Just the thought of having to set up that sort of situation had Viktor grinding his teeth. He was on a time crunch, and the clock was ticking. Once Ant woke up and realized Viktor had gone, he could tune into their bond, and he would know exactly what Viktor was doing. Viktor needed to get back with something totell him. He remembered the shirt incident and how upset Ant had been with him then – all because Viktor hadn’t talked to him.
It’s not too late to go back to Ant.
Pushing open the nearest door, Viktor strode into the nightclub, making a point of not looking around. He was intent on maintaining the façade that he wasn’t looking for Carmine and that any meeting might be purely coincidental.
There was no way Viktor didn’t stand out. He was taller than most of the patrons and his long coat flapping around his knees gave him a menacing air. Or maybe that was the scowl on his face. Either way, people got out of his way. Making his way over to the counter, he held up a hundred dollar bill. “A bottle of your best whiskey,” he said, “and a single glass.”
The barman did a double take, taking in Viktor’s size and the cash. The cash won out. Of course it would. It was Carmine’s establishment. Taking the bottle and glass offered, Viktor moved to the corner of the counter where he could lean, partially shadowed, but still be seen.And now we wait.
Every thump of his heart was a reminder of another second he was away from Ant. Within half an hour, Viktor was certain he should’ve stayed in bed. He already knew Carmine hadn’t arrived yet, and he wondered if Carmine had moved his favorite meeting place to somewhere else.
But no, just as Viktor was about to leave, Carmine and four other people came in through the front door, making their way to a reserved table behind and to the right of where Viktor was standing.
Carmine noticed him, of course he did, but he didn’t stop, didn’t say anything. Viktor didn’t expect him to. If Viktor had been there to see Carmine, then he would’ve waited until Carminewas seated at his reserved table, being served and adored by the people who feared him, before approaching him and begging for an audience. Carmine loved to be perceived as someone important – as if the money he stole and the power he’d inherited made him someone special. People didn’t reach that sort of status by being nice. Carmine was never nice.
Viktor poured himself another glass of whiskey. It was good stuff, although Viktor had tasted better. But drinking passed the time, and it was one of those sociable actions that changed his status from broody stalker to someone who was just enjoying a quiet drink by himself.
It took ten minutes for Viktor to receive his summons. One of the men Carmine had arrived with hovered just on the edge of Viktor’s peripheral vision.
“Mr. Carmine would like to invite you to join him at his table,” the man said. His suit wasn’t cheap, but the way he was wringing his hands together showed how nervous he was.
“Why would I do that? I’m just enjoying a quiet drink…alone.” Viktor took a swig from his glass.
“It’s a great honor to be invited to Mr. Carmine’s table,” the man said, dropping his voice even lower, which for any other person would make him difficult to hear. Fortunately, Viktor had the benefit of his vampire senses. “It wouldn’t be a very good idea to refuse,” the man added. “Mr. Carmine never gives out invitations lightly.”
Viktor straightened his spine to his full height. He had been leaning on the counter for quite some time. He saw the man gulp, as he took in just how big Viktor was. “Do I look like the type of guy who worries about upsetting anyone?” He picked up his bottle and glass. “Let’s go and see what your master wants, puppy dog. Hopefully, it won’t take long.”
Reaching the vicinity of the table, Viktor deliberately ignored the seat next to Carmine, clearly left empty for him. Instead, he filched a chair from a neighboring table, plonked it down, and straddled it, his elbows resting on the back of it, as he poured himself another glass of whiskey. “Nice evening,” he said, barely nodding in Carmine’s direction. “Special occasion or just a casual evening out?”
“Viktor, how lovely to see you.” Carmine was using his “company” voice – the deliberately fake tones designed to set Viktor’s teeth on edge. “I was just talking about you and your unusual mate earlier this afternoon. Where is the delightful young man? Don’t tell me that you’ve lost him already?”
“Ant is at home, resting.” Viktor raised a glass in Carmine’s direction. “You know how it is. But thanks. I’ll let him know you were asking about him. As I said, is this a special occasion? Or just a casual drink out with friends?”
“Nothing important.” Viktor could smell his lie. “Just out with a few of my new friends. Oscar and Reginald work for the Chamber of Commerce. It’s always handy to keep tabs on what’s going on in the city and what rules and regulations might be put in place that could impact a respectable businessman like myself.”
The poor suckers are going to have done something they’re going to get blackmailed for before midnight.Viktor didn’t pay any attention to the two men that Carmine was indicating. They both looked like they’d rather be anywhere else. “I was glad I bumped into you,” he said instead. “Ant was very confused when you refused his generous offer to conduct a séance to contact your dead sister.”
He chucked down another mouthful of whiskey. It burned the back of his throat. “I thought it was very out of character for you to decide to give up on finding justice after so many years.”
Carmine shrugged. “There are some things in life we can’t change, Vampire. I am one of those who is astute enough to realize that. Not that I wouldn’t have appreciated the chance to hold hands with the very personable Doctor Channon.”
Ooh, Viktor’s vampire did not like that – a double insult, both with the tone in the word “vampire” and the implication Ant would welcome Carmine’s advances. Viktor made sure not a shred of emotion showed on his face. “It is what it is. I was just curious. Ant has other things to occupy him now, so it’s not as though he needs to be concerned with any one specific client when he has so many. The Mage Academy will be opening again soon, too, and I’m sure he’ll be back to his lectures, helping young mages to stay safe as they enter into the world with their brand new skills. It’s something he’s very good at, so I understand.”
“Teaching.” Carmine’s tone emphasized his disgust. “I find it so unusual that a man with Doctor Channon’s talents would waste his time doing a job like that – a glorified babysitter. His talents, from what I hear, could be used for other things, far more useful things.”
It was Viktor’s turn to shrug. “Ant is an unusual person, not like anybody else you’ve dealt with before, Carmine, as I’m sure you’ve already realized. He has an unusual way of looking at things, and it is quite incredible how he can use his powers in so many unique and different ways.”
Viktor pointed at Carmine with the edge of his glass. “I appreciate that a man like yourself, a level-headed businessman,likely doesn’t have a lot of awareness of the world of magic or what it means to be a paranormal at all…”
“Are you an actual paranormal?” One of Carmine’s companions looked at him, his eyes wide and his face white.
“Vampire. Didn’t you hear Carmine just call me that?” Viktor grinned to show off the edge of his fangs. “It’s not a term of endearment, buddy. It’s who I am. That’s why I don’t take offense at the term.” He turned his focus back to Carmine. “Ant does as he pleases when he pleases and is remarkably good at what he does. I just make sure he stays safe as he continues to do his thing.”
“I would have said that was a waste of your talents, too,” Carmine said. “You’re used to being in the thick of things – running deals, handling people. Now you’re the one who’s babysitting?”
“Ant’s cute. Makes it worth it.” Viktor showed off his fangs fully this time. “He’s the type of person who doesn’t see the world the way you and I do, Carmine – I keep him from being preyed on by predators with malicious intent, and believe me, that keeps me busy.”
“I do have a proposition for you and the esteemed Doctor Channon, if he’s interested.”
