Free Blood Eternal by Toni Kelly Page B

the property shared a large loading space with a deli. Either way, it wouldn’t matter, as Lorenzo’s activities would occur primarily at night or during dawn’s early hours.
    “What do you think? It will attract a different type of crowd,” Luke said.
    “I want it to. Target a larger market and you get a variety of tastes.” Lorenzo walked beyond the bar and kitchen to a loading area at the back. Moments later, he returned. “There is a stairwell back there.”
    “Yes. Included in the price are an apartment upstairs and an unfinished basement.”
    “Space for my office and a cellar. It is perfect. Have you got the papers?”
    “Not with me. I will have my secretary, Gina, fax them to your office at Blood Bar. We are headed there shortly.”
    “Wonderful. I’ll let myself out through the back and see you at the club.”
    As Lorenzo left, Savannah released a long breath. “I think I like your friends at the auction better. I don’t see what you have in common with him or why you even do business with him.”
    “It is quite complicated. Lorenzo helped me during a difficult time.” What an understatement. If not for Lorenzo, he might never have found Victoria’s murderers and avenged her death. For that, he would always be grateful to the other vampire. “You should not be fooled by the comforts of the rich. Luxury creates the illusion of safety but as you saw the other night, darkness seeps everywhere.”
    “You’re right, I know. He’s creepy. I can’t explain why he rubs me the wrong way.”
    For a human, she was intuitive. It made no sense to him why Lorenzo would want real estate in this part of the city. Perhaps he serviced higher-end clients requesting drugs? Pure hypothesis. Lorenzo never discussed side activities with him. That theory could be completely off the mark.
    “Come.” He cupped a hand at the small of Savannah’s back, guiding her to the entrance of the space. “Let us make our way to his club.”
    * * * *
    Blood Bar was packed. The bodies of humans and vampires alike writhed in sync to a pulsing drum and bass rhythm. Luke’s only consolation amid the chaos was that they were seated in the somewhat secluded corner Lorenzo reserved for personal use. Velvet curtains added a sense of privacy, but tonight Luke insisted they remain open. Even with a good twenty-five feet between them, he could identify Savannah’s scent. Still, he found himself searching out her face every so often. He shoved a hand back through his hair. “Incredible. You would think these types would tire of incessant noise and crowds each night but they do not.”
    “By the Ancients, you sound like an old man.” Lorenzo sat back against a red velvet booth and slipped a pack of MS cigarettes onto the table.
    “If I were human, I would nearly be two hundred and thirty years old.”
    “You’re not human.” Lorenzo pushed a tumbler full of amber liquor his way. “Why the foul mood? Trouble in paradise?”
    “What is it to you?” He grasped the glass of scotch and sipped. Savannah’s aversion to Lorenzo seemed to be rubbing off on him. Or his vulnerable state made him more irritable than usual. Lorenzo was no saint, but had no motivation to hurt him and had been asking him to partner with him for years.
    “You’re the only vampire I know who decides to get personal with dinner. A slight problem. Let me guess, she’s not as evil as you first thought?” Lorenzo slipped a cigarette from his pack. “This can’t be the first time you’ve killed an innocent.”
    Luke lifted his head and met the other vampire’s gaze. He could hardly describe what stared back. Ruthlessness. A harsh, barren landscape. His kind never ceased to amaze him. Savannah might not prove innocent. But if she did, he could not go through with taking her life. Her innocence would defeat the purpose of choosing his victims based on their greed.
    “Fuck,” Lorenzo said. “You truly believe you are dealing justice?” He laughed. “Most