Page 133 of Bite Marks

“We’re going to need food for the party. Last-minute catering will be a bitch, but at the bare minimum pizza. If you’re going to subject us to that, we are going to need plates?—”

“This isn’t a fucking frat house, Garrett; we can’t host a private party on six hours' notice because you need an ego stroke. We actually have paying clients to serve.”

“Yes, mine.” He shrugged, opening the candy jar on my desk to sift through the Sour Patch Kids until he found a green one and popped it into his mouth. “Better order in some extra champagne and girls too; my friends are a thirsty crowd. You don’t mind covering the food and drink, do you?”

Anger burned in my veins hotter than blood ever had. I balled my hands into fists at my sides to stop myself from making him regret his every word. It wouldn’t do me any good to assault the guy blackmailing me. It would just give him more goddamned ammunition.

“Yes,” I hissed through my fangs. “I do. Garrett, we can’t afford this. If you want your money?—”

“Dana, babe, I’ll get my money,” he said forcefully, picking up the candy jar and taking it with him as he made his way to the door. “And you’ll host my party too. Figure it out. It's not my problem.”

“Listen to me?—”

“No, you listen to me, D. Make it happen, or I make the sale.Capisce?”

The stony silence that followed should’ve told any man or vampire with the faintest bit of sense what they needed to know, but not Garrett.He didn’t have any.

“Capisce?” he repeated.

“Capisce,” I hissed.

He grinned, offering me a cheeky wink that did nothing but make my blood boil.

“Alright, see you tonight!” he said cheerfully as he popped another candy into his mouth and disappeared through the door, his footsteps echoing down the metal stairs.

I took a deep breath and then another. A third for good measure as I tried to calm down. No use.

Before conscious thought could stop me, I’d shoved everything off my desk. Upending my monitor, the cup that held my pens. My keyboard and mouse went too, the desk mat and stacks of paperwork next, the latter spilling over the floor alongside something else. Something that fluttered toward the carpet as if in slow motion.

“What thefuck?”

vi

. . .

I caughtmy reflection in the glass door of the bank as Ren opened it to let me inside. I couldn’t help but cringe a little. The fluorescent lights would do nothing to hide the dark circles under my eyes—Ireallyneeded to fix my sleep schedule.

Or maybe I’d just let Elsie do my makeup every day; then at least I could feel like a zombie without actually looking like I’d passed away.

Between Kaylee’s flooded apartment and spending every night working until three in the morning at the club, I was fucking exhausted. Though I had to admit that spending half the night wrapped up in Juniper was partially responsible for my sluggish movements.

The only thing getting me through this tedious-as-hell task was Ren’s promise of dinner once we were done… and the tentative hope that my useless dad managed to leave something half valuable behind that could help my mom.

We waited patiently in line while a teller with a silver bun affixed with a claw clip assisted an elderly man with some bill payments as I politely pretended not to listen to their conversation.

“I was thinking Thai tonight?” Ren suggested, catching my hand to kiss the back, lips trailing to brush my bracelet.

“Only if there is shrimp… and tea.”

“Of course, Pet.” She chuckled. “We can pick it up on the way back to the club. Maybe take some for the girls too? I’m sure they could use a pick-me-up after Garrett dropped in.”

If I hadn’t picked up on the obvious hatred in my usually gentle vampire’s tone, the wrinkle of her nose would’ve made her feelings clear as day. I didn’t blame her; I hated Garrett too. The guy gave me the most uncomfortable feeling, like his eyes left behind a sticky residue whenever he looked at me.

The old man collected his cane, slowly making his way to the door, and the teller finally told us to step forward.

Ren took my hand, threading our fingers as she led me there. It was nice to have a little alone time since our date had been cut short. Though, I’m not sure how much I should really count that as a date since it featured my sibling as a special guest.

As much as I enjoyed being with everyone, I craved enjoying my independent relationships on their own too. Sometimes I felt that working out where I fit into the polycule—into the coven—was complicated.

---