Page 20 of Blood Gift

I bit the inside of my mouth to keep from laughing. I could feel my Nightwarden’s anger rise.

“I work in security,” he replied smoothly.

Where had he come up with that one?

“I see.” Gentry turned to me. “What about you?”

Only when Gentry smiled at me did I realize he had been scowling at Holden. The difference was like night and day. His face lit up.

“I... I don’t do much of anything,” I admitted.

I could’ve lied. I had lied before, so many times. When I opened my mouth to tell him one of my smooth lies, one I had told so many times to so many people, I came up short. I didn’t want to lie to him. It made no sense. I didn’t even know him.

“I’m sure you have to do something,” he smiled. “Even if it doesn’t seem like it would be all that important to anybody else.”

Holden barely held back a snort of derision, and I kicked him again. “I forgot to pick up my scone in all the excitement,” I said, staring at him. “Can you please go to the counter to get it for me?”

The way he set his jaw told me he wasn’t happy, but he got up anyway.

“He’s intense,” Gentry murmured, and I wished he hadn’t. He didn’t know Holden could hear everything from a distance.

He’d be listening, too. I would’ve bet anything on it.

“Yes, he’s very protective,” I covered. “I’ve had some difficult times lately. He’s sort of my bodyguard right now.”

“Oh. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have made light of it.”

“You didn’t know.”

Good. He probably thinks I’m a spoiled heiress who needs protection. I would rather him think that than know the truth.

Since when did I want to hide who I was?

He took a deep breath, then let it out slowly. “I should go. He obviously doesn’t want me around, and I understand that.”

“No, please, don’t.” I’ve been waiting for you. I’ve been looking for you. Don’t leave me now.

He stood anyway, but smiled. “I want to see you again. Tonight. Seven o’clock. We’ll have dinner.”

“Where?” I asked.

He chuckled at himself. “I haven’t been in town for so long, I don’t know any of the good places anymore.”

“It’s always changing, isn’t it? Do you like sushi?”

“I practically lived on it out in LA,” he grinned.

I gave him the name of my favorite spot, and we agreed to meet there.

He was still smiling when he walked past the window on his way down the street.

“You got rid of him,” Holden muttered, dropping the scone in front of me.

“Don’t act like you weren’t listening to every word we said when you were gone.”

“Sushi,” he scowled.

“You’re not coming in with me.”

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