Page 60 of Ellie 3

From what I’d heard, the winter nights then were like most spring nights in other areas. Ellie said she didn’t ever have to turn her heat on, especially when she was the top floor and so many were below her.

Made sense.

She came in towards the end and couldn’t hide her surprise, which I was feeling too at seeing her. She was going to help Renee and I hadn’t expected her to drop by.

Ellie found Alan at a table and burst out laughing. “How many extra crashers did you have?”

“A fair few,” I answered honestly but shrugged.

She lifted a large pink box she was holding. “Well, we went for cream puffs at this new place and I got extra for your poker since all of your teeth are sweet.”

“Well done, Ellie,” Alan said as he stood.

“No crashers,” she quipped. “I only got enough for how many I knew were invited. Be a proper gentleman and RSVP next time for engagements you wereinvited to.”

“Oh, he’s pushing me to have it two times a month,” I drawled.

Ellie gave Alan a look that would scare most sane men. “This is why you weren’t offered a unit in the building when I did Sean. You’re too much trouble. Twice a month? Come up with something else you host and make your own damn friends.”

Everyone was quiet for several beats and then I burst out laughing. Of course she said that.

Of course she did.

Damn, I was so in love with this woman.

17

Ellie

“You’ve spoken with Alexis and believe what she’s said?” I checked with Theresa, glad we were finally having this sit-down… Even if I’d been the one delaying it.

“Yes, she didn’t blacklist me but simply denied my resume. She was being honest that she didn’t remember mentioning my name to anyone or giving a reason, simply deleting it. However, she acknowledged that could have raised red flags and people talk. I’ve accepted her apology and I look forward to working with her.”

Theresa wasn’t hired at Amanda’s Hope, but Alexis admitted that she needed more attorney allies in Europe to help out with certain situations. After looking into Theresa instead of just writing her off as my half-sister, she said Theresa was beyond impressive. She truly was one of the most sought-after attorneys in all of Europe.

“She also promised that I could have a position when helping on certain cases blows up my current position.” She sighed when I raised an eyebrow at that. “You make deals with devils to achieve your goals. My understanding was you did the same with your board of directors to get your hospital traction when you started it.”

“You know then,” I stated, my question of how she found out implied.

She nodded and was kind enough to not make me ask. “I’ve been working in law as long as you have as a healer before a doctor. Our options were limited as women. Hearing of a woman who saved people and defended female vampires with golden eyes only some could see wasn’t a jump.”

Theresa picked a non-existent piece of lint off her skirt when I didn’t say anything.

“I tell you this not to brag or for thanks, but to clear the air a bit.” She waited until I nodded. “You originally had some pushback on getting the land while the war was really going on. It was smart to secure it before the supe governments were formed. Very smart.”

“That wasn’t my goal actually since I objected to kicking all humans out,” I said with a sigh.

She seemed to consider that. “I don’t know what the right answer was. I don’t think there was one, and while I agree that bill will come due—as I’ve heard you say—I think what we would have paid to keep them among us would have been higher.”

I accepted that. “I don’t disagree, and I do agree that either answer probably was wrong in many ways.”

“Luckily for us, they’re always fighting among themselves, so they are never organized enough to come for us. Especially with the restrictions and oversight.”

“I don’t know much about that part,” I confessed.

She gave an elegant snort. “Yes, you’re fairly busy with what’s already on your plate.” She met my gaze. “There was suddenly no resistance and you came into a sizable amount of money. Gems and jewels that pirates acquired—”

“I was never stupid enough to believe the pirates story,” I drawled.

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