Page 118 of Mortal Sins

little bits of sunshine to make the horrible shit tolerable if you’re lucky enough to find one.

“Frankie? Frankie is like that. Trust me, I’ve known him for fucking ever. Pure sunshine. The big ol’

sun bent right over, spread his cheeks, and shit him right out.”

Snod made a face at the description, venturing carefully, “You’re saying... he’s very special?”

“Goddamn right he is,” Rees growled, somehow making the words sound like a threat.

“You already said that when you threatened to make nubs out of my legs,” Snod pointed out.

“It’s worth repeating,” Rees scoffed. “And it’s not just because of his, ahem, unique diet. I don’t know

what you did to make him shine on you, but you better count yourself lucky that he has. Otherwise, I

wouldn’t give a hang what Kevin does to you.”

“What does this have to do with him?”

“Frankie cares about you,” Rees explained. “Therefore, I have to care about you. Why else do you

think I let him talk me into hiring your crazy ass?”

Snod didn’t say anything for a moment, dropping his eyes down to the bar. He knew he didn’t deserve

this kindness, but couldn’t help but be humbled by it. “Thank you,” he said quietly. “I appreciate it.”

“Don’t worry about thanking me,” Rees insisted, waving his hand. “I’ll make sure Kevin doesn’t go

crying to the cops. Frankie would be very unhappy with me if I let his sweet thing get arrested. Just

keep your ass in line and don’t mess anybody else up, okay?”

“Yes,” Snod promised. He hesitated as a new idea popped into his head, asking slowly, “What if I

wanted to thank Frankie?”

“You can open your mouth and the words ‘thank you’ can tumble right out.”

“No, I mean... I want to court him. Date him. Properly. But I cannot think of an appropriate gift,” Snod

explained quickly. “You say that you’ve known him for a long time?”

“Since 1985.”

“I was hoping you could help me.”

“The fuck do I know about getting him a present?” Rees scoffed, laughing to himself. “What do you

get someone like him? Blood?”

“Already thought of that,” Snod sighed in frustration. “That’s not good enough.” He racked his brain,

wishing he could think of something. The gift needed to be thoughtful, unique, special...

Just like Frankie.

“He likes old things?” Rees suggested, sincerely trying to be helpful. “You know. Shit that reminds