Page 66 of Addicted in Blood
Something had changed during the meeting.I wasn’t sure if it was the discussion or Devon simply needing rest.It worried me.And when I glanced at the cadre, the uniform look of concern made my blood run cold.
ChapterThirty-Two
After a stilted late lunch,the cadre and I reconvened in a small conference room with floor-to-ceiling windows that displayed an atrium complete with koi pond and luscious vegetation.The lunch had been more than nourishment.It gave Harlow time to drop everything he was doing then drive to City Center for Jacques to pick him up and blindfold him for the drive to Oasis.
Now, we all glared at each other, and it wasn’t lost on me that Harlow and I were on one side of the table and the cadre on the other.We’d run through numerous plans with little success.Regardless of their promise to Lyra that they’d give Harlow and me consideration for our expertise, it was impossible for Sergi and Simone to relinquish control.I had to talk Harlow off the ledge half a dozen times to prevent him from storming out and walking back to Santiga Bay.
After another round of useless suggestions, I slammed my fist on the table.“We’re getting nowhere, and we’re losing precious time.So, here’s how we’re going to do this.Harlow and I are going off by ourselves to come up with our best plan.The cadre can stay here and come up with your best plan.We meet back here in one hour.Devon and Lyra will make the final call.”I stood, grabbed Harlow by his arm, and dragged him out the door before anyone had time to protest.
We didn’t get far before Harlow started complaining.
“That was quite the shit show, luv.”He followed me through the house, and I cursed, hoping he didn’t notice we’d passed the same wolf statue for a second time.When we reached the end of the hall, I took a left instead of the right I’d taken before.It wasn’t my fault.I’d only been here once, and the house was a maze.Simone should leave maps at the front door for visitors.
“Everyone’s a little stressed.We’re running out of time.”We passed a large library, which I remembered, sighing with relief that we were close to an exit.
“Which is why they shouldn’t be leading the mission.”
“They’re not supposed to be.But sometimes they need a good slap to the head to realize they don’t know everything about everything.”
“Well, if they expect us to carry this out tonight, we need someone to get them off our backs.”
I found the solarium and rushed us out of the house and down a path that led to the spot by the lake where Devon and I had danced during a shared dream.
“Won’t your boyfriend worry about us in such a romantic setting by ourselves?”
“You heard about Sorrento, right?”
He gulped and held up his hands.“I’m only kidding.”
I laughed.“Relax.He’s protective, not jealous.”I had no idea if that was true but decided to keep that part to myself.
“So, the vamps have a nice room with comfortable chairs and their fancy laser pointers, and we’re out here in the woods.”
I dropped down next to a tree and leaned against it.“This was more about getting away from them and giving us time to talk.”
He sat cross-legged next to me, and we watched the ducks and geese float around the lake.We listened to the birds and the rustle of leaves in the soft breeze.I’d bet anything he was wishing Trudy were here.I could calm him to a point, but he was putty when she was close.
“Why do vamps have to have so many levels of fuckery?”He picked at the grass, placing a long stem between his teeth, his eyes squinting against the late-afternoon sunshine.
“It’s that superior intellect.”
We both snorted, but he was right.Their plans were usually elegant, but with every idea we explored, they had to top it.Now that Harlow mentioned it, it came down to ego.When I considered the jobs I’d worked for them, they’d always agreed with my plan, but was that only because Devon approved?At the evening reception at the Renaud Library in L.A., Simone and I had gone off script.But not until I pushed her buttons about whether she had what it took to be the leader of a House.
I sighed, then shook my head.“They’ve made it too difficult.This isn’t anything more than a smash and grab.”
“But instead of smash and grab, it’s take pictures and get out.”
“If we let the vamps run perimeter surveillance…”
“And let Roxie control the house security, we can use Jamal as a distraction…”
“He doesn’t still do that?”I had to stop our normal back-and-forth planning.Jamal was the exit man.He wasn’t just the driver; he kept watch to make sure we got out safely while also covering Roxie’s van so she could focus on the tech stuff.In the early days, Jamal performed crazy stunts as a distraction if the job required it.Similar to what Bella was good at, except with more human hare-brained stunts.The nutty thing was, they typically worked.
“He doesn’t do it often.But we had a job a couple of weeks ago where it came in handy.He looked like a hobo, limping around in clothes I don’t think he’s ever washed.He played one of those guys that tries to wash your car window for spare change.”Harlow’s deep chuckle scared away a finch that was pecking at the grass.“He walked around with a filthy rag and a dirt-streaked bottle of window cleaner.Most people sped up when they saw him coming.Gave us a good five minutes to clear out before the mark returned.”
I laughed, picturing Jamal in the getup.“I think in his heart he’s always wanted to be an actor.”
When our chuckles died down, I brought us back to the plan.“The house is in a decent neighborhood.”
