Page 98 of Death and Donuts

“I know. It just sucks knowing I won't have any income.” Especially since I was officially homeless after last night’s break-in.

“There’s more,” Cross said, watching me closely.

“Go ahead. Pull the Band-Aid off quickly and tell me.”

“The mayor has publicly announced there’s a ‘health crisis’ and has asked citizens to watch for strange behavior and to report any missing persons, even if it’s a neighbor that hasn’t been seen in a few hours.”

I let out a long breath. “I wouldn’t want to be the police right now. I can imagine the calls they’re getting.”

My phone buzzed softly from its place on the chair positioned near my side of the bed.

“The police aren’t the only ones who’ve been getting calls. Vena and Anchor returned to your house earlier. They helped the cleaning crew pack whatever was salvageable. Based on her colorful texts to me, it’s not a lot.”

Having lost my appetite, I handed Cross my plate so I could lean over to grab my phone. His hand slightly touched my hip, and I caught his heated gaze when I straightened.

“I like when you look at me like that,” I admitted.

His eyes went black.

“And like that.”

He groaned and kissed my forehead before standing.

“You tempt me, Everly, but I must return you to the wolves for the time being. Shepard spent the night searching for answers and needs me to take over so he can rest.”

I nodded and accepted the clothes he handed me.

Cross had impeccable taste and had picked out a shirt that modestly flattered my curves. I felt cute when I walked out and gained his appreciative stare.

That feeling slipped away as I drove across town to the complex and my thoughts swirled with what had happened in the last twenty-four hours. I had no home. No job. No car of my own. No spare money to live off of, never mind any to replace what I’d lost. I still needed a huge chunk of money for my final year of college. And vampires were after me and those I loved because of the rings.

What in the fairy feces was I supposed to do?

I’d worked too hard to become independent to be okay living off of either Cross or Shepard. And going back to my parents wasn’t a viable option. At least, not for me. It would be like giving up.

By the time I pulled up in front of the complex, I was angry to the point of tears. Cross didn’t say anything, but I could feel his worried glances as I parked.

Shepard opened my door as Cross got out.

“Everly, I’m so sorry,” he said, wrapping me in a hug.

“Did somethingelsehappen?” I asked.

“No. Nothing. Just your house.”

Just?

But wasn’t he right? Sure, what we’d lost would be hard to replace, but Vena and I were both still here. It could have beenworse. So I nodded, hugged him back, and tried to push away my negative thoughts.

After a moment, I let go. “You head to bed.”

“What will you do?” he asked.

“Don’t worry about me. I’ll probably check in on the Hunters, call my parents, talk Vena down from whatever new way she wants to kill vampires, and bake something.”

He smiled and gave me one last hug before I shooed him away. When I looked back, I saw Cross was already gone.

As Shepard went to find his bed, I knocked on the Hunters’ door

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