“Home Delivery Blood Professionals, Sarah speaking. How can I help you?” The female sultry voice caught her off guard. Ruby hadn’t expected such a practiced answer.
She cleared her throat. “Is George Moir available?”
“Who may I tell him is calling?”
“My name is Ruby, but I don’t think he’ll remember me.” Her mind raced as she tried to recall if she had introduced herself when they’d met. “He gave me his business card and told me to call if I wanted to make some extra money.”
“Oh.” She dragged out the word. “I’ll transfer you over to human resources. They handle all the new recruits.”
What the fuck was she getting involved in? She’d never had a job offer from someone who had a human resource department. Unless she counted Jimmy, the local drug dealer, who had actually resourced humans.
“Human resources, Gail speaking.” She sounded older and busy.
“Hi, my name is Ruby. One of your employees, George Moir, gave me his business card. I was wondering—”
“Bag donor or live donor?”
Ruby clicked her tongue against her teeth. “What’s the difference?” How big was this operation?
“Bag donors are paid by the pint. The process works similar to donating blood for the Red Cross. Live donors agree to allow the vampire to feed directly from their vein.”
“Bag,” Ruby almost shouted. Hot damn, people voluntarily allowed vampires to bite them. She had offered Trixie once, but her sister had been desperately hungry and she was family. “How much are we talking?”
“Three hundred per pint. A lot more if you are willing to change your mind about a direct feeding.”
Baby steps, Ruby. Jumping in with both feet without looking was how she always found trouble. She would start as a bag donor and then explore her other options. She didn’t think she would ever allow a strange vampire to fang her though. “Just a pint.” Maybe then she could afford to take her driver’s exam for a license and move up in the company to delivery.
“Where do you live, Ruby?”
She gave Gail her address and full name.
Gail was quiet on the other end, but Ruby could hear her typing on a keyboard. “Looks like George is the rep in your area. Do you have time to go over the paperwork and complete the preliminary blood work tonight?”
“Tonight? S-sure.” Ruby wrung her hands. It was just a little blood. Nothing her body would really miss. Maybe she would be tired tomorrow, but she would compensate with an extra cup of coffee. “I don’t know where you’re located.” It would be cheaper to take the bus, but she wasn’t sure how long it would take her. She really shouldn’t splurge on a taxi.
“We don’t make our location public due to the nature of our business. George will be over to pick you up soon. Looking forward to doing business with you.”
“Me too,” Ruby whispered before hanging up. She wiped her sweaty palms on her uniform and went to change in her bedroom.
Chapter Eleven
Peter locked the coffee shop doors behind the last customer as Nick finished sweeping. The day had passed swiftly. The sun was setting and casting a lovely orange glow over the park across the street.
Being fire resistant came in handy when learning how to steam milk for the cappuccinos. The shop even had its own recipe book. For just coffee. The best part was talking to all the customers without one screaming in horror. “No one seemed to suspect that I wasn’t human.”
Peter picked up a napkin with a phone number written across it. “What’s this?” He read it out loud. “Call me, Wanda.” His eyebrows shot up. “Wanda Wanda? The curvy little lawyer Wanda?”
Nick grinned, placing the broom and dustpan away. “You bet. Do you want it?”
Throwing back his head, Peter laughed. “She doesn’t want me to call. She wants you.”
He shrugged. “Then toss it. I already have a girl.” And she’d better be ready for a seduction a la gargoyle.
“Really?” He sounded shocked.
“Why the surprise?”
“You just moved here,” Peter said.
“Point taken.” Nick chuckled. He had to not be so sensitive.
“You’re doing great, Nick.” Peter patted him on the back. “I couldn’t help but notice a larger influx of female clients this afternoon. Word must be spreading about my new barista.” He opened the register and pulled out an envelope from underneath the money tray. “You didn’t have to stay so late.”
“I don’t mind. I didn’t have much to do today.” Except dote on a beautiful woman and make her understand he wasn’t going anywhere. He really wanted this job though.
