Page 3 of Hers to Claim

Mari wrinkled her nose. “I could have warned you she would do that. If you had asked.”

“Consider us chastened,” Cisco said.

The click of fingernails on the open door announced that they had another visitor. Willow peeked around. They were sleek and androgynous with perfect copper skin. They wore a simple teal shift dress and an ornate gold necklace adorned with emeralds. “Is this a bad time?”

“Not at all,” Mari said. “Come on in.” She gestured to the sitting area in the library nook.

As they all moved that way, Cisco said, “What can we do for you?”

“I asked them to stop by,” Rio began, running a hand through his brown wavy hair. “We were talking over breakfast and I think their concerns are something we all need to discuss.”

Willow smoothed their skirt over their knees. “Esmé wanted to wait until we know more, but I think this is something you need to be aware of, especially considering what happened with Argento.”

Mari nodded for them to continue.

“Several submissives from the club are missing. They never showed up to work the day we came in to take over, and no one has seen them since.” They cleared their throat. “This is in addition to everyone from the top floor vanishing before we got there.”

“The piece of shit that ran the top floor is a seraphim named Vincent,” Rio growled. “He had something on Basilio that let him keep control of it even when he frequently made a nuisance of himself, but I have no idea what.”

“Could it have been the situation with Dohal?” Mari suggested. They had made the decision to be honest with everyone who was present at Argento’s warehouse, along with the guards, so Willow was aware of the mysterious entity that Mari had called to when she was in danger.

“Possibly. I really have no idea. I think Basilio had a lot of secrets.” Rio shrugged. “We need a list of the VIP clients that Esmé mentioned, along with everyone who is missing.”

Willow nodded. “Of course, as soon as I get back to my laptop I’ll send it to you.”

“Once we get the list, we’ll start going through it,” Cisco said. “Then we’ll do surveillance to figure out if the submissives are being held.”

“I don’t think there’s any question of that,” Rio countered.

“Sure, but I assume there are several likely suspects and we’ll have to figure out which of them is to blame.” Cisco suddenly jolted, sending his piercing stare in Willow’s direction. “Nova is one of the submissives that are missing?”

“She is.” Willow confirmed with a nod. “We assumed some people were just trying to keep their heads down to see how things shook out. I wasn’t really concerned that folks were missing until Rio asked me about her and said she wasn’t the type to not show up.”

“She isn’t.” Cisco cursed under his breath in Spanish. “I know her client list. We’ll be able to figure it out.”

Mari remembered the brassy medusa from the party the previous year when she had snuck out to the barracks. She also recalled that Cisco had asked about her when they had first gone to the club, and that Nova hadn’t been there.

Willow glanced at Mari. “Before I leave, I want to discuss one more thing.”

Mari found herself curious about what else there might be to talk about. “Sure, what’s on your mind?”

“You need to start the parties back up.”

Mari straightened abruptly. There was nothing further from her mind than starting up decadent parties to show off their status. “What?”

“The monthly parties your father was famous for. You need to restart them. Obviously you want to do them in your own way, which I’m fully in support of, but it was a gesture of goodwill that the city came to expect that you shouldn’t squander.”

“I don’t understand,” Mari said after a moment of awkward silence. “I have no intention of flaunting our wealth that way.”

“That’s exactly why we have to do it.” Cisco sighed. “Willow is right. It makes everyone feel like we’re doing well and that no matter what they’ve heard there is no reason for concern. That’s why your father always insisted on them. Well, that andhe enjoyed the spectacle. I don’t know why I didn’t realize it earlier.”

“You’ve had a lot on your plates.” Willow spread their hands. “Which is where I come in. I want to make myself available as your personal party planner. You tell me what you want and I’ll make it happen. I’ve planned Esmé’s events for decades. I’ll make sure your debut party is the event of the year.”

There was nothing Mari wanted less than to have to arrange a party right now. She had way too much to worry about. “I assume you’re ridiculously expensive? You’re hired.”

Grinning, their eyes twinkled with mirth. “You’ll get my bill after the first event.” They stood with a nod. “I’ll send you a form to kick off the planning for the party, and the files with the information on the VIP list and missing subs.” When Rio rose to escort them out, they waved a hand. “I can find my own way back to my room. You all have some things to discuss, I think.” They left and closed the door behind them.

Cisco leaned back in his chair and exhaled a long breath. “Every time I think we sorted something out, three more problems show up in its place.”

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