No way are you meeting him in person.”

“What?” Vena asked, glancing at me. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing to worry about,” Shepard said.

“Shepard wants to meet Cross in person,” I said.

Vena snorted. “Cross isn’t that dumb.”

Shepard’s phone buzzed. He looked down at it and scowled.

I snatched his phone out of his hands, well aware that he let me.

Bloodsucker: *laughing emoji* I’m not stupid enough to agree to meet with you in person. Your kind likes to multiply and chase. Plus, Everly would be very disappointed in me if I bruised any of you.

“I’m not sure I agree with him,” I said, tossing Shepard’s phone back to him as Vena pulled up in front of Miles’ apartment.

The front door opened, and Miles jogged out with his research satchel over his shoulder and a grin on his face.

“You made good time,” he said as he got in.

He glanced at Shepard.

“Miles, that’s Shepard,” I said. “You met him briefly when we rescued you.”

Miles held out a hand to Shepard. “I really appreciate all you’ve done for me.”

Shepard shook his hand and smiled. “You’re welcome.”

They chatted a bit as Vena headed for her parents’. I snuck a glance at my phone and considered sending Cross an apology text. Not wanting to start anything up with Shepard again, however, I slipped my phone into my purse and sat back to listen to Miles gently probe Shepard for werewolf information.

As Miles went into research mode, my attention drifted away. Too wrung out to care about pack life, hierarchy, and population, I leaned my head back and watched out the window.

Finally, Vena pulled down the familiar long stretch of road that led to the Hunter house. Trees shaded the car from the afternoon sun, giving my eyes a reprieve from the glare I’d been squinting against.

I glanced back to find Shepard had visibly relaxed. A near smile was on his face as he looked out at the untouched nature. I realized in that instant that D.C. might be his home, but Shepard was more comfortable away from the city. And perhaps away from the burden of responsibilities. Out here, he only had to worry about Vena, Miles, and me.

Vena parked in the driveway and hopped out as the front door of the house opened and her parents hurried out.

Dana and Garner Hunter were lean and fit from their physical work at dig sites. If I had to labor under the scorching sun, I’d be burnt to a lobster red, but they were tan as if they had spent a week at the beach instead of whatever desert they’d been combing.

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