yeah. He was second in command. Connor told me Jean-Luc never left Roman's side. He took some major cuts to keep Roman safe."
He was a loyal friend, a hero among his own kind. But his world was totally beyond hers. It was a dangerous world, too. Not a good place for her and Bethany. She tried not to think about him. "Who's Connor?"
"Roman's head bodyguard. I'm usually assigned to Roman's house, but Connor insisted on hiding them."
"They're in danger?" Heather recalled meeting Roman briefly. His wife had been very friendly and - Heather stopped sewing with a gasp. "They have a child!"
"Yeah. Roman's like a scientific genius, you know. He makes the synthetic blood we drink. And when Shanna wanted a baby, he figured out a way to make the baby his."
Heather couldn't believe it. "That sweet little boy is the son of a vampire?"
"Yeah. He's a cute little guy, huh?"
"But how could Shanna have a baby? Vampires are dead, sorta." This was too confusing.
"Shanna's mortal." Phineas grinned. "Like you."
Heather gulped. A mortal married to a vampire? And giving birth to his son. How could Shanna do that? But she seemed so happy. And the baby boy was beautiful.
"Mama!" Bethany skipped into the room, followed by Fidelia with her purse and Ian.
Heather glanced at the clock. It was after six. She hugged her daughter. "You're up early."
"I'm hungry," Bethany announced.
"Come have breakfast with us." Fidelia stepped closer and whispered, "They want us to stay together all day."
"But I have to work," Heather protested.
"Doona worry," Ian said. "We'll bring some furniture in here and make sure ye're all comfy."
Soon Heather and her family were sitting around the kitchen table eating cereal while Phineas stood guard. Ian plucked the recliner off the floor and left, carrying it over his head as if it weighed no more than five pounds.
"Hmm, muy macho." Fidelia leaned to the side to watch his exit.
Heather swallowed her cereal with a gulp. Apparently vampires were very strong. She recalled how easily Jean-Luc had picked her up and tossed her on the bed. Other memories rushed back. Good Lord, he was so hot. But off limits. She shoved the memories away.
"It's a little warm in here, no?" Fidelia gave her a sly grin.
Heather groaned inwardly. It could be really annoying to have a friend who was psychic.
Robby came in, and without a word, he hefted the entire love seat onto one shoulder and sauntered from the room.
"Ooh." Fidelia waggled her dark brows. "Roberto. I wonder if he wears anything under that skirt."
"It's a kilt." Heather motioned with her head toward her daughter. "Let's keep breakfast G-rated, okay?"
"Fine, I'll just imagine it." Fidelia scowled at her cereal. "At my age, that's all I have left."
Phineas grinned. "You're a baby compared to some of the old-timers around here."
"Gracias, muchacho." Fidelia gave him a grateful look. "I like all you men around here. You're muy macho." She gave Heather a pointed look. "Don't you think so?"
She glowered back. "Don't push it."
Ian and Robby returned for the television and TV stand.
"Thank you!" Fidelia called after them. "Now I won't miss my soaps. These men are very sensitive to our needs, don't you think?"
Heather made a face at her.
Phineas's laugh turned into a yawn. "The sun's coming. I can feel it. I'll have to leave soon."
Meaning he would be dead soon. Jean-Luc would be dead, too. Heather shuddered at the thought. Where was he? Was he climbing into that big bed of his so he could lie there all day dead as a doornail?
Phineas stood. "Hey, bro! Whassup?"
"Hey." Phil walked toward them. "Good morning."
Heather greeted him with a smile. At last, another normal human being.
Phil eyed the empty sitting area. "What happened?"
"We moved everything to the studio so Heather could work," Ian explained as he entered the kitchen. He inclined his head toward Heather. "Ye're all set up for the day."
"Thank you." Heather gathered up bowls and took them to the sink.
"Phineas, ye can go downstairs," Ian told him. "Robby's already headed that way."
"Sure. So long." Phineas waved at Heather. "See ya tomorrow night."
"Sleep well." She winced. What was the appropriate thing to say? Die well?
"What about you, bro?" Phineas asked Ian.
"I took the drug," Ian responded, his voice low. "I'm staying up."
Phineas grimaced. "Man, that's wack."
Phil looked the young Scotsman over carefully. "Do you feel all right?"
Ian shrugged. "I was a wee dizzy at first, but I feel fine now."
Phineas shook his head. "I've dealt with drugs before. They're no good, man."
"I'll be