Page 38 of My Mr. Vampire

“Agreed. Harlen works for you and reports to you. He needs to go to you first to get to me.” I added.

“He can keep his little job of keeping Morgan safe, but I have plans to give him assignments to prove his loyalty.”

“I’m sure you do.” I replied. “Have someone tail him just to make sure he isn’t conspiring with my ex.”

“I already have that in place.” She smirked.

And this was why Natasha was my head of security. She always had my best interests at the forefront of her educated brain.

If my brother could pass whatever tests she had for him, I knew he could be trusted.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHANEL

My hands trembled as I paced the worn hardwood floors of my old apartment. The secrets I had carried for so long felt like a physical weight on my shoulders. I had to tell Morgan the truth about Lonzo, about what really happened to Craig. I waited long enough. Morgan already had her suspicions. She deserved to know, even if it meant reliving the pain and terror of that awful night.

I drew in a shaky breath, smoothing my dress with unsteady fingers. Get it together, Chanel. You can do this. You have to do this. For Morgan. For yourself. I needed to finally be free of the lies and the guilt.

The click of the door lock startled me from my racing thoughts. I turned to see Morgan stride into the apartment, her black leather jacket hugging her curves, her sandy colored hair tumbling over her shoulders. She flashed me a confident grin, but I could see the uncertainty in her stormy gray eyes, the tension in her jaw. Something was bothering her.

“Hey girl,” Morgan greeted me, dropping her bag on the floor with a thud. “Sorry I’m a little late. You would not believe the traffic.”

“No worries,” I replied, forcing a smile. “I’m just glad you’re here.”

Morgan cocked her head, studying me intently. “You okay, Chanel? You’re acting strange.”

I wrapped my arms around myself. My body did a little shiver despite the warmth of the apartment. “Yeah, I’m fine. It’s just,” I trailed off.

Morgan took a step closer, concern etching her features. “What is it? Are you mad about me and Harlen? Yes, I was out with him. It’s not that deep.”

“No. It’s not that.”

“What’s up? You know you can tell me anything.”

I nodded. Morgan was more than just my best friend— she was my sister. If I couldn’t trust her, I couldn’t trust anyone.

“I know. And I will. But first,” I gestured to the couch. “Why don’t you sit down and tell me what’s on your mind? Why Harlen? I don’t understand. He’s not your type. This isn’t like you.” I don’t know why, but I chickened out. I needed her to talk first.

Morgan hesitated. A glimmer of vulnerability crossed her face before she quickly masked it with a shrug. “It’s nothing. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Harlen.”

She sank onto the couch, crossing her long legs. I settled beside her. Morgan had been through so much. Losing Craig couldn’t be easy. I hated seeing her hid her pain, especially when I knew I was partly to blame.

“You can tell me no matter what?” I said softly.

Morgan was silent for a long moment, staring down at her French manicured nails.

“I’m not going crazy. Sure, I don’t know what I’m doing with Harlen. With any of it. Being in Minnesota is too much. Everything there reminds me of Craig.”

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut.Oh Morgan, if you only knew the secrets I’ve kept from you. The lies I’ve told.

Taking a deep breath, I removed my hand from her knee and placed it in my lap. It was time to reveal the truth, no matter how much it hurt. Morgan deserved that much. We both did.

“Morgan, there’s something I need to tell you.”

My heart raced as I gathered the courage to unburden myself. The weight of my secrets threatened to crush me. Morgan’s hand tightened in mine, her gray eyes searching my face with a mixture of concern and apprehension.

“What is it, Chanel? You’re scaring me.” Her voice faltered.

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