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Aimee shook her head. “They’ve been a part of this for too long. They know what’s up.”

Cassandra drew Aimee closer, her hands resting on her waist. Peering up at her, Cassandra said, “If you want to go, we can get my mom and try to go find a place to hide.”

Setting her slim fingers against Cassandra’s neck, Aimee leaned her forehead against Cassandra’s. Her bronze-colored hair fell around them like a fragrant veil. “We can’t hide from this.”

With a heavy exhalation of surrender, Cassandra acknowledged this truth. “Yeah.”

“Just let me do the talking about the blood issue and trust me to deal with it. Okay?”

“Okay.”

“And don’t freak out.” Aimee kissed Cassandra’s lips tenderly.

“Keep doing that and the last thing on my mind will be freaking out,” Cassandra whispered, then returned the kiss.

“So what do you think they’re doing in there?” Benchley asked, spearing the office door with an annoyed look.

“Making out,” Eduardo decided.

“Yeah,” Alexia said wistfully. She rocked back and forth on her heels, coming across a tad forlorn.

Jeff gave her a little side hug, striving to comfort her. Alexia’s latest boyfriend had turned out to be a bit of a jerk and the break up was fresh. With a little sigh, the tomboy gave him one of her scarily strong, tight squeezes. She was small, but tough. For the last year she’d been taking krav maga, the Israeli martial arts, and he could feel it in her grip. Letting go of him, Alexia hopped away and sat on the edge of the table.

Jeff glanced over his shoulder to check on Samantha. She was still talking to Rachon and seemed not to be intimidated at all. The female vampire’s imposing demeanor and keen intelligence made Jeff uneasy. Although Cian had accepted Rachon’s offer of support of their endeavors, she was still a notorious vampire with a long history of not so pleasant exploits. Perhaps she was good to her family, but she was ruthless where all others were concerned. Jeff couldn’t help but worry about her playing them all for fools and plotting behind their backs. Stupid vampires were easy to deal with. Smart ones were terrifying.

Benchley must have noted his interest in the conversation across the room, because he said, “What do you think they’re they talking about?”

“Rachon wants to know if Samantha saw Prosper’s ghost in the graveyard,” Eduardo answered, yawning dramatically and flashing his sharp canines.

“Oh.” Benchley obviously hadn’t considered that Rachon might be interested in such a thing. “I guess that makes sense.”

“I’m sure Amaliya has asked Samantha about Innocente.” Alexia sighed and plunged her hands into the pockets of her hoodie. “Hell, I was tempted to ask about Mom and Dad.”

The siblings’ parents had died in a car accident and only the two kids in the back seat had survived. Their parents’ death was the main reason Alexia and Benchley had come into Jeff’s bookstore seeking answers about the afterlife and how he’d ended up befriending them.

“Well, I don’t like her talking to Sam. We should go over there.” Benchley folded his arms over his chest, set his feet apart, and glowered at the vampire.

“We’re in the same room, Bench.” Jeff was uncomfortable, too, but Samantha looked calm and interested in whatever Rachon was saying.

“And she’s a phasmagus,” Alexia added.

“And I’m here,” Eduardo said, pretending to stretch so he could flex his impressive arms.

Alexia feigned gagging.

Eduardo grinned.

“Still...” Benchley frowned, ignoring the moment of lightheartedness.

Jeff’s best friend tended to be overly protective of Samantha due to his still unresolved crush on her. Jeff didn’t mind it. Benchley had a terrible track record when it came to dating and tended to be infatuated with unattainable women. Jeff wasn’t too surprised that Benchley mooned over Samantha, but he was hoping he’d be over it soon.

Sergio emerged from the nearby restroom and strode over. Amaliya’s cousin was tall, muscular, and a little imposing until he smiled. He was loyal and good-natured, but tonight he was scowling almost as much as Benchley.

“I guess this is where I call it,” Sergio said. The man was obviously still grumpy about his dismissal.

“It’s for the best, man.” Benchley clapped the other man on the shoulder. “Shit is going to go down and you’ve got kids.”

“Yeah, which is why I should help,” Sergio groused.