Disclaimer: KH owns the most of the characters and the Hollows. I just want to let you know how I would like the story to end.

Notes: I'm setting this after WWBC. I will add some characters of my own. Well, now it is time for new characters. Of course I will explain eventually some of the things I didn't in the previous chapter; it might not be in this one. Just be patient with me a little more. If I suck, tell me kindly, please.

This is RaVy all over the place so you've been warned.

CHAPTER 5

First thing I got aware of was the marvelous scent I was wrapped on. Ivy! I mentally sighed still in dreamland, second thing I noticed was the very light touch of fingers running so smoothly over my back. That made me focus without moving yet. Last night, no, this morning, I went asleep spooning Ivy's body with mine. Now I had a pillow under my arm and my body was facing down. I could feel the soft breathing of my beloved vamp on the skin of my back and a little weight on one of my shoulders, the delicious warmth on my left side must be from Ivy's body all contacting mine. She had leaned her head on one of my shoulders and she was drawing the patterns of my new flame-like marks all over my back with her long pianist fingers. I grunted and she stopped and pulled herself away from me. It was very dark in Ivy's bedroom. I couldn't see a thing when I opened my eyes.

"Don't stop" I yawned. And then I sighed whilst she repositioned her body where it was "I told you, babe, if you want to touch me you just do it!" I mumbled barely between another yawn. And I moved my arm over the pillow awkwardly to touch clumsily her hair before dropped it again on the pillow. I was still more asleep than awake. The sigh from Ivy over my shoulder made me shiver a bit.

"Are you sure, Rachel?" the doubt on her silk grey voice hurt me. But I was the only one to blame for that. I rejected her so many times, in so many ways; she might never have enough certainty about me. She probably thought I was here now only for the babies. The babies were a big reason but not the main one. She was. Ivy always had been it; she would always be my reason.

"Oh, I am awake now and I'm pretty sure, honey. This is not a game, I love you." I still could not see a thing in the dark. Ivy had the best curtains to avoid sun. Her room was darker than a Were mouth. "I know I had hurt you so much in the past because my stupidity. No more, my love. What you were doing, it felt so good; you should continuing doing it while I'm awake" I hoped she would follow my suggestion.

"I was just thinking, dear heart. This marks must be meaningful. Al really freaked out when they appeared on your arm." She passed an arm over my back to caress more firmly such forearm with her whole hand. Her grey silk voice was quiet and concerned.

"He called me Reaper… and I certainly reaped his spells, charms and curses off of him" I cleared my throat softly before say the next words: "It's nice, you know?"

"To reap a demon off of his magic?" she asked interested, her fingers reassumed the patterns on my marked skin.

"No, you silly vamp, you touching me!" I sighed contently. "You smell so good!"

"You also smell very good to me." I imagined the smile of her lips and I smiled too; thank God the lights were off, it was surely the most stupid grin I ever did. "I like your back, you know?" she kissed me in between the shoulders over my spine. Her fingers in both hands spread to explore the whole length of my skin from the shoulders to the small of my back just over the zone were the waist started. I moaned delighted. "Certainly, you are a bit more muscular than before, Rache." She appreciated in a whisper.

"I guess it's ok if you like it" I murmured my breathing was going unsteady.

"Oh I like it very much!" She purred with that sexy voice what always made me doubt of my knees. Lucky me I'm already lying down! But she is not moving anymore. What do you expect, Ivy Tamwood? A written invitation? Maybe not written; just the right words, don't screw up this time, Rache.

"Be my guest, babe" Damn, my brain doesn't compute a thing before coffee!

"Do you really want to have sex with me, Rachel?" Ivy sounded so serious, she had paused. You are no sweet talker, you suck dishwater talking, Rache. Do what you do better; take action, NOW! Well, sometimes my brain liked to play dirty on me.

"No." My gargantuan mouth went off again without any thinking behind it. Ivy left me immediately. Double damn! I turned face up in a hurry, all my muscles protested but I ignored them "I want to make love with you, Ivy Tamwood" I smiled fondly. Whoa, that was close! She froze and stared at me, I couldn't see her but I knew she was seeing at me. "C'mon, honey, come here, or hit the lights so I can grab you." I proposed sitting down, reaching with both arms, still ignoring the pain.

