Picky Eater

Ch 5: We're not together

"We'll have fun," Ben promised. "Hey, come on out. Let us make it up to you. How can we make your summer just a little better?"

The door opened and Evie had this crazed smile Ben hadn't seen yet. Maybe this was just how she smiled, like she was a cat with a mouse in its mouth. Eyes wide, lips twitching. "I want this room."

"It is your room," Ben said.

"No. I want to make it mine."

Ben leaned into the room, looking at it for the first time in a long time. There was a bed in the corner and to get to it, you had traverse tubs of stuff, scattered books, a couch covered in clothes Ben had to sort through and all his luggage for traveling.

"Um..." Ben's stomach twisted, knowing he was going to have to give up more for this summer. Still, Ben asked her, "What do you need for that?"

And that was the magic question. Evie smiled wider, and Ben knew he was just in more trouble.

***

Walking the street with Nino was like being an actor cast in the wrong movie. Nino was the hunk A-List star who was going to spend half the movie shirtless for some reason, and Ben was in a buddy comedy as a nameless side character that got most of his dialogue cut. He was the type in the movies to die first. The type that was just the cab driver taking the romantic leads to the airport to catch their soulmate before they were gone forever.

Maybe Ben had been watching too many movies lately.

Thankfully, the street style photographers only stopped them once. They only looked at Nino in his designer clothes and was nearly seven-foot stature. Wearing clearance, Old Navy made Ben virtually invisible. Nino insisted, "No thank you. I don't want my daughter photographed."

Evie looked model ready, too. She wore large sunglasses and a wide brim hat. Ben was worried about the sun, but Nino insisted the sun was setting and she fed so recently she'd make it tonight.

"Blood is everything to us," Nino said, with Evie holding his hand. She grabbed Ben's hand too, placing herself as a sweet center. People were taking second glances and Ben let himself be delusional and assumed people thought they were a lovely couple and their stunning daughter. Nino explained, "It keeps us alive and fuels our magic."

"Does that mean after you drink from me—"

"Oh, baby," Nino leaned over Evie and wiggled his brows. His face looked even more beautiful this closely. It was all about the details. The mole above his eyebrow. The flecks of gold in his eyes. That lopsided smile and perfect teeth. "I could fly to the moon and back."

Ben snorted and rolled his eyes, pushing Nino's face away. Nino took out his phone and made another call. "Hello, Guinevere, we're a few minutes away..." He paused, listening for her answer, and he smiled. "Thank you. That sounds good. See you soon."

He hung up the phone and said, "We'll hang back a moment and, in the meantime..." He took out a pair of sunglasses and a medical mask, handing it to Ben. "Put these on. You're a vampire and my assistant."

"Seriously?" Ben asked, but he put it all on.

"If they think you're on the Ventura payroll, they won't mess with you. No matter how sweet you smell. And you," he pointed at Evie and instructed, "You'll hang back and hide, until we tell you the coast is clear. The fewer vampires that see you, the better."

Evie nodded.

Leaning down, he whispered loud enough to Evie, so Nino could hear, "He's bossy, huh?"

Evie bit down a smile, but Nino full grinned and tugged on them to move. They turned the corner and started heading to a store Ben never thought about breathing near just in case their oxygen came at a high price. "No way. Aren't we just getting kid's furniture?"

"Yeah," Nino confirmed.

"For the summer?"

"Correct again. Come on," Nino laughed and reached back for Ben's arm, tugging him along. "They're a vampire run store and I'm not taking a chance anywhere that isn't terrified of Dante Ventura."

"Fine, but stop holding your assistant's hand," Ben said and shook Nino off. He was annoyed with himself for being annoyed with Nino so easily.

Evie swallowed nervously. "I can get whatever I want?"

"Oh, yeah. Your mother is reimbursing me."

"Don't just get furniture though," Ben insisted. "Get little stuff you like too, like if they have toys or books or something. I don't know."

Before they reached the store, Evie disappeared behind a collection of overflowing trashcans and bags of garbage. Nino looked around and Ben couldn't guess what he was looking for, but his eyes eventually landed on Ben. He smiled. "Ready?"

"No," Ben said.

With a snort, Nino took it as a yes and walked up to the store. A beautiful woman was already at the entrance with two men opening the doors for our arrival. "Nino Ventura, it is a pleasure to meet you." She offered her well-manicured hand.

Up close, she was even more beautiful, with cool black skin and a shiny, slicked back ponytail that trailed down her back. She wore a plum pants suit tailored to perfection and heels that could stab through Ben's chest. She smiled. A flash of fangs made Ben's blood run cold. These vampires have been so close. So close this whole time and he was one wrong turn towards what could be the end of his life. Or worse.

"The pleasure is mine," Nino said in a voice Ben didn't recognize. His posture was different, more regal, and his voice was devoid of all his normal charisma. It was so distant, untouchable, and unknowable. It didn't sit right in Ben's stomach. Nino continued, "I've heard wonderful things. I appreciate you clearing the shop for me."

"Anything for the Ventura Coven."

Ben glanced at the men by the door, keeping their eyes averted. They seemed so tense; Ben could probably brush against them, and they'd topple over. When Nino spoke, they flinched, and it made Ben realize they must be afraid of him. "My assistant here will write an order for everything we need and leave the rest to you."

The man closest to Ben glanced up. He looked Ben up and down. Ben turned his eyes forward and held his breath. Staying as close to Nino as possible, Ben tried to ignore the feeling of being picked apart. He hated Nino being right almost as much as he hated being wrong.

Ben held his breath and went to take a step towards Nino. If he was close to Nino, he would be safer there. A cold hand with a vice grip cut the circulation off in his hand immediately.

"Your highness, it seems you're being tricked. There's a human among us."

His grip tightened and Ben was seized by the pain, a curse jumping off his lips. Bites, stitches, hurt feelings, and now what could be a broken wrist. Ben really would not make it out of this summer in one piece.