Pain blossoms in my right hand, and I realize I punched my steering wheel.
Flexing my fingers, I study my short, unpainted nails. I keep them trimmed. I don’t bother getting manicures. I don’t waste money on that. Besides, having long claws makes it tougher to do my fricking job.
Hurts more if I have to punch someone.
Not like I’m the prettiest waitress here, or the sexiest.
I’m basically the human housemother. Especially since I’m older than most of the humans here.
I stare out at the sunbaked streets around me. Waves of heat shimmer off the sidewalks and pavement. I never see the city at night, unless I’m staring at it through my apartment window. Most nights, I’m inside Club Toxic.
Sort of ironic. The mirror image of the vampires.
I head inside, disarm the alarm, and set about my usual routine, including getting my name tag.
Nothing’s going to happen tonight beyond having dinner and curling up on the office couch to sleep once Dexter’s left.
I’m not banging a hot vamp who bought me freaking expensive tires and had my ride detailed.
Nope.
Not doing it.
Definitelynot.
Even if he does look like Ianto.
10
Dexter
John and Markcame through for me. They used the private jet to fetch the tires from LA early this morning. When I awaken late that afternoon, I find confirmation, including photos, that Eilidh’s SUV now has new top-of-the-line tires, and it’s been detailed for her, including cleaning the headlamps so she can actually freaking see the road at night.
I hope she likes it.
Smiling, I get out of bed early. After using the bathroom, I crawl back into bed with my laptop and all the episodes ofTorchwoodpurchased through Amazon Prime.
Yep. I’m going to start watching them.
This must be obsession, right? Especially since I would normally start working on e-mails and phone calls whenever I awaken this early.
I mean, that’s what I’ve always done in the past. Made use of daylight hours when I’m conscious, which also helps keep my clueless human staff from getting suspicious about my unusual hours.
Not today.
Vacationday.
Ameday ahead of amenight with Eilidh.
Lying in bed, I prop my laptop on my chest and start watching. I looked up pictures of the show’s cast. If Eilidh thinks I resemble this Ianto guy, I can live with that. I’m flattered, even. It’s been so damned long since I’ve seen my own face that I couldn’t pick myself out of a police lineup if someone had a stake pressed against my chest at five seconds before sunrise. I’ve never been vain enough to have my portrait painted, much less patient enough to sit for one.
Plus, that usually requires daylight, and that is an uncomfortable conversation that could possibly raise someone’s suspicions. Vampire mental mojo powers or not, I prefer not taking unnecessary chances.
It’s nearly seven when my phone buzzes with another text. This time from Selene.
Done.Enjoy! :) I think you two will be great together.
I can only hopeSelene’s enthusiasm is a good portent of my future. She goes on to detail the arrangements. Augustus is bringing everything and will help me set up our private dinner in the conference room upstairs.