"No, not the first time." She slipped between my arms swiftly, the bed barely moved under us. Well, that way she had all the advantages, my vamp surely could see me, and my reactions, but I was unable of that. She was inches from me and my eyes only perceived darkness. She has to be sure. And she doesn't feel too attractive now. I can live with this. I decided in a heartbeat.

"That's alright with me, honey. Come here, you on top." I hugged her shoulders, bringing her with me, to laid atop my body

"Why?"

"'Cause I don't want to squeeze you or crush our babies, you know the klutz I turn into sometimes; and I think I wouldn't be very able to hold myself together. So this way you're in control and no way can I hurt you… just" I trailed off suddenly nervous. My body was still sore from the ordeal of the night before.

"Rachel, you're rambling. And I'm not made of crystal; I'm just pregnant. You don't have to be scared of hurting me physically or the babies. You're nervous…" she observed hesitantly.

"Yes, I'm getting nervous; I'm inexperienced, so you just tell me what to do." I asked quietly, but anxious. "I'm a fast learner, I assure you" I smiled when my lips found her ear between her hairs.

"No doubt of it" she laughed softly because my hands were already holding and squeezing her buttocks.

I was still grinning like an idiot. God! The malicious commentaries at Piscary's vamp club were understatements. Ivy Tamwood really was a sex goddess! Even pregnant, weak and tired she just made me the way she wanted and I enjoyed every little murmur, touch and experienced kiss. Another slight upsetting due to the pregnancy finished our first time making love; but it was the best of my life. So far. A devilish smirk came to my lips when the back of my mind told me the obvious; now Ivy was pregnant. I could only hope I had the stamina and the resilience for our sex life when she had delivered our babies.

"You're thinking about me" her grey silk voice purred against my ear making me shiver. Her arms wrapped around my waist and her lips reached my jaw. I was cutting the cheese and the tomatoes for the omelets.

"Oh yeah!" I agreed without thinking. Damn you, you sexy vamp, you have turned me into a bizarre version of Beavis. She smiled so satisfied I couldn't avoid brush her lips with mine. "Did you take your potion?"

"Aha, did you eat your cookies?"

"Just one, I'll take another after breakfast."

"You're learning well, little witch!" she squeezed me from my back and placed a kiss on my neck; getting aside the unruly curls.

"My, my. You're a mind reader!" I groaned "I'm in trouble!" I giggled turning to kiss her fully on the lips. She laughed against my mouth.

"You are transparent, dear. And quite frankly I was thinking the same thing." She squeezed my ass a bit. "I always knew you were addictive." Her voice came out like a sexy growl.

"Let me get some practice and then we talk, babe." I nibbled her bottom lip lightly "For now, go to the table; breakfast is almost ready." I shushed her away playful.

Ivy ate a lot and then she seemed tired. I sent her to bed again. And I began to do the laundry; the church was very clean; so it was a fair guess that Ivy continued her OCD cleaning habits while I was out. I just did a little maintenance promising to myself not to let anything get dirty. I worked on some charms and potions cooking them. Ivy had to rest. That meant I had to take charge of the cleaning, the laundry and the cooking. The shopping, speaking of I asked Jenks to stay with Ivy while I went to buy a very good quantity of many things, I had seen the appetite for food Ivy showed me last night, so I needed to doubled at the very least the groceries' supply. And I better offered variety to her in the meals I should made an extra effort for her. My Ivy had expended half of a year battering herself because of me. I had to compensate her in even that small way. When I came back I started a very complete and large meal. I had a hunch. We might be having company; and by that I meant at least 2 undead vampires and two living ones. Erica said they won't be pleased. I had not much time.

Ivy came in a baggy sweater and leggings. Dressed like that she didn't look pregnant at all. I served her a glass of orange juice and I continued preparing the dinner I had planned out while I was shopping. Jenks came by the kitchen with Matalina.

"Hey, isn't that my shirt?" he asked when he saw me; I took one of his tall clothes when I passed by the mirror on the bathroom before going out, I had a tank top on me but the new markings in my shoulders and my arm were to notorious; so, I covered them with one of Jenks' shirts, I just let it open over the tank top. Now, I had the sleeves folded until up my elbows. Faded blue jeans and boots without heels completed my outfit it was comfortable, casual, to be in home.

