Page 27 of Half Dead

He gestured to the leather loveseat. “Ready to tell me about the meeting in more detail?”

I perched on the edge of the cushion and raced through the highlights of my visit to The Corporation’s headquarters, too distracted by the cufflink currently burning a hole in my pocket to give the rehash its proper due. I decided to let the effects of the alcohol sink in before I broke the bad news.

“The waterfall was a nice touch,” Kane remarked. “It was probably designed to mimic the Falls.”

“I hadn’t even thought of that, but yes. I bet you’re right.”

He sipped from his glass. “I was certain they’d try to keep you there.”

“And what would you have done if they had?”

“I had a plan.”

“One you care to share?”

“Not at the moment, no. I’m too distracted.”

“By your new signature cocktail?”

He set his glass on a coaster on the coffee table. “By your close proximity.” He slid his hand through my hair to cradle the back of my head. “You smell…”

A shrill sound cut through the sexual tension.

Kane sighed. “I beg your pardon. This is an emergency.”

“You can’t leave me hanging. Otherwise, your last words to me might be that I smell.”

Calmly, he lifted his phone to his ear. Loud noise erupted from the phones along with Alessandro’s voice. “You’d better get up here, boss. Things are getting dicey.”

“Why are you calling from Josephine’s phone?” He shut his eyes and rubbed between them. “Never mind. I’m coming.”

“Need a hand?”

“Several, it seems, but you should stay here and relax. This isn’t your domain.”

“I believe you’ll find that all of Fairhaven is my domain.”

He started toward the door. “You’re the guardian of the crossroads.”

“Exactly. And whatever’s causing a ruckus up there might’ve come through it.”

This time he didn’t argue. I followed him upstairs and to the security door.

Kane brushed his fingers against mine. “For the record, you smell like peppermint.”

The door opened, and we spilled into the boisterous nightclub where chaos reigned. The band had either been incredibly good or incredibly bad, depending on your point of view. The crowd’s energy was at a fever pitch. A chair flew past us and smashed against the wall.

Kane tutted. “That’s a designer piece.” He scanned the busy room. “Do you see Josephine or Dantalion?”

I looked up and pointed. “There.”

Josie climbed over the rail of the balcony and jumped in a prostrate position. The crowd screamed with delight as the vampire landed in a cradle of willing hands.

“Somehow I don’t think she’s focused on keeping the peace,” I said.

Kane’s jaw unlocked. “This is very unlike her.”

Smiling, I watched as Josie was passed across the dance floor like a precious parcel. “She seems to be enjoying herself.”

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