Page 4 of Blood Lust

“Well, if someone’s husband hadn’t gotten a phenomenal job offer in Minneapolis, you could’ve seen me every day,” I teased as I pulled my suitcase off the conveyor belt.

“Hurry up! I’m in the pickup area, and some airport guy is giving me the stink eye,” she exclaimed.

I laughed as I wheeled my checked bag and my carryon and held my phone with my shoulder. “Hold onto your britches, I’ll be there in, like, five seconds.”

We worked out exactly where she was, and I made my way outside. The minute I stepped out of the airport, I heard my name shouted.

Merin was waving at me, standing next to her open trunk. A huge grin lifted the corners of my mouth, and I picked up my pace. She wrapped me in a bear hug, and we both laughed. Then we broke apart and quickly loaded up my bags. After piling into the vehicle, we were on the road.

“Hey, boss lady! So how’s Chicago?” she asked as she merged with traffic.

I chuckled. After college I’d started editing part time to make money as I tried to figure out what to do with my life. It had ended up becoming a full-time gig, and I loved it. So when Merin started writing, she had contacted me. I’d been her editor ever since.

“Same ol’, same ol’. Some things never change,” I replied. The crime rate had seen a massive surge over the last year, and it made me sad. I’d always loved Chicago. It was the only home I knew.

I sent a message to my dad letting him know I was safely with Merin, then tucked my phone away. I ignored the messages I had from Mario as well as the ones from Paul begging me to take him back.

“Well, for the next six days, you’re not going to worry about anything. This is your vacation, and we’re going to enjoy it,” she insisted as she checked her mirror and changed lanes. “Even though we’re going to a book signing, you’re not Editor Alia—you’re just my friend and PA, Lia.”

Laughing, I gazed out the window at the passing scenery that was utterly foreign to me. I’d never traveled to this area. It was both exciting and a bit terrifying to think I would be flying toTexas with my friend tomorrow. Two places I’d never been—Minnesota and Texas.

“Sounds good. We’re going to have an adventure,” I agreed. “Just the girls.”

“And lots of book boyfriends,” she added with a smirk. We were flying down for this big book signing thing that Merin had been invited to. Though I edited for many of her associates, I’d never had the chance to meet any of them. After I shitcanned Paul, she had convinced me to go with her and was bringing me along as her “assistant.”

I loved that myfriendwas a famous author and that she entrusted her book babies into my care. She wrote under the pen name ofM. Merin,and hardly anyone in her family knew, but I did.

I was also an unapologetic book whore. I loved to read more than anything—didn’t matter what it was. In a pinch, I’d read a magazine, but I preferred a good spicy romance. Another reason I absolutely loved my job.

It was also why I was excited for this trip. An entire signing full of MC and mafia authors? Hell yes. Most of my authors I edited for would be there. It was funny because motorcycle cubs and the mafia were so far from my actual boring life that it was the perfect escapism.

“Those are the best kind,” I told her. Then I wrinkled of my nose. “Give me a book boyfriend over a real man any day.”

“Amen.”

I scoffed. “Amen? Your husband is probably one of the best catches of the century.”

She grinned. “I know.”

Her husband was the whole package. Funny, handsome, kind, and he had a job. For some reason I kept picking losers that didn’t have any aspirations. Oh, and they were big fat liars.

“Hey. None of that. Don’t you let Paul ruin this trip.” She waved her hand dismissively. “He’s gone. Poof!”

I ruefully laughed. “Too bad he made me fall in love with a bunch of lies. Turns out, I didn’t even know him. If what I fell in love with was a fictional version of him, why did it hurt to end things? It just doesn’t make sense.”

“Well, he doesn’t matter. Fuck him.” She nodded decisively as she took the next exit.

“See? That’s why I needed this trip. I needed you to help me clear my head and leave all that shit behind.” I sighed. There was more weighing on me than Paul though.

“How’s your dad?” she asked.

That was my cue to groan. I’d never figured out how she read my mind so well.

“Uh-ohhhh,” she drew out ominously.

“Yeah.” I dropped my gaze to my hands in my lap. “I think he’s gambling again.”

“Oh no,” she replied, her words laced with regret. “What makes you think he is?”