"Yes, Jenks, I borrowed it. I don't want anyone to see the tattoos. In fact that's the only idea I have to explain them. I hope David and the ladies want to have the same figures at least in their arms and backs. I made a little complexion potion, very strong, it lasts a year. I will call them tonight. I tried to use some complexion amulet to hide this marks and it didn't work at all" I explained.

"So that's what you cooked after I went to bed." Ivy stared at me quizzical.

"Yes and I did a pair of protections for the doors and the windows too. And I have something in the planning for you and your family and mine. I asked Jenks and Mattie to harvest some herbs; I think I will also use what's left from Al inside me." I smirked while I was washing some of the dirty recipients I had used so far making dinner. I had to clean very soon the rest of them before the visits arrived.

Ivy was continuingly checking me out but I didn't allow myself to be distracted. We talked while I was cooking and she read her e-mails. We could continue in the night what was still in our minds. The doorbell rang.

"I've got it" Jenks darted through the kitchen I thought he seemed faster than before the rejuvenating spell. Matalina excuse herself to go and check on the kids. Not much time passed before my vamp's frown was evident. If I couldn't grasp a thing of the discussion Jenks was having in the door Ivy certainly could and she wasn't pleased. I saw her got in her feet and going towards there. I lowered the flame on the cream pot and put outside the fire the pan I was about to use to make a sauce. Ivy pissed off wasn't a good thing to happen for any unaware stupid cookie.

I knew the motive behind Ivy's frown when I heard clearly two words from a phrase I could not hear complete. "…black witch and I want to talk to her" I clenched my jaws. Well, I haven't been used to that yet. Even dough I had a lot of bad experiences in the days after the shunning and before the coma.

"Please, dear." I forced myself to talk and catch with Ivy's steps before she could grab the irritating woman. It had to be a human: no inderlander would talk in that tone to a real black witch. And almost everyone knew by now the soft spot I was on Ivy Tamwood's temper. Not much of them would risk pissing off a high-blood living vamp. Ivy still was the strongest living vampire in Cinci. And I was the only one capable to curb her anger, if she let me do it.

There were three women in the hall. I took a glance of the irritant blond as I took a hand of Ivy with one of mine. Jenks came to land in my shoulder.

"Rachel Morgan?" she asked. She had the bitchy type written all over her. She wore a casual but elegant evening dress, impeccable stiletto shoes, quality and tasteful jewelry. She must be closer to her forties than the thirties she tried successfully to give impression of being younger. However, I could smell the complexion amulets she had on her, funny now my nose was oversensitive to magic. She was very attractive if you like fake blonde women with exuberant bodies. Her tone filled with proud and not well hiding scorn reminded me of Ellasbeth, the ex-fiancée of Trent. She was a cold bitch without a heart. I ignored her to get a glance on the other two. The youngest was a Were she didn't hide her smell. She had a business suit on, in blue. She looked professional. I was taller than the three of them. The blonde with the stiletto shoes barely reached my height without me using heels. The Were was a fair brunette, her hair was braided simply, but nicely. She was barely in her late twenties like me. But the one who surprised me was the middle age woman on classic faded blue jeans, comfortable snickers and a blouse unbuttoned over a white shirt without cleavage. She was barely five foot six.

"Claire Britt." I said surprising both of my partners. I also felt startled for a second. Claire had a fainted scent of redwood on her. She is a witch! I always thought she was human. But then I took a good look of her. She hadn't changed in years! She was already famous when I was a kid. Mom loved her recipes and she collected all the cooking books from Claire Britt. I have stolen from her my four favorites when I moved out of home. I still had them in the lower part of the counter. Everybody believed she was human! Maybe she wasn't a practitioner of the magic. The smell was so fainted, chances were she only worked on her complexion amulets and that was it. She wouldn't be the first non-practicing witch in the world.

"Do you know her?" Ivy stared at me a second.

"You must know her too, Ivy. I've been using her cooking books since I moved in with you. Have you never seen her picture on the books?"

