Page 50 of Wicked Allure
She’d been saving so if she needed to take off a few days to recover, she’d be fine, but she didn’t want this to jeopardize her job. She wasn’t sure if Mistress would keep her on as a server only if she couldn’t donate. The health of the humans was very important, which Tomesha understood.
Movement outside her curtain caught her attention. She leaned over and took in who’d come into the infirmary. Concerned filled her when she saw who it was.
“Conner?” She jumped down and padded over to the curtain.
He was escorted over to the other private areas by a security guard. He glanced over at her and winked. She followed him so she could find out why he had to see Lamaya. They had spoken plenty of times during downtime in the club. She’d even consider him a friend. He’d shared everything he’d learned. They had started together, but he was made a donor much faster than she was.
“Fancy seeing you here.” He held his arm to his chest. It looked bruised. He grimaced as he sat on the cot.
She paused by his curtains.
He nodded to the large guard. “Thanks, man.”
“No worries. Let me know if you have any other problems.” The guard brushed past her and disappeared through the doors.
She turned back to Connor who looked paler than normal.
“What happened?” she asked softly.
“This is nothing. Just a client who got a little rough with me. I was with another client, and he just didn’t want to take no for an answer.” Connor blew out a deep breath. He leaned back against the pillows and smiled, but the stress around his eyes revealed there was more to the story.
“It’s not broken, is it?” She moved to the foot of the bed.
Connor was much younger than her, and he’d lived a life that was far beyond his years.
“I don’t think so. Just bruised, and it hurts like crazy, but nothing I haven’t been through before.” He combed his hair with his uninjured hand.
Life as a human in this world was hard. They were accomplishing so much since the war, but it was still a challenge. She thought of when she was his age and how lucky she’d been to have Tarek shielding her as best he could. She was able to help with odd jobs here and there until she’d gotten her seamstress job. She hadn’t even thought of becoming a donor or working for the madam until times had gotten desperate for them.
But Connor was only twenty-four, still a kid, who was on his own. He was surviving, but at what cost? He never mentioned a family, and she knew not to bring it up.
“I’m sorry.” Her heart went out to him.
Life as a donor wasn’t as glamorous. She was lucky she hadn’t had any issues with her clients. She’d been worried that some would want to take advantage of her. That was a fear that always sat at the back of her mind. The vampires were much stronger than them, and if they wanted to take something—they could.
The madam had strict rules, and many vampires who frequented her establishment didn’t want to cross her. That was one thing Tomesha had learned since working for her. She’d never met Madam Bethany Rice who was once a prostitute then turned businesswoman. She’d opened her first feeding house centuries ago. She was known as shrewd and had royal connections, hence why many vampires didn’t want to get on her bad side.
“What are you apologizing for? It’s a hazard of the job. We all signed up for this when we applied to work as a donor.” His smile vanished, and he suddenly appeared older than his young age. He grimaced and adjusted his injured arm higher on his chest. “I’ll be okay. It will heal, and I’ll soon back at work.”
Tomesha reached up and tucked her hair behind her ear. He was right. This was a dangerous job. Yes, the vampires may have consequences to their actions, but if a human was mortally injured and died, there was nothing that could be done to bring them back. She shuddered to think if something like this were to happen to her. The memory of Valentina’s reaction to not being the first vampire to bite her surfaced.
Would she be angry with Tomesha the next time she requested her?
“Tomesha,” Lamaya’s voice sliced through the air.
“I’m over here.” Tomesha moved to the edge of the curtains where Lamaya could see her.
The healer ambled over to her and waved to Connor. “I’ll be with you in just a minute.” Her gaze swept over him in a silent assessment.
“I’m not going anywhere.” Connor’s smile returned. He gave Tomesha a nod. “I’ll see you later.”
“You take care of yourself. Don’t rush to come back to work.” Tomesha slipped over to the side of his bed and took his good hand in hers. She gave it a squeeze. He was like the little brother she never had. She hoped the vampire who’d done this to him was held accountable for their actions.
“Same for you. I heard you were worse off than a bruised arm. You make sure you’re ready to come back,” he said softly, returning the squeeze.
She wasn’t surprised that news had traveled throughout the club amongst the humans.
“I feel much better. Lamaya has been taking great care of me.” She squeezed him again then released him. She turned and followed Lamaya over to her area. Worry was still heavy in her chest. This could happen to any of them. Even though as humans they obeyed all of the rules and suggestions of the club, that didn’t mean the vampires would.
