Page 12 of Just Dare Me
“I’d give her the queen discount. Only one million dollars per lesson, paid in diamonds.”
“Frankly, I could go both ways, so I’m leaving the final say up to you. Tell me what you want, and it’s done.”
I stop chewing. “Me? You’re asking me to tell you what to do?”
“It’s called autonomy, Agent Davies. Because I trust you. You’re the one going into potential danger, so you should make the call.”
As I try to process this pleasant surprise, Muppet begs me for steak. I toss a meaty chunk between his teeth, and he trots away happy. “Okay, I say don’t tell the director. Wait until we know exactly what Dominique is up to. And I want my usual team—Nora, Hillerman, Russo—nobody else. I know the risks. A vampire queen is likely to have an army with her. We’ll take that chance.”
“Approved, and good luck.”
“Hey, but I mean it—nobody else. That includes Sneakerson McStabby.”
“I’m sorry, who?”
“You know who. Don’t pretend you don’t send Illren out to spy on me and Nora sometimes.”
Ilren’s velvet voice cuts in. “As a strictly precautionary measure.” He and Nora just walked in after their long shower together. They both still have wet hair and afterglow grins. “In case emergency services are required. I don’t see how it’s any inconvenience to you. If I’m unheard and unseen, am I really there?”
“Maybe not to us, but this Dominique chick will be on the lookout, and if she spots you at our tailgate party, how do I explain why we brought our assassin along?”
“Who’s Dominique?” Nora asks. “What party?”
Parker answers. “Shayne will brief you later. Right now, we’ve got to get everyone to the Agency. Madison West has called all hands on deck.”
“Is that why everybody’s up so early? Hi, guys.” Nora smiles at her men, and they all smile back at her. Charlie waves with hand raised high, as if she might not see him from a whole ten feet away.
Yeah, I can’t help it. I have to say something. “Hope you’re hungry, Nora, ’cause there’s a whole lot of sausage in here with your name on it.”
Before Nora can unleash a sarcastic laugh, Enzo snaps his fingers and exclaims, “Sausage! That’s what I forgot to put on the list. I apologize. Next time, sausage for everybody. Raining sausage. Coming out your ears.”
Ren makes an excited sound, while Rook throws his hands up. “Enzo, she’s not actually talking about sausage, she’s talking about our—”
“Okay,” Nora interrupts, stabbing me with a look. “Eggs will be just fine.”
Enzo jumps into action. “Yes, ma’am. Three eggs, over medium, no runny yolks, salted but no pepper. Coming right up.”
I try to roll my eyes at Nora, but she instantly shuts me down. “Oh, give me a break. You think he doesn’t know exactly how each person here likes their eggs? Go on, try it.”
I slap the counter. “Yo, Enzo, I’ll take some eggs.”
He grabs another plate. “Yes, ma’am. Any number of eggs, cooked any which way I want, as long as they’re placed between two rib-eye steaks like a sandwich. Coming right up.”
My jaw drops, but I quickly cover. “Okay, but c’mon, everybody knows that’s how I order everything.”
Nora takes the stool on the other side of Parker. “Madison wants everyone there? Did something happen?”
“Not as far as I know,” he says. “My guess is she finally got all our ducks in a row with Washington, and now she’ll officially open the case against the East Side horde and the Cleveland clan.”
I butt in. “Oh, you mean the case we’ve been working for months?”
“Unofficially. Putting the case on the books will give us access to any and all Agency resources, including the cooperation of the UTF.”
“Big whoop. We’ve already got Hillerman and Russo.”
“Both of whom I expect to see instated as lead investigators on this case, as per direct petition from Madison West.”
A small weight—just one of many—is lifted from my shoulders. “Really? They won’t be rogue anymore?”
