Page 59 of Vampires & Bikers

“It’s too close to the swamps, to the shifters,” I said.

“But that is the best place to be, right under their noses. Hiding in plain sight.”I could see she liked this idea.

“We’ll stand out here, I think we need to blend in more, a busier place like a city, maybe?”

“I’m sick, sweetie, I don’t have to lie about that. We tell people I’ve come for the climate, for the cleaner air.”

I didn’t want to argue with my mother. Besides, Cape Falls was gorgeous, with all the subtropical vegetation and the blue skies. If this was what my mother wanted, then I could do it. I knew we’d need money soon and I would have to come up with a way to earn some.

“There are some cafés on the beachfront which seem to be in business,” my mom said. “Maybe you could ask about waitressing there?”

“Any shifters around?”

“Haven’t seen any bikers, if that’s what you’re asking.”

We fell silent then, both of us thinking about whether we’d come far enough.

“I think maybe we dye our hair?” my mother said and we went to the nearest drug store, getting bleach and blonde dye. I decided to cut my hair to change my look even more.

“You look gorgeous,” my mom said. “Like a real beach babe. Now we just need to work on your tan!”

That night, after a few beers, she asked me though, “This vampire, is it over though?”

“I don’t know,” I said honestly.

“You have feelings for him?” she asked, her tone disgusted.

“I do,” I admitted.

“Ruby!”

“He saved me, twice and he was good to me…”

“Only to get you into bed!”

“I wanted to sleep with him, still do, to be honest,” I admitted to her. She was shocked.

“He’s a vampire, a bloodsucker! What if he wants to drink your blood!”

“What if he does?” I asked her. “As long as he doesn’t kill me, I don’t really mind.”

I could see she didn’t know what to say to that.

“I’ve never been with anyone like him,” I said, “He treats me with respect and kindness, talks to me like an equal and makes love to me like I’m the last woman on earth and did I mention he’s incredibly handsome and rich?”

“Well, if you’re going to put it that way,” my mom said with a laugh.

“Nobody’s perfect, you know?” I said. “But he’d never hurt me, I know that. The only man I can say that about.”

She shook her head but I could see she was thinking about what I’d said.

Chapter 26

Luc

I was standing outside the Castle, staring up into the mountains.

“So, is this where you’re hiding now?” Tick was teasing me, but I was in no mood for jokes.

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