Read Tracey H. Kitts - Lilith Mercury 1 - Red for Free Online

know, doing well. We sat RED
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    under the roses and laughed while he talked about his fat aunt who had personal ‘issues’
    too numerous to name, though he mentioned a few. And his psychotic cousin, who was at last report doing drag shows in London.

    “But … you’re cousin, Antonio, he’s not gay. Is he?”

    “No,” he laughed. “It was the only job he could find that didn’t require a criminal background check.” Alfred had laughed to the point of tears. “He has the nerve to be offended when someone comes on to him. I told him, you can’t be homophobic and work in a gay bar!”

    I giggled. “I didn’t realize he was homophobic.”

    “And I didn’t realize how long it had been since you’d smiled … you should do it more often.” He made a dramatic bow, which looked funny considering he was still sitting down. “If talking about my dysfunctional relatives helps you, then I’m more than happy to oblige.”

    “How is it you know what I needed?”

    “Questa non e la mia prema volta,” he whispered. I knew enough Italian to interpret, “This is not my first time.”

    I smiled. “Are you coming on to me?”

    Alfred’s smile grew wider, and if possible more mischievous. “If I were coming on to you, you wouldn’t have to ask. I’m just trying to cheer you up.”

    I could feel my expression changing again. I didn’t realize how miserable I’d been a few minutes ago, until he reminded me.

    “Oh God, don’t give me that face.”

    “What face? I wasn’t giving any face.”

    “ That face,” he pointed at me. “I know that pitiful face. Have you seen Kathryn lately?”

    “No, but what’s Kat got to do with my face?”

    “Maybe she could help keep a smile on it. Call her, go out, do something.
    You’re twenty four, for God’s sake. You shouldn’t look this pitiful.”
    “I’m
    busy.”

    “Liar. There’s nothing we can do about anything that’s going on in the world right now. We cannot change anything politically relating to werewolves. Someone with more authority than us has to make that decision.” He took a breath. “Furthermore, the world will not end if you take some time off.”

    “ You never go out.”

    “I’m busy.” He smiled.

    “Asshole.” I got to my feet.

    “Well ….” Alfred stood up, towering over me. “Opinions are a lot like assholes, everybody has one.”

    * * * *
    I called Kathryn later that day and we made plans to go clubbing and stay out of town one night that weekend, since all the decent clubs were at least two hours away.
    She agreed with Alfred. “It’ll do you good.”

    I’d met Kat four years ago, shortly after rescuing her then boyfriend from a pack of werewolves. We’d been friends ever since. Kat is six years older than me and a few RED
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    inches taller. The first time I saw her, I knew her relationship with the man I’d saved would never last. Kathryn’s an attractive, slender brunette, with wavy shoulder length hair, dark eyes, and fair skin. She was way out of his league.

    While packing my bags Friday afternoon, I kept remembering the odd dreams I’d been having. I hadn’t mentioned them to Alfred. I felt like I’d dumped enough of my personal baggage on him lately. However, I planned to tell Kat as soon as she picked me up. I’d had the same dream twice, so I thought I should pay attention to it. There was more than one reason I’d accepted my friends’ advice. In the dream, I was going out, and Kat was with me. We were in a club I’d never seen before, in a place that was not familiar to me … and there was a man. I knew him in my dream, though, for the life of me, I could not remember him when I woke up. The more I concentrated on seeing his face, the cloudier the image became.

    When Kat arrived, I threw my bag in the back of her SUV.

    “You’re only taking one bag?” She looked like I’d just committed a crime in broad daylight.

    “Why? How many are you