Suck It Up, Buttercup: A Paranormal Women's Fiction Novel (First Fangs Club Book 2)

by Kristen Painter

  Donna nodded, about to tap the touchpad of the laptop. “Those both sound good. Tell him I said thanks. Where’s Rixaline?”

  “She’s in the living room playing with Lucky.” He smiled. “They both seem pretty happy too. Where are those receipts I need at the house?”

  Donna’s fingers paused over the keyboard. “They’re in a manila envelope stuffed between the mattress and the box spring in my bedroom. My side of the bed.”

  He nodded. “We’ll get them and bring them back. Anything else?”

  “Yes. Take a walk around the house and check that Joe hasn’t tried to get in again through a window. The three doors are the only spots that have cameras on them. I know the alarm’s on, but still. Will you look?”

  “Absolutely.”

  He left, and she went back to the laptop, but couldn’t get further than the log-on screen. She looked at Charlie. “It wants a password.”

  “Governor.” Charlie rolled her eyes. “I know, too easy. But there’s not much chance of that laptop falling into the wrong hands. Although…” She pursed her lips but said nothing more.

  “You’re thinking about our guest?”

  She smiled apologetically. “I’m not saying she would do anything. But it’s my job to think about things like that.”

  “It’s okay.” Donna understood. Rixaline was still very much an unknown, despite Temo’s confirmation that the king had put a price on her head. “I can change the password. But now that I’m logged on, I’m actually thinking I might deal with this later. My lack of sleep is catching up with me, and I still need to call my daughter.”

  Charlie scribbled a note on the scratch pad beside her computer. “I didn’t expect you up this early anyway. Would you like me to RSVP to the party for you?”

  “Yes, thank you.” Donna stood. “I’m going to make that call, then get a few more hours of rest. Unless there’s something pressing you need me to deal with?”

  “Everything’s good. Take all the time you want. Except…”

  “Yes?”

  “Do you need to give the FBI an answer about tonight?”

  Donna tipped her head back and sighed. “Yes. Ugh.” Then she smiled at Charlie. “But thanks for the reminder. I’ll take care of that too.”

  “Are you doing it, then? The sting?”

  “I pretty much have to, don’t I?” She rubbed the back of her neck. “I know it’s the right thing. Even if it’s not the thing I want to do.”

  “I can call him for you, if that helps.” Charlie picked up a pen like she was ready to take down his number.

  “Thanks, but I’ll text him and tell him I’m in, but then I’m going to give him the governor’s contact information so he can send all the important stuff there. And I’ll let him know you’re available if he needs to talk to someone. Is that cool?”

  “Perfect. Sleep well.”

  “Thanks.” Donna started out. “Oh, don’t forget. Rixaline needs underwear.”

  “Right.” Charlie nodded. “I’ll do that now while I’m thinking about it. Budget limit?”

  “Not really. Whatever she needs. Socks, bras, tights, underwear, you know. Enough to get her through two weeks without doing laundry.”

  “Okay.”

  Donna stood there for a moment longer. “She probably needs toiletries too. Plus a toothbrush, hairbrush, that kind of stuff. Will you see to all that?”

  “I will take care of it.”

  “Thanks, I’ll tell her to come see you.” With a smile, Donna headed for her room. She stopped to watch Rixaline sitting on the floor in the living room brushing Lucky. The fluffy beast looked like he was in a bliss coma. The only sign of life was the occasional air biscuit. “You have a new best friend, I see.”

  “I didn’t know cats were so cool. He’s such a handsome boy, aren’t you, Lucky?”

  Lucky couldn’t be bothered to emerge from his cocoon of happiness to respond.

  Donna smiled. “Charlie’s ready to order the rest of the stuff you need. She’s in the office. Think you can take a break for a minute?”

  “Sure.” Rixaline got up. “I’ll go see her now.”

  “Anything else you need, you let her know, and she’ll order it.”

  “Thank you.”

  “You’re very welcome.” Donna went into her room and shut the door. The little nervous tingles started up again at the thought of calling Christina, but it had to be done. And it would be so nice to hear her daughter’s voice.