“This charm thing is going to work really well for you.” Peter handed the envelope to him with a separate TracFone still in the packaging.
“What’s this?” He fingered the cash inside the envelope.
“An advance on your pay. I won’t pay you under the table forever. I’ll give you a few weeks to gather your paperwork together, Nick, and enlist with the Supernatural Registry.” The shifter tapped the cell phone. “And I always want a way to reach my employees.”
Nick’s throat tightened. It was a nice gesture but he didn’t want anyone’s charity. “I can’t accept this.”
“It’s not a gift, Nick. You pay me back slowly with each week’s pay. We supernaturals have to stick together. Just remember to pay it forward one day.”
He shook Peter’s hand and resisted his gargoyle urge to hug him until his spine cracked. “I really appreciate this.” Nick left work on floating feet, backpack slung on his shoulder with Peter’s gifts inside.
Who would have thought working an honest job would feel so good? Not him. Having to clock in everyday and follow someone else’s rules had seemed counter to the way he’d been raised. If today was an example of an average workday then it wasn’t all that bad. Well, except washing dishes and the sweeping, but all that aside, it had been good.
As the building came into sight, he paused. The cast of orange sunlight painted the clouds above. A warm breeze played with his hair. Teasing him. Calling him to come play. He hadn’t flown all day. He pressed his hand over the charm hidden under his shirt. A short flight would feel great. Nick could take a quick look for his brothers. He wouldn’t be long and he really needed to find them. They’d want to know about the charm. Oh, and that Eoin hadn’t eaten him. Then he would go home to Ruby.
Slipping into one of the many alleys along this street, he found a concealed area from the pedestrians on the sidewalk. He undressed and stored his clothes in the backpack, adding the charm among his belongings. His shoulder blades burned as they expanded into wings, the tips brushing the walls. It was the first real breath he’d taken all day. He pounded his chest and flung back his head to roar his delight—
“Mister?” A small voice.
Nick choked on his own spit while scanning the garbage strewn alley for the source of the tiny voice.
“My mom says we aren’t supposed to draw attention when we’re in beast form while in public.” A fluffy, orange head popped up from behind a trash can. Pointed ears twitching toward him and sharp canine eyes met his.
Nick stood still, his heart melting against his will. It was a poof. He reached to pet him. Fluffy, orange little poof of delight—“Ow, ow.” He shook his hand free of the sharp teeth gripping his finger. “I’m not going to hurt you, kid.”
The young shifter held up his clawed tiny fingers. A poof with razor blades. “Are you a dragon?”
“Uh, no.” Nick glanced at his wings and could understand the misconception. They were similar to a dragon’s, but that was where the likeness ended. “I’m a gargoyle.” He knelt and eyed the shifter pup. “Are you a werewolf?” He’d never seen one so young. The pack was crazy protective of their offspring, yet this one was alone.
He wrinkled his nose. “No, I’m not one of those bullies.” He tapped his narrow chest. “I’m a fox.”
“I’m Nick.” He held out his hand.
; The kid sniffed the air but didn’t come any closer. “I’m Theo.”
“Nice to meet you, Theo. Why are you alone?”
“I wasn’t until you came and shifted into a monster. The others all ran.” He straightened and crossed his arms.
“Are you sure you’re not a werewolf?” He’d seen a few of them with a similar posture.
A snort of indignation. “You sure you’re not a bat?”
Nick’s jaw fell open before he laughed.
“You’re new around here.” Theo tossed a quick glance at his bag.
“I am. I just moved in.” He pointed over his shoulder in the direction of his apartment building with his thumb.
Theo gave him a sharp nod. “The locals don’t like us running around in beast form. You need to stick to the alleys if you’re going to play or wait until dark.” The fox drew closer and Nick’s fingers itched to fluff the messy fur on Theo’s head. “The park is attached to the forest where there’s great hunting, but you can only go at night.”
“Why at night?” Shifters lived openly among humans. Hunting was part of shifter life.
