Page 72 of The Donor’s Dilemma

He ran a finger down the list, pausing when he found a familiar name. Verity Harper. Finding her on the database, he clicked on her name, bringing up a photo of his Verity. Beautiful, if a little nervous-looking. The picture would have been taken at her first interview, warm golden brown hair, big green eyes, cheeks a little rosier than normal. Maybe she didn’t like her photo being taken. He’d have to test that theory.

Reading over the rest of the file everything seemed in order, not that he looked at donor records often, that was Harris’s job. Blood type, medical history, employment, relationships. Theo didn’t look at the relationships tab. It didn’t feel right.

Clicking back, he was about to select another when the intercom buzzed. “Sir? Verity’s here.”

He checked his watch. Early. Not that he minded. Their late morning donations had become the norm, her arriving as he finished work and hanging around, working, talking, or just being together. She wouldn’t mind him continuing his investigating while she busied herself. In fact, she would probably be better at it than him, but he wasn’t about to ask. Not with something this delicate.

“Send her in,” he told Stella, smoothing his shirt and standing.

His useless heart jumped at the memory. They were going to try. Once Abe left and everything calmed down. Once he could give her the attention she deserved.

The door cracked open, Verity slipping in, and Theo’s smile fell when he saw her face. He hoped she'd be happy to see him after their agreement but the tight draw of her brow and hard line of her mouth told him different.

“What is it?” he asked, hesitating. Unsure if he should go to her or if he’d misinterpreted their messages.

“Abe.”

The one word had his throat tightening, eyes searching her for injury as he rushed to her side.

“What happened?” he asked, taking her face in his hands.

“He came to the cafe,” she murmured, trying to hide the wobble in her voice.

“What?” Abe approached her, out in the open for all the world to see. For her friend to see. “What did he say? Did he do anything? Did he touch you?”

Theo’s mind raced as he checked her body again, turning her, searching for harm, for sights or scents that didn’t belong. He was going to fucking kill Abe.

“No,” she said, pulling back, eyes widening when he pulled her hand to his nose and sniffed.

There he was, not human, not vampire, that rare scene that didn’t make scent. Theo growled, eyes on hers.

“He kissed my hand, when he left, but that’s it.”

Fighting the snarl forming on his lips, Theo took her hand, soft and delicate, and scrubbed it on his sleeve, desperate to rid her of the Blessed.

“You’re staying with me,” he told her. “Until Abe’s gone…”

“I am not,” she demanded, pulling away and rubbing her hand.

“Yes, you are. And no more cafe, you stay where I can keep you safe…”

“Like fuck am I.” She turned her back on him, marching across the room to where he kept his whiskey.

“Verity…”

“No.”

“How am I meant to protect you if…”

“I said no, Theo,” she snapped, taking out two glasses and pouring herself a generous drink. “He isn’t going to just… steal me.”

“You don’t know him, what they’re like,” he said, beseeching her to see reason. She needed to stay where he could keep an eye on her. He’d set up the spare room for her, and she could work on her festival and…

“And what about my mum? And my dad? He knows where I live. And Cora? I’m not leaving her in the lurch because you’re being a territorial dick.” The whiskey hit her tongue, and she grimaced before taking another gulp. “No,” she said, and he knew that was final.

Striding to her side, he downed the drink she’d poured him before scowling at her - this fiery, disobedient beast - and the corner of his mouth quirked. This was Verity. This was the exact reason he was willing to… the reason he wanted to try. Because she would say no. Because he knew she wouldn’t be pushed around and blindly agree to his demands. He needed someone who pushed back, who told him he was being a… territorial dick. Didn't stop it being as annoying as all hells though.

“What did he say?” he asked again.