“And the nightmare continues,” Christian muttered.
Natalie laughed as she hurried into her bedroom, stripping off her clothes on the way. She took five minutes for a swipe of mascara and some blush, then stood in her walk-in closet, trying to decide what to wear to the office tonight. Normally, she wore skirts. Anthony liked a businesslike appearance, and skirts and heels made her feel good about herself, pretty and sexy. But tonight, she wanted to be invisible. So she pulled on a cream silk blouse and tank, and some black slacks, finishing off with a pair of spike-heeled ankle boots.
“I like the boots.”
Natalie spun around to find Christian leaning against her open doorway, one foot angled over the other, looking very comfortable and scrumptious, his arms crossed over his muscled chest.
“You startled me,” she said accusingly. “I didn’t hear you come upstairs.”
He freed a hand to point a thumb at his chest. “Vampire. We move quietly.”
She knew that. She might have been able to pretend before that hers was an ordinary job, and that the people she worked with were just as ordinary. But they weren’t. The death she’d witnessed two nights ago had made that perfectly clear.
“I’m almost ready,” she told him, reaching for a jacket.
“You need to pack a bag. And bring your dress for Saturday night.”
“Right,” she muttered, staring at her clothes and considering how much she’d need to pack, and how long she’d be gone. She frowned abruptly, then turned to give him a puzzled look. “Saturday night?”
“The challenge gala,” he explained.
“But I’m not invited to that.”
“You are now. I’m inviting you.”
“I don’t know if I have anything appropriate for . . . What are you doing?”
Christian was digging around in her closet. “This is perfect,” he said, holding up a dress that she’d bought on a whim, but never worn. It was short and sexy. A little too sexy, which was why she’d never worn it. It was a dark emerald green that did wonders for her coloring, with silk layered over satin, and a bodice that scooped low. But it wasn’t the revealing bodice that had kept it hidden in her closet. The back of the dress was a graceful drape of silk that bared her skin almost to the curve of her butt. It looked great—she’d put it on more than once in front of her mirror—but she’d never managed to dig up the courage to wear it in public.
“Oh, I don’t know if—” she started to say, but he cut her off.
“I do; you’ll be the most beautiful woman at the gala.” He grinned. “Don’t worry, I’ll fight off any unwanted suitors.”
“What about wanted ones?” she asked saucily.
His gaze narrowed. “Them, too.”
She chuckled at the success of her jab, then eyed the dress. It was gorgeous. And, really, how could she say “no” when he said she’d look beautiful?
“Okay,” she agreed. “I need to grab the shoes.”
“Don’t forget to pack enough for a few days. It’s too dangerous for you to stay here until the challenge is decided.”
Natalie’s unease at what he was saying overrode her irritation at his tendency to give orders. “Dangerous? Do you really think—?”
“That Anthony would hurt you?” He studied her for a moment, as if trying to decide if he should tell her the truth, as if wondering whether she could handle it.
“Tell me the truth,” she demanded.
His lips tightened briefly, and he said, “Yes.”
“But he’s never done anything like that before.”
“And he’d probably regret it. But in the final analysis, only one person matters to Anthony, and that’s Anthony. I don’t believe for a minute that he plans to retire quietly to New Orleans. He has a game in play that will maximize his own power and wealth after the succession. We just don’t know what it is yet. But whatever it is, I’ve spoiled it for him, and he’ll do what it takes to get rid of me. He wants you for himself—”
She opened her mouth to protest, but he continued.
“—I can see it in the way he looks at you. He covets you, as if you’re already his. He may even have convinced himself he loves you, or that you love him. But if he gets angry enough, he’ll hurt you. Either to claim you for himself, or to get to me.” He stepped closer in the confined space, cupping her cheek in his big hand. “You matter to me. Anthony knows that.”