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“I’ll wait outside while you sort through the contents; just knock when you’re ready to come out,” she said, setting the metal tin on the table at the center of the room. She rounded Ren with apprehension, closing us inside with an ominous click.

“I think she’s scared of vampires,” Ren observed.

“I think she’s just a rude old lady who doesn’t like your tattoos or that you’re visibly queer, but if that makes you feel better…”

She laughed, catching my hand to pull me toward her, my warm body meeting her cool front with a littleoof.

“Have you ever done it in a bank? I mean, it sounds sexy as fuck. I’m wondering if there’s cameras around.”

“What? Don’t tell me you have an exhibitionist kink.” I laughed, moving away from her, but I knew what she was doing. She was trying to distract me so I wouldn’t be as nervous.

“I know you’re pretty hopeful your dad left some money in there, but I just wanted to tell you that even if he didn’t, you don’t have to worry. We aren’t going to let you or your mom struggle. Okay?”

“You don’t even know her, and you’d do that?” I asked, half touched at the offer and half wanting to bite her head off for implying that I was any sort of charity case.

“Vi, she’s your family. She’s important to you, that means she’s important to us, okay? It would be the same with Danny or Babydoll.”

I opened my mouth to protest, my stupid pride getting in the way of the rush of gratitude swirling in my chest.

“And—” Ren said quickly, interrupting me before I could go there. “It’s not a handout; it’s a loan. We’d write you a contract—make it an advance on your salary at the club so you could get caught up without paying interest.”

I blinked, staring up at her with my heart squeezing in my chest. “Ren, that’s so?—”

“If you’re about to saybrilliant, I feel like I need to admit that it was Dana’s idea.” She grinned, showing off her lightly pointed fangs. “But I agreed with her. I think we should help if we can.”

“What about Garrett?”

Ren rolled her eyes. “We’ll take money from the coven’s private funds to do it, so please try to avoid getting fired so you can actually pay us back.”

“That… That would change everything, Ren. I’d be able to move out on my own again, get my mom the care she needs…”

“Well… Maybe don’t do that first one?” she suggested, moving my way to kiss the corner of my lips. “I quite like having you around the house.”

“Oh, do you now?” I asked, teasing threading my tone as I pressed my lips to hers, a goofy smile on my face. “You’re in luck! I’m a big fan too.”

“So… You’ll stay?” Ren asked hopefully, stealing another clumsy kiss.

“Do I get my own room?”

“If that’s what it takes to get you to move in, I’ll share with Juniper.”

“Damn! That must mean you’re in love with me,” I teased again.

“Yeah, I am,” Ren said softly, cupping my cheek in her cool palm for a kiss that made my knees turn to jelly. “From the moment I saw you in that café, I knew you were special. Like my heart remembered you from a past life.”

“I love you,” I whispered softly, looking at Ren’s dark brown eyes softening when they met mine.

“I’ve loved you since I first laid eyes on you,” she returned, her grip on my face becoming possessive as she brought my lips to hers for a searing kiss.

We traded passes of lips, my core going liquid as Ren moved me backwards, my back meeting a wall of metal doors. She nibbled at my lower lip, fangs grazing and threatening to break the skin as my thighs shifted.

Her mouth lowered to my neck, her intentions clear as the flat of her tongue pressed over my pulse. Never mind that hooking up in a bank vault with a surly employee on the other side of it wasn't really on my to-do list today…

Well, actually, knowing someone was right there kind of did it for me.

Who’s the exhibitionist now?

“Before we get carried away,” I panted, “let my father disappoint me one more time, okay?”