A Vampire for Christmas(113)

She’d never expected a guy who looked more like a biker than a fry cook would double as a therapist. It was the real concern in his caramel-brown eyes that got her talking.

I’m worried about Daniel. Something is up with him, and he won’t let me in.”

Tenn’s expression turned grim. “You can’t save everyone, Della, no matter how hard you try.”

I know, especially if they don’t want to be saved.” She started measuring out the correct ingredients into the mixer. “And there’s Eagan. You haven’t met him because he only comes in during the evenings.”

Tenn was already nodding. “Must be the one Lupe was complaining about.”

No doubt. She took an immediate dislike to him even though she’s never said more than five words to him.”

Tenn looked away. “She has her reasons, but it’s nothing he’s done.”

It was pretty clear that was all he was going to say on the subject. Did Lupe’s reaction to Eagan have something to do with his vampire nature? If so, how did Lupe recognize what he was? Did she even want to know? Rather than press for answers, Della concentrated on finishing the cookies before the lunchtime rush started.



SLEEP WAS SHORT-LIVED. By midafternoon Eagan was up and pacing the floor of his condo. He swore the clock had quit moving at all. Finally, he couldn’t stand being cooped up any longer. He’d be better off working than beating himself up over the events of the previous night.

He headed to the garage. His car had windows which blocked the sun’s most lethal wavelengths. If he drove straight to the precinct, he’d be all right since the day was gray and overcast.

At least at the office he’d be able to do something useful. Hell, maybe he’d dazzle his boss by getting caught up on his files. Anything at all to keep from thinking about Della. About how right she’d felt in his arms, how perfectly they’d fit together.

Her easy acceptance of his truth had been a real shocker, but then that’s what Della did. She opened her door and her heart to those who didn’t quite fit anywhere else. He had no right to take advantage of her generous nature, not when it meant dragging her into the darkness with him.

But damn, he wanted to do exactly that. The thought of coming home to her every morning had him having to adjust the fit of his jeans. God, he had it bad.

The squad room was empty when he got there and so he tackled a stack of papers. An hour later, he finished the last report and tossed it on the pile. Now what? Might as well spread the joy. He picked up the folders and headed for the boss’s office. The lieutenant looked up at Eagan’s knock on the door and waved him in. His eyes widened at the stack of files in Eagan’s hand. He immediately grabbed a newspaper off the corner of his desk and started flipping through it like a madman.

Okay, what are you looking for?”

Hughes tossed the paper aside. “To see when hell had frozen over. That’s when I figured you’d get around to doing those reports. Good thing I don’t have a bad heart because the shock could’ve killed me.”

Okay, he’d never known the man actually had a sense of humor. Eagan dropped the pile in the lieutenant’s in-basket.

Is there anything else I can do?”

As soon as he spoke, he wished he could take it all back because his boss went on point. There’d be no escape now.

Okay, McHale, park it and tell me what’s going on. Is there a problem with the case?”

No, sir. Once the sun goes down, I’ll be following up on that kid we’ve been watching. I checked in with the day crew earlier, but there’s been no sign of movement today.”

He frowned. “I know school is out for the holidays, but it worries me that no one has seen him all today.”

He has a job. Maybe he’s at the diner.”

I’ll have someone check there.” But not him. He couldn’t risk Della catching him spying on her place—or her.

Hughes leaned back in his chair. “Someone? Why not you? I thought you had an in with the owner.”

Yes, sir, but people were paying a bit too much attention to me.”

People or a single person, Eagan?”

He wasn’t sure which was more surprising: the sympathy in his boss’s voice or his use of Eagan’s first name.

The owner. Della.”

And that’s a problem for you?”

For her. She’s human, sir.”

He found himself pouring out the whole story, figuring the boss could only kill him once. Instead, Hughes got up to fix them each a cup of coffee laced with the scotch he kept in a locked cabinet. The burn did little to warm the ache in Eagan’s gut, but he appreciated the gesture.