Page 38 of A Seed Of Peril

“I know.” Angelo looked ahead, pushing gently on my back, situating me in front of him and pushing the button at the elevator as Anthony finished talking to the man at the front desk. “You’re a rare exception.”

“So are others.”

Angelo’s breath tickled the shell of my ear. “I invest in money, and I invest in top-shelf pussy when I get thirsty; that’s enough for me.”

I exerted a chuckle, the elevator doors opening. Angelo helped me in the elevator, holding the door open for Anthony as he caught up with us. I stood in the corner, holding the gold wrap-around bars.

“Unreal,” I said, shaking my head, hiding my smirk.

“Where are we going, Lulu?”

I cleared my throat a little. “You’ll see.” I winked, amused at Katrina’s impatient groaning.

We left the elevator and walked halfway down the long hallway, stopping at room 308, the suite Bianca currently called home. Anthony put Katrina down and told her to knock on the door. She looked over and up at me, uncertain. I nodded once.

“It’s okay. That’s where your surprise is.”

She knocked on the door five times. When Bianca opened the door, she gasped, cupping her hands over her mouth, happiness filling her eyes. Katrina’s eyes went wide, her smile even wider.

“B!” Katrina ran into Bianca’s arms, hugging her tight.

“Oh, my goodness!” Bianca exclaimed, hugging Katrina. She leaned down enough to kiss the top of her head. “I’ve missed you so much.”

Katrina pulled away from Bianca and looked at me, cheerfulness in her eyes. “Thank you!” She returned to squeezing Bianca.

I quietly blew Katrina a kiss, my heart full.

* * *

Once we all got reacquainted,my brothers gave us privacy and headed downstairs to the hotel lounge. They told me to contact either of them when Katrina and I were ready to leave.

Katrina talked Bianca’s ear off the moment we settled in. We watched television together, and I watched Katrina teach Bianca how to clap to a rhyme she knew, and I taught them how to play a card game called War. My mom and I played it once after weeks of begging her and Dad to let me play. We used to hold a weekly game night every Wednesday.

I was emotional watching Bianca and Katrina play cards, wishing I could play them with my mom one more time.

Tuckered out, Katrina fell asleep on the bed. Bianca and I crossed into the living room area. I took a seat on the sofa.

“Did you need your…” Bianca pointed to her mini fridge, hinting at the blood bag for me inside it. She was grossed out that I needed to drink it for the baby. It was funny.

“You can just bring it over here with a glass. I’ll pour it.”

“Oh, thank God,” she expressed in relief, walking to the fridge and getting me the blood. She picked out a glass from the cabinet and walked over to the couch, handing me what I needed. I opened the blood bag as she sat down.

Pouring the blood into my drinking glass, I attempted small talk.

“Katrina had no idea she was seeing you today. It wasn’t easy keeping it a surprise.” I set the empty blood bag on the coffee table in a way where nothing would leak into the wood, and then I sat back against the sofa, taking a sip of blood.

“Thank you for bringing her over, Lilith. I appreciate this visit.”

I knew she did. It was written all over her face. It was in the way she talked.

“I hope they’re treating you well here.”

She nodded. “I’ll admit, it’s been a little tough staying here. I just feel so… Oh, how do you say.” She lifted her hand, moving it while she thought of the right words. “Out of place.” Bianca’s eyes became watery. She dabbed at her eyes with her fingers. “I miss my son.” She looked at the area of the small kitchen and round table and chairs, on the verge of crying.

I wasn’t sure how to best comfort her, and honestly, I wasn’t sure I really wanted to. I ended up putting my hand on hers.

“I’ve been meaning to talk to you about Dominic.” Immediately after I said that, Bianca wore her heart on her sleeve, wiping her tears as she lay bare her emotional pain.

---