Page 282 of Evil Hearts

Chapter Four

Victor

This meeting isdragging. There are thirty of us crammed into this little building with no windows and one exit. I positioned myself near the door in a corner. I don’t feel comfortable with anyone in here behind me.

Elder Kirwin is on the small riser at the back of the building. He taps on the microphone and clears his throat.

“As you all know, it is our sacred duty to eliminate all abominations, lighting a path to a better world. The world God intended.”

The crowd cheers. I lean back into my seat and discreetly check my phone. Looks like I’m going to see Frankie tonight. My lips pull into a smile.

“Now for the situation reports. Zone one has eliminated the abomination class Vampire. Excellent work. Zone two has identified an abomination class vampire. Proceed with cleansing. And,” Elder Kirwin says, his eyes boring into me. “Zone three. Abomination identified class reanimated. Proceed with Cleansing.”

Identified? Someone found Frankie out? Who was it? Who reportedmywoman?

“We are dismissed. May the torch of righteousness light your path,” Elder Korwin adjourns the meeting.

“May the torch of righteousness light our path,” the room echoes.

Fuck. Fuck.Fuck.

I have to fix this. I have to hide her. I have to protect my Frankie.

The question remains- how? How am I supposed to protect her from the church? They have eyes and ears everywhere in this town. I could have a corpse take her place. Torching a corpse is nothing new to me. If that’s what it takes to protect Frankie, I will do it in a heartbeat.

I am one of the first few out of the door. I would rather not be cornered by an elder right now. I have to do what needs to be done. What time is it?

I glance down at my watch. Almost eight. I need to see her. I climb into the flower van and I drive to the funeral home without thinking. I just need to see that she is okay. I need to know that whoever discovered the abomination class doesn’t know it’s Frankie.

Parking in my usual space around the side, I lock the van and sprint to the front door. The parking lot is empty otherwise. Her last service must have ended some time ago, but she’s still in. The light coming from her office window assures me of that. I woke up to the front door and gently turn the handle. I hope she would have the door locked, but she doesn’t. I’ll have to punish her for that.

Doesn’t she understand what kind of danger she is in? Being this specific class of abomination, she does know about the church. There’s no way she doesn’t.

I close and lock the door behind me as I walk inside. I don’t see her nor do I hear her walking around the sanctuary. I’massuming she’s holed up in the office finishing up last-minute paperwork. She probably has pamphlets to make.

“Frankie?” I call out.

“Office!” She yells.

Walking to her office, I prop up on her door frame and watch her typing away. She looks up and smiles at me. My little monster. How perfect. My eyes trail down to her breasts. The gray blouse she has on leaves nothing to the imagination.

“Frankie,” I say, my tone dropping.

“Yes?” She asks, pushing back from her desk.

She stands up and walks over to me. I cup her face in my left hand and stare into her eyes. She leans her head over in my hand and smiles at me.

“I need to ask you a question.” She turns her head and kisses my palm.

“And what’s that?” I ask as I pull her to me with my free hand.

“What are we doing, Victor? Am I just a booty call?” She looks up at me through her eyelashes.

“You’re mine, Frankie.” My hand slides to her perfectly round ass and I kiss her forehead.

“Yours as in?” She prods.

“My woman. Mine and mine alone, Frankie.”

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