Page 94 of Blood and Bonbons

Anchor gave a nod and retreated. Shepard’s gaze remained on the empty doorway for several seconds. After a deep, calming breath, he looked at us again.

“Can you two stay out of trouble until we open?” Shepard asked.

I nodded quickly, knowing any sarcastic comment from Vena might push Shepard over the edge. Even now, the veins along his neck throbbed.

“Since you need extra work, clock in and help Gunther and Griz in the kitchen, or clean the main areas. Some of the chrome work needs polishing.”

“No problem,” I said, taking Vena with me as I escaped from the office.

“Since Sierra’s early, make sure she has something to do, too,” Shepard called after us.

As we headed downstairs, I whispered, “Do you think the bodies are still at Juicy?”

“Probably not. If the house mother is still alive, she’d probably send out for a cleaning crew. It’s bad business to keep bodies lying around.”

We fell quiet for a beat, likely both thinking of the bloody aftermath.

Vena hadn’t said anything after we escaped Juicy, but she had to know that her lead on Miles might be among the dead. Hell,Milesmight be among the dead as well. I rubbed my stomach as it twisted in uncertainty.

“I hope Anchor and Buzz will be okay going there.”

“You’re afraid for the big, strong werewolves?” Vena asked.

“Of course I am.” After seeing how much damage Cross had done, I feared what would happen to Buzz and Anchor if they ran into a vampire.

We headed into the kitchen to find Sierra. We found her leaning against a wall, her thumbs typing madly on her phone.

“Shepard wants us to clock in and either start cleaning in the main room or help in the kitchen.”

Sierra paused her typing to glare at me. “Where will you be?”

“Probably in the main room.”

“Then I’ll help Gunther. What’s with Anchor and Buzz leaving so quickly?”

I shrugged. “Shepard needed something.”

Sierra raised a brow and resumed typing. I wasn’t about to babysit her to make sure she helped Gunther. If she wanted to press her luck with Shepard, she was on her own.

Grabbing the polish and rags, Vena and I went to the bar area. We spent our time cleaning until Anchor and Buzz returned. They veered past us and went straight up to Shepard’s office.

“Ev, I think some chrome up there needs to be polished.” Vena took her rag and jogged up the stairs.

So that she didn’t bust her way into the office, I followed. I had to admit that I was curious to know what happened. Neither man was bloody, but both wore a strained expression.

The office door was closed, and Vena busied herself by lightly polishing a nameplate hung on the wall nearby.

I stayed in the VIP area, peeking at Vena as she paused to lean her head toward the door.

After a few minutes, Vena scrambled out of the hall. The door opened behind her, and Shepard and the others walked out. He took one look at us and raised a brow as we polished a potted fern.

“If you’re going to eavesdrop, have a better cover.”

“Well?” Vena asked. “What happened? What did you find?”

Her tone told me she was hoping for news that might lead to her brother.

“That you were out of your depth, and I don’t know how you got out of there alive. It wasn’t just a vampire den. That room in back, the one they kept you in, had more than transfusion supplies and tourniquets. There was also a refrigerator filled with stored blood.”

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