up and down. “I thought I got you out of bed.”
“No. I fell asleep on the lounger.”
He eyed her suspiciously. “Really?”
Crap. We promised to be honest with each other. “No, but I am tired.”
He snorted. “We need to talk.”
“If it’s really about Katie, fine. Have a seat.”
“I’ll start with that.”
“Oh, my ulterior motive…I knew it.” She took a seat on the sofa.
Nick eased himself into the armchair. “Look, I have to go to New York for a couple of days. It’s for the case. I thought we could have that other talk before I leave. I want you to have peace of mind.”
That makes sense. “Okay. Go ahead and tell me what you have to say.”
He cleared his throat. “First I need to know what you think you heard and what you believe or disbelieve.”
“Sheesh. I have no idea what I believe anymore. I didn’t think I’d ever believe we had brownies in the bar or that you were a werewolf. But I’ve seen those things with my own eyes. Now I have a question for you.”
“Okay. I suppose that’s only fair.”
She rolled her eyes. “Gee, ya think? Anyway, my question is…if Anthony is a vampire—and I’m not saying I believe that—or if there are any of these other things the crazy lady mentioned, does that mean the employees are in danger?”
“First of all, let’s call them ‘beings’ instead of things. They may not be human beings, but they’re real and they have feelings too. Second, she’s not crazy and her name is Morgaine.”
“Whoa. Back up. You said she’s not crazy? They’re real?”
“Some paranormal beings are real. You’ve already seen that for yourself.”
“Yeah, but I’m not in danger from brownies as long as I ignore them or leave them a treat if I want them to clean the place, right?”
“I don’t know much about brownies. Never met one. But if that’s what Sadie told you, I’d believe her. She knows more about what goes on here than most of us give her credit for.”
“Is she human?”
“Yes. One hundred percent. She’s a good example of how safe you are. If she hangs around as much as she does, the clientele must be perfectly harmless. Right?”
Brandee mulled it over. Sadie had a good little business going there. Would she put herself in danger just to make a few bucks and drink for free? Uh, maybe.
“Look, Nick. I’m more open-minded than most, but come on. I need to know the rest of the staff is safe. Are there any paranormal employees? And if not, don’t they deserve to know the truth and make the choice to work there or not based on this important info?”
Nick took a deep breath. “You know Anthony. He wouldn’t put any of you in danger. Hell, he came looking for you when he thought you were in trouble. He’d stick his neck out for any one of you. I think you’re safer at Boston Uncommon than at a normal bar.”
Her brows knit. “If you say so. So what was that business about Anthony being a vampire? Does he drink blood? Where does he get it?”
“Whoa. Slow down. It’s not my place to talk about Anthony. It’s up to him to answer your questions in whatever way he sees fit.”
She leaned toward him. “In other words, there is something paranormal about him, and you don’t want to tell me what it is.”
“I never said that.”
“Come on, Nick. Honesty, remember?”
“And yet you want your personal business with friends to remain private. Doesn’t that go both ways?”
She blew out a frustrated breath. “Fine. Maybe I’ll ask him if I can be sure Ruxandra’s not around.”
“This is your lucky day. Ruxandra’s in jail.”
Brandee’s surprise was only overshadowed by her relief. “What did she do?”
“Shoplifting. I can’t talk about the details, mainly because I don’t know any, but I doubt it’ll go to trial.”
Brandee let out a surprised laugh. “Shoplifting? Ruxandra? I knew she was nuts, but why did she have to shoplift? Was she trying to fill her closet with another pair of designer shoes? Maybe she had to add a fur coat to close an empty space?”
Nick rose. “Who knows why she did it—if she did it. Innocent until proven stupid, right?”
“Hmmm…Sometimes I wonder if I’m innocent or stupid.”
He took her hand and helped her up. “You’re neither. You are one amazing, incredible, beautiful woman who I’m lucky to have in my life. I’ll call you from New York.”
“You’ll be careful, right?”
He smiled. “Always. By the way, there’s another thing I