Page 54 of Blood and Bonbons

The man took out his phone and snapped several pictures from different angles.

“I’m not sure how fast I’ll hear from him,” the man said. “He travels a lot. But I can guarantee he will be interested. What’s a number I can reach you at?” He slid a pad of paper and pen to Cross.

“Number?” Cross asked.

“I’m more likely to answer, so here’s my phone number.” I took the pen and jotted it down for the broker. “If it takes longer than two days, don’t bother calling. We’ll have found a different buyer by then.”

He didn’t try to stop us again when we turned away. I grabbed Vena, and we headed to the car. On the way, I checked the time before searching for the nearest blood bank.

“What’s the backup plan if getting blood from a bank doesn’t work?” I asked Cross.

“I am fully capable of procuring my own blood supply.”

“Then why are we going to a blood bank?” Vena asked as I pulled away from the curb.

“I’m intrigued,” Cross said with a disdainful look at her.

Twenty minutes later, we were walking toward the donation center.

“Not it,” I said, grinning at Vena.

She rolled her eyes at me. “Fine. I’ll be the pincushion while you do the nice asking thing.”

The moment we opened the door, though, Cross’ eyes went dark. He turned around and walked back out without a word.

CHAPTERTEN

“I guessthat means I don’t need to donate today,” Vena said brightly as we turned and hurried after Cross.

“Or you’ll be donating in a different way,” I said when Cross glared at her over his shoulder.

He paused several yards down the sidewalk and waited for us to catch up.

“We will need to revisit this blood bank option another day. After I’ve properly fed. The deer was not enough.”

“Not it,” Vena said under her breath.

I shot her a warning look and unlocked the car door.

“Cross, this needs to be where we part ways for today,” I said when he moved to get in. “We have previous commitments, and I did answer a lot of questions.”

“Very well. I will speak with you again tomorrow.”

He turned and strode down the sidewalk, his suit making soft sounds with every step.

“I really hope he finds something else to wear,” I said when Vena got in next to me.

“I really hope someone thinks he’s a vampire from the seventies and stakes him so we don’t have to.”

She didn’t sound nearly as bloodthirsty about it as she had last night.

“Vena, he helped us find the book. You would have never found it without him.”

She muttered something as I started the car and pulled out of the lot.

“What did you say?” I asked.

“Fine. He helped a little. But he’s still a vampire. You saw him nearly lose control.”

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