Even worse, that one slice did nothing for my rumbling tummy. For a second, I thought of what Cillian claimed. That I needed blood because I was now a vampire. Ridiculous. More likely he’d given me some kind of drug that caused my food aversion.
And had me wide awake. I brimmed with energy and my apartment felt confining—and empty. It had been decades since I’d been truly alone. I’d had Fluffykins for almost half my life. Perhaps I should think about getting a kitten—or two.
Grawr.
What the hell? I glanced in alarm at my midsection. Since when did it make such a godawful noise? Should I try another slice? Looking at the congealing cheese made my throat close. I tossed it in the fridge and seeing the time—just after three—decided to hit the sack.
Was there any point in heading to work in the morning? A five-day absence without me calling in sick would have likely resulted in my being canned. Fuck. How would I pay rent?
I lay in my bed, staring at the ceiling, the gloom of the space not dark enough. As I lay there, unable to sleep, I memorized every stain and crack. Played over and over the confrontation with Gavin. The claim by Cillian. Ignored my grouchy belly.
I tossed and turned. Got up to try another slice of pizza. Spat it out after two bites. Tried soaking in a warm bath. Remained wide awake until dawn. And then, as if a switch were flipped, passed out hard.
Chapter Four
I must have been tired because I didn’t wake until slightly after sunset. Damn. I rubbed my face as I emerged from my bedroom into my still-depressing living room. A peek in my fridge still showed it lacking anything edible, and I included the pizza in that assessment. I’d obviously gotten a poorly made pie.
A knock at my door had me frowning. A peek through the glass spyhole showed a stranger wearing a dark jacket.
The woman knocked again.
“Can I help you?” I shouted through the portal.
“Delivery from Mr. O’Connor.”
Who? I frowned. “Wrong place. I don’t know a Mr. O’Connor.”
“Are you sure about that? You spent almost an entire week drooling on the guest bedroom pillow.”
Wait, I drooled in my sleep? But more importantly… I flung open the door. “You know Cillian?”
Green eyes set in a stony face perused me and appeared unimpressed. Couldn’t blame her. My wild unbrushed hair looked like I styled it by sticking my finger in a socket. “I work for Mr. O’Connor. He sent over a package for you.”
“What’s inside the cooler?” I eyed the blue and white plastic container she dangled.
“Open it and you’ll see.”
“No thanks.” I had a feeling I knew what he’d ordered his lackey to deliver.
“He wasn’t kidding about you being stubborn,” the woman muttered.
“It’s not stubborn to refuse gifts from strangers. Nor am I gullible. Are you part of Cillian’s prank?”
Her brows both rose. “You honestly don’t believe you’re…” She didn’t finish the sentence and shook her head. “Unbelievable. I can’t believe the boss wasted his time trying to help someone like you.”
“Like me?” I held myself straight. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“He usually is more discerning with those he associates with.” Her lip curled and my cheeks bloomed with heat.
“You can fuck right off with your snobby attitude. I am not in the mood.” I slammed the door shut and then waited. The woman didn’t knock but I did hear a thud. Only once I could be sure she’d left did I crack open the door. The cooler remained sitting on the floor.
If I left it there, it would get stolen and if he’d sent me blood, could result in trouble for me. I dragged the cooler inside and shut my door before crouching to flip open the lid. Sure enough, a bag with deep red fluid sat nestled in ice. Atop it, a note.
Come find me when you want answers.
And under that. Pour in a pot and heat on low. Do not boil. Do not microwave.
I stared at that bag of plasma for way longer than I should have. My tummy growled and I licked my lips as I remembered how good it tasted the night before.
