Page 18 of Midnight & Mergers
“It’s nice to meet you again, Damon! Brooks mentioned that we should have some sample suggestions from the wines for our gala. Would you mind bringing over some flutes?”
Damon smiled brightly at Teagan before answering.
“Actually, we are serving full bottles, and I’ll bring over the first choice shortly.” He said as he eyed Brooks.
Brooks nodded, a mutual understanding shared between them.
Anne is coming with the elixir, Damon. Meet her in the kitchen.
Will do, boss. Anything else besides circling the perimeter tonight?
No. That will be all. Teagan will be staying with me in the Grand Penthouse, the one on the north side of the building.
Gonna get frisky?
Damon! Stop!
Just kidding, boss. I know it’s a two-bedroom suite, and you are a gentleman, but you aren’t fooling anyone. You have feelings for the woman.
That’s enough, Damon. Get the elixir now.
Brooks smiled at Damon as Damon turned on his heel to head to the kitchen to wait for Anne. Once he opened the kitchen doors, Anne appeared.
“Where’s the bottle?”
“It’s right here,” Damon said as he handed it over. “But how will you get that elixir into the bottle without me opening it? You understand that I have to open the bottle in front of them, so Teagan doesn’t get suspicious.”
“Clearly, you’ve never seen a witch perform magic!” Anne said with a smile.
Anne waved her hand over the mortar and pestle containing the herbs and another hand over the rose water. They all floated in the air and magically entered the bottle. Once inside, Anne waved her hands again, and the wine began stirring inside the bottle on its own, diluting the herbs into the bottle and making them disappear. She handed the bottle to Damon, who headed to Brooks and Teagan.
Damon opened the bottle and poured two glasses, and served them both. Brooks raised his glass to Teagan.
“Here’s to a successful gala.” Their glasses clinked, and Teagan took a sip. Brooks smiled and sighed. A warmth washed over him that Teagan would be safe from the bite of a werewolf. But he’d have to kill Tyler to keep her truly safe. No one can find out the truth about Teagan, or she’ll have a target on her back for the rest of her life.
Teagan finished her glass and yawned repeatedly.
“Brooks, I’m sorry. I don’t know why, but I’m suddenly very sleepy. I think I should head home.”
“Certainly, I’ll text Giles to bring the car to the front.”
Teagan nodded off the instant he took his phone out of his pocket. Damon slipped Brooks the hotel key card, and Brooks brought Teagan up to the penthouse and laid her on one of the beds before the drowsy portion of the elixir wore off.
ChapterNine
“Brooks, what happened? Did I fall asleep on you?” Teagan said as she sat up and pulled the covers away.
“That you did.”
She peered around the unfamiliar room with knitted brows. “Where are we?”
“The penthouse suite at The Plaza. I brought you here because I didn’t have the heart to wake you. But that really isn’t important right now. Teagan, there’s something I’ve been trying to talk to you about for a while now. And it never seemed to be the right time. But now you are in danger, and we must talk about your lineage.”
“Um, okay. What is it?”
“First off, don’t be frightened.” His voice was soft as he pulled her into his lap. “I would never hurt you, Teagan. Please know that before we go any further.”
She palmed his cheek. “I trust you, Brooks.”
