Page 47 of Lucas
Rom took a seat at the table, Jacques relaxed in the nearby chair, and Bella leaned against a wall, always prepared to pace.
“I assume you weren’t followed. I’m not up to changing motels again.” Lucas scrounged in a shopping bag for the paper cups Ginger had purchased, unwilling to use the ones provided in the room. For someone who’d lived part of her life in the worst conditions, she’d become particular about certain things.
“Bella and Jacques are quite cautious.” Rom pulled the map to him, analyzing it in a few short minutes.
“I believe you used the word paranoid,” Bella replied in a droll tone.
Lucas chuckled. “It must have been a long drive from New Orleans. I assume that’s where you came from.”
“You have no idea.” Bella strolled to the coffee pot. “Go sit. We’ll need more coffee than this four-cup pot will provide.” She picked up the package of coffee and a filter. “At least you bought something decent.”
Ginger picked that time to exit the bathroom, nightgown and dagger in hand. “I can pop over and get breakfast and coffee once the diner opens.” She dropped the nightgown in the duffel but placed the dagger on the nightstand. “What time is it anyway?”
“Three a.m.,” Jacques said. “I suggested we wait for a better time before imposing.”
Ginger laid a hand on his shoulder. “At least some of you have manners.” Her annoyance was tempered by her cheery nature, though, by the glance she shot Lucas, she wasn’t going to be so easily mollified. She straightened the sheets and bedcover, then plopped down on the edge, close to Lucas but within reach of her dagger.
Rom’s smile grew wider, and he noted the placement of the dagger. He stood and walked to her. “I’m sorry for our rude timing, but I know how much Lucas enjoys surprises. My sincerest apologies.” He gave her a slight bow. “I’m Romero. Leader of House Rousseau and a dear friend of Lucas.” He held out his hand, and Ginger reached out to shake. Her eyes widened when Rom kissed it, and her head tilted to the side as she considered him.
“I’m Ginger Morrison of House Trelane.”
Lucas couldn’t hold back a satisfied smile, his chest filling with an unexpected emotion at how easily the words came for her. He caught Bella’s second nod of approval as she poured the first cup of coffee.
“It’s splendid to meet another member of Devon’s Family, and apparently, a fierce warrior.” He returned to his seat, taking the cup Bella offered. “I can tell from the way you held the dagger and your stance that you’ve learned from the best.” He gave a side glance to Lucas. “But I would expect nothing less from Sergi.”
Ginger crooked a smile, taking a cup from Bella. “Sergi is an exceptional instructor, but I try to model myself after Simone’s finesse with a dagger.”
“Touché.” He sat back as he sipped the coffee, holding her gaze for a bit longer before turning to Lucas. “So, tell me everything from the moment you arrived in Boston. Every detail will be important.”
Lucas began the tale, and Ginger took over from the point where she found him in the parking lot. Bella’s and Jacques’s interest was piqued when she walked through details of hiding the dead vampires, misdirection with the tracker, getting to safety, and feeding Lucas small amounts of her blood as often as she could. Lucas finished the story from when he woke, and their decision to track Fiona.
Rom listened intently, leaving Bella to ask most of the questions. Once everyone was up to speed, Lucas asked a question of his own.
“I understand why Bella and Jacques are here. But why you?”
Rom ran a hand through his hair and let his gaze wander for a minute. “I know something of the book, and Philipe contacts me on occasion to let me know he’s alive. I know he moved around, quite a lot in the early days, and spent time in Europe about thirty years ago. His list of personal contacts is quite small with the rare phone call. It’s been a couple of months since he last reached out.”
“You’ve never told anyone?” Lucas asked.
He shook his head. “You know how important it is to keep my contacts anonymous. Sometimes, and more recently, more times than not, it’s a matter of life or death. When Sergi asked me about Philipe when he was in New Orleans a few weeks ago, I was shocked.” He chuckled as he ran a hand through his hair again. “I knew at that moment everything would soon come to light if Devon was interested. That vampire is like a wolf on a hunt.”
“You did a good job hiding it. Sergi wasn’t convinced one way or another whether you knew more.”
“You would have, though.”
“Of course, but we’ve been through a lot together. Besides, I didn’t spend those years as a bodyguard without paying attention.”
Rom laughed. “Which is why you’re now cadre of a great House.”
Lucas didn’t respond, but his old mentor’s words pleased him. Ginger squeezed his shoulder and kissed his temple. He hadn’t sensed her draw close.
She turned to Rom, understanding the protocol when a House leader was in the room. “The diner should be open. Is there anything special you’d like for breakfast? I’m sorry there won’t be any beignets, though, even if there were, I doubt they’d live up to your expectations.” Then she grinned. “But their cinnamon rolls aren’t half bad.”
She listened to everyone’s orders, then stuck her dagger in her purse before striding to the door. Jacques followed, and when she glared at him, he shrugged. “You won’t be able to carry it all.”
It took a moment, and then she patted his arm. “I appreciate the assist.” She understood he was following security protocols, and after the lecture she’d given Lucas on the same topic, she couldn’t argue.
Once they were gone, Rom asked, “Can she take care of herself? I mean in a fight. It’s apparent she’s resourceful enough to keep you alive.”
