Page 61 of Heathens

“I’m familiar with it. At least enough to know the inoculations won’t turn us into vamps, no matter how far that rumor spreads.”

I chuckle.

“Not sure it’d be the best evil plan for us to try. If everyone was a vampire, the food sources get pretty fucking thin.”

“That’s what I’ve been saying!” She laughs, her warmth flooding back into her features.

It’s a glimpse of who she really is, but only for a second. Sadness quickly pushes out the brightness in her eyes, and I sense trepidation all over again. She only allows herself these small moments of vulnerability, and so it’s impossible for her to trust me. We’re not on equal footing.

“Why did you ask me about what I did?”

If she’s worked with blood before, she might be able to synthesize this formula, but I can’t just open with that. I keep calm and flash her the most charming grin I can muster and she melts, her gaze softening immediately. It’s easy because she wants it to be real.

“I’d like to get to know you.”

“To know me?” She laughs. “What for?”

“Have dinner with me tomorrow night.”

There’s a long pause before she bursts into giggles, pressing her hand to my forehead.

“Are you sick? Can vampires get sick?”

I feel heat in my belly. Embarrassment. But I grit my teeth and swallow it.

“Have dinner with me,” I repeat. “Tomorrow night.”

“Dominic, I have a job. I don’t really get a lot of time off, especially with zero notice.”

The fact that Rene still hasn’t come at me with everything he has is a miracle, and I’d be a moron to not take advantage. I know the storm that’s coming, the danger he poses to the both of us, but she doesn’t. He sniffs out and exploits weaknesses, but this time he’s slipped up and told me too much. If I can convince her, if I can keep her safe, I can take him apart piece by piece with no fear of repercussions.

She can make me that formula, and I can crush Rene like a fucking cockroach.

“You’re the boss, aren’t you? Just take the night off.”

She scoffs. Her attitude makes me want to bend her back over that couch andmake herobey me. But for her, I’m willing to try a different tactic.

“I’ll pay you.”

“You can’t get everything you want with money.”

“That hasn’t been my experience.”

“If you want to fuck me again, we can do it here.”

“It’s more than that.”

“More?” She asks with a raised brow.

“I’d like to get to know you better. Talk to you. This place is a little… loud, don’t you think?”

“Dominic, I can’t–”

“Two hundred thousand dollars.”

I’m desperate, and I hate being desperate, but I fuckingneedher. More time, more of her scent, her mouth, everything. I can keep her safe at my penthouse.

“I’ll give you two hundred thousand dollars to have dinner with me tomorrow night. You can do whatever you want with it. I’ll take you to Nox the next night for your shift, drop you off and leave you alone if you like. Ipromise, Sofie.”

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