Page 30 of Death Deals

“So you danced to give yourself a better life. That’s nothing to be ashamed of,” he said.

Says the strip club owner…

“Were you good?” he asked suddenly.

“E-Excuse me?”

“Were you good at dancing?” he repeated.

I blinked, stunned by his question.

“I’ll take that as a no.”

“What the actual fuck is wrong with you?” I barked at him.

“It was a simple question, warranting a simple yes or no answer. You chose not to.”

“What does that have to do with anything?”

“I’m a club owner,” he said. “And curious.”

“Cole was right. You are nosey.”

He grinned. “It’s what happens when you’ve lived as long as I have… and have all your memories.” He made sure to add the last bit to separate himself from me. “Life becomes mundane. Boring.”

Ricky groaned again, and I pressed my palm against his face. His skin was still hot to the touch.

“The Angelwill be at Murphy’s Play Room. That’s where I used to dance and that’s where I met him,” I said to Andre. I was tired of this back and forth nonsense with him. With Ricky so sick, I didn’t care what he did with the Knights and the Omaris. He could mow them all down for all I cared. I wanted no more part in it. “He’s a regular there, so if I had a guess, that’s where he’ll be.”

He could have the information and do what he wanted with it.

Unfortunately, Andre didn’t leave. He stayed hovering at my side. I side-eyed him. “What?”

He walked across the room with his arms folded. “I was able to convince Hector to keep your friend alive because I proposed his usefulness. Like most vampires, Hector doesn’t care much for the living. Humans especially.”

“Scrubs,” I said.

He nodded. “It’s a term used for humans who serve our kind. Knowing or not. They’re the bottom of the barrel, as Americans would say.”

“No one says that,” I grumbled.

He waved his hand dismissively. “Hector wants the human killed. I convinced him to spare him under the pretenses of him leadingThe Angelto us. Or getting us inside in some way. We need as little attention to us being here as possible.”

Glancing at Ricky, who was shaking uncontrollably, I frowned. “I don’t think he’s well enough to be going anywhere at the moment.”

“We have until nightfall,” Andre said. “Hector won’t wait longer than that.”

Peering at the room’s only window, the sun’s light peeked from behind the drawn curtains. There was no way Ricky would be well enough to confront CorneliusThe AngelJackson in that little amount of time.

“Let’s not forget your time is short as well,” Andre whispered.

“I know,” I bit back. How could I forget? Monnie’s deadline was constantly breathing down my neck.

“I can give him my blood,” Andre suggested, voice soft. “It may be enough to speed up the withdraw and control the symptoms.”

“No.” The word was out of my mouth before I could process it. I didn’t want him under a vamp’s power, especially without his consent, like I had been. It wouldn’t be fair to him.

“What do you suggest then?”

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