  Funny that after all she’d been through, the thought of talking to her daughter was what made her nervous. But then, she’d never had to tell Christina something like this. Both she and Joe Jr. had figured out the truth about their father on their own, despite Donna trying to shield them from it.

  She tapped the button to call Christina, then sat on the bed and kicked her feet up as she listened to it ring.

  When Christina answered, a lot of other sounds filtered in. Cars in the distance, youthful voices, birds, wind, the bell of a bike, and the soft scuffing of her daughter’s footsteps. Christina was clearly outside. “Hi, Mom! How are you?”

  “I’m really good. How are you, honey?”

  “Swamped with classwork, but what else is new?” She laughed.

  Donna closed her eyes and let the sweet sound wash over her for a second. “You’re always so busy.”

  “That’s college. What’s up with you?”

  “You sound like you’re walking somewhere. Can you talk?”

  “Sure. I’m headed to the library. I don’t have class for another hour and a half.”

  This wasn’t exactly how Donna wanted to tell her daughter. “I have something pretty big I’d like to talk to you about. Maybe another time would be better?”

  “Big? Like what? Did something happen between you and Aunt Lucinda? Ohhh, did you finally pop her in the mouth? What did she say? What did Uncle Tony do?”

  “Nothing happened between us. Settle down. You sound almost gleeful about it.” Donna nearly snorted. Leave it to Christina to think that was what was going on.

  “Well, if you were ever going to pop anyone in the mouth, it would be Aunt Lucinda.”

  “No argument there.”

  “Ugh, that woman. I am so glad we’re done with them.”

  “I know.” Except they weren’t. Not with Joe still alive. But Christina didn’t need to know about that. Donna smiled. She couldn’t love this child more if she tried. “But the Villachis are not what I need to talk to you about. Why don’t you call me back when you get somewhere private?”

  “Seriously, I’m good to talk. There’s no one around other than someone walking by once in a while. The quad is pretty quiet.”

  Donna took a breath. “You may freak out a little.”

  “Okay, now you have to tell me, or I will freak out from not knowing. Mom. Come on. What is going on?”

  “Well, there’s been a big change in my life.”

  Christina suddenly squealed. “Are you dating someone?”

  Donna pressed her fingers to the small space between her eyebrows. “No, sweetheart. I am not dating anyone. But good to know where you stand on that.”

  “Then what is it?”

  Donna inhaled. “I’ve been turned into a vampire.”

  A moment of silence passed, then her daughter laughed. “My connection went funny. It totally sounded like you just said you’ve been turned into a vampire.”

  “No weird connection. That’s what I said.”

  “I don’t get it. What do you mean ‘turned into a vampire’? Do you mean you’re becoming a night owl? Is this some slang you picked up from Vinnie, because, Mom, he just makes that stuff up trying to sound cool.”

  “For one thing, I haven’t seen any of Big Tony’s lunks in a while. For another, it’s not slang for anything. I have literally become a vampire. An actual sun-avoiding, blood-drinking, super-fast, really strong, immortal vampire.”

  The silence lasted longer this time. A lot longer.

 
; Donna worried her bottom lip with her teeth. Christina had been a huge fan of the Twilight books. Was that what was going through her head right now?

  Just to be safe, Donna added, “I do not sparkle. In case you’re wondering.”

  The footsteps stopped. “That’s not funny, Mom. None of this is funny.”

  “Sweetheart, I’m not trying to be funny. I’m trying to tell you about something that’s just happened to me. The big change I’ve been going through. I didn’t intend for this to happen. I didn’t choose it. I was attacked by a rogue vampire, then another vampire saved my life, and the result is that now I’m one too.”

  When Christina spoke again, her voice was thin and a little wobbly with impending tears. “How is that possible, Mom? Vampires aren’t real.”

  “I don’t know, honey, but I promise you, they are. I wouldn’t have believed it either a couple weeks ago, but here I am, living proof that the supernatural exists around us. And they’re doing really well, by the way.”

