Page 65 of Inhuman Nature

“We need to try something. Anything,” DJ insisted.

Rake sighed. “I did have a thought about asking Van if she knew how to remotely access Lawrence’s computer. Remember, she told us she was in that ethical hacking society at uni? Could help us find some dirt on Lawrence and give us some leverage.”

“Vandidgive herself the job title of ‘Magical LesbianHacker Queen’ in my contacts when she added her number,” DJ said, scrolling through his phone.

“Of course she did.”

“Perfect. We have a plan A. But I’m gonna propose a plan B.”

Rake nodded. “Yeah?”

“We break into Lawrence’s house and see if Shaun’s there.”

Rake blinked.

“During the day, of course,” DJ added. “It’ll be completely safe.”

“Safe,” Rake echoed, incredulous.

DJ bobbed his head from side to side. “As safe as it can be, breaking into the house of a maniacal vampire who wants to kill us.”

Rake rubbed at his brow. “Do you know how to break into someone’s house?”

“…No.”

“So we’re back to plan A.”

DJ clicked his fingers. “Didn’t Sophie once tell us a story about breaking into an ex-boyfriend’s house to retrieve her favourite vintage coat?”

“She was wasted when she told us that,” Rake pointed out.

“Doesn’t mean it wasn’t the truth. We can do the same for Shaun—go get his stuff back from the house.”

“Fine, but that is firmly plan B, okay? We speak to Van first.”

“Sure. Van first. Then Sophie and plan B,” DJ said, nodding furiously.

“But we’re both hoping plan A works out,” Rake clarified.

“Sure,” DJ repeated.

“Sweetheart.”

“Yes, Sir?” DJ asked, his eyes shining with poorly disguised excitement.

Rake sighed. “We’ll speak to them tomorrow at work.”

The corners of DJ’s mouth tipped up. It was the first time he’d smiled since Shaun had left.

Rake realised then that he didn’t want to go a day without seeing one of DJ’s smiles ever again. He’d grown so used to them that he’d taken it for granted.

They would find out what had happened to Shaun, and then Rake would make sure to give DJ a reason to smile every day for the rest of their lives.

Should be simple enough.

The next day at work, they ushered Van over to one of the smaller corners of the cafe. Rake had texted her ahead of time, and even bought a vegan wrap for her, as DJ had advised buttering her up. The cafe wasn’t busy, but Rake eyed a table of developers to their right as he sat down.

“Why are you two acting so suspicious?” Van asked. “Should I be readying myself for some corporate espionage?”