Read Online Caged View by Kenya Wright - Free Book Online Page A

“Make sure the Rebels know they’ll be
compensated.”
    “We still don’t know who’s in control of the
drugs,” Lanore said. “Vamps are just my first guess.”
    “Leave my business card, the ones without
the location spells, on the door.” I stepped in her way. “Maybe
these guys will be so pissed they’ll come to us.”
    “Definitely much better than the blood
message.” Lanore smiled.
    “Let’s go,” I said. “You’re dying in here
and Ray doesn’t like an audience when he eats. He’ll be down here
soon.”
    She left the room, staring back at the
Goblins every few steps.
    * * *
    When we returned to the Inked Guerilla,
Lanore had tasked me with the job of researching all the powerful
Vampire families while she took a shower in my office bathroom.
    Instead, I typed brimstone and allergies
into my computer.
    Four results discussing supernatural species
came on the screen: Sprites, Demons, Dark Elves, and Mountain
Trolls.
    “So what did you find out?” Lanore peeked
her head into my office. “Anything on the Vamp lead.”
    I quickly shut off the computer, knocking
over my cup of pens. I slung my sketch pad into my top drawer. I’d
been doodling images of her with no clothes on.
    She stepped out, wrapping a turquoise towel
around her head. “Thanks for letting me clean up here. My roommate
would freak out if I came home covered in Vamp blood and smelling
of Hemo Drop.”
    She wore a black dress with tiny straps.
“Sorry about the unprofessional outfit. Quinn said this was the
only extra clothes she had here.”
    The dress barely went to the middle of her
thighs. It stuck to her as if an artist had taken a careful amount
of time to paint the dress on her skin.
    I licked my lips. “Quinn is going to get a
raise.”
    “What’s that?” Quinn strolled in, holding a
joint and passing it to Lanore. “I’m getting a raise?”
    I glared at the joint. “Are we all going to
just ignore my no drug policy?”

    “Sorry.” Lanore quickly inhaled and gave it
back. “I’m trying to quit, but it’s been difficult.”
    “I’m sure that’s impossible since MeShack
grows the stuff in his closet.” Quinn took a hit and returned it to
Lanore. “Shango only knows that man is drop-dead gorgeous. How
you’re not butt naked, on your knees, and in front of him right
now, I’ll never know.”
    Lanore choked on the smoke as she grabbed
one of the many folded MFE shirts on a table across from my desk,
put it on, and tied a knot at the shirt’s bottom.
    “Is MeShack your roommate?” I raised my
eyebrows. Under my desk, my claws came out of my fingertips.
    “Yes, he’s my roommate.” She scowled at
Quinn.
    “So he’s the Shifter I always smell in your
hair?”
    Quinn laughed. “Zulu the Heart Ripper is
smelling Lanore’s hair?”
    “Why don’t you go maintain the books or
maybe get rid of the pot,” I said to Quinn.
    Lanore gave the wretched joint back.
    I continued to focus my eyes on her.
    “Okay so…thanks for bringing me along. I’m
going to leave,” Lanore said as Quinn walked out.
    She stuffed a plastic bag full of dirty
clothes into her satchel and then paused. “I’m not with MeShack
anymore. We just live together.”
    I retracted my claws. “Okay.”
    She went back to packing her bag. “I mean,
not that you would care or anything.”
    “I do,” I muttered.
    “Well, I just wanted to clear that up.” She
pulled off the towel. Her dreadlocks fell down past her shoulders.
“It’s weird but it works for us. We’ve been living together most of
our lives.”
    I stood up and came around to her. “Is he
the reason why I can’t date you? Are you still in love with
him?”
    “He’s not the problem.” She faced me.
“You’re exactly my type, but I have a lot of issues that I have to
take care of right now before I start dating anybody.”
    “Lanore, you know I like you a lot. I get
excited any time I know I’m going to see you.”
    She sighed and glided by me, folding my
towel and