  “This is…real.”

  “Yes. A hundred percent.”

  “Are you still…living?”

  “Absolutely, I am. But I’m also pretty much immortal.”

  “I’m not sure I can deal with this. This is, like, a lot.”

  “I know. And I wish I could have told you in person, but I didn’t think something this major should wait.”

  “You’re a hundred percent being for real?”

  “I am…” Donna wanted to tell Christina more, but wasn’t sure she could handle it.

  “What? You sounded like you were going to say something else. Is there more?”

  “Yes, but we don’t have to go into all of that now.”

  “Tell me.” Her tone changed, going very sharp and snappy. “Might as well. We’ve come this far. Are you also a werewolf?”

  “Okay, you’re clearly upset. We can talk again later.”

  “My mother just told me she’s a vampire. How do you think I should be?”

  “What about this news upsets you the most? Because I promise you, I am still very much your mom. And I still love you very much. None of that has changed. I know this is a lot to process. I understand that. But this isn’t a stranger talking to you on the other end of the phone. It’s your mother. Who just happens to be a vampire. I’m the same woman who changed your dirty diapers and bandaged your scraped knees and helped you move into your dorm room. None of which your father did, I might add.”

  A little sniff answered her.

  Donna kept talking. “You need to come for a visit and see for yourself that, while I’ve changed a lot, I haven’t really changed at all. You should also see the new penthouse. And meet my staff.”

  “I guess that would be—hang on. What penthouse? And why do you have staff?”

  “Because the rest of what I was going to tell you is that I have also become the vampire governor of New Jersey. It’s a long, complicated story that I’d rather tell you in person, but the upshot is I now live in the governor’s penthouse, which is the top floor of the Wellman Towers on the river.”

  “Are you kidding me? The penthouse at the Wellman Towers. And you’re the governor. Of the whole state.”

  “Yep. That’s how it works. I have an admin, a driver, and an assistant. Lucky and I moved in yesterday. Would you like to come up next weekend?”

  “You’re still really my mom?”

  “I am. Which means I’m still going to embarrass you in public, ask you about your love life, and wonder out loud why you can get straight A’s but not put your laundry in the hamper or put the cap back on the orange juice.”

  She laugh-snorted. “Yeah, you’re still my mom. I’d be happy to come. I can’t promise I won’t still freak out a little about the vampire stuff until I get used to it. If I get used to it.”

  “I understand it might take some time. I can’t wait to see you. Charlie, my admin, can take care of flights and all that. My driver can pick you up too.”

  “A driver and an admin. So fancy,” Christina teased. “Really, though, it sounds pretty amazing. I can’t wait to hear how it all happened. Are you happy?”

  “I wasn’t initially. But I am now. It was a process.”

  “I bet it was.”

  “Listen, this has to be a family secret. Same as it was with Dad’s stuff. Okay?”

  “Trust me. Not about to blast this on social media.”

  “Thank you. I love you, sweetheart.”

  “I love you, too, Mom.”

  “Now go study and keep up those grades.”

  “I will. Give Lucky a kiss for me.”

  “Will do. Bye now.” Donna hung up and put her hand to her chest. Christina’s reaction was pretty much what she’d expected from her daughter. A little panic, a little freak-out, then reserved acceptance. Donna would take it. Both her kids knew she was a vampire and were still talking to her. Better yet, they were coming to see her.

  If that wasn’t a win, she didn’t know what a win was.

  Her eyes were heavy, but she couldn’t sleep yet. With her phone still in her hands, she started texting Rico.

  I’ll help you tonight on two conditions. The sting starts after my group. And Joe better end up in handcuffs. Send the details to my email. Contact my admin if you need anything else. I have to sleep for a few hours. Then she sent a second text with her email and Charlie’s contact info.

  With that, she pulled the drapes, put her phone on silent and her head on the pillow. Sleep came fast, and when she opened her eyes again, the light seeping through the curtains had gone weak and watery. It was definitely later in the day.

