“By the way,” Charles asked, “why exactly have you decided to stay here? I thought you didn’t even have a house, Thomas.”“One of these days, you’re going to say something that’ll get you in real trouble,” Thomas muttered.“You actually look like one of those friends who leech off people.”“Last time I checked, I was a human, not a blood-sucking beast.”“Now that you mentioned it, I’m starting to get suspicious,” Charles said as he carried some plates to the kitchen. “For real, if you told me you’re a vampire, I’d believe you.”“Just wait until I’m thirsty next time. You’ll be the first I hunt down.”“I could be dead before then.”“I might turn zombie though.”The two women exchanged glances across the table. Shaking their heads at the same time. Only Charles and Thomas would casually joke about death like it was some light topic over breakfast.Inside the kitchen, Thomas glanced around before step

“Are you trying to advise me right now?” Charles’ voice was low, but colder than the body lying dead behind him.The two men immediately dropped to their knees.“Big Boss,” one of them begged, gripping Charles’ foot. “If you continue with Miss Sadie, you might end up exposing your identity to the whole world. It’s too dangerous, sir.”“You’ve made too many enemies. If your face, your name, your history—if everything about you comes out, you won’t just be risking your own life. You’ll bring every war you’ve survived right back to your doorstep.”Charles didn’t even look at them. His tone dropped another icy notch. “What are you suggesting?”That single question made the two men realize—again—what they had always known: once Charles set his mind on something, no one could stop him.“I could ask you to find out who sent this woman,” Charles said slowly. “But I don’t trust you enough to believe whatever story you’d come back wit

For the first time since she met him, something snapped inside her. Something she hadn’t even realized was breaking.“Babe…” he called softly, approaching the table.But his voice sounded… wrong. Like a curse on his tongue.“Are you okay? Should I take you to the hospital? You look pale—”He reached out to touch her cheek. Reflexively, instinctively, Emmy recoiled—dodging his touch.Then she bolted from the restaurant, her heels echoing off the marble floor. The air outside hit her like a slap.Roger caught up quickly, grabbing her arm near the door.“Babe! What’s going on? Talk to me! Did something happen?”His voice tried to sound gentle—but now it sounded like venom.Emmy shook her head. “My period just started.” Her voice was shaky, barely holding together.Roger nodded slowly, watching her too closely.“I’ve got some tampons in the car.”Who was she kidding? He knew she h