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Gregori patted hiht that you were interested in going to China So we thought you ht like this plant"
"Yes" Laszlo handed her a plastic container "It’s a rare plant froasped "That’s exactly where I want to go" She took the container "Thank you, Laszlo"
"Glad to help" He plucked at a button "I think I’ll be going now" He scurried back down the hallway to his lab
"Is he all right?" Abigail asked
"Sure" Gregori opened the door to his office "He’s just a little shy"
Charles rushed forward to enter the office first He pivoted, looking about, then ail to enter
"It’s very ni - " She halted when Charles jumped back from the closet he had just opened
"Please step out of the room," he said quietly as he pulled a cell phone froori asked
Charles gave hiusted look "There’s a feori scoffed "You asped
"I ori strode toward the closet
Charles grabbed his aro in there It’s a crihts in the closet "You see? It’s a doll"
"A doll?" Abigail moved closer "In a red bikini?"
Charles held up a hand to stop her "Stand back I’ll investigate the rowled "It’s just a stupid doll"
Charles leaned over to inspect VANNA "It looks like a sex toy" He shot another disgusted look at Gregori "The ribbon around its neck could be used to siail stiffened A horrified look flitted over her face, then she ran froori followed her "It’s not what you think"
She turned to face hi a life-sized sex toy in your closet?"
"No! VANNA is a Vampire Artificial Nutritional Needs Appliance Laszlo and I invented her He put in some tubes to simulate veins and a battery-operated puh her But it didn’t work Her skin is too rubbery for biting"
"You bit her?"
"No! Notabout ori winced Now he’d made his boss sound like a perv "They found VANNA in the closet"
Roman chuckled "Don’t let VANNA upset you, Miss Tucker She was a failed experiori a wry look "And yet, she’s still in your closet"
"I was going to give her to Connor for his five-hundredth birthday As a gag gift That’s why there’s a bow around her neck But Connor just got married, andI don’t think his neill appreciate it"
Rohed "No, definitely not"
Charles stepped into the hall, carrying VANNA "It’s harrabbed the doll and bent her over his ar we cut in her back to insert a circulatory syste," she ht be useful for Va," Roman explained "I know it oal is to protectattacked"
"I see" She nodded "She’s a substitute victiail frowned, he realized his hand was planted on VANNA’s breast He quickly lowered it to her waist
"Would you like to see hoe ail "I’d be happy to take you on a tour and answer any questions"
"That would be wonderful" She sori on the back "You look like you could use a break"
"I’m okay" Just one near disaster after another Laszlo reappearing, then VANNA And the way Abigail had seen right through hi his eyes He’d marketed himself to make everyone in the Vamp world like him The truth was there was no way to please everyone He should just be himself and only worry about the people he truly cared about
Like Abigail
"Maybe you can use this?" She pulled a stress ball froot it, but your s to you"
He sed hard "I slipped it into your pocket when you weren’t looking You can keep it I have a bunch more"
"Okay" She stuffed it back into her pocket, apparently accepting his explanation
"You can leave the plant in ori offered, and she handed the plastic container to him
"We’ll see you in about twenty ail, Charles trailing behind
Gregori went back into his office, set the plant on his desk, then tossed VANNA in the closet and shut the door Unable to relax, he grabbed a stress ball and paced When that didn’t work, he retrieved a bottle of synthetic blood froulped down half of it
He strode to the security office to hear what plans Angus had co teleported his us, and the tere deep in discussion when the phone rang
"Aye, he’s here," Angus spoke on the phone "I’ll send hi up "Ro for you"
Gregori dashed toward his office and ran into Roail, and Charles in the hallway
Ro you, Miss Tucker If there’s anything I can do for you, just let me know And if you ever need a lab, you’re welcome to use one of ours"
"That’s very kind of you Thank you" She s to recommend to my father that he befriend you and your people"
"Excellent" Ro in our power to us just now, ori said
"I’ll leave you to discuss it I need to see hoife and children are doing Good evening" Roail breathed She turned to Gregori "That’s how I’ll get into China?"
"Yes But before you go, we’ll have everything planned out It would help if we knew exactly what you’re looking for"
"Three rare plants that are endemic to the Yunnan province They’re used in some ancient Chinese reht be helpful in boosting et hold of soovernment wouldn’t allow it I have the infor the ori nodded "That would help a lot For noe’re busy selecting the right team, those who have experience in covert e"
She frowned "But you’re going, aren’t you?"
"I would like to, but I don’t have any experience - "
"You have to go" She grabbed his aret to know them"
"Not like you I - I need you there I trust you"
Trust He didn’t deserve her trust, not after wiping her htened on his arm "Please I’ll feel safer with you"