Dracul's Revenge 01: Dracul's Blood by Carol Lynne, T. A. Chase Read Free Book Online Page B

hand landed on top of Nik’s before he could grab the cheque.
    “I got it,” Bobby said again. “You can get the next one.”
    The wink Bobby bestowed shocked Nik to his core. Was he being flirted with? He released the slip of paper, but noticed Bobby appeared to be reluctant to remove his hand.
    The waitress broke the moment by appearing with a take-out container. Bobby lifted his hand and slung his arm over the back of the booth, but he continued to maintain eye contact with Nik, until Nik finally looked away.
    “Thanks.” Nik took the container and filled it with his leftovers. By the time he had his meal safely tucked away, Bobby stood beside the table.
    “Ready?”

    DRACUL’S BLOOD
    Carol Lynne and T.A. Chase

    39

    Nik nodded and slid out of the booth. He felt the warmth of Bobby’s hand against the small of his back as he made his way to the door. Nik wasn’t even sure Bobby was aware he was doing it.
    Once in the car, Nik tried to get his mind off the touch and back on the opportunity he had waiting for him at the police lab. “So they’re going to let me remove the seal, right?”
    “As long as you can assure me you know what you’re doing, then yes.”
    There was something about the way Bobby said it that reminded him of his mother.
    Although he’d loved her until the day she died, Sorina Radin had never believed in him.
    “Would it help if I ran down a list of my credentials? Because believe me, I’ve got them. You may think because I stick my cheek with a fork or moan when I eat really good food that I’m a simpleton, but I’m not! I’ve worked damn hard to get where I am today, and I won’t let you or anyone else call my expertise into question.”
    Nik hadn’t even realised Bobby had stopped the car until he was finished ranting. His head began to pound as he closed his eyes and rested it against the back of the seat.
    “Look, I don’t know what your issues are, but my ass is on the line. I’d question anyone before I gave them access to such a vital piece of evidence. Now just calm the fuck down.”
    Nik was too humiliated to say anything. An apology was on the tip of his tongue, but before he could say it, Bobby spoke once more.
    “By the way, the moans and the fork in the cheek? Made me hard. I don’t think you’re a simpleton, I think you’re probably a brilliant man who’s spent too damn much time in the fucking library instead of out in the real world.”
    “You’re right.” Nik opened his eyes and gazed at Bobby. No way could he deny Bobby’s observations, they were spot on. So much so it was actually kind of creepy. He’d yet to process the ‘hard’ comment, which he decided to file away for future exploration.
    Bobby reached out and squeezed Nik’s shoulder. “Are you ready to hold a five hundred and something year old cask?”
    Nik nodded. He was grateful Bobby didn’t seem to be the kind of guy to hold a grudge. If he were honest with himself he knew it was because he liked the guy that his words had hurt so much. Hopefully his foot-in-mouth disease wouldn’t run Bobby off.

    DRACUL’S BLOOD
    Carol Lynne and T.A. Chase

    40

Chapter Five

    Once inside the lab, Bobby showed Nik to a small room. “Wait here.”
    Nik nodded, taking a seat at the long conference table. Most of what he’d need was already there. He pulled a pair of nitrile gloves out of the provided box and adjusted the blacklight lamps before turning off the overhead fluorescent lights.
    Bobby returned and held the door open for a technician. The tech set the cloth-covered cask carefully onto a wooden stand. Nik was pleased the guy took such care in transporting the fragile discovery.
    “Do you mind if I stay?” The technician asked Nik.
    “Not at all…”
    “Peter Allenbrand,” the tech provided.
    Nik nodded and carefully removed the piece of cloth. A crest imbedded at the top of the wax caught his attention. “Oh, I didn’t see this in the photograph.”
    “What?” Bobby leant over