  She wasn’t sure how long she’d slept until she looked at her phone. Five hours. Wow. She’d made up for not sleeping last night, but then, with what lay ahead of her, that was probably a good thing.

  Wouldn’t do to pass out in the midst of Rico’s sting.

  Her screen had more than the time on it, though. Messages from Rico and her kids.

  She looked at the one from Joe Jr. first. As soon as she opened it, she laughed. He’d sent a GIF of Sesame Street’s Count saying, “One!” and his message said, ONE mother who’s a vampire!

  That kid.

  Christina’s was simply, Love you. Sorry for freaking out.

  Donna smiled. That was nice.

  Rico’s wasn’t as long as she’d expected. Sleep well. I’ll send details as soon as they’re finalized.

  Guess she’d better go see if Charlie had gotten that information yet. It wasn’t quite three o’clock, but tonight was going to be busy since she’d have to go straight from group to her old house. Plus, she was hungry, and what she needed to get her through the rest of the afternoon and evening wasn’t cake.

  She checked herself in the bathroom mirror and ran a brush through her hair before heading out to the kitchen. The place seemed empty. No sign of Rixaline, Lucky, or Pierce. There was a covered rack of clothing in the living room, though. Next to it were several Neiman Marcus shopping bags. Those would be fun to look through.

  She went into the kitchen, warmed up a glass of blood, then took it down to the office.

  Charlie was at her desk. She glanced at Donna when she came in. “Feel better?”

  “Much.”

  “Good. Rixaline’s in her room watching a movie. Or possibly napping. I think Lucky’s in there with her. Pierce and Temo are playing racquetball.”

  Donna smiled. “That’s nice. I didn’t even know there were courts. Did the information come from Agent Medina?”

  “It did.”

  Donna sat at her desk and logged in to the laptop. “I’m going to read it, but anything that stood out?”

  Charlie turned a little to see her better. “I’ve never read the breakdown on an FBI sting operation before, so to be honest, it all stood out. At least they’re not going to wire you up. That seems smart considering how close you’ll be to him and the chance that he might want to check.”

  “Just the house, right?” Rico had mentioned that. �
��I think that’s safer too. I hope so, anyway.”

  “Me too. But he won’t be able to hurt you. He’s human, right?”

  Donna took a moment to drink a few sips. Instantly, her energy picked up. “He is. But he shouldn’t be underestimated either. He’s a coldhearted criminal. He’s spent his entire adult life working on how to get away with things and how to intimidate people into doing what he wanted. He can go from smiling to beatdown faster than you can blink.”

  Charlie cringed.

  “I know. You’re thinking why did I marry him, right? It’s okay. Everyone does.” Donna shrugged. “I honestly didn’t know that side of him until it was too late. And leaving without a foolproof plan to keep my kids safe wasn’t an option.”

  Charlie nodded. “You had to protect your kids.”

  “I did. So I stayed while I worked on a way to get us safely away from that monster.” She made a noise of disgust. “And now he’s back.” She clicked on the email from Rico. “But not for long.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Donna read through what Rico had sent. “They’re going to have two agents outside and two inside. Rico will be one of the two inside. It’s going to be fine.”

  “What about having Temo and me there?” Charlie asked. “Just in case. We have skills the FBI can’t hope to duplicate.”

  Donna smiled at her. “Thanks, but Rico’s a werewolf, so he’s pretty capable.”

  Charlie grinned. “Oh, is that right? Well, now. What does this Rico look like?”

  Donna laughed. “What is it with everyone and the werewolves?”

  With a little shrug, Charlie sighed. “They’re just hot. From what I hear, anyway. Never had any personal experience with one. Although I’m open. Is Agent Medina single?”

  Donna shook her head. “He is. Would you like to meet him?”

  “Heck yes.” Suddenly, Charlie stopped. “Wait, you two aren’t…”

  “Nope. He is very handsome. All around easy to look at. But we have a working relationship. For a while, he was going to be my ticket out of the Mafia. Then Joe died, and my level of involvement changed.”