Page 36 of Bent Out of Shade
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Laurent’s head snapped up.Thanks to his enhanced shifter senses, he’d heard everything.
Grabbing my phone again, I held up my other hand, control hanging on by a thread. The vampire had come into my home? If she was harmed in any way, I’d destroy him. “Is he at our place? Did he hurt you?”
She swallowed audibly. “Here’s the thing.”
I closed my eyes. Oh no.
“I went to Blood Alley.” It came out as one long rush.
I moved the phone away from my ear. Looked at the screen. Shook the cell phone.
“Hello?” she said.
I placed it once more against my ear. “I was checking that my phone was working correctly because I did not just hear you say what I think you said!” Was I yelling by that point? Damn straight I was.
While Sadie nervously babbled at me about how she’d gone there with her new Ohrist friends, but she knew it was safe because Mr. BatKian had promised he wouldn’t hurt her, I stood up and snapped my fingers at our server. “Bill. Now.”
“Madame has not yet finished the tasting menu,” he said with yet another sneer.
“Madame is going to shove the rest of the tasting menu up your ass if you don’t bring us the bill,” I said in a low voice.
His eyes widened.
Laurent nodded matter-of-factly. “I’d do as you’re told.”
The server scuttled off.
“And bring us a couple of damn dinner rolls!” I yelled.
Three tables burst into applause.
“Mom?” Sadie said. “How mad are you?”
Leaving Laurent to settle up the bill, I marched to the exit, pausing only to snatch my dinner roll from the server. “Let’s see. How mad am I that you decided to impress your new Ohrist friends with how cool you are because of your in with Vancouver’s master vampire and sneak into Blood Alley underage?”
“That’s not what I said.”
“Oh, I know what you said. You are so grounded.” I pushed out the door, turning my face to the breeze.
“For how long?” she asked miserably.
“However long I decide with the right to extend it until you’re dead. Do you understand me?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Now let me speak to Mr. BatKian.”
“That was impressive,” the vampire said.
“I’m very sorry for any trouble my child caused you. Do you mind hanging on to her until I get there? I’m coming now.”
“Of course.”
“What about the other kids?” I said nervously.
“They’ve been sent home. I assumed you’d want to deal with the ringleader yourself.”
