Page 22 of Death Deals

I forced myself to smile at him. “As an Archangel, I’ve actually lived many lives before this one. Reincarnation. So, I know more about the living than I do about Heaven.”

His head tilted to the side as he regarded me like I was suddenly a shiny new object he was seeing for the first time. Excited and intrigued. “That would make you much,mucholder than me. There aren’t many creatures alive that I can say that about anymore.”

“I guess, technically, I am…” I wasn’t sure what he was getting at here.

He ran a perfectly manicured finger along his jawline and chin. “Hmm, a cougar.”

I blew out an exasperated breath. This guy was relentless.

Worst of it? I actuallylikedit.

Instead of responding, I kept my mouth shut and turned toward the window again. Through the tinted glass, the high rises and bright lights of the city zoomed by. I knew we were in the north, in Michigan, but I didn’t know exactly where I was. I’d been to the state only a handful of times as a reaper. Which was odd, now that I thought about it. Even though their numbers were much smaller than humans, supernaturals were all over the world. You’d think I’d have had more assignments here.

Then again, I hadn’t been very good at being a reaper, had I? There was a good chance Simon had picked up my slack without telling me. It wouldn’t surprise me in the least.

The car pulled in front of a multi-story building surrounded by smooth gray stone and tall windows. The name Grand Piazza was written in gold above the main entrance. Before I knew it, the driver was at my door. As I stepped out, Andre came to my side.

“The others are already in their respective rooms for the day,” he said. “We should be too.”

I nodded and followed him inside the massive foyer. Everything, floor to ceiling, was white and trimmed in gold. Talk about swanky.

A man dressed in a black suit greeted Andre and gestured for us to follow him into a private elevator. As expected, it was a tense but quiet ride to the topmost floors. Andre always hovered close, reminding me of Eli a bit. My heart clenched at the thought of him, like it always did.

When the elevator chimed, a robotic female’s voice announced our arrival through the speakers and the doors opened. We stepped into a huge living room decked out in the same white and gold décor and royal esthetic as the lobby. Doors led to an equally spectacular bedroom, full walk-in closet, and bathroom.

Man, this place even outshined Heaven’s living quarters.

I turned to Andre. “I guess I’ll see you after the sun sets, and we can go over what your plans exactly are for this meeting of yours?”

Andre glanced at the hotel worker, saying nothing.

Nervously, I added, “Where’s my room?”

The worker snorted a laugh, which was cut off the moment Andre whirled on him with a dark look. Clearing his throat, he shrank back into the elevator.

“If you need anything, we’re at your service,” he mumbled as the doors closed.

“Uh…” I stared at the elevator confused. “Did I miss something?”

Andre walked past me, further into the room, and strolled by the windows, which all had their shades drawn and the curtains pulled closed.

His silence irked me.

“I’m sure you’re busy doing your vampire thing, so I’ll just be going to my room, wherever that is, and leave you be.” I walked to the elevator and reached for the button.

“You’re staying here.” His words were short and crisp.

My hand paused mid-air. I looked over my shoulder at him. “Um, what?”

“There’s no other room,” he said plainly. “You’re staying here. With me.”

“Like hell I am,” I snapped and reached for the down button again. Suddenly, he was there, his hand snatching mine just before I could press it.

I tried to jerk it out of his grip, but he held on. “This is getting old,” I growled.

His gaze pierced me. “You insist on making this harder than it needs to be,” he said. “Or do you not remember what I said on the plane?”

“Keeping up appearances. Yeah, I remember. But no one’s here to show off for, so I need my own bed.”

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