Page 29 of Blood Ties
My eyebrows shot up to my hairline as I almost spit my wine across the table. That was six months away. There was no way we could pull that off in time. Places in New York booked years in advance. I relayed all this to him.
“Gaby, if you want to wait longer, we can. I’m not trying to rush you. I just figured, why wait? If June this year is what you want, don’t underestimate the power money has.”
I didn’t want to wait. I wanted to be his wife. “Carpe diem or YOLO or whatever they’re saying now.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means June sixteenth sounds perfect.”
“Oh, and there is a club I’m thinking about buying.”
“Another club, Grayson?” I sighed with a smile while I enjoyed the show that was Grayson dressing for work.
The last club Grayson had been interested in had ended in his death.
He grinned devilishly at me. “It’s not that bad, Gabriella. Friday I’m going to check it out,” he spoke while tying his tie. “It’s actually a strange story. I was contacted by the owner who’s hoping to sell. He’s been in the business for so long he just wants out.”
“It’s odd that he contacted you directly. Wouldn’t he put the word out and wait to hear back.”
Grayson nodded. “Normally, yes. I’ve approached people before about buying something they hadn’t thought to sell, but this is the first time it’s happened the other way around. I had them send the books over last week. My guys checked them over and everything is in order. There’s nothing lost or unaccountable. The business has been thriving.”
“Then why does he want to sell?”
Grayson shrugged. “He says he just wants out, but trust me if there is anything fishy, my people will be able to sniff it out long before I sign on the dotted line.”
“Friday huh? So I should make plans with Shawn then?” Maybe this would be a good time to see if he was serious about actually helping me.
“I was hoping you’d come with me. In fact, Mr. Malach wishes for you to attend. He heard that you were a party planner and wanted to discuss some business with you and figured he’d kill two birds with one stone.”
“Is this man trying to be our guardian angel or something?”
Grayson shrugged on his jacket. “I have no idea, but I’m going to hear him out before I cast judgment.”
“Good. Keep an open mind.”
“And you?” His lips pulled into an uneven smirk.
“You know I’m not as opened minded as you.”
Shawn had shown up just as Grayson was leaving. I told Shawn about Grayson’s business meeting which he found odd too.
“What man asks another man to bring his fiancée along to a business meeting? That’s just weird. You’re not going, are you?”
“Of course I’m going. Grayson asked me to and it’s a rare thing for him to do.”
“I dunno Gabs.” He shook his head. “Something about this whole situation just feels weird.”
“What do you think a couple of humans are going to do to two vampires?”
“I guess you’re right. What’s the name of this club?”
“Cave Lamia.”
“Even the name is weird,” he sighed. “Just promise me you’ll be careful.”
And I did.
Friday came in a blur. It found me staring at my side of the huge walk-in closet debating how to dress. It was a club, so should I dress like I would go out? It was also a business meeting for me and Grayson, so dress-casual? Ugh… I had nothing in-between. I would stick out like a sore thumb if I wore any of my old work outfits to a club, but I also didn’t want to wear one of my dresses that if I bent over my ass would fall out.
