Page 113 of My Vampire Plus-One

“But this is a business establishment,” Frederick continued, exasperated. “If you don’t have any respect for yourself, at least have respect for the professionals who work here.”

I unlocked the door to the conference room where our meeting would be held and let them inside. My assistant had already set out the files we’d need for this meeting, and the knot of tension I’d been carrying around all morning loosened slightly.

One less thing to worry about.

“I respect the hell out of the people who work here,” Reggie said, continuing to bicker with Frederick even as they made their way into the room. “The way I dress has nothing to do with it.” He pulled out a chair at one end of the table and sat down. Then he turned to me and added, sounding a lot more contrite, “I hope my appearance doesn’t reflect poorly on you with your employers. I’m sorry I didn’t think to ask first.”

“It’s fine,” I said, then took a seat at the head of the table. “If all goes as planned, by the end of this meeting no one will carewhat any of us is wearing.” I looked at them both intently. “Does everyone understand their roles?”

“I think so,” Reggie said. “But why don’t you go over it all one more time just in case.”

Frederick took the seat next to Reginald, smirking at him. “It’s a simple enough plan, don’t you think?” Then he leaned over and stage-whispered in his ear: “You like it when Amelia takes charge, don’t you.”

“No,” Reggie said, glaring at him. A moment later, he quietly murmured, “Yes.”

Was it possible to combust from a combination of embarrassment, affection, and desire? I forced myself to ignore the riotous blush I could feel rising up my cheeks. I needed to focus. We were in my conference room, and in just a few minutes we’d be having a very important meeting with the head of a group of vigilante vampires. And how that meeting went would be largely up to me.

I had a moment of dizzy disorientation as I wondered, for the tenth time that morning, how any of this was happening.

“I’ll go over it again, just to be sure,” I agreed.

Reggie beamed at me. “I’m all ears.”

Frederick snorted.

“My role has a couple of parts to it,” I began, ignoring him. “First, I will let John Richardson know on behalf of Butyl and Dowidge that we are closing their file. I will lay out the tax consequences of what they’ve failed to do, tell them how much they almost certainly owe the IRS in back taxes, and explain how much trouble they’ll be in with the IRS and potentially with the Justice Department if we report them.” I paused. “I will also let them know that I know exactly who and what they really are, butno one else at my firm does. And that if they go quietly and vow to leave Reggie alone forever, it will stay that way.”

“After you’re finished doing the hard stuff,” Reggie continued, “my job will be to talk about how I had nothing whatsoever to do with The Incident, and that even if Ihadbeen responsible, it’s been over a century, and for the love of Hades they really need to find better things to do with their time.” He paused. “If that doesn’t work, I’ll also offer to help them find who was really responsible.”

That surprised me. This offer had not been part of the plan we’d gone over last night with Frederick over pancakes (for me) and bags of O-positive (for the two of them). “Really? You’d do that?”

“I would absolutelyofferto help them, yes. But if they take me up on it, I’d likely only go through the motions.” At my quizzical expression, he added, “The person who set the fire likely had their reasons. Even though I had nothing to do with it, I’m not sad it happened. I will not rat the actual arsonist out.” A pause. “Whoever they are.”

I stared at him. Did Reggie actually know who did it?

Before I could ask any follow-up questions, Frederick chimed in. “My job will be to be the adult in the room, so to speak.” He gave Reggie a meaningful look. “My being here will let them know you two are not acting alone. That you do have support from within the broader vampire community.”

“Good,” I said. I took a deep breath, then let it out slowly. This was going to work. “Any last-minute questions?”

Just then, the door to the conference room swung open and Evelyn Anderson walked in with John Richardson.

At the sight of them, white hot panic snaked through me. No one else from my firm was supposed to be here for this. Ourbiggest bargaining chip was that no one but me would know the truth about his organization so long as he agreed to go gently into the night with his goons.

Wecouldn’tspeak openly about this situation in front of Evelyn.

Frederick and Reggie looked as alarmed by this development as I felt. John Richardson was clearly caught off guard, too. He stood rooted to the spot just inside the conference room, eyes saucer-wide and locked with Reggie’s, looking like he was in a state of actual shock.

Good.That part, at least, was proceeding according to plan.

“Apologies, Amelia,” Evelyn said, as she took a seat at the opposite end of the table. “I know I said you could conduct this meeting, but I talked it over with the other partners. Given today’s agenda, we agreed it would be best if I was present.”

She gave me a meaningful look.

Today’s agenda, as far as Evelyn knew, was that we’d be closing the Wyatt Foundation file and nothing more. They must have wanted that decision to come from the firm, not me.

“Thank you, Evelyn,” I said. What else could I say? She was the partner. If she wanted to be here for this meeting, there was nothing I could do about it.

John Richardson continued staring at Reggie as though he’d seen a ghost. Reggie glared at him with a hatred in his eyes I’d never seen there before. As if all that kept him from lunging across the table at him was the presence of the two humans in the room.

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