"No." she arched her infamous eyebrow in dismissal, that wasn't important to her, so what? I laughed; I used an arm to capture one of hers. She still was angry.

"Nice to meet you, dear." the pleasant middle age woman addressed to me. Her hair was ash blonde with some grey on it. "Yes, I'm Claire Britt. This is my girlfriend: Miss Susannah Caruthers." She made a gesture towards the offensive blonde. "And this is Renata Reynolds, my partner in business." Her hand went to point the Were with elegance and smoothness.

"So you are Rachel Morgan, the black witch all Cincinnati talks about." The blond woman said with that irritating tone of superiority and inherent despise for anything and anyone that wouldn't please her. Ivy huffed and growled showing her canines. And that made the impertinent backpedaled with an obnoxious little scream "She is a Vampire!"

"Please Susannah!" the were sounded bothered. "What do you have in the head? because that was obvious! Vampiric Charms! A witch and a living vamp!" she said like if she was explaining something for the umpillionth time to an idiot. I liked the were girl. And it was a tangible dislike between the young were and the blonde; this one left aside the fear to face Miss Reynolds insulted, offended. The famous cook got between both with her hands up in a placating gesture.

"I'm afraid I'm not what you are looking for, Miss Britt." I decided to talk before Ivy could lose her temper. "I'm not a black witch despite some unfortunate events, so please go now." I asked seriously "Just let me give you a little piece of advice… I'm already offended by your friend. Don't go to a real black witch with that attitude, most of them will not be as nice as me." I warned.

"I'm very sorry, dear. I'm afraid Susie has not much experience treating with inderlanders." The famous cook said apologetic "And I don't need a black witch for nothing" she clarified.

"I hope so for your own sake. Good bye." I lifted my free hand towards the door.

"Look, dear… at least hear me out and then you could turn me down. How about that?" she proposed with a warm tone, almost maternal. She was absolutely charming like an old friend, like a missed relative, or something close to that. That was part of her success her ability to make people feel welcomed and close. Even dough I didn't like her girlfriend. I moved my head in a negative gesture.

"I'm cooking right now and my cream is about to ruin so…" I was kicking them out politely but the cook brightened at that.

"Then let me help you, dear, I always find easier to talk whilst I'm cooking or eating. That is a fact for most of the people." She was already walking towards the kitchen. Both Ivy and I stared at each other astonished by the familiarity of the cook. And the blonde protested following her. Renata saw at us with a sigh, a resigned one.

"Please don't take her the wrong way. Sometimes Claire is just Claire and forgets not all the people appreciate her forwardness." She said quietly. "And don't mind that greedy stupid bitch. I just hope for Claire to open the eyes and dump her before she makes me kill her." She whispered between clenched teeth.

"Don't worry I probably kill her if she insults Rachel again!" Ivy said in the same fashion showing her fangs.

"Please, honey. She doesn't worth it" I said and hurried us to the kitchen. Jenks had flown in the chase of the two invaders since they left.

The famous chef had her sleeves folded and was washing her hands by the time we got back to the kitchen. The blonde was looking at my books.

"What kind of witch doesn't have spell books?" she was complaining. "Obviously the papers are wrong, Claire. Let's go!"

"Please, Susie sweetheart, we are here already." She went to the stove. She took a good sniff and turned to see us. "I love women what knows how a real meal must be, dears. Roast beef, baked potatoes, asparagus cream, a batch of home made bread. And apple pie!" she signaled to the window, where I put three pies to cold. "Although I also smell butterscotch pie, you have been busy here, kiddo." She smiled fondly and uncovered my cream to stir it. "You have a very cozy little kitchen in here, dear."

Little kitchen? That was a slap to my ego! I frowned. "Of course, it's a big kitchen for normal people. But I'm used to mine. I have a stadium size kitchen with 12 stoves, 12 ovens, 5 microwave ovens and a lot of professional paraphernalia, that's my living." She excused herself making me feel a bit better. "I like to work in several plates at the same time that keeps me in shape." She put a little cream in her finger with the spoon to taste it "Mhm, a little garlic and a hint of Cayenne pepper would make it perfect." She looked into the rack of condiments to use them.

