Chapter 47
I felt a flutter of nerves as the car slowed down, signaling our arrival at what appeared to be the restaurant.
Part of me had doubted they would actually take me here, and if I were to be honest with myself, I was grateful for the opportunity to dine out.
Yet, a lingering discomfort nagged at me—spending their money felt wrong, especially when I knew I had likely taken a fair share from the safe tucked away in Wade's closet.
As I settled into the back seat, I found myself sandwiched between the two formidable women. All I really wanted was to gaze out at the more affluent parts of Las Vegas. I thought about taking a morning walk to explore what the area had to offer on another occasion.
While I hadn't set a specific timeline for leaving and being on my own, I was certain I wouldn't be staying forever.
The car came to a stop at a tight curb, and I was ushered out.
The buildings around us seemed new, as if this part of town had sprung up overnight.
There was no evidence of vandalism on any structure, and it appeared that no gangs lurked in shadowy alleyways.
I glanced at Wade and Jager, wondering why they had chosen to set up shop in such a seemingly low-key part of town. They bought a club, frequented it every night, and professed to have nothing but love for me.
As we stepped inside, I was immediately struck by the lively human atmosphere and the enticing aromas of high-quality cuisine wafting through the air.
A wave of happiness washed over me at the thought of being taken to such a place.
Most of the patrons were human, seated at their tables, and even the few vampires present seemed to be enjoying the setting, which resembled a romantic date night.
I couldn't help but turn my nose up at the sight. What benefits did these humans derive from being tied to a vampire, becoming nothing more than a lifetime supply of food?
Wade and Jager led me to a long dining table, where several people were already seated. Jager pulled out a side chair for me, while Wade took a seat across from two girls I recognized from the club. Jager settled in next to me.
"We're sorry to be late," Jager apologized. "We got held up at the office and in lunch traffic." She gestured toward the others. "Guys, I want you to meet Xanthe. She'll be joining us today and in the days to come."
My heart raced as I took in the faces around the table, all wearing warm smiles. My gaze landed on the girls seated beside Wade. One was likely Jager's sister, and the other was the one who had been hanging onto Wade the night we met.
I smiled, the least I could do to show some manners.
They occupied a different realm of life, where with a mere snap of their fingers, I could vanish without a trace.
The way they glared at me made me feel exposed, so I averted my gaze, seeking refuge from their scrutiny.
It was a penetrating stare, one that made me feel as though I were standing bare before them.
In a moment of vulnerability, I reached for Jager's hand, intertwining our fingers.
My gesture surprised her; she looked at me in shock before a smile spread across her face. Gently, she brushed her thumb over the back of my hand, and I glanced down, puzzled yet comforted by the warmth of her touch. Despite the girls' glares, I felt an inexplicable sense of safety.
As I looked around the table, I noticed that everyone seemed to have received their food—everyone except us. I furrowed my brow, realizing even the vampires were indulging in human cuisine.
Did they really eat human food? I glanced at a nearby vampire man as he savored a bite of his rare steak.
I had always assumed they subsisted solely on human blood.
While Wade and Jager kept their blood supply neatly organized in the fridge—each packet tagged from a licensed source and labeled by blood type—it was strange to see them consuming actual food.
I placed my other hand gently on Jager's back, squeezing it softly. She turned from her conversation to look down at our joined hands, a smile gracing her lips before she resumed speaking.
My gaze wandered around the room, spotting more humans cozied up with what appeared to be their husbands.
I couldn't help but wonder if it was a trend now for humans to marry vampires.
Where were the women who would never consider such a union?
Perhaps it was simply the atmosphere of this wealthier part of town that fostered such relationships.
I began to understand the shifting dynamics.
These vampires fell in "love" with poor humans, whisking them away from the struggling side of town and transferring them into this new life. I glanced at their necks, searching for bite marks, but either I was too far away or they simply didn't have any.
"Your little friend is quiet over there," said a corn-colored blonde, definitely human. Her vibrant eyes sparkled, and a hint of blush peeked through her makeup. "The waiter will be here soon." She smiled at me.
I nodded in response.
Leaning closer to her vampire husband, I couldn't help but wonder if she felt the same warmth from him that I felt from Wade and Jager.
As I turned to the side, I noticed I was seated next to another vampire.
A smirk crept across my face as I decided to test my theory.
I subtly shifted my arms away from Jager, glancing at her face to see if she noticed. She seemed oblivious.
Resting my hand on the table, I inched my arm closer to his.
Even without touching him, I could feel the icy chill radiating from him.
As my arm edged toward his, the dead cold sent a shiver down my spine.
Suddenly, I hurriedly pulled my arm back to Jager's side, feeling a strange mix of curiosity and unease.
Warm. She was warm. When I first met them, I could have sworn they were as cold as ice. Perhaps some vampires were cold while others were warm. Wade and Jager were certainly warm, and judging by the looks of it, every human at this table coupled with a vampire felt the same way.
I glanced over at Wade, who appeared annoyed. When she caught my gaze, she seemed momentarily lost, oblivious to the waiter setting down the menus. I smiled, and she smirked back, her eyes lingering on my exposed neckline.
I struggled to find a proper dress for this occasion, and the cream dress I wore was the longest and least revealing option I could find.
I smirked as I tugged it up slightly, showcasing my cleavage.
She began to mouth something, but one of the other girls at the table interrupted her.
I couldn't help but chuckle, which earned me a few glares from the others.
The waiter stepped between Jager and me, handing us both menus.
"Thank you," I said.
She nodded. "I'll give you some time to decide."
As I lifted the menu with one hand, I noticed it felt a bit heavy. It was a menu that not only listed the food but also included the prices. The lively conversation around the table faded as I focused on the numbers. I raised my brows, one after the other, as I scrutinized the escalating prices.
I quickly realized that this restaurant offered an extravagant dining experience, complete with two sets of appetizers and beautifully plated main courses already prepared.
I glanced over at Wade and the girl beside her.
I assumed this must be Jager's sister, while the other girl—who had been eyeing me with a glare—was likely the one who had hung onto Wade that night.
"You see anything you like?" Jager asked, her voice low as she held her menu with one hand. I leaned closer, angling my menu to hide our faces, our breaths sounding heavy in the small space between us.
"Everything is so expensive," I whispered, struggling not to stare at her lips. Her eyes, however, seemed fixated on mine, and I found myself wishing she would claim them right there behind the menu.
Her gaze flicked briefly to my handbag. I had only three thousand dollars in cash.
"You brought money, Snow Bunny?" Her voice dropped to a raspy murmur, sending a shiver down my spine.
I nodded, feeling a warmth spread through me as her focus returned to my lips, causing my cheeks to flush a deeper shade of red.
Her knuckles brushed softly against my lips, almost too light to notice. "Your independence is adorable. It makes me want you even more."
I rolled my eyes playfully. "Let's eat somewhere else."
"Why's that?"
"Because it's too expensive, and I wanted to pay for you and Wade's lunch." It seemed impossible to do that with so many people seated around us.
"Everything is already taken care of. It's a family restaurant.
Don't worry," she whispered, closing the space between us until the air felt charged.
It was almost intoxicating just being there, concealed behind the menu.
She leaned in and softly kissed me, taking my breath away.
I stared at her for what felt like an eternity, my blush deepening once again.
But as the moment lingered, I realized I needed to lower the menu.
Regrettably, when I did, I felt several eyes on me.