Page 94 of Fangs and Fudge

Vena calmed. “So the vampires want you both for the rings you have. Why? I mean, I get why they want Cross’, but why yours, Shepard? What does it do?”

Shepard glanced away, and Cross tapped his ring on the table to draw his attention back. “We’re being transparent here. You owe the girls that much.”

“There could be people listening,” Shepard said. “This is not the time or place for it.”

“Smell the air, mutt. You know as well as I do there are no wolves or vampires here. They are all humans.”

“If you call me mutt again, I’ll rip out your fangs.”

Cross smirked. “You’re cute when you’re mad. But before you have your way with me, answer the question.”

Shepard growled but said, “It gives me a boost of power.”

“And?” Cross pressed.

“They don’t need to know that.”

“Cross, just tell us,” I said, getting annoyed.

“The ring helps him rule,” Cross said.

The table jumped, shaking the glasses and silverware.

“Cute,” Cross said to Shepard. “As much as I appreciate the love tap, I’m more interested in Everly than you.”

“As in all the wolves?” I asked Shepard, ignoring Cross’ attempt to provoke him. “Even the L.A. pack?”

Shepard gave a slight nod.

Vena frowned. “I don’t understand. How does any of this explain what happened to Anchor? If he’s not with the vampires, where is he?”

Both Shepard and Cross shook their heads.

Shepard’s phone buzzed. He glanced at the message and then scowled.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

Cross leaned over and glanced at Shepard’s phone. “It’s a text from MC, asking if Shepard has eyes on the two of you.”

Shepard angled his phone away from Cross and cast an annoyed glance at him.

“Tell MC to mind his own business,” Vena said.

Shepard typed a quick message. “I told him to focus on patrol.”

The server returned with the bacon-wrapped date appetizer that looked like art on a plate.

“I think all this clearing of the air deserves a celebration. Bring us your most expensive bottle of wine,” Cross said.

When the server left, I glanced at the wine list to find the most expensive bottle didn’t have a price on it. I cringed but told myself it wasn’t like Cross didn’t have a huge stash of money in my bank account.

Shepard narrowed his eyes at Cross. “What do you want from me?”

Cross leaned back as the server returned with the bottle of wine and four glasses. She showed the wine to Cross, who nodded. Uncorking it, she took a glass and poured a very small amount into it and then let Cross sample it. He nodded again, and she proceeded to pour two fingers of wine into each glass. She asked if we required anything else; then she left.

“Well?” Shepard asked Cross.

“The only thing I want is to keep Everly and Vena safe, which means we have to work together. What do you want from me to make that happen?”

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