Page 27 of Dear Mr. Vampire

“If you don’t write him back, he’s probably going to think it was you writing the notes and not some other chick.”

“You think so?”

“Haven’t you been hiding from him?”

“Yes, but?—”

“Then the notes stop.” Morgan mimicked Cardi B’s voice. “That’s weird. That’s suspicious.”

“I don’t know. I have to think about it.”

“Gone on and write that man another little letter. You know he didn’t give you an STD. He seems nice, and he owns a whole nightclub, like a popular nightclub.”

“I don’t care about his money.”

“He don’t seem to care about it either. That’s why he got his rich ass living in that shitty basement dungeon.”

“I have to work early tomorrow.”

“And?”

“And I need to go to sleep.”

“So you’re trying to get me off the phone? Okay, it’s cool. Sweet dreams, vampire queen.”

“Goodnight.”

I ended the call, grabbed the charging cord and the prong to push into my cell phone. Once I saw it was charging, I placed the phone on my bedside nightstand. I reached for the string to the lamp and pulled it.

Darkness.

CHAPTER TEN

CHANEL

Ducking and dodging Zand had become part of my daily routine. I managed to avoid him for a full week and I was proud of my stealthy abilities. I didn’t bother to wash clothes this week for fear I would bump into him. With the laundry room in the basement, I just couldn’t take the chance. I had enough clothes to last another week.

I put off writing another love note. After a few days, it just seemed odd to revisit the back and forth. It was clear to me this would never go well. Zand seemed to like his secret admirer. If he found out his human was me, I’m sure he would feel betrayed. I would, if I were him. He would think that I was a liar and this whole thing was a game. It was better to just leave things alone.

Zand was never out in the daytime, so I took the opportunity to go venture out into the cold. After coming home from work and changing out of my scrubs, I was ready for coffee and a few other items from the local grocery store. I grabbed my coat and purse and crept down the back staircase. Taking the elevator wasn’t an option. I could never know who would be standing there when the doors popped open. I didn’t want to press my luck.

I was confident that I was going to make it out of the building without seeing Mr. Vampire. I even did a little hop when I made it to the first floor. I managed to put my coat on while going down the steps. Before I could move through the back door, I felt a chill on the back of my neck. My brief body shiver was met with a roughish grip.

There was a pale hand cuffed around my forearm that twirled me in a half circle. It wasn’t a real handcuff, but it sure felt that way. His grip was constricting. It was possessive and urgent.

He, Zand, he was all up in my face. His intrusive hand was wrapped around my arm. I didn’t have the strength to pull away, even though I knew this would not be good.

“Hey.” His voice was deeper than I remembered.

“Hey.” I said, startled but not afraid. I was ready for whatever, even though I didn’t know what was coming my way.

“What’s the deal?”

“Huh?”

“Have you been avoiding me?” His grip loosened a bit.

“No, no, why would I?”

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