A Bite to Remember Page 0,100

killer or saboteur written across their forehead.

Sighing inwardly, Jackie let her gaze drift back to Neil's parents. As if sensing her gaze, Elaine Notte suddenly looked her way. The woman smiled faintly, then her face was blocked by the back of a man's head as someone else stepped up to offer their condolences.

Jackie was about to continue examining the other people in attendance when the man turned his head to speak to Roberto Notte and she caught a glimpse of his profile. Jackie immediately sucked in one quick gasping breath of shock, then shook her head. No. It couldn't be.

"Jackie?" Tiny asked under his breath and she was vaguely aware of his stepping closer to her, but didn't respond. Her attention was wholly focused on the man across the room, waiting for a better look at his face. She seemed to wait forever, then the man turned to glance around the room and she felt a shock of horror slide through her.

"Cassius." The name came out on a shocked expulsion, but Tiny, Vincent, and the others heard it and turned, their eyes all locking on her.

"Cassius?" Tiny echoed on a rumble of displeasure. "Here?"

"Where?" Vincent asked sharply.

Jackie blinked in surprise at the harshness to his voice and peered at him with confusion. She hadn't told him about Cassius, yet his expression was tight and he'd immediately moved closer to her in a protective manner.

Vincent saw the question on her face and hesitated, then sighed and admitted, "I know about him. I read Tiny's mind."

Jackie stilled, anger welling up in her at this news. Before she could respond, Tiny squeezed her arm.

"Don't be angry with him," he rumbled. "I let him read me. I thought he should know about it."

Jackie turned her furious glance toward her partner, her anger immediately transferring to him.

"And I read Vincent," Christian announced, drawing her fire away from Tiny. He added, "Without his permission."

"So did I," Marcus announced.

Jackie was scowling at the two men when Dante said, "We didn't read anyone."

When she glanced at the twins, Tomasso added, "But we overheard the conversation in the kitchen while we were guarding the door and know he hurt you somehow and made you fear immortals."

Jackie's shoulders drooped and she let out a small sigh. It seemed everyone knew, or at least knew Cassius had done something, if not what. Except Neil, she realized as he spoke.

"Is there a problem?" the vice president asked with a frown. "Cassius works for Vincent."

"He what?" Vincent looked shocked at this news, but Jackie was frowning over the information. Vincent had taken her from office to office in search of information on who had worked on the play in New York. She'd thought she'd met everyone.

"We consult him over contract issues on occasion," Neil explained. "He actually works in the legal department of V.A. Incorporated, not the production company itself."

"Not for much longer," Vincent said grimly.

Jackie squeezed his hand. "You can't fire him for something he did years ago."

"The hell I can't. I can fire whomever I want," he said arrogantly. "They're my companies."

"Yes, but we have labor laws," she pointed out. "Besides, why bother?"

"He hurt you," Vincent said simply. "And mortals have labor laws. Immortals don't. I don't want someone of his kind working for me."

"Mr. Notte?"

Jackie glanced around, recognizing the voice of Vincent's secretary, Sharon. She couldn't see her, however, the men were in the way.

"I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am about Stephano. He梠h, Vincent." Sharon blinked at her boss as Neil shifted and Vincent's presence was revealed, then her gaze slid to Jackie and surprise crossed her face. "Jackie."

The woman was obviously startled to see her there. She wasn't the only one. Lily stood beside her, looking just as stunned at her presence.

"Is there something wrong, Sharon?" Jackie asked calmly.

When the secretary simply stared at her wide-eyed, Lily forced a smile to her face and said delicately, "She's just surprised. We didn't think you knew Stephano Notte."

Jackie was silent, considering the two of them. She suspected it was more than that. After all, the last time they'd seen her she was a mortal. One look at her eyes now and they should both be able to tell she'd been turned.

"No," Jackie said finally. "I never had the pleasure of meeting Stephano while he was alive. I'm just here out of respect for Neil and his family."

"Yes, of course," Lily murmured, then glanced toward Sharon as the secretary returned to offering her condolences to the vice president