Ivy was as speechless as I was. I got closer to the famous cook; she covered the pot again. And then she took the knife to slice the herbs I had ready for the sauce; she was a master with the knife. She chopped all in no time.

"Let me show you a special sauce I've been working at." She said getting the pan on the fire to begin. "Look, dear, I'm a damn good cook" she said proudly but her tone was warm, without any hint of superiority. I was feeling very impressed for her and the familiarity she seemed to give to everybody around her. The woman was a sun.

"I can see that." I nodded when she looked at me like waiting for an answer. She might be tired of her monologue. No, she was starting a dialogue, I reckoned.

"But I suck dishwater when we talk about money. I'm incapable to even balance a freaking check book." She continued her explanation I blinked surprised by the words. That could be me talking. That was the way I talk. Is she empathic or mind reader? "That's why my finances are in the hands of a good firm since the beginning of my career."

"Aha." At last Ivy showed some interest. She put the coffee machine to work. And prepared a line of Vampiric charms mugs to serve it when it was done.

"Suzie here, thinks that the firm is being…dishonest with me." Claire said with a little frown. "Renata is my partner and she has some suspicions about that too. She is very good at her job but she is not much better than me with the money."

"We have trusted the firm for almost 20 years. Not always but sometimes I have noticed certain hesitance and evasion when I make questions. Maybe is my imagination but it is my money too." The were said rather seriously.

"20 years?" Ivy asked "You don't have even 30." she pointed with a smirk, with the intention to bother the irritating blonde by showing her fangs a little. The woman took 3 more steps away from my lover.

"My mother was Claire's former partner. I took her place when she past away 5 years ago. Claire has been like another mother for me my entire life." Renata explained. The cook smiled at her fondly.

"I see I'm sorry for your lost." Ivy was showing her best education now.

"It's ok. I've been around Claire since before I was born. Mom was her friend for years. And she lost dad before I was born. So she moved in with Claire. Claire has been always there for me as much as mom was." She said. The face of the blonde woman didn't hide her dislike. Neither Renata hid her filial love to the cook. That's why she was here with them; she was taking care of her second mother from the claws of a gold digger. "Well. We would like an investigation on the firm; to confirm or deny our suspicions about the way they are handling our money."

"Tink's little bag of dust!" Jenks chuckled landing on Ivy's shoulder. My vamp was pouring the coffee in the mugs. "You don't need a witch either white or black. You need a hacker" he said.

"Break inn an office and steal files from their archives is an illegal activity. We are a very lawful firm. We don't do that kind of jobs, Miss Reynolds." I said seriously.

"We help the FBI when they want to treat with high profile inderlanders criminals. We are a very legal firm" Ivy nodded with energy "Do you like a cup of coffee?" Ivy offered coldly but politely.

"That is it then?" Claire looked towards me still making the sauce. I felt bad for her and I sighed. For some reason I didn't want to disappoint her, she had been a constant presence in my life at least her recipes and her books.

"I can offer a legal option, Miss Britt. Thank you, love." I received a mug from Ivy; she had a tray on her hands covering her pregnancy very well.

"I'm listening, dear. Thank you, sweetie." She took a mug. Renata asked for sugar and the blonde didn't dare to approach my ebony haired partner and that devilishly sexy smirk of hers with fangs defying Susannah to do it. Susannah was a control freak, she knew vampires could be dangerous but she wasn't scared of black witches. Stupid human!

"Well the only thing I believe can work in this case it would be a truth amulet. You bring the amulet to a meeting with the responsible people for your account in the firm. The amulet let you know every time they lie to you. It's legal, clean and it will give you basis for a legal complaint and for an investigation of the firm by the IRS. You asked them straight forward if they have cheated on you or stolen from you. And if the amulet indicates they lie, then you can do more specific questions, that would give you an idea of how they had managed to rob you." I said with the professional voice I was working on. "Of course; you have to record the meeting with cameras and microphones. That is legal too; many offices have security systems like those. And for securing the whole thing you bring a pair of witnesses, like a public notary and an accountant who can understand the scheme of them if there's any." I shrugged my shoulders and took a sip of coffee.

