Page 6 of Redeemed
At my side, Sheena tenses. I will myself to stay relaxed.Never let them see you sweat. “Maybe it’s Jacques who’s out of line.”
Because that’s the crux. I’ve been loyal to Jacques for a hundred and fifty years, doing anything he asked without question. The command to kill Connor, though. That was too much.
“Careful.” Levy leans toward me. “I’d invite you in, but I’m entertaining,” he whispers. “If you were smart, you’d leave here. Go as far as you can.”
“And have Jacques chase me wherever I go.”
His head tilts and his eyes widen as if I’ve said something stupid. “You can go farther than he can.” His lips barely move when he forms the words.
“Tray won’t leave because Connor won’t,” Sheena says. “Not until he finds the Princess.”
“Gah.” Levy steps away from us. We’ve outlived his brief moment of good humor.
My humor’s gone, too. “I want my condo back. How soon can you be out?”
“Now. Never. My invitation to stay has always been dependent on you.” He shows me his palms. “If you want me to go, I’m gone, although”—he glances over his shoulder—“it honestly might go better for me if you stake me here.”
“What?”
Levy’s laugh is tinged with hysteria. “Betancourt was quite clear in his desire to see you dead.”
“You’re supposed to kill me?”
He waves me off, lips twisted in half a smile, and starts to spew a whole bunch of words about all the reasons he hates living in my condo anyway.
“I’ll be out by Friday at the latest.” With that parting shot, he closes the door before I can say thank you—not that I’d planned on it anyway. There was something weird here, something I couldn’t identify. I glance at Sheena and she’s staring at the closed door, her brows drawn together.
“Wonder who he’s entertaining,” she says, and I shrug in response.
“Let’s go. I’m less concerned with who he’s entertaining than whether he was joking when he said I should stake him.”
Sheena gave me an exasperated look. “I didn’t hear a joke. You’re fifty years older than he is and could kick his ass without trying. I mean, if he didn’t talk you to death first.”
“True.” With another shrug, I head back to the car.
Sheena drives and I ponder. I’ve had an idea in mind, one I think I’m ready to act on. When we’re close to the place David, Connor, and I are staying, I ask Sheena if she’ll come in for a minute. David left me a key card and I use it to let us in.
The house is quiet, empty. David and Connor aren’t back from their visit with Rollie, which adds to my tension.Damn.
“Grab a chair.” I wave in the direction of the big dining table. “I need to get something. I’ll be right back.”
She perches on the church pew, phone out while she waits. I go to the windowless vampire room, looking for the packet I’ve been carrying around with me since we left Jacques’ big house in Beverly Hills. In it is everything I own: deeds, stock certificates, the works. And at the top of the packet is my will.
Or what passes for a will when you’re a vampire.
I’m sure it wouldn’t be considered a legal document, but it’ll stand in our world. In it, I give everything to Connor and David.
Everything except The Club, which I want Sheena to have.
I carry the folder to her. “Here.” I hold it out and for a moment she simply stares at me.
“What’s this?”
“Hang onto it until we’re living someplace stable. If you want to put it in a safe deposit box, I’ll pay the fee.”
Her eyes narrow as if she’s sorting through arguments for and against.
“Just…take it. If something happens to me, Jacques will get everything”—I give a little shrug, palms up—“if he can find it.”
