“No. If vampires were to kill every time they fed, there’d be war between the two species. And as strong as we are, we’re not as plentiful worldwide as humans. We could be overwhelmed and wiped out if there was a war. The average vampire is no more inclined to want to commit murder than the average human. But we do have to feed. Before the veil that hid us from the world fell, the way vampires obtained blood from humans wasn’t always... consensual. But here in Dear Lake, blood services are in the open. Rules are established for the safety of both vampires and humans, and humans who give their blood get paid.”
“Like me.”
“Yes.”
“Everett and our former member Charles are responsible for a lot of the way blood services function in Dear Lake. You’ll meet Everett tonight.”
Ji-Su settled back in his seat even as thoughts raced through his head. Raul was part of a criminal organization? But how?Nothing about the vampire who treated him so gently fit with his idea of criminal bosses—cruel people who sat in smoke-filled back rooms issuing orders to kill their enemies. He had questions. But on their way to the ballet didn’t seem like the right time to raise them so he decided to save them for a later time.
The conversation turned to casual topics. As they talked, Ji-Su flicked glances at Raul from the corner of his eye, admiring his handsomeness. The strength of his jaw, the rich black of his hair. As always, he wished things were different between them. he thought how nice it would be if they were a couple on a real date. If they were, he would be free to reach out and hold Raul’s hand, entwine their fingers together. Instead, he kept his hands clasped together in his lap until they arrived at the theater.
They ended up holding hands anyway as, ever the gentleman, Raul took his hand to help him out of the limo. Then, he held on to it so that Ji-Su walked into the Dear Lake Bell Theater at Raul’s side, with his hand tucked securely in the crook of his patron’s elbow. Ji-Su loved the way Raul treated him with such old-fashioned care. No wonder he couldn’t stop pining over him.
The Bell’s interior was beautiful in an opulent, almost gaudy way. It was designed in a mix of ancient Egyptian and art deco. There were lots of gold accents, decorative cut glass fans mounted high on the walls, and black marble columns.
The moment they stepped into the lobby, multiple people, humans and vampires alike, came up to Raul. All were friendly. A few fawned. And some clearly wanted something from him. A vampire in an expensive but slightly disheveled suit approached. When he greeted Raul, his voice was a shade too loud.
“Mr. Raul, it’s good to see you!”
“You as well, Franklin.”
“I’m glad I’m running in to you tonight. I have an idea that would be perfect for your casino.”
Franklin’s face was florid and his eyes glassy from drink. As he attempted to move in close to share his idea with Raul, he stumbled and stepped on Ji-Su’s foot with all of his weight.
Ji-Su muttered a softouchand took a step back. Raul looked down at him in concern.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. It’s crowded in here,” he said in a polite attempt to deflect blame from Franklin.
“Franklin should be more careful. And he needs to apologize for his clumsiness,” Raul said in a voice that demanded obedience despite its calmness.
Franklin’s face turned such a dark red that Ji-Su was concerned for his health bar.
“You’re right. I’m sorry, Mr. Raul.”
“To him,” Raul said in that same quietly commanding voice.
The drunk, nervous vampire turned to Ji-Su.
“I apologize. I hope I didn’t hurt you.”
Ji-Su smiled, hoping to put the nervous man at ease. “Not at all.”
Franklin nodded in relief and excused himself. He rushed off, bumping into a few people along the way.
A frown creased Ji-Su’s brow as he watched him go. “He didn’t tell you his idea.”
“I’m not interested in hearing it,” Raul said with a dismissive shrug. “We don’t work with people who get drunk in public. It shows he’s prone to sloppiness.”
“And your business keeps it tight,” Ji-Su said, parroting what Raul had told him in the car.
“Exactly, cariño.”
The soft smile Raul gave him made Ji-Su feel as if he’d pleased him in some way. And he wondered what cariño meant.
An older Caucasian woman dressed in a slim, ankle length black satin gown, with her salt and pepper hair secured in asmooth ballerina bun at the back of her head approached, the crowd parting to let her through. She held both hands out to Raul, a welcoming smile on her beautiful, gracefully aged face.