Page 93 of Obsessed in Blood
Harlow, Trudy, and Roxie would join them in an hour to review their portion of the plan. Cressa and Ginger, who were in the training room, would take a break and join them as well. It was all coming together, but everything hinged on what information Devon and Remus brought back with them.
She hadn’t wanted human involvement in any of their plans, but after Cressa had involved Harlow’s team to assist in bringing down Gheata and gathering the evidence to exonerate Devon in Boretsky’s murder, she had to admit they had skills that couldn’t be overlooked.
Devon’s move against Lorenzo would be the humans’ most dangerous mission yet, so their involvement would be minimal but crucial. Roxie had been instrumental in handling the drone, which provided invaluable information on the island and Lorenzo’s defenses. In a series of shots taken over three days at four different times each day, Simone and Sergi had a fair idea of Lorenzo’s security, only to discover he’d gotten lazy. Perhaps being on an island where the only approach was by boat or helicopter, he’d come to consider himself unapproachable. But even an island could be overrun.
The question was whether Lorenzo would change his security measures when he opened his home for his party. The team’s consensus was that any security build-up would be at the dock and around the manor, extending into the main garden. Sergi doubted they would increase the guard at the building where Hamilton was located, and she had agreed. It would only draw unwanted attention should a guest stray that far.
On the other hand, his guest list were aristocrats, who cared little for intrigue. Was Lorenzo aware of how careless his guests were with his invitations? They couldn’t leave it to chance, so the planning and drills all assumed that Lorenzo would be waiting for anyone who might challenge his security. A worst-case scenario was always the best way to plan.
“I think we’re ready to have Colantha and Lyra come down and review their part in the plan.” Sergi was typing away on his tablet, and she was always curious about what required so much attention. It wouldn’t surprise her if he captured each suggestion and question from every meeting. He was a master strategist, honed by years as captain of the guard during his days with Devan and his battle campaigns. She’d lost track of how many times she found him in his office spending hours reviewing meeting notes. If fussing with his tablet made his plans and consultations as invaluable as they were, she wouldn’t question his methods.
“Lucas, can you gather them and retrieve Ginger and Cressa from the training room?” Simone pushed her empty espresso cup aside. The second one had left her jittery. “Let’s get one full review in before our other guests arrive for lunch.”
Lucas had barely left when the siren sounded and her phone chirped.
Everyone jumped up while she grabbed the phone.
“What is it?” she demanded. “We’re on our way.”
“What’s wrong?” Sergi asked.
“It’s the safe house.”
The roadto the house weaved through the forest and probably felt safe to the shifter, leaving him plenty of room to run. When they broke out of the trees, Devon thought they had the wrong address. He’d been expecting a rundown shack surrounded by tall weeds and siding that barely warded off the weather.
Instead, the building was a quaint cottage that could belong to any grandmother, complete with window boxes filled with colorful late-spring blooms. More flowers surrounded the house and trailed down a stone path that led from the driveway to the front porch. Two outbuildings stood off to the right. One was a barn and the other a small shed that was most likely the well house. A propane tank was off to the left.
The car rolled to a stop as Devon stared at the structure.
“Not what you were expecting?” Remus chuckled.
“Not exactly.”
“He’s a recluse, not a derelict. He’s adapted to the times, rarely eating off the land except for the food he grows in his garden, which is behind the house. He works as a handyman around town for food and to pay the taxes and utilities. Once a week, he goes to town for groceries and dinner at the local bar where he sits in the back, keeping to himself.”
“And the town accepts him?”
Remus scanned the yard. “There are a few rogue shifters in town and, other than looking out for each other, keep their own company. The townspeople have nothing to fear—other than his occasional bad temper.” He got out of the car and stretched.
Devon studied the yard and woods a last time before following Remus to the house.
Before they reached the door, Remus gave him a side glance. “I might mention that he’s not too fond of vampires.”
Devon glared at him as Remus knocked on the door, and before he could respond, the door opened.
“Remus. What the hell are you thinking bringing a vamp to my door?” The grizzly old man was a couple of inches shorter than Devon and just as lean. His long gray hair was tied back in a ponytail, and his equally long beard was surprisingly clean if not in need of a trim. A black patch covered his left eye, and his right eye, the color of onyx, was clear and filled with intelligence and anger.
“He’s a friend. This is Devon Trelane.” Remus waved toward the older shifter. “This is Cato.”
Cato stared at Devon, his good eye squinting as he took him in. Then he grunted and turned around, shuffling into the warm house. “Shut the door behind you, and don’t let the cat out.”
Devon’s brow rose. His Family never had house pets, though he’d been fond of his horses. Even so, he wouldn’t have thought a cat and a wolf would get along. He followed Remus as they moved through the house toward the kitchen. A comfortable seating area with a couch and two chairs faced the fireplace where embers slowly burned. Even with the days approaching summer, the forest air was cool.
“I just put coffee on. I wasn’t expecting company.”
“We won’t take much of your time.” Remus ignored the kitchen table and took a seat on a barstool at the counter that overlooked a fairly modern kitchen.
The handyman business must be good, or he had a side job Remus didn’t feel like sharing. Fair enough. He was only there for information.