"Seems like you already have a plan, Miss Morgan." Renata smiled at me with sympathy. And her blue eyes locked on my mark hand I was holding my mug with it, I didn't even notice. "So, it's true."

"What is true?" I stifled a huff and managed to look inconspicuous.

"Your tattoo, I'm a loner. I'm in no pack. But I have access to the catalog. I thought the name had to be a coincidence. But you have a tattoo. How can you be the alpha bitch of a were pack if you are a witch, Miss Morgan?" she asked curious.

"That's a long story." I sighed "But my alpha male is a public notary. If you are interested in the plan, I can ask him to be in your meeting, to notify and witness the interview. And Serena is an accountant, a very capable one; she can do a list of suitable questions to reveal any foul play if there is one going on in your firm. Serena is also a member of my pack." I offered.

"How could you win two challenges, Miss Morgan? I've seen those fights and I even had one, when someone tried to register me without my permission. That was not easy and I have marks to remind me why I don't want to be in a pack." She said looking at me with interest.

"That's an even longer story." Jenks laughed as he landed on my shoulder "So you do want to take this case, Rache?"

"Do you want to manage the electronic equipment, Jenks?"

"If you take it, sure thing, partner. You know I always have your back. And Jhan is learning very well, I want you to see how good he is getting at this. But I thought you didn't want runs in a while."

"Well." I sounded doubtful; I didn't want to leave Ivy alone at nights. And almost all runs had to be in night time.

"How much is going to cost me?" asked Claire Britt shutting off the gas. She left the pot and the pan covered with their respective lids. I saw right there the way of getting rid of them politely. I faked a consideration grimace like if I was calculating things mentally. Oh yes, money could be the perfect excuse for them to go away and leave us alone.

"Ten percent from the stolen money if there's any" I said. Ivy arched her eyebrow at me in a quizzical manner. But then she smiled and nodded like if it was a normal rate for any work.

"And if its not?" Claire locked her eyes with mine.

"Twenty thousand dollars." I shrugged my shoulders as if it was my regular fee. I saw a brightness in her green eyes. Olive green. She was taking me seriously. "I can have everything ready in 24 hours. Think about it and…" I trailed off when in the corner of my eye I noticed the outraged grimace on the face of the irritating blond woman.

"Certainly you charge like a Black Witch." Her poisoned commentary made me smirk in a revengeful mood.

"I'm on vacation, I have to change my entire schedule and gather the necessary people to do this, of course, and I have to pay them as well. If there is too much for you, you have the idea for free and the door is open for you to leave." I said looking at her directly. "Besides, how do you know so much about black witches, Miss Caruthers? Buying love potions or worst?" I asked in an innocent tone, she clenched her teeth. "You have wasted in complexion amulets more than the amount of money I asked for; I can smell them all over you." Her face turned red of shame and anger. "I know black witches; I've been hunting down them for years; that's my living. And I know the ways to defend myself from them. Hell, I'm a witch too." I stated proudly. "I don't know the kind of deals you had with witches in the past, Miss Caruthers. But you don't play with any witch not just black ones. Do you have the slightest idea of the things they could do to you without you even notice it?" I asked her seriously with a frown. I was offended. "If you appreciate your soul at all you don't go to black witches."

"You are shunned! You are one!" she shouted at me.

"That is it!" it was Renata whom spoke in a harsh tone, Ivy barely stopped herself when I held her from the shoulders in front of her with both hands, I didn't even knew how I left the mug on the counter, I was afraid Ivy could kill the stupid cookie. My vamp didn't use to talk without meaning her words. "You were the one who insisted in coming here." She almost spat the words. "You never go to anyone's house to insult them, Susannah! If she were a black witch, you were already regretting your attitude! Your fascination with black witches is a stupidity. Black witches are dangerous! They always made you pay much more than money. I had my doubts before I met her, but this witch is no black witch at all. All I can see here is a legal business with legal point of view; and solutions, creative and fast solutions. Now I'm certain we are in good hands. My mother passed a very hard time once upon a time all because a misinterpretation. But I see a pixie here. Pixies despise black arts; no pixie would be a friend or even partner with a black witch. And there was a very one sided story on all the papers comments. I know a conspiracy when I see one. I had to deal with many envious, toxic people whom have tried to damage Claire's image and reputation in so many ways. And that's the way they acted always." The young were was mad and the volume of her voice was going up as she ranted.

