Page 85 of Twice Bitten

Once he was settled into the driver’s seat, he clicked his seatbelt on and asked, “Can we keep the insults to a minimum when you see him this morning?”

I shrugged. “Depends on him. I have no plans to speak to Alric unless I must.”

“He’s having your entire house cleaned.” Disapproval rang in his voice. “You can’t be bothered to even say thank you?”

“That’s what postcards are for.”

Leo pulled away and jumped onto the feeder road. “You don’t know him.”

“I don’t care to know him.”

Leo’s jaw tightened. “He doesn’t have to do anything for you.”

“I’m aware. But he allowed a dangerous vampire to exist and walk free for however many years Beckett has been around. And then, if you haven’t forgotten, he left me bleeding to death in an alley.”

Once again, Leo was silent for the rest of the journey.

The cleaning crew was milling around outside my front door when we pulled up. A mix of men and women held buckets of supplies, and I also noticed a large machine—I wasn’t sure of itspurpose. I slid out of the vehicle and walked up, only for Alric to intercept me.

“Good morning, little witch.”

Even this early in the morning, he was gorgeous. Bright green eyes reflected the orange rays of the new sunrise. His pale skin looked like creamy marble, and his lips were quirked in amusement.

“Morning, Prime.”

“Alric, please.” He gestured for me to walk up the steps, and as much as I didn’t want him at my back, I didn’t want to seem like I was afraid. “They’ll be here for about an hour,” he said. “After that, I promise you’ll have your house back.” He grimaced. “Well, minus some things. My strategist will drop by sometime this afternoon with a selection of new furniture and kitchen items.”

I unlocked the door and gestured for the crew to enter. “No need. I’ll replace my own things.”

Alric’s expression went blank. “I’ve already told you this was my responsibility.”

“And I told you, I do not want to be in your debt. While I appreciate your offer, I will choose my own furniture and pay for it myself.”

How I would do that was anyone’s guess. I wasn’t made of money, and my furniture was a bunch of well-cared-for hand-me-downs from my mother. I’d had it for years and had planned to keep every piece until it fell apart.

Grief at my lost things pained me. Telling myself they were only things helped because it was true. And yet, I still felt the loss keenly.

Once everyone was in, they went straight to my bedroom, while I headed to the kitchen. “Would you like a cup of coffee?” I’d had Leo stop for a new pot on the way home, just in case Beckett did something to the other one.

He inclined his head. “I would. Thank you.”

“Leo is welcome to one, but he’ll have to come get it.” I unpacked the pot and washed it out with hot water.

Alric’s lips twitched. “I’ll tell him.”

“You didn’t have to oversee the cleaning,” I said.

The machine beeped. I dumped out the water, replaced the liquid with new and measured grounds into the filter before starting the machine again. Beckett had missed the coffee and the filters during his rampage, thankfully.

He shrugged. “I wanted to see you. We left on the wrong note last night.”

“We did,” I agreed. “I think it’s because you want me to risk my life saving yours.” Whatever he wanted Beckett for was important. Enough for him to do all of this and then some.

Apparently, my words had not amused him.

“We will protect you. I give you my word.”

I let out a bark of laughter. “I’d be a fool to trust the man who let me bleed out with absolutely zero remorse.”