Sucker Punch (First Fangs Club #3) - Kristen Painter Page 0,7
stopped writing. “A phone call might be better. Considering what happened at the party, the personal touch might go a long way. And then he can’t say he didn’t get the email.”
“Good thinking.” Donna sipped her coffee. “Except a call might make him think I’ve forgiven him. I do not want him thinking everything’s copacetic between us. Because it isn’t.”
Charlie nodded slowly. “I understand wanting to let him stew, but remember he can still press charges against Pierce.”
Donna looked at LV and Toni, who were clearly lost. “Fitzhugh insulted me at a party we attended last night, and Pierce punched him in the mouth.”
Both women smiled. Toni gave Pierce a thumbs-up. “Good job. That jerkwad’s needed a punch in the kisser for a long time.”
Donna’s brows rose. “He’s got quite the reputation, doesn’t he?”
LV huffed out a breath. “No one likes him any more than what’s necessary to get things done. Thankfully, we almost never have to deal with him, since we’re not in his state, but I can promise you the New York pack wants nothing to do with him.”
“Interesting.” She took a moment to organize her thoughts. “Back to the topic of needing the blood from a live fairy. Jerabeth, I’m assuming that’s for a spell?”
Jerabeth nodded. “Basically. I told you it was a difficult ingredient.”
“You weren’t lying. How much will you need?”
Jerabeth looked around the table. “To be effective, anyone who’s going on this raid needs to be able to see the stronghold, which means I have to make enough for everyone involved. I’d say at least three vials. Although once the wolves shift, they won’t need the potion. Fae magic generally seems to be focused on human-based life forms.”
“All right.” Donna followed Temo’s gaze. He was staring at a spot on the table like he was lost in thought. “Temo? What’s on your mind?”
He blinked and looked up. “I might know someone who’d be willing to donate, but he’s going to want something in return. It won’t be a small something either.”
“He’s a full-blooded fae?”
He nodded. “We’re not bros or anything, but he’s been a reliable source so far.”
“When you say he’s going to want something, are we talking money? Favors? Something else?”
He sighed. “I won’t know until we talk to him. That’s the other thing. I don’t think this is a deal he’ll agree to without a face-to-face with you. He’ll want your personal guarantee.”
Donna sat back. A personal meeting with one of the creatures who considered her kind little more than walking entrées. “Have you met with him in person before?”
“I have.”
“You think it’s safe for me to meet him?”
“I hate to say that and then things go poorly, but he’s probably the safest one you could meet with.” He frowned. “I don’t know any other way.”
Donna didn’t hesitate. Rico’s life was at stake. “Set it up. But under no circumstances will I meet with him alone. I want you and at least one other person with me. Which reminds me…” She turned to Charlie. “I need some iron bracelets. Something that doesn’t look like I’m wearing shackles.”
“Right away.”
“Jerabeth, get me those empty vials, but bring me five.”
“You got it.”
Donna’s stomach growled, but it wasn’t necessarily for food.
LV smiled knowingly. “You’re up too late, vampire. You’re going to need something more than coffee to keep you going.”
“I’ll be fine, but we should get something to eat. Coffee isn’t going to sustain any of us for long.”
Charlie opened up her laptop. “I can take care of that. I’ll order us something to be delivered.” She started typing, then stopped and looked up. “Anyone have any food allergies I should know about?”
LV and Toni shook their heads.
An hour later, after they’d come up with a few strategies for approaching the stronghold and rescuing Rico, security called up that their order had arrived.
Charlie and Pierce went down to get the food, returning a short while later. Pierce was carrying a stack of enormous, covered platters, and Charlie held a couple of bags in each hand.
They set the food out on the kitchen counter buffet style and let everyone help themselves. Donna stood and gestured toward the spread as she spoke to LV and Toni. “Please. You’re our guests.”
She followed behind them. It was an impressive array. Croissant breakfast sandwiches, a platter of bacon and sausage links, another of crispy hash-brown-style potato cakes, a large bowl of fresh fruit, sliced bagels with three flavors of cream cheese, and a tray of sweets that included mini danishes, doughnuts, and