Ashlyn Chase - Kissing with Fangs

Anthony closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose in front of the burnt-out wreck that used to be his bar, Boston Uncommon. Even in the darkness he could see the destruction too well. His dear aunt Sadie rested her hand on his shoulder. Neither spoke for a few reverent moments.

At last, Sadie said, I know its bad, but at least no one diedper se.

Anthony slowly opened his eyes and stared at her. Per se?

His only living relative pursed her lips. I dont know if I should tell you this

Anthony sighed. You have my attention now. Tell me whatever it is, whether you think I ought to know or not.

Its Claudia. Shes in trouble.

Now his psychic aunt really had Anthonys attention.

Claudia had been on his mind too, but not because he thought anything was wrong with his beautiful, stylish bar manager. He assumed a smart woman like Claudia would find another job in a snapand he would miss her terribly.

Hed trusted her completely with his business, and not just because she had an MBA. She was always there during the daylight hours when he couldnt be. He missed her cheery smile and their private conversations in his office, and if he were honest, hed admit to missing her more than his lost income.

Shed never know that, though. He had to hide every emotion he had toward Claudia from his psycho ex-girlfriend, Ruxandra, for Claudias safety.

Come to think of it, she hasnt called to ask for a reference. Whats wrong? he asked.

Im not sure. I get the sense shes in emotional turmoil. Its more than an unhappy feeling Im picking up. Possibly, shes very depressedor worse. Call her.

Anthony dug his cell phone out of his suit jacket pocket. As he pushed the number 1 on his speed dial, he realized again how important she had been to him. If she was depressed, he needed to give her more than a phone call.

It rang a few times before she picked up. Her garbled hello alarmed him.

Claudia?

Who wans to know?

Its Anthony. Are you all right?

After a long pause, he repeated the question.

Im jus fine an dandy.

You sound drunk.

She snorted. So? Im over twenty-one. Im in my own partment. Dont I have the right to drown my sorrows?

He gentled his voice. What sorrows, Claudia? Whats happening?

She laughed. I los my job. I thought you knew that. You were my boss.

It had to be more than that. Claudia, Im coming over.

No! I mean, please dont. Ill be fine.

Im on my way. He hung up and dropped his phone back into his jacket pocket.

He touched Sadies arm. Thank you for telling me.

Call me later and let me know how fucked up she is.

Anthony raised his eyebrows.

She raised hers right back at him. You cant be shocked at my language. Youve heard it before. Listen, I wouldnt have had a vision if all was well. Oh, and be sure to tell her Im thinking of her.

He nodded and jogged around the corner to a deserted side street before he took off at top speed. After all, he couldnt let the constant crowds on Charles Street see him virtually disappear. They werent supposed to know vampires existedalong with dragons, werewolves, and any other number of supernaturals. Boston Uncommon had been a safe haven for all of them. Anthony couldnt help wondering where theyd all go now.

He had Claudias address memorized. Even though he had never been to her high-rise apartment overlooking the river, the big sign bragged, If you lived here, youd be home by now. It took him about two seconds to reach it.

A doorman. Shit. If the gentleman opened the door without asking him to come in, it didnt count as an invitation into someone elses home. Without it, he couldnt get in. So, Anthony tried for a little small talk.

Nice evening.

Yes, sir. As predicted, the man opened the door but didnt invite him in.

Anthony spotted the concierge behind the desk inside. Uh, I dont live here, but Id like to see someone who does. What should I do?

Speak to the concierge inside.

That sounded like it might be an invitation. Better to be sure. So, I should go in?

The gentlemans brow wrinkled. Yes, sir.

Thank you. That was a trifle awkward, but it did the trick.

The concierge offered him a welcoming smile but when asked to notify Claudia Fletcher that she had a visitor, he gave Anthony the unexpected news that she had moved out.

Where is she now?

The concierge looked uncomfortable and said, Im not at liberty to give anyone that information.

Anthony leaned in until he held the other mans gaze. If you have the information I just asked for, you will give it to me, and you wont remember divulging it.

Yes, sir. In slow motion, the gentleman reached under the desk and drew out an old-fashioned index-card box. He thumbed through the alphabetical tabs until he located Fletcher, Claudia, and offered the card to Anthony.

A Cambridge address in Claudias handwriting occupied the space for forwarding mail. At the bottom shed scrawled, If I continued to live here, Id be homeless by now.

Anthony took off at a brisk jog to her Cambridge apartment. He could no longer fly since he didnt know exactly where he was going. On the way, he reflected back to when hed first met the klutzy waitress who became his bar managerand how Ruxandra had instantly spotted the attraction.

He had been gazing with appreciation at one of his waitresses, Claudia, a blond with a pixie cut. She caught him staring at her, and the tray she carried crashed to the floor. She gasped and quickly stooped down to gather the large pieces of glass.

Anthony had to force himself to ignore her perfectly rounded bottom and help her. Hang, on, Claudia, he called. Ill be right there. He found the broom and long-handled dustpan while Joel brought her a damp towel.

Im so sorry, Anthony. Ouch! Shed pricked her finger on a piece of glass, and a tiny red bead seeped out.

His mouth watered. The smell of her blood was intoxicating, but he wrestled himself under control. It would have been so easy to lick that wound and stop the bleeding instantlyif he could resist more than a taste. No snacking on the staff, no matter how wonderful she smells, he ordered himself.

This sort of thing happens, Claudia. Step back and let me sweep up the shards of glass.

I should do that. I made the mess. II feel like such a spaz.

Little did she know he found her flustered reaction to his gaze adorable. Hed better keep that to himself, however. Otherwise he might have to clean up aisle one a lot more.

Its all right. Ive got it. Just replace the drinks you were bringing to your customers.

Claudia sagged as if defeated and returned to the bar where Joel was already re-pouring the order.

What happened? Joel whispered to her.

Anthony wouldnt have heard the exchange if not for his superior vampiric senses.

I just didnt have the tray balanced properly. Ive never waitressed before. Ill get used to it eventually, Im sure.

Dont take too long, Joel said as he set two new cocktails on a dry tray.

Claudia let out a little groan and carefully walked the drinks over to the waiting customers.

In only a few minutes, the spill was cleaned up and everything seemed to be returning to normal. Anthony had just laid a hand on Claudias shoulder, ready to reassure her that she wasnt in any trouble, when suddenly the door burst open and Ruxandra strutted in.

I knew it!

Anthony growled. Ruxandra. He straightened his six-foot frame and strode over to his ex-girlfriend, now nemesis. Youre not welcome here.