Page 121 of Vampire so Virtuous

“Keep the doors closed for the next five minutes, would you?” Antoine said to him as he shut the door behind Zoey and Noah. “Too many are leaving right now.”

The man nodded wordlessly, still clearly under the effect of Antoine’s mind trick, and moved to lean against the door. Cally doubted he’d stop a determined thrall, but he might delay them.

Together, they headed up the stairs at a jog.

“I have a headache and my ears are ringing,” Antoine muttered. “How can music that loud be good for one’s hearing?” He shook his head. “Minh is a barbarian.”

Cally gave a laugh, a little too high-pitched with the release of tension.

She hoped they were done fighting for the night; they didn’t need more attention. Without the cover of the music, the sounds would travel, along with the screams of the attendant. But to her relief, the security men barely glanced at them. She headed for the door.

“Un moment,” Antoine said. “I want my coat.”

He walked to the coat check and leaned on it, presenting his ticket to the young woman behind the counter. She gave him a lingering look before turning to retrieve his coat. Cally placed her own ticket down.

“You’re in a good mood,” she said, eyeing him.

“So it would seem,” Antoine replied. “Not only is my head pounding less, but watching you…dance”—he paused as if savoring the image—“was a thing of beauty.”

The coat check woman came back with Antoine’s jacket and a flirtatious look, which didn’t last as she took Cally’s ticket.

“Antoine,” Noah spoke quietly, nodding toward the stairs.

“No matter, we were just leaving,” Antoine said, accepting Cally’s coat and holding it for her as she slipped her arms in.

Heavy footsteps pounded from below, but Antoine led them unhurriedly to the exit. He opened the door and held it for Noah and Zoey. Zoey clung to Noah’s arm, smiling as if their date was ending early—for all the right reasons.

Antoine took Cally’s hand as they followed, striding up the street and away from the busy main road.

“The T is behind us,” Cally said.

“I don’t tend to take it,” Antoine replied. “It is a little like being in a tomb.”

“It’ll be quicker than a car at this time on a Friday night.”

“No doubt,” he said, giving her a wink.

Did the vampire just wink at me?He really was in a good mood.

Noah and Zoey carried on along the street, still arm in arm, but Antoine tugged Cally around the next corner, into a smaller side alley.

“Do you trust me?”

Cally was caught off guard. Yes? No? Maybe? “Probably unwise to.”

He gave a delighted little laugh. “How true. Then I shall be more specific. I would like to pick you up in my arms, if you would find that acceptable?”

She released his hand and took a half step back, watching him guardedly. “Why?”

“It is faster than a car.”

She hesitated still, not understanding.

“We are a little short of time,” he prompted gently.

“Oh, fine,” she said with reluctance. “Just… don’t do anything weird.”

He swept one arm under her knees, the other beneath her shoulders, and with a suddenness that made her breath catch, she was cradled against him. It seemed natural to push a hand against his chest for support.