He had been on his way to Morgaine’s apartment when Merry stepped off the elevator next to the cellar door. She didn’t seem to mind his presence in the upstairs hallways. In fact, she seemed pleased to see him there. He knew she wanted him in arealapartment, but he had little need of one.
“Think about it, okay? I feel just awful that my own father is stashed away in the basement when we have a perfectly good empty apartment for you.”
“I appreciate that, Merry, but I don’t have a job, so no way of paying rent.”
“But that’s just it. You don’t have to pay rent. My husband owns the building and professional athletes sure as hell don’t need the money. I already asked him if it was all right, and he said yes.”
“Oh, I’m sure he wasrealenthusiastic.” Sly smirked.
“Actually, he said I can have anything I really want—and I really want this.”
“Sounds like you’ve got him wrapped around your little finger.”
She shrugged. “Is that so bad?”
His space behind the false wall was completely dark—like a tomb. This place would have to be darkened artificially, with shades or blinds. He had no need for a kitchen since he was on an all-liquid diet. And as far as a place to store his stuff? He purposely hadn’t accumulated much. He liked a Spartan lifestyle. All he owned fit in a cardboard box under his cot. Mostly photos and newspaper clippings. He had a change of clothes in case what he was wearing became dirty, but the laundry was right there.
“Please?” She begged. “I’ve come to love my vampire father. You’ve had such a raw deal in life, it’s about time things started going well for you.”
Aw, shit. His daughter loved him. That’s all it took. He put an arm around her shoulder and kissed her hair. “It looks like you have us both wrapped, sweetheart.”
Her expression brightened. “Then you’ll take it?”
He sighed. “Possibly, but I have my pride and I won’t just allow myself to sponge off my daughter and son-in-law. That means I have to get a job.”
Merry bit her lip. “I guess. There’s no rush though. I’d rather you find something you enjoy doing. Don’t just take a job to pay your rent. It’s totally unnecessary.”
“That’s good, because it might take a while. I don’t even know where to start looking. Most job interviews take place during the day.”
“Maybe you can freelance—doing something you’re good at.”
“Like?”
Her face fell.
Yeah, she can’t think of anything either.“Look, I might take you up on your generous offer, but I don’t want to commit to it just yet. This is something I hadn’t considered until ten minutes ago, and I need a little time to adjust.”
“Sure. How about if I look for you tomorrow night? Will you be around?”
He smiled. “I’m always around. Right now, I’m going up to Morgaine’s apartment, but unless she wants me to come up again tomorrow night, I’ll be out front or in the basement.”
“You and Morgaine are friends?” Merry asked in a hopeful tone.
“Yes. Why?”
“Oh, nothing,” she said in a sing-song way.
Sly looked at her crafty expression. “You’re not trying to play matchmaker are you?”
She put a look of innocent surprise on her face. “Of course not!”
“Good, because I don’t need ‘help’ in that direction.”
She put on a fake pout. “But you’ve been alone for so long. I only want you to be—”
He placed a finger over her lips. “I didn’t say I wasn’t open to a relationship with her. I just said I didn’t need any help.”
Merry hugged him. “In that case, I’m glad. Go get her, tiger.”
