Page 36 of A Bond Beyond Blood

Jack

After fulfilling my duties as the third wheel all night while my brother and his girlfriend tossed heart eyes back and forth across the table, I’d been able to sneak out early without any complaints.I wasn’t even sure they realized I left.

They would have had to break eye contact for that kind of information.

I’d had family dinner on the brain when I dressed earlier, but halfway through the meal, and affected by the way my brother looked at Thea, I’d realized I wanted to put in a little effort for my date.

Because itwasa date.

And Vinny deserved effort.

The man had held me until I fell asleep last night, decorated my apartment for Christmas while I slept, and then spent the morning feeding me coffee and donuts—while worshipping my body.

Throwing on a sexier outfit was really the least I could do.

Mrs.Mankin was outside the dry cleaners next door, lugging loads of laundry from the shop to her car.Dad had been right; that woman would work until the day they put her in the ground.

She waved as I climbed out of my car.

“Hey, Mrs.M,” I called as I waved back.“Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas, Jacqueline...”She paused, her eyes softening as her smile morphed into one of sympathy.The kind that instantly sent my guard up.“Are you holding up okay, dear?”

My teeth clenched, but I forced a smile as I nodded.Please don’t make me talk about my dad.

“That’s good.”She returned my smile and swung a bag of laundry over her shoulder, but then her smile fell and her eyes widened.

I looked behind me quickly, but there was nothing there.

When I looked back at her, I frowned.“Mrs.M?Everything okay?”

“You’re notall alonefor Christmas, are you, dear?”

Stifling a groan, I shook my head.“No, ma’am.”There’s a sinfully hot vampire waiting for me as we speak.

“That’s good.”When her back was turned, I stepped around the car and headed for the stairs, but the open back door to the butcher shop caught my eye.

I stiffened, then glanced over at Mrs.Mankin.“Hey, Mrs.M?Did you see anyone go into the shop tonight?”My gaze flicked back to the open back door as apprehension spider-walked down my spine.

But it could be as harmless as one of my employees coming in unexpectedly.And two of them had keys, so really, Mario could have come in tonight to get a head start on Christmas pickup orders, or Justin could be hiding out here because his house was full of in-laws...

It wouldn’t be the first time, but there were no other cars parked in the lot.

“Jack?”

I looked back at Mrs.Mankin and realized she’d been speaking.“Sorry, what?”

“Would you like me to call Harold, dear?”she asked.“So you don’t have to go in alone?”

I shook my head.No offense to Mr.Mankin, but I trusted my own abilities to save myself more than I trusted his.“No, thank you.I remember now; I just forgot to lock up earlier.”It was a lie, but I definitely didn’t need her or her elderly husband strolling into the shop behind me and becoming accidental victims if someone was here to rob me.Or worse.

Had I not revoked Gannon’s entry earlier, I’d chalk this up to an ex-boyfriend who was unwilling to take a hint.

“Okay, honey, if you’re sure...”

“I’m fine,” I lied.“I forgot that, um...”Shit.“My brother was going to come by and pick up a ham.He probably just forgot to lock up.You know how Gio is.”I shrugged casually and chuckled to play off the lie—and my unease—praying she’d believe me and leave me alone.I couldn’t protect myself if I was too busy protecting her.

After holding my gaze for a long time, she finally nodded, then slipped inside the cleaners.

---