Page 100 of A Bond Beyond Blood

Chapter Thirty-Three

Vinny

“Keep the door locked.Don’t answer it for anyone.”

She rolled her eyes at me and waved me off dismissively.“Yes, Daddy.”

I canted my head to the side, raising one eyebrow, and Jacqueline’s cheeks flushed pink.“Oh my god, no.I’m not calling you that for real.”

I mean...I didn’t hate it.

“Go, Vinny.Really, I’ll be fine.”

I sighed, staring at her for a moment, then inclined my head and left her apartment, closing the door behind me and jiggling the handle to make sure it was locked.If Elias returned, he could go right ahead inside because of the blood bond, but anyone else would need an invitation to enter.At least, in that, I could trust that she was safe.

I strode downstairs and through the back door of the butcher shop, searching for the kid.He’d returned some time ago, but upon entering the apartment upstairs, had changed his mind and decided to wait for me down here.

Must have overheard something he didn’t like.

I found him in the walk-in, staring at the supply of animal blood I now understood Jacqueline had been keeping stocked for Elias’ return.

“So he doesn’t drink from humans?”Gannon asked without turning toward me.

“Not that I can tell.Did he feed while you were with him the last two weeks?”

“No.At least, not that I saw.”

Hm.

“Does that mean he’s not as strong as other vamps?”

I snorted.“Sure, kid.You should take a go at him.”

Gannon glared at me.

“Listen, if you want to make a mistake that’ll cost you your second chance at life, underestimate a born vampire’s strength.He could probably starve for one-hundred years and still be the strongest thing earthside.”

Gannon turned around then, eyes widening.“Earthside?Are there, like, stronger thingsnotearthside?”

I chuckled.“It’s just a phrase, kid.”

“Yeah, well, when my parents were kids,vampireswere just fictional, so it’s not that crazy to wonder if other things exist too.”

“Things?”With a sigh, I nodded toward the door.“Let’s go.You probably need to get to a blood bank, yeah?”I motioned to the blood bags.“Unless you want to try—”

Gannon visibly shivered.“Fuck no.”

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