Page 124 of Blood and Bonbons

“But now we know we do,” I said with a nudge at Vena.

She nodded and mumbled an apology. I wasn’t sure if it was meant for me or Cross.

Either way, he exhaled heavily and turned toward Sierra.

“Do you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Vena’s brother Miles?” he asked.

“Yes,” Sierra immediately answered.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” Vena snapped, taking a threatening step toward Sierra.

“Vena, stop. Let Cross do his thing,” I warned.

Sierra’s gaze shifted to Cross, and I saw a flicker of fear there.

“I hate vampires,” she whispered.

“Tell us everything you know about Miles’ disappearance and vampires,” Cross commanded.

Sierra’s expression glazed over, and she started talking.

“A month ago, I went to a club and met a man. He was handsome and had an obsession with wearing cat ears. I never learned his real name, but I got his number. He called me a few times and came over. In the bedroom, he liked to be called Master. Sometimes, he brought a friend who he called Pet.” She frowned slightly like she was trying to remember. “I think Master and I had sex while Pet watched, but I’m not sure. It’s hazy.”

Vena and I shared a glance. I was all for a woman embracing her sexuality, but Sierra didn’t strike me as the threesome type. She didn’t even strike me as a twosome type. Men usually avoided homicidal crazy chicks.

“I mean, with names like Master and Pet, they had to have some fetishes. Maybe they’re less picky,” Vena said, seeming to read my mind.

Cross went to Sierra and tugged back the collar of her polo, revealing a tribal-looking tattoo with a swirl in the middle on the base of her neck.

“She’s a feeder,” he said. “Likely, they changed her memories of their time here. Continue, Sierra.”

“Master told me to get a job at Blur. He wanted to know things about the werewolves. Like how many of them worked there. Their names. If they had mates. He wanted to know what kind of jewelry they all wore and who was in charge of their pack.”

Cross frowned and glanced at us.

“Is it common knowledge that werewolves work at Blur?” I asked. “We just found out this week.”

“Seems to be,” Vena said, her tone reflecting her impatience. “Can we get to the part about my brother? Where is he?”

When Cross nodded to Sierra, she said, “In the spare room.”

It took Vena and me a second to process what she meant. I’d thought she would give us another clue, not tell us he was in the house.

Vena dashed down the hall and cursed moments later.

“It’s locked. Cross, break it open.” Frustration and anger laced her words.

He glanced at Sierra. “Stay as you are until I tell you otherwise.”

Not wanting to stay with her, I followed him to the room where Vena was twisting the knob ineffectively.

With a single thrust of his hand, Cross hit the door, and the frame splintered, allowing Vena to push her way inside.

The curtains over the small bedroom’s single window blocked almost all the light, making it hard to see until Vena turned on the light.

Miles sat on a kitchen chair in the middle of the room. His familiar dark head of hair hung forward as his chin rested on his chest. His arms were tied behind him, and his ankles were zip-tied to the chair’s legs.

“Miles!” Vena bolted into the room and fell to her knees beside the chair.

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