14
"I'm willing to pay more, if it's needed."
Jane shakes her head. "That won't be necessary. Let me make a call, and we'll go from there."
In the blink of an eye, Jane is twirling around in her chair, looking every bit of the age she portrays, with a cellphone pressed to her ear.
She speaks too quickly for me to understand, so I don't even try.
The conversation lasts maybe two minutes. When it's finished, she smiles so widely I can see her molars, and to be honest, it's terrifying.
"Congratulations, Mr. Cullen. My dear friend has agreed to help you out until your girls graduate from high school," Jane says, turning toward her computer.
Her fingers fly over the keyboard, and I briefly wonder how many words per minute she can type.
"Really? Just like that?"
"Yep. Just like that."
The printer in the corner of the room starts shooting out papers.
"That will be your contract."
I'm ready to sign my literal life source away for the next couple of years for the safety and virtue of my daughters when Jane tuts.
"Leah should be finished with your application soon. When she returns, she'll ask her questions, and if she approves your request, we'll go over everything and give you your donation schedule. Before that, I'd like to sample the goods."
She produces a key that unlocks the handcuff on my wrist and another to open the box. I watch her treat my blood like a human would a fine wine, swishing it around the vial before tipping it into her mouth.
Her eyes are closed for a brief second, and when they open, she gives me a crimson smile. "Yes. I think we're both going to benefit greatly from this partnership, Mr. Cullen."