Chapter 12:
Alcide was coming back down the stairs as Grace stepped inside. She couldn't help but smile at how attentive he was with the house, he looked at every inch and every corner of the place. Grace knew she was making the right choice by hiring him. She hoped he would take her mind off hiding, and she felt safe knowing he was a werewolf and could protect her if anyone ever caused her trouble. Grace couldn't deny he was nice to look at too.
"Well what's the damage" Grace said with a small smile as she stood at the door.
Alcide came down the last step with an eyebrow raised, he almost didn't want to tell her. There was so much work that needed to be done he didn't want to crush Grace.
How do I tell a pretty girl like that her house is a piece of shit. There's so much work that has to be done she be still paying off the bill till after she's dead.
Grace nodded "Its ok Alcide I can handle it" she said confidently. She appreciated how he treated her, despite his tough exterior he was very kind and gentle.
He sighed "well the piping is going to need replaced, your one hot bath away from the whole thing bursting, the porch outside is almost completely rotted, most of the doors need refitting as well as your light fixtures, and that roof looks like it might need replaced"
Grace tried to gather herself "Thanks a lot fern…" she mumbled to herself "How much?"
Alcide ran the numbers in his head "well I can do the doors and lighting at no cost, we just got a bunch of fittings sent to us and they were the wrong ones so I can use em here. The other stuff that all depends" he said with a small smile
Grace raised an eyebrow Is it right that I'm asking her on a date in return to do thousands of dollars in repairs,
She tried to hide her flushed cheeks "on?"
"Let me take you out" Alcide said with confidence. "I'll charge you whatever is the cheapest, probably the porch"
Grace smiled. "So the cost is dependant on whether or not I go out with you?"
Alcide put his hands on his hips as he nodded "Seems kinda wrong doesn't it, but those are my terms" he joked
Grace shook her head amused "Sookie didn't mention how much of a handful you'd be"
"That a yes?" Alcide asked
Grace held out her hand for him to shake "You got a deal. Although I cant tonight, I have to work then take care of a few things" His hand was so warm, Grace felt her body tingle as he held her hand. She felt his memories, his pain with his ex, his attraction for Sookie and Grace.
Alcide nodded "No problem. I'll stop by in the morning and get started"
Grace smiled as Alcide headed out the door. He stopped at the porch steps "Like I always tell Sookie, stay outta trouble" he smiled
Grace knew that was wishful thinking. She smiled and gave him a nod "See you tomorrow Alcide"
She shut the door behind her and stood and couldn't help but smile. She stood wondering what her first date in Bon Temps was going to be like, especially with a werewolf
The bar was filled as usual. Grace breezed in a little early intending to talk to Lafayette, she was set on helping him get ride of the V and settling the debt he had with Eric. Selling V was just one of the many reasons why she ran from Miami, and Eric Northman wasn't the only vampire around making money selling off his own blood. The Queen of Florida had Grace sell it off to people by listening to their thoughts. Her operation went unnoticed because of Grace. In the time that her and Cody were selling people from out of state would buy from them, a few from Shreveport even.
Lafayette was in the kitchen doing a small jig as he cooked. Grace stood at the door. "I'm glad to see your feeling better" She said at the door
Lafayette turned to see her. He smiled slightly "Nothing a vicodin and a pretty man name Jesus cant fix" He stopped what he was doing completely still holding the spatula in his hand "You didn't tell anyone what happened did you?"
Grace stood with an even expression, her posture was cool and confidant "Sookie knows"
Lafayette dropped his arms disappointed "Bitch why did you have to go do that"
"Because she would have found out anyways" Grace said. Lafayette looked at Grace unsure for a moment.
Does she know what Sookie can do?
Grace nodded "yes. Because I can do it too" she answered Lafayette's thought.
He took a step dumbfounded as he shook his head. Lafayette couldn't believe it, suddenly he felt embarrassed knowing that Grace knew why Lafayette had that reaction when Eric came to the bar.
He shook his head "I have seen more shit in these last few weeks for a life time" he said as he went back to cooking
"I can help you sell it" Grace said quietly
He stopped again "now what makes you think I need help pushing the shit"
Grace raised an eyebrow. Lafayette dropped the utensil and sighed
"I know people who buy a lot of it and fast and they happen to be not very far from here. How much do you have?" Grace said
Lafayette thought for a moment "a lot. Eric's listed it as half price but the shit is still pricey"
"That wont matter to my guy" Grace answered "Let me help you"
He looked at Grace "What's in it for you?" he said unsure
She shrugged "We sell it full price. Eric will take his cut thinking it's the full amount and we'll each take 25 percent. And you keep my secret, and I'll keep yours" Grace had thought it through.
It wasn't a bad deal, Grace needed the money and Lafayette wouldn't get a cut if he sold it himself. "You'll keep it quiet from everyone but Sookie" He countered
Grace nodded it was as fair point "Sookie and I may be able to read each others minds, but trust me I can block certain things out. There's a whole lot that she doesn't know. And I am going to keep it that way" Grace countered
"And what if Eric finds out? What do you think he'll do to me if he finds out I got help pushing the blood. Have you met that crazy mother fucker. He is not someone you mess around with" he said
Grace tried to reassure him "You let me handle Eric"
Lafayette didn't know how Grace planned to handle Eric, Grace didn't even know how to handle it, but she figured if she was able to surprise him last night then he was in for a few more if he was to cross her again. He shook his head as he tried to go over the pros and cons of giving the blood to Grace "Why are you doing this?" he asked
"Because I've been down this road before, and I never had anyone to help me out" she said with a sad expression. "And If I didn't meet my quota I paid hard. I don't want to see that happen to you. Not again at least" she said glancing at his leg.
Lafayette sighed "The shits in my trunk. When we close call your guy" Grace nodded, the plan was set.
Grace couldn't explain feeling compelled to help Lafayette other than that she had wished someone had helped her out in the past. If she didn't produce sales she paid a big price from the queen. She didn't want to see Lafayette suffer at the hands of Eric, not after what she saw him already go through.
She stopped, thinking why Eric would be selling vampire blood, she wasn't going to do the math, but 1000 years of savings meant he had to have millions, plus he owns a business. Grace leaned against the bar trying to figure out the vampires angle.
Sookie stood behind her "He doesn't have one….he lives life to see everyone around him suffer or crumble at his feet" Sookie said
Grace turned annoyed. She wasn't going to get used to Sookie listening to her constantly. She shook her head. "Sookie. You need to stop doing that"
"Grace your going to have to get used to it, besides apparently you don't even have to try and listen you hear everything anyways" Sookie said. Grace could tell Sookie was having a hard time getting used to Grace's telepathy.
Grace raised an eyebrow. She wasn't going to get into it with Sookie over who had the better gift. Grace would do anything to live a normal life where she wasn't telepathic, that her blood wasn't sacred.
Sookie's eyes widened. "Sacred? Grace is your.." She stopped
Grace did it again, she let her guard drop. "Dammit Sookie, just leave me alone alright" she stormed off
Sookie stood confused wondering if Graces blood had the same effect on vampires as hers did. Grace stormed into the washroom and locked the door. Holding her head she tried to clear her mind. Her head was pounding as the tears streamed down her face. She didn't know how long she could keep this up.