“The werewolves. Watch out for the wolf pack. They think they own everything.” Theo sounded like he was mimicking something he’d heard. Probably from his older family members. Nick agreed. He’d had enough encounters with wolf packs across the world. They were all the same. Territorial.
“Thanks.” Nick rose to his feet, hiding his amusement as he scanned the alley for any other little beasts. He wasn’t a shifter and didn’t have their desire to hunt. He preferred his meat prepackaged just like any other civilized creature. The wolf pack had a large influence in New Port though.
He glanced at Theo…or where he had been standing. Where had the little fox gone? Nick lifted his feet and wings then spotted a streak of orange with his backpack running across the busy street. He made a high-pitched noise that only dogs could hear and lunged forward. “Watch the cars!” Lumbering into traffic, wings extended, Nick waved his arms to stop the cars so the little fox wouldn’t become roadkill. Just the image made Nick’s stomach heave.
“Nick!” A sultry cry.
He spun in a sea of honking and curses. Ruby stood on the sidewalk. An expression of shock and concern on her face. She stormed toward him in her heels, looking like a goddess of sex and power. “Get out of the road.” She held up her arms, commanding traffic to stop. And it did. “Is that Theo? Did you scare the poor kid into a shift?” She grabbed his upper arm and guided him out of the busy street.
Some of the drivers had their cell phones out snapping pictures. How long before the dragons caught sight of those on the internet? Shit.
“Is he, all right?” Nick spotted a glimpse of orange fur at the end of the other alley as Theo escaped with Nick’s backpack. “I didn’t scare him. He—”
Ruby slapped his shoulder. “You could have been hurt. You don’t play in traffic.”
He rubbed the spot she’d hit. “I didn’t want Theo to get run over.” His heart was melting again but with the heat of passion. She was worried about him. He knew how to soothe those stress lines around her mouth. It required her naked and a jar of honey.
“Did I hurt you?” She caressed his shoulder.
She hadn’t. It was reflex from being beaten by his brothers so often. He grinned and leaned closer. “You could kiss it and make it better.”
A man in a dark gray suit approached them. “Is everything all right, Ruby?’ he asked.
Nick straightened to his full height. “Who’s this?” All the warmth in the world vanished, leaving him cold. Competition? Because he could bench press him with one hand. Ruby had given him the impression she’d wanted him.
“Nick, this is George. George, Nick’s my roommate.” She elbowed Nick in the side. “George is here to take me to a job interview. So be nice.” The last part she whispered under her breath.
He extended his arm to shake George’s hand, being careful not to break his fingers, but he did crack a couple of knuckles. “What kind of job?”
George’s eyes took on that look when people stared at the sun too long. He pulled out his wallet and handed him a card as if on reflex. “I’m a HDBP rep. She’s applying to be a donor.” He squinted. “What are you?” He reached out to touch Nick’s wing.
Nick jerked out of range. “Gargoyle.” Nick glared at Ruby. “Donor for what exactly?” None of this sounded good. There wasn’t much Ruby could donate that wasn’t attached to her body. He scanned the card. Home Delivery Blood Products. “No.”
“Yes.” She plucked the card from his hand and stuck it in her bra. “George is taking me to an interview. I’ll be back later.”
“Ruby, wait.” He followed them to the car. Blood meant vampires. Vampires meant sexy creatures with money. Like Viktor who had won over Trixie.
“Give me a minute, George.” She pushed Nick away and followed until out of earshot of the HDBP rep. “We need to pay rent yesterday or we’re getting evicted, Nick. It’s this or I have to sleep with the landlord.”
Nick grinned. “I got paid today. It’s in my back…” His smile faded as the image of Theo running across the street flashed in his mind. He’d had Nick’s backpack in his little, fucking fluffy muzzle. The charm! “Shit, Theo.”
“He robbed you, huh?” She shook her head. “Not only humans are hard on their luck in this part of town. You need to really watch your back, okay?” She caressed his cheek. “I’ll be back soon.”
