Page 6 of Vampire's Cupcake
She deflated and put the lettuce she'd been holding on the counter."A gift then."Then she grabbed the basket with the remaining lettuce plants and headed toward the door.
"Alice!Wait."
She did, but there was a defeated look in her eyes.
"Register a business."
"It's too much work for too little income.They'll take most of it in taxes, will they not?"
He grimaced."There are taxes."Which was why everyone had to have a registered business.How else would they be able to keep track of what people bought and sold and get their cut?"But it's better than not getting any money at all."
She shook her head.
"You're a clever woman.If I can run a business, you can."
"I don't want them controlling us.They'll look into the whole family, and I can't afford to put anyone in danger."
Eli turned her words around in his head.Who was in danger?He didn't think Maria or Teresa, Romeo's mother and sister, did anything illegal, and Lorenzo came across as a hard-working man, doing his best to provide for his family.Which left Romeo.
"Is Lorenzo, Teresa, or Maria doing something they shouldn't?"
She shook her head.
"I don't think you have to protect Romeo anymore."
Her eyes widened a fraction."It's not unheard of that families get punished for one member's actions."
No, it wasn't.It was a way to keep people in line.You didn't only risk your own hide, you risked your family as well.Some days, Eli was glad his mother wasn't alive anymore.She'd died too young, and he missed her terribly, but at least she wouldn't have to suffer if he ever got caught doing something he shouldn't.
"I think you're safe.Should someone say something, they'll have to deal with a snarling Ciar."
"It's more than that.It's Lorenzo being able to get a job, and Maria and Teresa too.We've lived through this before."She didn't sound bitter, but it was easy to see Romeo being queer had put them all in a difficult situation.
Eli didn't want to think about what would happen if people figured out he liked men.The shop would be trashed, and he'd most likely be killed.A shiver traveled his spine, and he was yet again glad his mother wasn't here.He'd never act on any desires, but sometimes people suspecting was enough.
"I still think you should do it.I could buy from you, and with a business license, you could have a stall at the market."On the last Wednesday of every month, the town square transformed into a trading area.There weren't a lot of sellers, but a few people came over from Fisherman's Lake, and some women sold things they'd knitted or crocheted, and so on.
Before she could reply, the door opened, forcing her to move out of the way or get hit by it.It would soon be warm enough to leave it open all the time.
Thano stepped in for the second time today, and Eli's heart leaped to block his throat.Fuck, this couldn't be good.The others never came to his shop.Twice in one day didn't bode well.
* * * *
Thano noted the way Eli stiffened and focused on the woman in front of him.He knew her.Nodding, he tried to remember her name.She was Romeo's brother's mate."Alice."He believed it was her name.
"Mr.Moonlight."She curtsied.He hadn't seen a person curtsy in ages and bowed without thinking.
"Thano, Alice needs to register as a business."Eli's voice was a little shaky."She can do that through the board, right?"
Ugh, more stupid human rules.
"No, I--"
"Yes, Alice.Do it.Even if it's only pennies, it's better than nothing."
Thano didn't know what they were talking about, but it was the first time he'd heard Eli be anything but accommodating.It piqued his interest.Eli had always aroused his interest.It was the way he moved.Thano liked his tall frame and broad shoulders, but he'd never spent more than a few seconds admiring him before moving on.Hearing him talk like this though..."What's the problem?"He didn't care much about human problems, but for once, he wanted to hear what was going on.
"Alice has made these--" Eli held up a plant."--but I can't buy them off her unless she's a registered business."
