Page 44 of Seduction in Blood
She shook her head then shrugged. Her gaze moved to Lucas and widened.
"This is Lucas. He's a friend. Tell us what happened."
Ginger stared down at her stuffed bear—a leftover childhood toy her father had given her before he died. She blew out a long, exaggerated sigh and wiped her eyes before pushing her hair back. "It was one of Christopher's guys. Said he was looking for you—for something you stole."
"Let's get you up." I grabbed her hands and pulled her up, letting the blanket and bear fall to the ground.
"I don't know why I'm so fucked up on this." She gave a shaky laugh. "It's not the first time we've had a break-in. Someone looking for a fix."
I glanced at Lucas. His emotions were shielded behind a blank expression, and there was no judgment in his gaze.
"I'll check the halls and stairways. Lock the door behind me." He nodded toward Ginger before leaving.
I locked the front door before guiding Ginger into one of two chairs in the kitchen and put a tea kettle on. Lucas returned by the time I handed Ginger a mug of minty tea, one of her favorites.
She took a sip before glancing up. "What did you steal, Cressa?"
I shook my head. "The last thing I took from Christopher was a thousand dollars in cash when I left home. I haven't stepped in his house since. I meet April behind the pool house whenever she contacts me, but it's been three months since I've heard from her." I shook my head. "If he's missing something, he must have assumed I took it." I hated having to contact my stepfather, but this shit had to stop.
I could see Ginger didn't quite believe me, so I grabbed both her arms, sloshing the tea, and stared her straight in the eye. "It wasn't me. I know how dangerous he is, and I would never put you at risk. You know that, right?"
She closed her eyes and set the mug down. "I know. This guy, he scared me. He was big and ugly, like one of those bouncers they have at the Lowdown." The Lowdown was a dive four blocks away where we hung out when we tired of our tiny apartment. It's where Bulldog kept an office.
"I didn't know Christopher used that kind of muscle."
"Is this going to be a problem?" Lucas asked.
When I turned on him, fire blazing from my glare, he raised his hands. "You know your first duty is to the mission, but I also ask to determine if I need to call for security. Devon won't want you worrying about your friend…" He smiled. "Ginger. He'll want your full attention."
I hated it, but Lucas was right. "I'm sure after this second visit, Christopher will see Ginger doesn't know anything. But I'll contact him, try to set everything straight."
"Why are you here?" Ginger gave Lucas a longer perusal, and I could see she was getting her groove back. "You're gorgeous. What did you say your name was?"
"Lucas." He smiled at her before crossing the room to peer out the single window in the living room that looked down on the street. "I wouldn't know what to look for that's out of place."
I stood to make another cup of tea. "They'll be in black SUVs of some type. Christopher always had at least one tailing his limo."
"Hmm. A man who wants to be noticed. Someone who thinks highly of himself."
"Yeah. Sound familiar?" I didn't know why I poked at Devon. Lucas was being kind, but anything to do with Christopher drove me crazy.
Lucas never stopped surveying the street and didn't seem to take the jibe at Devon personally. "Devon has the flashy cars and limos because he can afford them, and it's expected of his status as leader of a House. And as a Council member, he required the security. But he's never cared what anyone thought of him." Lucas seemed to stare at nothing when he muttered, "except the Council." But I didn't think he meant for me to hear that last part.
And when I considered what I'd come to learn about Devon, I had to agree with Lucas. There was a huge difference between Devon living up to expectation, and Christopher's need for others to ogle, admire, and envy.
"I know it's still early, but I think it's time to party. I'm done playing the victim." Ginger rose and stretched like a lazy cat, which I'm sure was to show off her womanly curves should Lucas be interested.
I noted that he paid close attention to Ginger.
He ignored my glare. As with all the vamps I'd met so far, he wasn't apologetic about staring. He gave Ginger his hand as he walked her back to her room. "Cressa hasn't mentioned it, but she has free time to spend with you today."
"Just the day?" Ginger gave him a sly wink.
He grinned. "And evening. She's due back at eight a.m. tomorrow."
"Is that when you turn into a pumpkin as well?"
"I have no limitations unless I have an assignment."
