Page 104 of Vampire so Virtuous

“The thought had crossed my mind,” Cally said grimly.

“But people can’t just go missing! It would be noticed.”

Cally gave her a flat look. “Do you know how many missing persons we have per hundred-thousand residents in Massachusetts?”

“No, weirdo, funnily enough I don’t.”

“Eighteen-point-four.” She glanced at the driver and lowered her voice. “I looked it up. On a population of seven million, that’s twelve hundred people a year. And we’re a fraction of some other states. New York has double that number. Runaways, Alzheimer’s, depression, homelessness, accidents—why would vamp activity register on that scale?”

“That’s depressing shit.” Eve said. “We could go to the police station?”

“And say what? We think we’re being followed but we don’t know who by? Mike couldn’t have got out of there so damn fast. If he could, he’d have stopped us. So they dismiss our fantasies, and kick us out. Then we have a black BMW waiting for us.” She shook her head. “If they follow us to Antoine’s… well…” She bared her teeth. “I know who I’d put my money on.”

“You want to go and see thevampireyou tried to blind with a UV light, and hope he’s nice to you?”

Cally squirmed. “I know it doesn’t make any sense. I just feel, if safety is what we want…”

“Sure,” Eve said. “I wasn’t saying no, I was just checking. Meet the man you can’t stop obsessing over? Hell yes. Count me in.”

“‘Obsessing’ is a little strong.”

Eve grinned. “I can’t blame you, either. Does he have a brother? Or a sister for that matter?”

“You never take anything seriously.”

“It’s why you love me.”

Cally pulled out her phone, addressing the driver. “Can I give you a new destination? It’s in Fisher Hill. I’ll redirect you on the app.”

“Fisher Hill?” he said. “Sure, I’ll take your money. Somewhere safe for you girls?”

“I hope so,” Cally replied. “I really hope so.”

Twenty-five – Cally

Cally pressed the buzzer.

“Welcome back, madam.” Marcel said over the intercom.

The gate clicked open, and Cally gave it a push. She distinctly remembered walking out swearing she’d never return, and she was back already.Fuck my life.

Marcel opened the front door as they arrived. “How nice to see you again so soon. And with a friend.”

Cally checked over her shoulder. The Uber driver had left, but the black BMW was parked down the street. “Let’s get in speedily, please, Marcel.”

The elderly retainer peered outside. “Is there something amiss?”

“We were followed all the way from Arlington.”

“How discomfiting, madam.” He opened the door wider. “Please, do come in.”

“Thank you, Marcel,” she said, stepping over the threshold and into the foyer. “Is he in the living room?”

“No, madam, but if you would like to wait within, I shall summon him.”

“Are you a vampire?” Eve asked as she followed Cally inside.

“No, madam,” Marcel replied patiently, “but of late, you’d be surprised how often I’m asked.”