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Richart had not roused once Not when she had finished undressing hie-bathed the blood from him Not when she had attempted to clean his sticky, bloody hair And not when she had worked a pair of John’s boxers up Richart’s long, aze darted to his lap, covered noith a clean blanket

She hadn’t seen a naked man up close and personal in years She had hoped to see Richart naked when the day had begun, but not like this

She rested her hand on his bare chest

Warm Weren’t vahtly, then fell still once more

The front door opened and closed "I’m home," John called Moainst the cold, a shopping bag dangling fro you need?" she asked

Setting the bags down, he unzipped his jacket and tugged it off

"Yes, but I didn’t get everything he needs"

"What do youhim that It’s just too weird"

"I know But, if he is one, he probably needs bloodelse"

Jenna eyed Richart with dread Did he really drink blood?

"Has he moved at all?" John asked

"No But he still has that slow, faint pulse"

He spilled bandages, tubes, and bottles onto the bed "I’et started"

Chapter Four

Yawning, Jenna focused gritty eyes on the clock again It would be noon soon

John slept in his bedrooet some rest

Richart’s chest rose and fell in another barely detectable breath

He still hadn’t stirred Nor had his wounds miraculously healed as they often did in ht of all the films and TV shows she’d seen in which a human had slashed his or her wrist and held it over a vaan to drink

She was so not going to do that

Not yet, an inner voice murmured

Not ever, she insisted, but wondered if she would feel the same way if Richart still hadn’t awakened by

By when? To else?

Thu on the front door

Frowning, she rose and headed for the living room

John shuffled out of his bedroo up on one side "Is he awake?"

"Not yet"

"Was that--?"

Thu roo onto her toes, she peeked through the peephole

A tall red-haired younganxiously frohtened, eyes fastening on the peephole "Hi I’ for Jenna?"

"And you are?"

"Sheldon Shepherd, ma’am"

Who the hell was that?

"Do you know him?" John whispered

"No"

"What do you want?" John deh the peephole again

Sheldon went still "IahI’d just like to talk with you for a ht Weahwe have a mutual friend whoholanced around, frustration written all over his face

Jenna lowered her heels to the floor "He must be a friend of Richart’s," she whispered and reached for the lock

John caught her hand "Or he could be one of the people who hurt him"

"If he’s a friend, maybe he can help him"

"And if he’s not?"

"Hello?" Sheldon called