Page 68 of Your Coffin or Mine
Wrinkles form as he gives me a warm, welcoming smile, revealing his age. “I’m George.”
“Aubrey.”
“Nice to meet you, Aubrey. This view is marvelous.” George fans himself with one hand as he looks around the room.
It really is marvelous. The parlor walls are painted a soft yellow that I bet looks beautiful in the spring. The room is still bright and cozy, with the large lancet windows filled with arch-shaped glass and overlooking part of the castle grounds.
“I know,” I agree, while gazing at the snow falling. “Doyle saw a wolf out there yesterday.”
“That will be a sight to see for sure, but I meant all of these men,” George says, raising his brow and stealing my attention.
I laugh when his elbow nudges mine and he gives me a cheeky wink.
He nods his head to Doyle. “I tell you what, I’ve not seen an ass that tight since the eighties.”
My laugh deepens, and my smile spreads as Vlad saunters into the room. His gaze scans like he’s searching for something.
“Sweet baby Jesus in a manger.” George’s voice comes out breathy as his eyes widen. “That one’s just as pretty.”
Vlad stops and arches a brow at me in question, the corner of his lips quirking.
“Oh my. Well, I see which way the wind is blowing. You hold on to that one with both hands, young lady. Where I come from, that man would be snatched up faster than candy on Halloween,” George says.
Vlad’s gaze travels to George’s lap as he walks closer, and I snort at the look of disgust he fights to keep from his face. Looks like Vlad doesn’t care for dogs. And the way his nose scrunches, I can’t help but find it hilarious. Felix, finally sensing there’s someone else he may want to intimidate, starts to growl. He stops when Vlad’s jaw ticks.
Vlad’s expression softens when he looks at me. “I just wanted to tell you I’ll be back in a bit, darling. Doyle has me doing the heavy lifting,” he says, before leaning down and kissing me on my forehead.
“Okay. I’m sure George and I can find something to get up to.”
We both watch him appreciatively as he walks away, only to be intercepted by the bimbo, and I suddenly feel like I need something stronger than coffee. He walks around her, and I relax a little.
“You know, that woman there is eyeing your man like he’s the tallest glass of water she’s seen in her life.”
“He’s not my man. But yes, she is.”
She glares with pure hatred at me before turning her nose in the air and swinging her hips as she walks away.
“Like I said. So, what brings you to Transylvania?” he asks, wiggling his white bushy brows suggestively.
I flinch when Fifi’s cold nose touches my elbow. He must have wiggled his way out of George’s arms when I wasn’t looking. He raises his furry chin and sniffs the air in disdain before turning back to his owner. What a little twerp.
“Escape, mostly. Just needed a vacation.” I relax into my chair, watching George feed the menace a sausage before sipping his coffee.
“Oh, honey, I feel that. I confess I’m just staying for a few days to avoid life in general,” he says, setting his cup back down.
“I wanted to take pictures, see what it’s like to stay in a castle, and lucked out on the listing. Now I’m trying to help Doyle; he wants to reach more people to come stay, so I’m sharing it on my socials.”
“That’s what we are doing here, actually.” He blows air kisses into the dog’s face and smiles. “Fifi travels the world. They’re even making it into a kids’ book.”
“A children’s book?”
“Yes. Fifi has over six million followers and the children’s book comes out next year. Isn’t that right, Fifi?”
The pug paws lightly at George’s palm, and he scratches at his chin. The dog’s collar shimmers every time he moves, and I have a strange feeling the thing is probably worth a lot of money.
I quickly search him up on the gram and, sure enough, millions of followers. George slides his phone from his pocket when it pings. He looks down at it, grinning.
“Well, hello.” He raises a brow at me, and a sly grin pulls at his mouth. “We should make a couple videos together during our stay. Whaddaya say?”
