Free Suckers Bite Back (San Francisco Vampires #5) (Vampires of San Francisco series) by Jessica McBrayer Page A

thankful for it. I gave you the brimstone because I wanted to give you a new experience. I told you I have vamp friends that have used it with very enlightening experiences. I had no idea it would affect you the way it did. I shouldn’t have taken the risk.”
    “Thank you. It means a lot to me that you are honest. I can’t say I trust your judgment completely, though.” I cross my legs and watch Mark stare. He sees he’s been caught and laughs.
    “Damn, this is going to be difficult. You’re gorgeous and I’m appreciative.”
    “As long as we have an understanding. If this gets too difficult for you tell me and we can just stay away from each other,” I say.
    “No!” he says adamantly.
    “Okaaay.”
    “It’s only that I don’t want to jeopardize our budding friendship, please.”
    “Let’s start with the basics… How was your day? What did you do today?” I ask.
    “I got up about seven and went for a run, then I had a meeting with Diel to go over some demon stuff. Went into the club and started working on paperwork. It’s the end of the quarter and I handle the books so there is a lot to do to get ready for the accountant.”
    “Is that the only part of the club business you handle?” I ask. I’m interested in this unexpected side of the big bad demon.
    “I also do the hiring and firing. Watch the floor when a manager is on vacation or calls in sick. Otherwise I stick to the books. They tell the story of the business. You read the health of the club by the books,” he explains.
    I wonder if Sebastian looks at his club the same way. He never talks about business with me. I think he doesn’t think I have a head for it. Or maybe that’s being unkind. He might just think it would bore me. I must make an effort to talk to him about his day more. It’s always been about me when we talk, I realize. I shake my head and tune back into Mark.
    “You zoned out for a minute. A lot on your mind?” he asks.
    “Yes, a lot of reflecting.”
    “I’m listening. This goes both ways,” he says and he waves his hand back and forth between us. I nod, not sure where to start. It takes me some moments to find a starting place. He’s quiet, waits patiently.
    “I’ve realized much of my life I wanted what was best for mankind. To make a difference, contribute to humanity. It’s why I worked at the Suicide Hotline. But when I break down my life I find I was very self-centered. Not in a purposely selfish way but more…” I twist my hands searching for the words. “More like I was immature and was not really aware of how deep life ran around me.”
    “I could never see you being purposely selfish,” Mark says quietly. “I can understand naiveté. It’s one of the alluring things about you. But you are right, one day we must wake up and resonate with the rest of the world.”
    “Exactly.” He gets it.
    Just then I get a text message.
You’ve been gone an hour and a half. Are you okay?
Sebastian
    I used to feel suffocated by this. Then I realize that is not how I really feel. I feel treasured that Sebastian would want to take care of me.
    “Mark, this has been an enlightening conversation…”
    “But…”
    “But I have to go now.”
    “Can we meet again soon? How about tomorrow for dinner? I know you don’t eat but I have to,” he says and grins.
    “I can’t. I’m starting a kick boxing class tomorrow night, unless we make it a late dinner?”
    “It’s a deal. Email or text me the time. I’ll probably be at the club anyway. It seems I live there half the time.”
    “I’ll email you tomorrow with the details and then text you later when I’m done. We can meet up somewhere,” I suggest.
    “I insist on picking you up.” Hmmm… why do I feel uneasy about this?
    “That might not be a good idea. Sebastian wants to rip your head off. Julian too, for that matter.”
    “It doesn’t sit well with me having you driving by yourself late at night. I’ll text you when I get there, that way I