Page 23 of Top Secret Vampire

“Wilber.” Wolfram studied the other man. “Why are you making my . . . Reese nervous?”

“Nervous?” Wilber’s shrill laugh rang out. “No idea. We’re old friends,right, Reese?”

My face flaming with rage, I said nothing.

“Wolfram, you said?” Wilber scratched the back of his neck. “Is that German?”

“Originally Romanian, though my family hasn’t lived there for ages.”

Many ages, from what he’d said.

“I haven’t seen you in a long time.” If only I wasn’t seeing him now, either. “I moved here from New York, where I’ve been since I graduated from community college. What are you up to now, Wilber?” Groped any teenagers lately?

“This and that,” he said with a tight smile, his eyes filled with near-panic. “I got my law degree.” With his hands on his hips, though one held a sheath of papers, he rocked on the heels of his polished shoes. He also wore dark pants and a long-sleeved, button-up shirt. A dark blue jacket. A loosened tie.

“Do you work here in town?” I asked. Hopefully not.

His face tightened. “You know I can’t.”

Actually, I didn’t.

“My mother . . .” He clamped his mouth shut, not finishing the statement.

“Oh.” What should I say to that? Maybe my talk with the principal had resulted in ramifications I was unaware of, though that wouldn’t keep his mother from working here in town.

He huffed and thrust a glossy folded booklet out toward me. “Anyway, I’m canvassing the neighborhood.” His slick smile grew. “I’m running for state legislature, and I’d love to have your vote.”

Never.

“This booklet lays out my plans if I’m elected, and I’m sure you’ll agree that I’ve moved past whatever odd occurrence might’ve happened in our past. I’m more than capable of doing the best for this community.”

Truly? He must know I’d never agree with something like that.

“I’ll look over your information.” No, I’d burn it.

As far as his mother was concerned, I had no idea what he was talking about. My gaze sought Wolfram’s, and he shrugged, equally puzzled.

“Can I count on your vote?” Wilber started backing toward the door.

I pressed for a smile, though I was sure it came out flat. “Interesting seeing you again, Wilber.”

“Thanks.” With that, he spun and stepped outside, shutting the door behind him.

I scooted over to one of the long panes of glass on either side of the door and watched as he got into a car and backed out onto the road, the tires spinning as he took the vehicle down the hill.

“Odd running into him again.” I turned to face Wolf. “For the record, he and I wereneverfriends.”

“You’re frightened,” Wolf growled, his dark gaze stabbing the door. “Why?”

“Back when I was fourteen, I hurt my ankle, and I couldn’t run track during phys ed class. Wilber always stayed inside, so they told me to hang out with him. He . . . pushed me against a wall and pawed my breast. Tried to kiss me.”

“Fuck.” Wolfram mistified, returning not long later. “Gone, but I’ll track him down. Kill him.”

“Don’t bother. It was a long time ago.”

“He frightened younow.” He tugged me into his arms and held me. “You’re still shaking, and I won’t have it.”

“It’s just a reaction to seeing him again. I know he has no power over me now. He didn’t back then either. I kneed him in the balls, and he released me with a yelp. While he clutched himself, I ran to the principal’s office.” I shared that I didn’t find help there.

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