Page 26 of Addicted in Blood
Romero thrummed his fingers on the table as he considered his words.When he smiled broadly, I couldn’t take my eyes from him.He had magnetism before, but now it was off the charts.If his father and brothers had half an ounce of Romero’s looks and charm, it was a wonder they weren’t a more influential House.“It seems you’re not the only one.”
I shot a glance to Sergi.Had Venizi beat us to him?
“Can you tell me who else is asking?”Sergi glanced around the room, and I followed his gaze.The only customers who paid us any attention were a couple of tables away and were probably waiting their turn with Romero.
“It’s nothing but whispers on the wind.No one can put a name to them.”
“Do you know where he is?”
Romero shook his head.“No one knows or is talking.Either one amounts to the same answer.”
“There was a trustee meeting at the Library this morning.”
Romero’s eyes narrowed just before a loud laugh erupted, and he took a bite of bread pudding that he must have been nursing all night.He took his time savoring it.“Barely a day in town and you already know more than most.Yes.The old man…” He looked at me.“That’s what the locals call the Father of the House Renaud.”He turned back to Sergi.“He called the meeting yesterday.It’s rare for such short notice.Even with my connections, no one is sharing.Though the timing seems suspicious, considering everything else going on.”
Sergi seemed to be lost in thought, and after a long moment asked, “Do you know how long Philipe has been traveling?”
Romero shrugged, which gave no indication whether he considered Philipe might be on the run.It seemed, after I found a travel itinerary in the man’s office at the L.A.library, Devon suspected the man was in hiding.When Romero didn’t respond to the question, I had to question if there wasn’t some truth to Sergi’s fishing.He finally shrugged.“I’ll give you this one promise because we’re such old friends.If I should hear something I believe to be of value, I’ll reach out.”
Sergi didn’t hesitate in his response.“It’s always good to see you, old friend.”He stood and held out his arm for me.
“Tell me, Sergi.”Romero’s gaze turned curious.“Does this have anything to do with Devon’s current troubles?”
Sergi rapped his knuckles on the table and gave him a measured look.“Not his current one.”
ChapterFourteen
Jacques drovethe group back to the manor.Lyra had fallen asleep before they left the Council grounds, and the rest of the team remained quiet until the limo pulled up to the front door.A black Escalade was parked in front of the steps.
“Have they sent Sentinels?”Bella asked.
At first, Simone didn’t see any of the posted guards, then spotted one off to the far left, next to a tree.He was diligent but didn’t appear to be on alert.Another guard came from the right, most likely patrolling the manor.She met them at the bottom of the steps, just as the group exited the limo.
“All is well, Simone.The visitors arrived about fifteen minutes ago.I would have sent you a text, but they asked for no communications.”She lowered her gaze when Simone’s own turned heated.“I think you’ll understand once you meet them.Ginger is entertaining them in Devon’s…your office.”
“Ginger is entertaining them?”Her voice turned sultry, a sign her beast was upset, and the guard took a step backward.The cadre, used to Simone’s quick mood shifts, spread out, eyes focused on the landscape and front door, watching for possible threats.
Lyra placed a hand on Simone’s arm.“I’m sorry.I knew they’d be waiting for us.The Council meeting took more out of me than I anticipated.”
Then Lucas was there, helping Lyra up the steps.Simone shook her head.In a matter of two days, the world had turned upside down.
Lyra and the cadre waited for Simone before entering the office.Simone hesitated, not sure of protocol, but with Lyra accepting the role of heir, she had no choice but to step aside.She opened the door and stepped back, waiting for Lyra.
When Lyra stepped next to her, she said, “Walk with me,” and the two entered together.
Ginger popped up from the chair next to the sofa.“Oh, hi.You’re back.”She was all smiles but couldn’t seem to stop bouncing on her tiptoes.“I hope you don’t mind, the room was a bit chilly, so I started a fire.Then we started talking about a recent trip they made to Napa Valley, and well, Devon keeps a few bottles of wine stocked in here, or so Lucas told me.”She stopped bouncing, but her right hand kept brushing back her hair, though it never seemed to be in the way.
Simone sighed.Ginger was teetering between nerves and terror.“We appreciate you entertaining our guests until our return.Would you mind letting Anna know I’ll need to see her in a half hour?”
“Oh.Absolutely.”She took a step then turned to the man and woman on the sofa, who Simone tried to place but was coming up blank.“It was a pleasure meeting you both.”She half curtsied then all but ran from the room.
“I’m sorry for that.Ginger isn’t part of the staff.”Simone wasn’t sure how to explain who she was.She wasn’t even sure.The best friend of my leader’s thief and lover?
The cadre spread out, performing the routine by rote—one by the door, one by the desk, and one by the coffee bar.Simone stood next to the chair Ginger had vacated.Once again, she wasn’t sure the correct protocol for unexpected visitors.That never happened at Oasis.
Before she had a moment to think, Lyra swept around the couch and held out a hand to each of them, which they immediately took.“I’m glad you felt comfortable enough to come.”Lyra released their hands and sat in the chair across from where Simone stood.She glanced up and nodded to the empty chair.
Simone, still a bit confused, donned a welcoming smile of her own.
