Page 119 of Blood and Bonbons

She groaned again, and I heard the rustling of fabric. “I swear it feels like I just fell asleep. Give me a few minutes, and I’ll be out.”

I closed her door and returned to the kitchen to find Anchor had shoveled the rest of the food into his mouth.

He handed me the plate, gave me an awkward kiss on the top of my head, and then said, “I’ll be back tonight. Keep my clothes for me.”

He grabbed his bag and was gone.

Vena shuffled out right when his truck roared past the house.

“Where’s the food?” she asked.

“On the counter. You scared off Anchor. He practically choked himself to eat and leave before you came out.”

“He’ll be back.”

“Yeah, under Shepard’s orders.”

Vena smiled sleepily. “I think I’m going to get Shepard a gift basket. What do you think werewolves like?”

“They like to mate for life.”

She tsked. “You’re in a mood. This is way too early for you to be awake. But that’s okay. We’ll harness your attitude for the greater good today. I stayed up last night and did some digging. I found Sierra’s address, and I’m going to need you to bring out the Queen Bitch when we get there.”

While she grabbed some bacon, I glanced outside for Cross and wondered how long we would need to wait for him. Considering the pace at which Vena was wolfing down her food, I didn’t think she would be willing to delay for very long.

“Go get dressed,” she said as if reading my mind. “I’ll clean this up so we can head out.”

“We agreed we need Cross with us.”

“Go check your bed. Maybe he’s waiting for you.”

“Ha-ha. Very funny.”

She grinned at me and shooed me from the kitchen.

Unfortunately, Cross wasn’t in my bed. Not that I expected him to be there. Or wanted him to be. (I was a liar like that.) I only hoped he would show up before Vena insisted we leave. I did not want to go snooping around without backup.

I threw my hair into a ponytail and grabbed a pair of jean shorts and an off-the-shoulder shirt. By the time I was finished, there still wasn’t any sign of Cross.

And as I’d anticipated, Vena didn’t want to wait. She had her shoes on and was already by the door.

“She’s human, Everly. All we’re going to do is ask her a few questions. Like where she got the tattoo. And if you happen to use her bathroom while we’re there and peek into a few rooms, it’s no big deal. It’s not like we’re walking into another strip club without a clue.”

“It’s like you enjoy handing the universe a challenge it can’t refuse, don’t you?”

“Miles has been missing for five days. Each minute is killing me a little more. Because it’s Miles, and I know he’s smart and can take care of himself, I’ve been listening to you and trying to be careful. I don’t want you to get hurt. I don’t. But, Ev, if it were you, I would have torn this city apart on day one. I wouldn’t have waited, and Miles would have been right there with me.”

“Ouch,” I said softly.

She gripped my shoulders. “That wasn’t a guilt trip. Open and honest, right? That’s our deal. I’m only letting you into my head so you can decide if you’d rather stay here or not.”

“I hate when you do this.”

She gave me a sad smile. “Me, too. But she’s human, Ev. We’ll be fine.”

I slipped on my shoes and waved her out the door.

It didn’t take us long to find Sierra’s place. Vena drove by the modest single-story home and parked the next block over.

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