Chapter 42
Ten days later
“Is it time?” Catalina asked.
Benjamin looked up from the computer.
“They just texted to be ready for the video call,” he replied.
Catalina joined him on the couch.
“You still look a little pale. You need to drink more blood before you get too weak. You donated a lot of blood over the last week,” he said.
“So did you.” She put her hand on his arm. “I’m fine, baby. Don’t worry about me. I’m just anxious to find out if it will work.”
“It’ll work. Vampire blood has healing properties. Your blood will heal her.”
The computer chimed, and he looked at the monitor. It was the video call they’d been expecting. He answered it. A window popped up. Buffy’s face and torso filled the screen. She wore a doctor’s coat and a stethoscope hung around her neck.
“Hey, guys,” Buffy said cheerfully.
He and Catalina greeted her.
“How is she doing?” Catalina asked immediately.
“We’re halfway through giving her the first transfusion,” Buffy reported. “I’ll let you talk to her.”
Buffy stepped aside to reveal Catalina’s mother sitting in a large, comfortable treatment chair hooked up to an IV that infused her with vampire blood.
Santiago and Catalina had told her that they’d found a doctor in the United States who was willing to travel to Mexico to give her an experimental treatment for her cancer.
Catalina had donated most of the blood over the past week, and Amaury had donated a couple of pints too.
Benjamin had wanted to contribute too, but since he was Catalina’s only source of nourishment and she needed more blood from him while she was donating hers, giving blood would have endangered him.
“Lina,” her mother said, using her nickname, while smiling into the laptop camera.
Her husband and Santiago were at her side. She looked different today, more vibrant, most likely because Santiago was visiting, and because she had hope again that the new treatment would help her. Santiago and Buffy would stay in Mexico until the treatment was finished.
Catalina and Santiago had spoken via video call to their parents almost every day since Catalina had awoken as a vampire. Her parents knew nothing of her transformation. And she planned to keep it that way.
“Oh Mom, it’s so good to see you,” Catalina said. “I’m sorry I couldn’t come.”
They’d told her that Catalina was in witness protection after testifying against a dangerous criminal. Her parents hadn’t questioned her. They were happy that Santiago was out of prison, and they were proud of Catalina for having proven Santiago’s innocence.
Benjamin looked at her with affection and pride as she spoke to her parents and assured them that the cost of the treatment was covered entirely by a charitable foundation.
It was a white lie. In reality, he’d had a discussion with Samson, Amaury, and Gabriel to get their approval for treating Catalina’s mother with vampire blood before he even informed her that it was possible.
Catalina had jumped at the chance without hesitation.
He and his colleagues knew it would work, because Scanguards had once treated a stage four pancreatic cancer patient.
As he looked at Santiago next to his parents, he remembered something.
“I’ve got some news too,” Benjamin interrupted. “Santiago just got a great job as an electrician for Scanguards, the company I work for.”
Santiago stared at him in disbelief. “I got a job with them? Oh my God, are you serious?”
Benjamin nodded. “We always need people with good skills. You’re starting on the first. So, enjoy your vacation in Mexico.”
After saying their goodbyes, he switched off the computer.
“I can’t believe you did this for Santiago,” Catalina said.
“That wasn’t just me. My father had a say in it too.”
She leaned in, her tempting lips hovering over his. “I’d much rather thank you for it than your father. He’s a good man, but…”
Her voice carried the same husky undertone that she always used when she was about to seduce him. Damn, he loved it when she did that.
“Well, in that case, yes, it was me who got him the job.”
With catlike movements, she moved and reached for the front of his pants. She popped the button open and lowered the zipper. His cock sprang out, fully erect. He’d gotten in the habit of not wearing any underwear when they were at home, always ready for his insatiable mate.
She knelt down on the ground between his legs and looked up from under her long dark lashes. His heart began to beat uncontrollably, knowing what she was planning. He let out a breath, and Catalina licked over the tip of his hard-on.
“Fuck, baby!”
She gave him a seductive smile, then wrapped her lips around his cock and took him into her delicious mouth.
“I should do more for your family,” he managed to say.
Then every sane thought left him, and all he could do was to lean back and enjoy Catalina’s skillful tongue and luscious lips around his cock.