Page 26 of Crimson Storm

Heather, Kelly, and I would disguise ourselves as humans, using the contacts to cover our tell-tale lilac eyes. Larkin’s work makeup and clothing would further obscure our natural appearance and make us look less like our mug shots.

Going to her closet next, I threw it open and sorted through the garments she’d left behind.

Sadly, she’d taken all of her normal clothing, leaving only the skimpier items that fit the much-despised dress code for her job.

Oh well, beggars couldn’t be choosers. Maybe it was for the best. If people didn’t look too closely at our faces, they’d be less likely to match them to the photos and descriptions being circulated by the police.

Thiswasdowntown San Francisco after all. We’d fit in instead of standing out. We could walk out of the building and right through the city streets without turning a head.

I pulled out a few items and turned to toss them on the bedspread. Shane had followed me. He was leaning against the bedroom door frame, grinning.

“Disguises huh? Those are some... interesting clothes your friend owns.”

One of his eyebrows lifted as he surveyed the micro-dresses and midriff-baring tops and teeny weeny hot-shorts Larkin was required to wear on the job.

“What does she... do?”

“She’s a waitress. At Fangers.”

The campy themed restaurant was something along the lines of Hooters, only the beautiful female employees were all vampires instead of busty human babes. We used to roll our eyes at the chain’s slogan—“Burgers with Bite. Open All Night.”

She hated working there, but the tips were as large as the outfits were small, and she needed the money.

“I’ve never been there, but maybe Ishouldgo. I’m sure you’ll look great in this,” he drawled, picking up a tiny halter top.

I snatched it away from him. “I’m sureyou’llnever know.”

Scurrying from the room, I went to wake my friends. After I explained where we were and what the plan was, they went into the bathroom to change out of their prison uniforms and apply their streetwalker disguises.

I would change into mine after I’d dealt with Shane. I knew what I had to do now. There was no other choice.

The police were looking for us, and he was a witness.

14

Something You Should Know

For the second time in one day, I was telling Shane goodbye.Thistime it would be for good.

“So,” I said to him, feeling heartsick.

“So...” He wore a tight-lipped expression, and his eyes were troubled. “I guess this is where you tell me to get lost.”

I gave him a sad smile in return. “This is where I tell you ‘thank you.’ Thanks for being one of the good guys. I hope you don’t get in too much trouble for helping us.”

His lips quirked, and he reached out to brush a loose curl behind my ear. “I was mesmerized, remember? I couldn’t resist if I wanted to.”

The unexpected intimacy of the gesture sent a shiver through me. I moved back and let out an uncomfortable giggle. “Really, don’t be a hero when you talk to them, okay? Lie and say we forced you to come with us. They’ll believe it.”

He frowned. “I hate to leave without knowing you’ll be okay.”

Guilt assaulted me.Wewould be leaving, but he wouldn’t.

“Don’t worry about us,” I mumbled. “We’ll work something out.”

“Iamworried. I’ve got a little money I could give you.” Shane pulled his wallet from his back jeans pocket.

The guilt tripled. I held up a hand and shook my head. “That’s nice of you, but I can’t kill your phoneandtake your money.”

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