Page 88 of Shadow's End

His gaze flicked between us for a second, disbelief evident. “If that was her inclination, she could have killed me the first time I was here.”

“When you mushed Roger’s mind, the war between vamps was only just ramping up,” I said. “At this current moment in time, both Marie and her opposite have lost multiple people, including vital feeders, so they’re on the prowl for new blood.”

“Well, that’s fucked.” His mouth twisted. “I guess I should thank you ladies for intervening, even if it is decidedly unpleasant to be captured like this.”

“You might want to remember that next time you’re employed to ensnare someone,” I said.

His smile flashed. “When there’s gobs of cash in the offing, memory tends to go AWOL.”

“And is there?” I couldn’t help asking curiously. “Gobs of cash in memory smearing or mind-napping, I mean.”

“Nah, them jobs are rare, and I don’t often take them anyways. I only did this time because the cash offered was off the charts.” He sniffed. “Memory theft is my gig. You know, bank details, corporate secrets, stuff like that.”

“Maybe you should stick to that in future,” I said. “But I’d advise you to do so a long way from here.”

“Oh, you can be sure of that.” His gaze returned to Belle. “At least in my own patch, I’m in no danger of being mind-napped, however politely it was done.”

“I won’t be so polite next time, so make sure there isn’t one,” Belle said. “What time were you supposed to take me up to the meeting point?”

“At dusk tonight. She said I just needed to keep you knocked out until the exchange is made.”

“Was she meeting you? Or was one of her people?” Belle asked.

“I was supposed to meet a gent called Hank.” He shrugged. “She said he’d be arriving in a white van, and I was to help transfer you over.”

“And that’s it? That’s all you had to do?”

He nodded. “The rest of the payment would be handed over—cash, rather than transfer this time—and I would be allowed to leave.” He paused. “That wasn’t going to happen, was it?”

“Unlikely.” Belle’s telepathic grip on his mind tightened a fraction. “I would suggest you have no further contact with her. I’d also suggest you get dressed, check out, and leave this reservation within the next hour. Otherwise, the next time we meet, I won’t be so pleasant.”

He half smiled. “Well, it’s not like you’ve given me a choice in the matter, is it?”

“A gentle compulsion is very different to an overt command, as you well know. Call it a professional courtesy that will not be extended again.”

“Understood.” He paused. “What of Marie?”

“We’re dealing with her.”

“As in, she’s one dead vampire once you track her down?”

Belle pushed to her feet. “That is definitely the plan.”

“Then I will hold off on the refund.”

“You’d offer a refund for an incomplete mission?” I asked, surprised.

“Of course.” He looked and sounded offended. “Reputation is everything is this business.”

“Yeah, well, you and your reputation have an hour to get off this reservation once I release you,” Belle said. “Don’t waste it.”

“As soon as I finish my beer, I’m out of here.”

You had to admire the man’s nonchalance, if nothing else. I walked over to the back door, waved Belle through, and followed her down the service lane. We were back at the SUV when I felt her release him.

“You think he’ll actually leave?” I asked once we were both back in the car.

“While he’s probably strong enough to break the compulsion I placed on him, he’s not really the type to invite trouble, despitehis shady business. So, yes, I do think he’ll leave.” She started the SUV, then glanced at me. “What’s our next step?”

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