"Rena, honey. Calm down, please." Claire stepped towards her. The blond woman was also angrier at every statement of the brunette were. Renata took a deep breath to put a leash on her temper again. She allowed the cook to hug her by the waist.

"Claire you know I love you and respect you as if you were my own mother. But you better teach your lover about how to treat with inderlanders before she gets you into a big trouble and me with you. Make her understand that money doesn't buy instincts as old as our races. And human race is regrettably in the bottom of the food chain, no matter how much money they manage to get." The young Were asked in a respectful tone although she was clearly still angry with the insulting Blonde. "Miss Morgan I don't have to think anything. The job is yours. But I have to set some conditions." She freed from the loving arms of the cook to come in front of us. "We will give you that ten percent, if the amount they had robbed from us is up to 2 millions. But if the amount is larger we would only pay 3%." She said seriously.

"7." I retorted automatically. Without still thinking, I was worried about Ivy, my vamp was yet very angry. And I didn't want the job at all.

"5 percent, dear. It's the last offer. I appreciate people who know the worth of their jobs. And I'm very sorry for the way Susie had talked to you. And I appreciate the way even dough you were offended, you still avoided your girl gave mine a shake off. Renata will give you a check for the half of your minimum fee. 10 thousand. Tomorrow you can go to my house to prepare the equipment. And the day after the meeting will be set at 3 o'clock in the afternoon."

I looked at her; even I could hear the outraged hiss the blonde gave to her warning that the amount of money could reach hundreds of thousands. That was a lot of money. And if I wasn't to work, I will need it. There was still like 6 months of pregnancy for Ivy. And obviously she couldn't work either. Not like a runner. Then the cook talked to the blonde quietly. Susannah didn't like it. But she didn't say another word.

"It's settled then." I sighed almost tiredly. "We will need your address and phone number." I said more professional. Ivy went to her laptop to write the contract.

"And we will need a receipt." Renata said already filling a check.

"Of course, we are a legal firm; we pay taxes as all the people do." Ivy smiled at her.

All was settled in only 10 minutes. The strange trio left. And our trio returned to the kitchen. I went to the stove to check on the food and I started to wash all the used kitchen props. I busied myself getting things clean and putting them away. I wanted to have a presentable place. When I finally finished I found my beloved vamp staring at me with her cinnamon eyes brightened and filled with proud. I went to seat besides her.

"You managed it very impressively, Rache." She complimented me.

"I didn't want the job, babe. I was trying to make them go away. I thought they would leave before pay that much money. I didn't want to leave you alone in the nights. But the distraction is going to worth it." I smiled before hugging her. I brought her to my lap and kissed her cheek stroking her belly over the baggy sweater "After all, we have to build a nursery room."

"Well, if, and only if there's a two million dollars fraud going on; you will charge them with two hundred thousand. I think that would be more than enough, dear heart." Ivy passed an arm behind my back. She caressed my chin with the thumb of her free hand.

"We, not me, we are a team, Ivy. Who does your taxes?"

"I do it myself, love."

"Would you help me with mine, I really suck at it." I sighed.

"Sure." She smiled and brushed her lips with mine.

"I was thinking, we can buy the equipment, cameras, and bugs. Having it could be useful, just in case."

"I like it, we can deduce it from taxes, and they're work related items." Ivy nodded. And then she got in alert mode, I heard the shout from the entrance.

"V! It's me. Don't flip on me." The young vampire was already in the archway entering to the kitchen at vamp speed. "At least I could get into the first car. Mom and Daddy, and Rynn are coming." She told us and blinked; she wasn't expecting to see her sister on my lap. I kissed my vamp's lips lightly and let her stand. Erica was wearing pretty normal clothes for a girl her age. It looked like the war amongst vamps took away her gothic image after all she couldn't go out alone. Her family was a target. And they were coming right away. Round two with the undead, Rache, brace yourself and smile. Let's see if they have something on Francesca Borgia. The day is not over this still could get better.