Page 120 of Death and Donuts

Then, suddenly, he was lifting me out of the car at the complex in a yard full of people, including the Hunters.

I patted Cross to put me down as they hurried toward us.

“How is Miles?” Vena asked.

Her mom hugged her. “Himself again. He remembers everything and is wracked with guilt. So we want to take him home where he can process everything in familiar surroundings.”

“Is it safe?” Vena asked. “Some of the vampires escaped. And there are more we haven’t found yet.”

“If you give me an hour, I can provide security,” Shepard said.

“We’ll gladly wait for your kind offer,” Mr. Hunter said. “It will give us time to pack. Thank you so much for your hospitality these last few days…and for freeing Miles. I don’t know what we would have done without your help.”

“You’re welcome,” Shepard said.

“Do you want to come home with us, Vena?” Mr. Hunter asked.

She glanced at Anchor. “Um. No. But I do want to talk to Miles and offer a hug or two.”

“He could use it, but don’t be upset if he says he doesn’t want one.”

Mrs. Hunter glanced at me. “You look a little pale, Everly.”

“I’m about to take her to a hospital,” Cross said. “We think she has a mild concussion.”

“Give Miles an extra hug from me,” I said.

Mrs. Hunter nodded, and they moved toward the main entrance with Vena and Anchor. Shepard lingered beside me for a moment, even though several of the people in the yard were trying to call his attention.

“Go,” I said. “I’m in good hands, and I know that Cross will keep you updated. I’ll see you soon.”

He kissed my forehead and looked at Cross.

“I’ll keep her safe and distracted until you're free,” Cross said.

“Thank you.”

I watched Shepard walk away and looked up at Cross, slightly in awe of how their relationship had changed over the last week.

Cross grinned at me and kissed the same spot Shepard had.

“Let’s get your precious head checked then see what kind of progress has been made on our place.”

I nodded and let him help me into the car.

Just after midnight,we pulled into the parking lot of the construction site. I had orders from the doctor to avoid electronics, which I never spent much time on anyway, and to do nothing strenuous. Cross had a list of things I should and shouldn’t do, which pretty much boiled down to the princess treatment for a few days as Vena had said. And I didn’t hate the idea of it.

The lights were on inside the building, and men were walking in and out of the newly-installed front door.

Cross helped me out of the business SUV, shielding my head from the frame with his hand so I wouldn’t hit myself again. Then he led me inside where I was stunned by the transformation.

The entry was finished—glass doors, tiles, and paint. Inside, the main ordering area was tiled. Beyond that, the wood flooring was already installed and covered with protective paper. The men moving around were carrying equipment and shelving.

“Come on,” Cross said when my pace slowed. “I want to make sure there’s a place for you to lie down.”

He led me toward the stairs. A thick steel door at the top of them was wide open.

“How?” I said, turning a slow circle when we reached the top.

---