Page 74 of Betrayed in Blood
Devon remained quiet, and when the cadre shifted to get more comfortable in their seats, it was a sign that Devon was considering the information he received, and we’d have to wait for him to mull it over. The silence was deafening, and my rebellious nature got the better of me.
I went to the coffee bar and made an espresso, not taking Lucas up on his offer when he’d made the earlier ones. The sound of the machine was jarring. I smiled to myself, knowing without looking that Ginger was having a hard time holding in her laughter. Yeah. There were days when we were still twelve.
I was just picking up my cup of espresso when Devon swiveled back to face the room.
“Cressa, do you mind refilling my cup?”
I took the one I was holding, set it on his desk, and picked up his first cup. His smile was breathtaking, and I think my heart might have stopped for a moment.
“Thank you.”
I went back to the machine and made another one. He waited until I returned to my seat, and I felt his gaze on me the entire way.
Devon wasted no time from that moment on.
“Sergi, I haven’t had a chance to review your surveillance plan, but I want two motorcades for tomorrow. You’ll take Cressa in one, and I want Bella and Jacques in the other in case we need a distraction. Let’s see if Willa shows up for her appointment.” He paused and glanced at me. “Cressa, do you know any of the women your mother has lunch with?”
Again, he surprised me. “I know them all from the time I lived at the house.”
“If Willa shows up for her appointment, I want Cressa to find a way into the salon for a chat. If she doesn’t show up, the teams will move to the restaurant. Again, if Willa shows up, Cressa will determine the best way to approach her. If she doesn’t show up, then Cressa, I want you to meet with the women. See if they know what’s going on. Play the worried daughter, and I apologize, I know you’re worried, but you need to play the part in a way that the women will be willing to divulge what they know.”
Surprised by the plan, I had to admit I liked it. “Understood.” I glared at Sergi, who gave me his predatory smile. Devon wasn’t going to get in the middle of our argument. He wasn’t going to say which of us had been right in our earlier disagreement. He was going to make us work it out in the confines of a vehicle as if we were fighting teenagers.
Damn. It was so adult of him.
“Cressa, I have one last request. Can you contact Harlow and see if he can meet us tomorrow evening, assuming he doesn’t have a job? Actually, if they’re both available, have him bring Trudy for dinner.”
I stared at him, and he gave me a look that said I had no idea what he was planning, but he’d wait to see if I figured it out. I was so turned on at that moment.
I just nodded, since I had no idea what might come out of my mouth. He was right. My head was spinning with possibilities.
“Great. Keep me updated on his response so Cook can plan ahead.” He glanced around the room. “That’s all I have. I’d like to meet again once Cressa and Sergi return from their surveillance tomorrow. Colantha, if you have time this afternoon, I’d like to catch up. How about lunch on the back patio?”
“That will be perfect.” Colantha’s response came with one of her sweet smiles that left you wondering what she was really thinking.
“Excellent, thank you.” He turned to the others. “I trust you all have your work to get back to. Decker, if you could stay for a few minutes. And Lucas, you too.”
The group got up to leave. I wanted to talk to Devon, but I didn’t know how long he’d be with Decker and Lucas. Training wasn’t scheduled until after lunch, so I went up to my room.
Ginger followed me. “That was crazy, right? I didn’t just imagine how strange the meeting was.”
“You mean because he didn’t chastise me or Sergi?”
“Yeah. I was expecting a smackdown.” She snapped her fingers. “He’s playing nice while you work out what to do with your new stash of money and the open door he offered you.”
“Huh?” Then it hit. “You think he’s being nice to me because he’s worried I’ll leave?”
“Sure. Why else?”
It was a good question until I considered everything I knew about Devon—the vamp, the beast, the lover, and the House leader. A laugh burst out of me.
“What’s so funny?”
“One thing I can honestly say I know about Devon Trelane—never underestimate him. He’s learning and adapting.” I couldn’t hold in the grin. “He’s got a plan, and he’s daring me to figure it out.” I shook my head. “God, I love that vamp.”
ChapterTwenty-Two
After his morning meeting,Devon read security reports regarding the safe houses from his private office in his bedroom. It was the easiest way to ensure privacy from the dozens of calls and requests he received each day. And it gave him time to continue his plans for dealing with whoever was sending Cressa text messages.
