to check.”
Prick! Good thing I’m not sleeping with him, or I’d be tempted to bite his cock off the next time it was in my mouth. Once glance at Rafe and I see he thinks Jon’s idea may hold some merit.
Et tu, Brute? I send out through our mental connection.
Now, now, liebling, no need to sharpen the teeth and get angry. A phone call is not unwise.
The phone clipped to my waist starts to play Bad to the Bone and I fumble to grab it.
“Yes?”
“The plane from New York landed. Asa will be here in twenty minutes.”
“Thanks.”
I hang up and clip it back to my waist. I pull my aura back in and turn a fierce, toothy smile on my tormentors. “You two were saved by the proverbial bell, weren’t you?”
They both look uncomfortable, and they should. I’m not some fledgling young vampire, recently turned. I know what happened, and they are going to have to find the facts to match what I know.
“Let’s go down and meet Asa,” I continue. “He may be able to shed some light on the subject as well.”
Chapter Eighteen
Together we traipse downstairs, the animosity a palatable thing hanging in the air between us. We’ve only got a little time before Asa comes in and I need to either smooth things over or alter the dynamics of the group.
“Jon, I appreciate your help in suite six,” I say. “Do you really need to meet Asa or can it wait till later?”
“Vivian! This is important! Why would you so callously push aside a powerful servant when meeting a possible adversary? You need me to showcase your strength.”
Okaaaay, where the hell did that come from? Christ, he’s acting like a spurned lover in front of a new man. I can’t handle all this prima donna bullshit right now. Tact has never been a trait I’m good at, but I do try my best.
“Jon, I think you raise a very good point.” Yeah, validation should work, right? “But I do not think a show of strength is what we need right now. This young man has been sent to help us. I need to treat him with respect.” Time to do my spin-doctor routine. “If he truly could be a threat, don’t you think it would be wise of me to withhold some of my aces for when they are needed? Never underestimate the element of surprise.”
The fight goes out of him and his shoulders relax. “That’s a good point.” We reach the lobby floor and he grunts. “Okay, I hate to admit it, but I guess my leaving would be smart in this case.” Decision made, he walks away, down past the front desk and takes a small hall leading toward a back exit, tossing over his shoulder as he goes, “Call me if you need me.”
Rafe rolls his eyes. Yeah, that’ll be the day, furball.
Cut him some slack, love, I do need him. I just don’t need him like he wants.
You want me to stay or go?
I’m fine with whatever you decide, but we do need to check on the guests and the hotel this morning. I’m going to be tied up with Asa for a bit. Would you mind handling some of the minutia stuff some time today?
Sure thing, babe. Rafe’s calm, unruffled voice fills my mind, soothing me. I’ll inspect the third-floor rooms for the tour and make sure we don’t let both dungeon rooms get reserved before noon. That was where you wanted Liam and Francesca to wind up, right?
Yes, and thanks. We’ll catch up in an hour, ‘kay?
Rafe angles to the front desk, and I head over to the sitting area to wait for Asa. Lowering myself onto a plush couch, I lean over to grab a house phone and call Paul in the kitchen. Going on a hunch, I order refreshment for Asa and settle in to wait for him.
Within five minutes, Paul carries in a tray, bearing a stainless steel carafe and two white porcelain mugs, one already filled halfway with black coffee. He sets everything on the low table in front of me and smiles. “Anything else for you, Viv?”
“No, I’m good. Thanks.”
Paul heads back to his domain and I can tell by his jaunty step, he’s feeling better than he did when I passed him outside the gym earlier. I reach forward, grab the half-filled mug and let the delectable coffee aroma fill my nose before taking a long, slow sip.
“Mmm, good stuff.”
The front door opens and in