Page 16 of Visions in Blood
The last thing I needed was Anna getting bent about me being late now that we’d reached an understanding on the lessons.“I won’t be able to stay long.”
“See you soon.”
The street name she’d sent didn’t look familiar, so I returned to the transportation center and caught a cab.Santiga Bay had several upper middle-class neighborhoods but only two exclusive ones.The one eastside was nestled along the foothills with expansive lots that were dotted with pines and included the hotel where Ginger had been stashed the first time Christopher’s men had thrashed our apartment.The area the cabbie drove into was filled with high-end shops, restaurants, and entertainment centers.The same place Lucas had taken us shopping and clubbing.Where the eastside had massive estates, the westside sported tall condominiums filled the luxury units, many with stunning ocean views.
The cab stopped in front of a condo at the end of a short, dead-end street.It was just off the main drag, and I confirmed the address on the phone to the one on the building.There was a doorman, and I don’t know why it surprised me.I’d cased several of these high-end buildings in the past, and many had doormen, though I never thought I’d find Ginger in one.Well, not unless she got really lucky with one of her boy toys.
The elevator took me to the fourteenth floor of a twenty-five-story building.When the doors opened, I gaped at the elaborately decorated, floral-scented hall.The condo doors, of which there were only four on this floor, were set back in little alcoves, each with its own settee.I couldn’t imagine why that would be necessary and filed it away for some other time.The apartment number Ginger had given me was the last one on the left, and I’d barely knocked when the door flung open.
Ginger jumped out, giving me a huge hug before dragging me inside and slamming the door.She did pirouettes around the exquisite living area.The place was fully furnished, and she gave me a speed tour of the three-bedroom apartment that included a state-of-the-art kitchen, a long counter with a bar, and floor-to-ceiling windows that displayed a stunning view of the coast.A balcony stretched the length of the condo, a divider separating it from the condo next door.
“Can you believe it?Lucas said the lease was good for a year.A whole frickin’ year!”
My heart lurched to a stop.Did Devon think the mission would take that long?
“I thought we could make the spare bedroom into part gym, part office.Or, I don’t know, I used to knit, so now that we have the extra room, maybe a small craft area.”
I could usually keep up with her mile-a-minute rambling, but I was having a hard time this go round.The barstool was the only thing that saved me from tipping over at the unexpected extravagance.
“Maybe you should repeat what Lucas actually said.”
She opened the fridge and pulled out two bottles of sparkling water, sliding one to me.I sucked down half of it before calming down enough to listen.She must have misunderstood him somewhere along the way.
“Lucas called before I left Seattle.He kept in touch on my drive down and picked me up at the car rental place.He said our apartment was still being targeted, and Devon didn’t think it made sense to live out of a hotel since he didn’t know how long it would take to clear up the Christopher problem.”
“The Christopher problem?”The spinning sensation dissipated, turning to nausea instead.
“That’s what I call it.He didn’t actually mention Christopher, but we all know it’s his goons.”
I nodded and stared at the bottle of water in my hand.A high-end brand.“Did Lucas do the shopping?”
“No.He had another vamp do that, just to get us started.Anyway, the condo has a year’s lease, has been sitting empty, and Devon said we might as well use it.”
“We?”
“That’s what he said.”
“Devon told you that?”
She nodded and jumped up when the oven buzzer went off.“I made bruschetta.I know you can’t stay long, but you should have something to eat.With this kitchen, I’ll be able to make all kinds of cool stuff I wasn’t able to do before.”
She removed a cookie sheet with little slices of French bread topped with a tomato mixture.
“When did you speak with Devon?I thought Lucas brought you here.”
“Devon called while I was racing from room to room squealing.”She giggled and sipped her water.“I think it hurt Lucas’s ears.”
I finally broke down and laughed with her.I didn’t have a clue what Devon was up to.Was it possible he was just that nice of a guy?It was so hard to tell with his moods.“Wait.He said we would be living here?”
“That’s why it’s three bedrooms.A spare room for guests or whatever.”
“I thought I was living at the estate?”I wanted to have my own place again, didn’t I?Of course.The hole opening in my chest was just fear of living in such a nice place before returning to the old neighborhood.
“You’ll still be at the estate until your mission is over.So, I’m going to have this huge place all to myself for a while.And no, he didn’t say how long, but I think he was okay with sleepovers.”
I snorted.“And should I bring my jammies so we can do each other’s hair?”
“I was thinking more of slutty movies, popcorn, and tequila shooters, but if you feel up to jammies and curling my hair, I won’t be the party pooper.”
