Free Mercy's Danger: Montgomery's Vampires Trilogy (Book #2) (Montgomery's Vampires Series) by Sloan Archer Page B

right as a couple.
    Robert prompted, “If you don’t think it would be a bother . . .”
    Leopold clapped a small hand down on Robert’s arm. “Let’s not play the politeness game, alright? It’s a done deal. ” He pouted at Shelia. “It’s unfortunate that you live all the way over here in California. I could use a scientist with your knowhow. And those divine peepers of yours . . . Like two fiery balls of ember.”
    Robert rolled his eyes and Shelia ran her fingers through her hair, flattered. Even scary aristocratic vampires had their way of disarming the ladies. “Thank you, Leopold. I was happy to help,” she twinkled.
    “Since you’re already here, would you be able to take some samples from Mercy and Robert?” Leopold asked. “Get a few vials of blood for me to take back to London?”
    “Sure,” Shelia said. She patted the side of her bag, large enough to hold a kitchen sink. “I brought supplies with me, just in case. If Mercy and Robert are okay with donating?”
    Robert and I nodded. Shelia opened her bag and took out a couple of syringes. She went to work collecting our blood.
    “I’m starting to feel like a pincushion,” Robert joked. It broke my heart to see him trying so fiercely to prove that he wasn’t scared.
    Leopold watched as Shelia expertly labeled the vials. As she handed them over to Leopold, he asked, “Would you like to come to London and work for me?”
    Shelia fluttered her fingers so that the light caught her wedding ring. “I wish I could . . . But, you know, priorities.”
    “How is your boy?” Robert asked.
    “He’s great,” Shelia grinned. “I never thought of myself as the motherly type, but that kid brings me so much joy, even when I’m changing his smelly diapers. He’s teething, so he’s been fussy.” She opened her purse and checked the time on her cell phone. “Speaking of which, I should go. Scott—that’s my husband—is hopeless when it comes to feeding time. He’s probably defrosting a pizza to feed the baby as we speak.”
    Robert, Leopold, and I nodded politely.
    “My goodness! Look at me, blabbing on and on. I swore to myself that I’d never be the kind of parent who bores people about my child. Yet here I am, going on about diapers and teething.”
    “No, it’s lovely,” Leopold assured her. “Your tales of parenting offer a bit of normalcy to my otherwise strange life. As vampire, I don’t have too many friends with children, as you can imagine.”
    “I’m sorry I can’t indulge you further,” Shelia said, getting up. “I really do need to go.” She held her hand out for Leopold to shake. “It was good to meet you.”
    Leopold took Shelia’s hand in both of his and kissed it gently. “The pleasure was all mine.”
    Shelia tittered and then gave Robert and me a quick nod. “Nice to see you two again. You’re such a lovely couple. I wish I could do more for you guys. But you have my number, so don’t be afraid to use it if you have more questions.”
    I imagined she was only being polite. If I were Shelia I’d be glad to be rid of us, with my inane medical comments, Robert’s random outbursts, and Leopold’s semi-lecherous fawning.
    Shelia demurred when Robert offered to walk her to her car, but Robert insisted, ever the gentleman. I think he suspected that Leopold would follow her out and keep flirting if he didn’t.
    When Robert came back, Leopold stood. “I should go as well.”
    “But you just got here!” Robert exclaimed. His eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Wait a minute, you aren’t going after Shelia, are you? Easy Don Juan, she’s married.”
    Leopold straightened his lapels. “Well, I never! I wouldn’t dream of pursuing a married woman.”
    Robert and I both scoffed, “Right.”
    “I’ll have you know that I’m returning to my jet.”
    “You’re flying back tonight?” I asked. “But you haven’t even been in America for twenty-four hours!”
    “Mercy, darling, when you are as old as I am time is