Page 103 of Shadowed Steel (Heirs of Chicagoland 3)

“That word covers a lot of ground,” Theo noted.

“Same for ‘shifters,’” I said. “If you need to talk about fighting or carousing or anything involving motorcycles. Do you know which rooms they’re in?” I asked Theo.

“Clive’s in thirty-two eleven. Levi has the room next door. Staff confirmed Levi left three hours ago, hasn’t been back. His room’s been cleaned since then.”

So we’d been right about that. He was running, but not back to the hotel. Not back to his brother.

“Did Gwen talk to Clive?”

“Briefly,” Theo said. “Asked where Levi was, got no answer. Said he was wanted for questioning in Blake’s death, in Connor’s attack. Still got no answer.”

“What was her sense?” Connor asked.

“That he was surprised by the allegations, but not the violence.” He looked back at the door, put on what I thought of as his “grown-up” face. “We don’t have warrants,” he said. “We can ask questions, and they can refuse.”

I started to argue, but Theo held up a hand.

“Trespassing won’t get his brother off the streets, and fighting with the AAM isn’t going to help your case.”

“I’m angry that you’re right.”

“You should be used to that by now. Gwen’s working with the state’s attorney, and we’ll get Levi. We’ll get the ones who helpedhim, and if Clive knew about it, we’ll get him, too. I’m asking for a little trust, which I know probably feels unfair. But I’m asking for it anyway.”

I nodded, and he looked at Connor. “You going to be able to maintain?”

“As much as I need to,” Connor said. Which I knew wasn’t agreement, but a reminder that he’d do exactly what he believed he needed to do. Nothing more, nothing less.

***

I got a response from Cadogan House as we rode up to the thirty-second floor, then walked to the room Theo had identified. Since this was my mission, I pounded a fist on the door.

It opened a moment later, and I didn’t waste any time. “Clive. Now.”

The female vamp who answered looked me up, down again, gave Theo and Connor the same treatment. Then settled that arrogant gaze on my face again. “Are you here to surrender?”

“No. We’re here to discuss his brother’s attack on me.” I held up my wrists, the bruises now vibrant.

Something flared in her eyes. Knowledge, I thought. And a little bit of fear. “A moment,” she said and closed the door in our faces.

“She knows something,” Connor murmured.

“She absolutely does,” I agreed. “Maybe she was the target of his friendship before me.”

The door opened again. “You may enter if you hand over your weapons.”

I snorted. “I’m not handing over my blade, and Theo is authorized to carry his weapon on duty. We’re searching for Levi, and if we find him first, Clive might not like it. He has five seconds to decide whether to talk to us.” I smiled politely. “Five. Four. Three.”

The woman’s lip curled, but she stood aside. “Enter.”

“Good choice,” I said quietly as we passed her. “And I’d start thinking very seriously about a career change.”

We walked inside to find a large and well-appointed suite that smelled of lemons and cinnamon and the coppery tang of blood. That sparked my hunger, and the monster’s interest, but I pushed it down. I’d refuel when this was done.

Vampires were arranged behind Clive, all of them in tailored black. Clive looked me over, took in the bruises. “It appears you’ve been fighting again. How unsurprising.”

“I was attacked in my home by your brother. Levi lay in wait inside my apartment, used his glamour to make us believe he wasn’t there. He’s been stalking me.” I offered the copies of the notes Theo had thought to bring.

Clive’s expression didn’t change; he probably believed he’d hidden his reaction completely. But it was the lack of apparent surprise that did him in. And the nervous glances exchanged by the vampires behind him.

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