42. The Threat

"It sure sounds like you've got a lot of hate for her," Arlene said, her tone sharp.

"What is there to like about her?" Reverend Franklin spat. "She's a bloodsucking monster who deceives gullible humans like you into thinking not all vampires are evil. But the truth is, they *are* all monsters."

Arlene's face flushed with anger. "This is exactly why I don't go to your church anymore—all you preach is hate."

Sensing the conversation was spiraling into dangerous territory, Rudy intervened before the Reverend could respond. "Reverend Franklin, it's getting quite late. Let me see you off—and grab some files I left in my office while I'm at it."

Reverend Franklin shot Arlene a pointed look, his lips twitching into a forced smile. "You're right, it is late. My wife and children must be waiting for me."

He stood up, his demeanor shifting back to one of false piety. "Good night, everyone. May the good Lord be with you."

"And also with you," Arlene replied, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

The Reverend hesitated, glaring at her for a moment before choosing to ignore her entirely. He walked toward the door alongside Rudy, who was visibly eager to leave, likely looking forward to meeting up with Lucrecia.

As they reached the door, Arlene called out, "Rudy, please don't stay there. Find a way to come back home tonight."

"Of course, honey. I'll do just that," Rudy said with a convincingly warm smile before stepping out with the Reverend.

The moment the door closed behind them, Cara left her seat and slid into the one next to Ashley.

"So, how did Operation 'Get Travis Out of the Way' go today?" Cara whispered, her voice low enough to avoid drawing attention.

Ashley smirked, leaning in slightly. "Made some progress. I planted the idea of him investing some of the company's holdings into one of those ridiculous Bitcoin schemes."

Cara raised an eyebrow. "Is there any chance he'll actually go for it?"

"None. For him to proceed, my father and the shareholders would both have to sign off," Ashley explained, her voice steady but amused.

"Then why bother planting the idea if it won't go anywhere?" Cara asked, genuinely curious.

Ashley's smirk widened. "Next week, we'll have a shareholders meeting. Travis will pitch this brilliant 'investment' idea, and everyone will finally see him for the fool he is. Then, I'll step in, pitch my ideas, and save the day."

Cara chuckled, glancing at Travis, who sat across the room, blissfully unaware of their whispered conversation.

"Can I come to your room tonight?" Ashley asked suddenly, her tone casual but playful.

Cara grinned. "What if I come to *your* room instead?"

Ashley's smile deepened. "Be my guest."

Their quiet exchange didn't go unnoticed. Arlene, who had been watching them with a sharp eye, suddenly spoke up. "What's going on between you two?"

Cara froze, caught off guard by the blunt question. Her mother's words sent a jolt of surprise through her, while Travis, sitting nearby, looked thoroughly amused by the awkward moment.

"Mom, we're just friends," Cara said quickly, attempting to sound nonchalant. "Turns out we have a lot in common."

"Yeah, right," Travis muttered under his breath, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

"So you're friends now?" Arlene pressed, her skepticism evident.

Ashley chimed in, her voice sweet but steady. "We are. In fact, we're hoping to be like sisters."

Travis opened his mouth, clearly preparing to make another snide comment, but Cara turned to him, her gaze icy and unyielding.

"Travis," she said calmly, her tone laced with quiet authority, "is there something you'd like to say?"

The sudden shift in attention put him on the spot. Cara knew he wouldn't risk ruining his image in front of Arlene, someone he deeply respected.

Travis hesitated, glancing between Cara and the others. "No," he said finally, his voice subdued. "I have nothing to say."

If he had dared to push her further, Cara wouldn't have hesitated to expose the truth—that he had propositioned her for sex the night she resurrected.

"Okay, then," Arlene said, breaking the uneasy tension in the room. "If you're truly friends, I support it. Good night, everyone. I've got a long day tomorrow." She rose from her seat, her tone final, and exited the dining room without another glance.

Cara's eyes lingered on her mother's retreating figure before shifting back to Ashley, who stood up with a knowing smile. Cara's gaze was inevitably drawn to Ashley's ample curves as she walked toward her room.

Out of Ashley's earshot, Travis leaned closer to Cara, smirking. "You're not even trying to hide it."

"Trying to hide what?" Cara replied, her tone indifferent.

"Come on, there's no one else here. You know what I'm talking about," Travis said, his grin widening.

Cara sighed, her patience wearing thin. "Travis, all I'm going to say is this: it would be very beneficial for you to mind your business. Go out, drink, smoke, or snort something. Just stay away from my friend. I know you called her last night."

Travis's smirk didn't waver. "I'm sensing you don't want me and Farrah to… mingle?"

"You're damn right. She's too good for you," Cara snapped.

For some reason, her irritation only seemed to amuse him. "Your friend will be mine. I'll strip off that sweet Christian girl act and make her my bitch," Travis said, relishing her frustration.

Cara's jaw tightened. "I won't let you do that."

Travis chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "Farrah's already head over heels for me. There's not much you can do about it… well, except—"

"Except what?" Cara interrupted, already anticipating the disgusting punchline.

"Except you let me ride you like the stallion I am," Travis said, his smirk turning into a full-blown leer.

Cara stared at him, her expression calm but her mind calculating. After a moment of silence, she said evenly, "Travis, there's an old saying: 'There's more than one way to skin a cat.' Ever heard of it?"

"Yeah, I've heard it," Travis said, a flicker of confusion crossing his face. "But what's that got to do with this?"

Cara rose from her chair slowly, her movements deliberate. "In this scenario, you're the cat. And the day you make a move on Farrah, I'll skin you in more ways than you can imagine."

She stepped closer to Travis, her presence suddenly menacing. His smirk faltered as she patted him on the shoulder. "Good night, sleep tight, and remember—there's a knife with your name on it, just waiting to touch your skin."

Without waiting for his response, Cara walked away, leaving a visibly shaken Travis in her wake.

When she reached Ashley's room, she found her sitting on the bed, dressed in black lingerie and fishnet knee socks. Ashley's lips curled into a teasing smile as she waited for Cara.

Cara approached her, their eyes locking before she leaned in for a deep kiss. When they pulled away, Ashley looked at her with a raised brow. "When were you planning to tell me that my brother knows about us?"