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"Dah his hair It was the saitated No, couldn’t think about him now

"She was contacted by Ian about our blood Since I sired her, she really does have my Siren blood Some crone in Transylvania took one whiff and told her it’s special Then Ian let her know there’s so on with her blood too She’s desperate to get the goods on it" I reached for Ray but he stepped back "I feel like maybe I owe her an explanation"

"Seriously? You owe that bitch soh her black heart" Ray walked over to the piano and sla me jump "Damn it, Glory, if you help that woman, I will take it as a personal betrayal" He wouldn’t look at me but stared out at the lake where a speedboat roared across the dark water

"Ray" I fought back the urge to cry He was right I couldn’tup her check Letting her knoasn’t honoring her stupid contract What could she do about it? Do to s, but I wasn’t about to be intio to the vampire council for help if I had to They didn’t like loan sharks hanging out in Austin

"So are you? Going to help Lucky?" Ray finally turned around and walked over to look ht in the eye

"No I can’t do that to you, Ray I wish now I’d had a stake in uard or I’d never…" I slid my arms around him and held on "I’m so sorry That I was tempted for even a moment to take her money"

He shoved me away and stared at me "She offered youlike that" I wanted to cut off ue Why had I said that?

"Why do you need money? Is the shop in trouble?" Ray kept his distance

"No It’s doing okay" I wanted to be honest with hi to Scotland"

"Well, shit Of course To chase after Blade" Ray’s bitter laugh pierced my heart "Why the hell not? You afraid the Siren whah to pull hiirl?" He stalked across the room and pulled out a bottle of synthetic blood froe in the bar He drained it, then threw the bottle against the here it shattered "Fuck When will I ever learn?"

"That was before last night, Ray I would never do that now Not after we--"

"I get it Now you’ve got the guilts Can’t go crawling to Blade with me on your conscience" Ray picked up his cell phone from the coffee table and hit speed dial "I need a delivery The special blend Yeah, I’ up and tossed the phone onto a cushioned chair "Nohere e?"

"What did you just do, Ray?" I ran over and grabbed his phone I hit redial "Who is this?"

"It’s Damian Who is this?"

"Glory, Damian What did Ray just order?" I knew Dah-end synthetic blood, not the cheap stuff I ordered on the Internet

"The blood with alcohol, Glory I tried to talk hihed "I know his history My sister asked ain But I am a businessman You should understand"

"Yes, I do Go ahead I’ainst the sa idiot! Is that language you understand?"

"Why, Glory, I believe that’s the first tirinned and sat on the couch like he didn’t care that he’d just shatteredwith that bottle "Bet it won’t be the last And, no, you’re not ht proved, in spades"

"Bastard Fool What do I have to do to get you to treat yourself right?" I sat beside him and buried my face in my skirt His hand landed on my back

"I don’t know Kill Lucky for me?"