The werelioness returned a knowing smirk.
“He’s right,” Russell offered.
Traitors, Ari thought. This was so not comfortable. She lifted a hand in an abrupt wave and exited the door, Andreas in close pursuit. The cool evening breeze felt good on her flushed cheeks. Andreas caught her with a restraining hand at the curb.
“What?” she grumbled.
He waved at a silver SUV pulling to the curb. A young vampire jumped out, handed the keys to Andreas, and disappeared inside the compound.
Andreas jangled the keys in one hand. “Drive or ride?”
“Drive.”
She caught the toss. Once behind the wheel, she glanced at him before starting the engine. “Why the wheels?”
“I thought that was obvious. If there is a sniper out there, walking the streets is somewhat risky.”
“OK, I buy that, but you had the car waiting. You just tried to get me to stay in the compound.”
“Yes. That is what I wanted.” Andreas stared out the front window. “But I had no illusion you would comply. I called for the car thirty minutes ago.”
Ari jabbed the key in the ignition, and the engine roared to life. Andreas was beginning to know her a little too well. At least he realized she wouldn’t blindly follow his orders.
“But you cannot go home tonight,” he added. “I will not indulge you in something that risky.”
“Indulge me?” Ari couldn’t believe he’d said that. “I’ll quit before I let you order me around.”
“And abandon your team? I doubt that. And if you do something so rash, the Magic Council will no doubt respond to an appeal from Prince Daron.” He eyed her calmly. “If you won’t stay with the team, then Club Dintero will have to do. We can protect you there.”
“I’ll stay with Claris.”
“And endanger her? The wolves targeted you once before. Now you are working with us, which makes you a bigger target. If you stay anywhere that is not secured, you place yourself and others around you at risk. For no good reason I can comprehend.”
Ari subsided, realizing Andreas had a valid point about risking others, but still trying to come up with an alternative. She didn’t need anyone to protect her. They rode in silence for the rest of the trip. Andreas spoke once, directing her to stop at Club Dintero. They left the SUV at the front door. This had become a regular nightly stop, Andreas checking on business while Ari sampled the free food.
Tonight, Andreas had something else in mind. He led her to his office, opened the closet, and pulled the handle on a trap door. “This secret passage leads to Daron’s compound. With the sniper threat, we may need to use it.”
Ari peered down the narrow wooden steps that turned sharply to the right into darkness. “Who knows about this?”
“Hard to say. It hasn’t been much of a secret. On the other hand, it has rarely been used. Daron and I built it when we first bought the Club. The other end is in the hallway near the compound security rooms.” He dropped the trap door in place and stepped back into the office. Glancing at his desk, he frowned at a tall stack of papers, picked up one, and began to read through it. “Can you give me a few minutes? I would like to check if there is anything urgent.”
While he perused the paperwork, Ari wandered around his office. She’d only seen it for brief moments prior to tonight. Not very fancy, she thought, and not nearly the size she’d expect for the owner’s private office. Adequate, although the furniture was definitely upscale. His desk was polished cherrywood, the matching chair upholstered in leather like dark chocolate. She imagined she could smell fudge. A large, pillowy sofa claimed the same lush material. Two leather chairs of similar style, but in an off-white, provided color contrast, and a carved cherrywood file cabinet stood in the corner.
Ari poured herself a cup of coffee from the wine and coffee tray brought in as soon as they arrived. Sinking onto the couch, she watched Andreas work as she waited for the hot liquid to cool.
Showing no awareness of her scrutiny, Andreas’s athletic body relaxed into the desk chair, his long legs stretched out before him, fine features intent on his work. He occasionally gave brief attention to his glass of Chianti. Ari wondered if he knew what an appealing picture he made. But she wasn’t just enjoying the view; she was forming and discarding arguments to convince him she didn’t want or need his