Page 66 of The Donor’s Dilemma

“Are you warm enough?” he whispered, perhaps not wanting to wake her.

She nodded.

“Are you sure? I know I’m not…”

“Shut up, Theo,” she murmured, rolling over to bury her face into his chest, her head resting on his arm.

He tensed for a moment before relaxing. The arm that wrapped around her weighed her down, pulling her under until at last sleep claimed her.

Chapter Nineteen

Verity had never been one for sleeping in a man’s arms, but as she woke the next night it was all she could think about. Normally she’d wake up, hot and sweaty, and desperate to wiggle free, but not with Theo. With Theo she slept like a baby, wrapped in his cool embrace. She could get used to that.

But as soon as they woke, Theo attempting to climb over Verity without waking her, the distance returned. He readied for work early, skipping breakfast and taking Verity home in time to get ready for work at the cafe.

He didn't bother hiding the fact he didn’t like her working there. He grumbled about Elliot’s contract being too much if Cora needed to rope her friend in to help, but Verity told him to get over it. “Good,” had been his one word reply when she messaged to say Cora had a couple of interviews set up for staff. Grumpy bastard.

His argument was that “full-time” donation was, in fact, a full-time job, so she shouldn’t be exerting herself when she needed to rest and recover so that the blood loss didn’t affect her health. But Verity didn’t care. It was hard work, harder than she expected, but it felt good to be busy, needed, and it felt even better to see the smile on Cora’s face when the cafe hummed with customers.

It wasn’t until Verity climbed into bed that her mind returned to the previous day’s conversation, to what she’d learnt about Cliffhaven. Burning docks and rebel groups, the very idea of it was insane. The powers that be ruled Havenshire with a firm vampiric hand; for that to slip was unthinkable. One article was all it took for Verity to be frozen out, but these people, the crimes they were committing, what would their penance be?

Punishment in Havenshire was swift and without mercy. Minor infractions resulted in community service, more serious ones in labour, months or even years spent working the land beyond Havenshire’s protective walls. But serious crimes, murder and rape and treason? Banishment. A life in the Wilds, fending for yourself. Never to return. What happened when that option was off the table?

The only option left was obvious, but she didn’t dare consider it.

More importantly, how were the innocent surviving the turmoil? Were there water and power? Were children being fed? Was it just the area around the docks that this band of New Albion fanatics was operating in or the whole city? The suburbs? Were those with the Flu getting the treatment they needed?

She wanted to know more, to see Theo and squeeze out everything he knew. He was holding something back. Things weren't adding up. What he told her had been bad enough, she couldn’t imagine much worse, but her gut wouldn’t let it lie.

The light from her phone illuminated her room as she texted him.

You home?

Verity rattled her brain for an excuse to see him but came up empty.

Yes. Are you okay?

Have you eaten?

You should be asleep

She rolled her eyes. Gods, he loved telling her what to do.

I'm trying. Can't stop

thinking about yesterday

It took a moment for him to reply. The usual quick fire messages always faltered when she asked him something he didn’t want to talk about, but how could she sleep knowing what was happening in Cliffhaven?

Me too

Well, that didn’t really help matters.

Truth. That’s all she wanted, but maybe Theo knew that once she learned the extent of Cliffhaven’s plight she’d fight to tell the world. Because she would. That town was already wracked with illness, quarantined to protect the rest of Havenshire, and now this too. People deserved to know. It would take some serious persuasion to keep her quiet. First though, she needed facts.

We both know there's more Theo

I wish you'd be honest with me