Page 18 of Death and Donuts

“No. This batch is just for Cross. Eventually, there will be volunteer donors. Right, Cross?”

Cross nodded. “While I prefer Everly’s blood, I don’t want her to harm herself. There will be compensated volunteer donors.”

“And the blood connection?” Shepard asked. “Are you going to protect the donors after?”

His tone carried a harsh, accusing edge. Why couldn’t Shepard let go of his anger already?

Cross seemed unbothered by Shepard's attitude as he answered.

“It will be impossible for a bond to be created from what we sell. Once the blood cools to room temperature, it becomes safe. No vampire will be able to track the source.”

I saw the doubt and mistrust in Shepard’s gaze and felt sorry for Cross.

“I know you don’t like vampires,” I said to Shepard. “But perhaps, if they have a safe place to get blood ethically, thingscould change for the better. All creatures deserve a welcoming place.”

“This is going to draw too many vampires,” Shepard said.

Cross laughed. “In the beginning, it won’t draw any. What vampire will want to step foot in here after what happened a few weeks ago? It will take time and a sense of safety for the ones we want to attract to arrive.

“Even then, they will know this isn’t a place for a meal but rather just a tasty bite. So we’ll hardly be flooded. The ones who do come in are the ones who are looking to elevate their lives. Those are the ones we can get information from–the ones who will help you deal with the vampire infestation.”

Shepard looked thoughtful and grudgingly nodded.

“However, to get that information, I need you to help me expedite the building process,” Cross continued smoothly. “The sooner we can open our doors, the sooner you can end your hunt and enjoy other pastimes.”

I watched them silently stare at each other for a long, drawn-out minute.

“What do you need?” Shepard finally asked.

CHAPTER FIVE

“I needthe work permits expedited if possible,” Cross told Shepard. “The contractors are lined up and ready to work.”

Shepard looked at the plans again and flipped from the first floor’s business layout to the second floor’s living space.

“What’s this empty room in the middle for?” he asked, tapping a darkened square in the middle of the second floor that was about the size of the master suite’s bathroom–which was excessively large.

“The contractors said space was needed to run various things, such as wires and ducts from the kitchen to the roof. That space will be used since I don’t need a fourth bedroom.”

“Do you even need three of them? Are you making new friends who might need a place to stay, or are you planning on having live-in feeders?” Shepard asked his questions without a hint of judgment in his expression or tone, yet I felt it all.

“Those are rooms for Everly and me,” Vena said. “It’s a backup place in case we ever run into trouble. Or if ‘Brodier, Everly, and Vena’s Eating Retreat’ takes off and we want to ditch our crappy house to move in permanently.”

I shot Vena a warning look as Shepard looked down at his hands. I knew he was struggling to keep his reaction in check,not to Vena’s horrible acronym for the business’ name but to the idea of us living here.

In the weeks since our first shared kiss, not much had changed. Cross and Shepard had backed off their kissing-Everly war and treated each other civilly, which I knew wasn’t always easy, especially with the ongoing vampire problem. But they were mutually benefiting from helping each other. That didn’t mean their feelings for me had changed, though. Both made it clear through small and sometimes not-so-small actions that their interest in me hadn’t faded.

And that was why Vena was poking at Shepard. At both of them, really. She knew why I was hesitant to start anything with either of them. I still didn’t trust that their interest in me was genuine and not just some way to annoy each other. This was her way of pushing the subject.

“Let’s stay on topic,” I said. “First, the permits need to be approved. Then, the contractors need to get in here to do their thing.

“As for who will be using those spare bedrooms, it won’t be Vena or me in the near future. I’m not ready to make any life-altering choices until after I get my degree. So, Vena, stop trying to stir up trouble, and Shepard, please don’t worry about us and stay focused on the vampires.”

“No warning for me?” Cross asked, watching me with a hint of amusement in his gaze.

“Don’t order the wrong appliances or else?”

He laughed, and the way he tipped his head back was captivating enough that I quickly looked away.

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