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"It must have been Ian’s brew The herbs must’ve caused it" Ray walked into the bathroom and came out with a ashcloth and a towel "Wash your face You look like hell"

"Gee, thanks I feel like hell too"

"You drank MacDonald’s shit last night and it did this to you?" Valdez paced around the bed "That settles it You’re not going back out there tonight It’s not worth it We’re telling Blade about this and we’ll let him take care of MacDonald"

"Sorry, bud, but you don’t issue the orders around here" I tried to se it "I ht-loss thing Now that I knohat effect that particular potion has, I’ll ask Ian if I can try another one" I saw the second bottle on the nightstand "I’m supposed to drink this one now"

"Wait a " Ray opened it and sniffed "No, smells completely different This one is more like lemonade" He took a sip "Tart but tasty The man does kno to flavor his stuff Are you sure you want this? That last brew really did a number on you"

"I wish you wouldn’t" Valdez stared at raht" I held out my hand "Besides, Ray paid a fortune for this deal The least I can do is give it a shot"

"Hold it Forget thelook "You’re pale Maybe this isn’t worth it"

Valdez nodded "All right, it’s settled Thanks, Caine, for backingit I don’t care if the whole band and Nathan back you up, V Now, give ed but passed it over I ignored Valdez’sand took a s, then ood as the other one"

"How do you feel?" Valdez watched me closely

"I’m okay" And I was "Relax, V, Ray So I had so I can deal with that kind of side effect Andelse that won’t affect o out there later" I looked down at uys leave and let et dressed?"

"In a minute I want to watch, Glory, while you finish the drink and then see if you’re okay" Valdez juot two reporters in the living roo Stone Nate set it up He’s out there too"

"Daot all about that" Ray pulled a pair of jeans out of the closet "You sure you feel okay, babe?"

"Yes, I’m fine" I put le, but nothing ement since it’s te your new albu to have a piano brought up Play a couple of the new tunes for thee Jiht hi Valdez’s growl "Thanks, Glory Take care of yourself V, o to MacDonald’s later I can do all right without a paranor in the hotel"

"Maybe I will" Valdez swung back to look ata face Sto like the ti to be fine Go face the door when Ray leaves so I can grab soet a shower" I smiled at Ray "Thanks, Ray Maybe ill take Brittany I want Ian to knoe’re not pushovers"

"Good You needis more important torooive him credit for that" Valdez ambled to the door and faced it

"Yes, he does Nice of you to adrabbed so to the bathroo to throw up I heard the piano from the next room before I turned on the shower Good The more noise the better Because I was about to toss my cookies or, more accurately, Ian’s potion, and I didn’t want Valdez to know and worry about it

I leaned over the toilet and heaved Oh, God I hoped this didn’t ht I sank down on the bathroom floor and waited for the nausea to pass