Page 64 of Vampire so Virtuous

She slid back into her chair and started typing again. A quick search led her to the Suffolk County Registry of Deeds. A few clicks, and there it was. 71 Leicester Street, Fisher Hill.

She leaned back, staring at the screen. The address was public. Anyone could have found it.

Another search turned up the house itself. No interior photos. Never listed for sale, because why would it be? It had conveniently passed from father to son for three generations. The estimate said 9,600 square feet. Eight bedrooms.

Rich bastard.

The external photos showed blinds on every window. Perfect for keeping out pesky things like sunlight.

Her heart was pounding. She had an address, and she wanted the mark gone. She wasn’t his property to label as he saw fit.

She could go there.

But what then? Was she going to show up at a vampire’s house,unannounced?

The idea was absurd. Reckless.

And yet, why not? He wasn’t going to hurt her. If he wanted her dead, he’d had plenty of opportunity. Instead, he’d saved her. Protected her. Kept her out of prison.

For reasons she didn’t understand, Anthony Du Pont had gone out of his way for her.

And he’d done something to her. Something she needed to undo.

She wanted…

Damn it, she shouldn’t want to see him again, but she did. Was it to get answers, or was something else pulling her in?

Eve was always accusing her of being impulsive. Hell, Joon did, too.

And now she was proving them right.

The draw to challenge this cape-wearing creep, to get in his face… Instead, she reached for her phone.

“Eve? It’s me. Can I come and see you?”

Seventeen – Antoine

“Marcel, I need to attend the mayor’s club this evening.”

“Commiserations, sir. Black tie?”

“Yes, that’ll do.”

“Of course, sir.”

Antoine trimmed his nails in the en suite while Marcel selected clothing from the walk-in wardrobe with practiced efficiency.

“With the excitement of my trip yesterday, I quite forgot to ask you,” Antoine called through the open bathroom door. “How did you get on finding candidates for thralls?”

“Very well, sir. I have a list for your consideration, with no fewer than twelve veterans. I could find more, given another day or two.”

“It’s something to consider, my friend, but let’s start with those. I don’t want you taking more risks than necessary until I’ve better secured the territory.”

Marcel laid a dinner jacket and shirt on the bed. “Very good, sir. The platinum cufflinks? And please don’t forget an appropriate watch.”

“Thank you, Marcel. One of the Omegas will suffice.”

Antoine found dressing like the wealthy elite to be repugnant. Vampires seemed to love the trappings of wealth and power. So, of course, he did not. It reminded him far too much of Belle.