He followed her back to the car. Robbed by a kid. It was karma. How many times had he played a similar scam on tourists when he’d been young? As soon as they could fly, his parents had him and his brothers working the crowds while they were still cute. Neil had been the best.
George held the back door open for Ruby. Before it closed, Nick entered as well. Or tried to. The wings were a problem.
“Nick, what are you doing?” She shoved his head with her dainty hands and giggled. “You can’t fit.”
He grunted. “Yes, I can.”
George was outside making noise and Nick swatted him with a guided wing tip. The human wasn’t taking her away without him.
“I’m going or this isn’t happening.” He met her angry glare. “Do you make it a habit to get into strange men’s cars?”
Her face paled. “Not anymore.” She scooted back against the other side of the vehicle while he contorted his shoulders. What was he doing cramming himself into a death trap for a woman?
His gaze fell upon her slight form and big emerald eyes. What he had taken for confidence earlier was false. Her shoulders were held back but stiff. Chin held high but the muscles in her jaw flexed. Fear. She was scared. The realization struck him so hard his wings contracted and he fell into the back seat. Face in her lap. “You’re not going by yourself.” Muffled words. He rose on his elbows and pulled his bottom half into the car.
George stuck his head inside and took a picture. “Nobody is going to believe me without proof.” He swiped at his phone and it made a sending noise. “You’re lucky my boss wants to meet him or I’d be dropping your ass off here.” He closed the door in Nick’s face.
Nick mourned his lost charm. How was he going to explain this to Peter? He was so fired.
Resting his head in his hands, he tried to remember the feeling of joy he’d had less than fifteen minutes ago.
A small hand massaged his shoulders. “Nick?” She pressed her lips to his cheek.
“Everything I had was in that pack.” The money, the phone…the charm. There was no way he could steal another one. “Ruby, that money would help pay the rent. We should go look for Theo instead.”
The vehicle pulled away from the curb, the engine straining under his weight. She shook her head. “How much did you have?”
“Two hundred.”
“That covers a week, baby.” Ruby rested her head on his shoulder, stroking her hand over his spine. “We need more. It’s just a little blood.”
“The charm is in the pack.”
> She seemed to deflate against him. “Shit.” Then she took a deep breath and sat straight backed. “I know Theo’s family and where they pawn their goods. I can’t make any promises but we might find your stuff.”
Chapter Twelve
Though Nick looked made of stone, his flesh felt warm and firm. A rough texture under Ruby’s fingertips.
He shifted his huge bulk in the confined space of the backseat, squishing her against the car door.
She grunted. “Okay, there big boy. Let’s not break me.” She shoved a wing out of her face.
“Sorry, I’ve never been in a car.” He curled in upon himself, giving her room to move. A little. “My stomach feels weird.” He did look green.
“Poor, baby.” She maneuvered around him until she sat in his lap and pulled his head to her shoulder, caressing his silken wing. So firm and muscled yet soft. Wow. The windows were dark and they couldn’t see outside. She twisted to look over her shoulder. The same kind of glass separated them from the front seat.
“How we doing back there?” George’s voice carried over an intercom.
“What’s with the glass barrier?” Leaning over, she knocked it with her knuckles. “Why all the secrecy?” She could’ve just taken a taxi but HDBP had insisted they provide transport. All her instincts were on high alert. The average person didn’t do things just because they were nice.
“Security measures,” he responded.
Nick lifted his head from her shoulder. “What do you know of these people?” he whispered.
“Viktor uses them. I don’t think he’d do business with them if they weren’t legit. He wouldn’t risk Trixie that way.” He’d better not. Ruby knew his daytime resting place and wooden stakes weren’t that hard to come by. “My sister says it’s like vampire takeout.”
The gargoyle’s scowl was intense. And sexy as hell. “Except you’re the food.”
She stared at his profile. Strong jaw, arched nose, chiseled cheekbones…so handsome. And protective. She shook her head. What was she thinking? Nick deserved a better woman, not used goods. She came with so much baggage she should have her own bellhop.
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