“I’ve made some progress with her. She’s willing to negotiate. I’ll see this through until you get someone to replace Rider. First, no more restraints— she doesn’t want to escape and you know it.”
“I don’t know that.”
“Bullshit Lydia. She’s scared of something.”
Lydia removed her glasses. “They claim they’re hunted by other vampires— what they’re doing is verboten.”
“Sanctuary… ”
“I’m sorry?”
“She said you promised sanctuary. Now she’s worried you’re out to harm her boyfriend in some way.”
“That’s ridiculous. He’s invaluable to us. It’s incredibly fortunate to have a subject of each sex. Why would we want to hurt him? Assure her that the well being of both of them is the company’s utmost concern, but the well being of my staff is my utmost concern. It’s not a permanent situation. Once everyone is comfortable, we’ll relax things.”
“At least get a phone for them to talk.”
“I’ll bring it up with Lee Brooks. We’re already way over budget.”
“A couple of phones aren’t going to break the company. And by the way, she needs some things.”
Lydia shook her head. “According to their contract they must pay for their personal needs aside from… uh… nourishment.”
“Now we’re honoring contracts?”
“There’s nothing in the contract stipulating they be housed together— just that they’re comfortable and secure.”
“Trussed up like a Thanksgiving turkey, drugged and apart from your partner is hardly what I would call comfortable and secure.”
“Be reasonable. Assure her it’s just a matter of time. And as long as she continues to behave reasonably, I’ll agree she’s only restrained for test purposes. But the guards must be present at all times.”
“She despises them.”
“Her personal feelings aren’t the issue. The baboons, as she refers to them, are necessary for everyone’s safety, including theirs. We must be very cautious. Dr. Rider believes they lack basic empathy. In any case, they’re highly dangerous and can’t be judged by any standard of human behavior.”
“She’s no sociopath. Call it crazy, but I suspect she has a higher purpose in being here. She wants to be here. As much as she hates the situation, it’s very important to her. Not just because she’s afraid of them. It runs deeper.”
Lydia’s eyes gave away less than Mia’s. “Promise her if she behaves I’ll relent. Get her everything else she wants or needs within reason, at the company’s expense, and for him too, for that matter. I’ll do whatever I can to help. You have carte blanche.”
Joe rose to leave. “Just until you get someone to replace Rider.”
“Of course, go see her again tonight. Stop in and see him too.”
Joe’s stomach sickened. “Him?”
Lydia handed him a slim file, which contained a medical work-up on the subject. “Kurt Eisen is his name. He’s been quite docile so far but he won’t talk to me, or anyone else for that matter. Maybe he’ll talk to you. You’ve done wonders with her.”
Joe shut the door, tension building in his head. Wonderful, now he had two charges and the thought of the male frightened him more. He flipped open the file to read it as he strode toward Mia’s cell.
He didn’t see Lydia break into a self-satisfied smile when he closed the door, tapping her pencil against the desk as she picked up the phone to tell Lee Brooks.
Still not awake, Joe observed when he reached Mia’s cell. He frowned and cleared his throat, barking, “Seven p.m. Wake up!”
Her voice was harsh and groggy, like someone who had had too much to drink the night before. “Can’t a girl get any sleep around this place? Can’t even be past sundown.”
He wasn’t about to be intimidated. “You’ve overslept. Sun’s been down for twenty minutes.”
He snapped on the overhead lights even though she hated the glare. Cursing, she sat up, rubbing at her eyes. “Shut them, you bastard!”
The sheet fell, uncovering her naked body. He turned away. “We need to talk. Get up and put some clothes on.”
The pheromone drifted his way. “Don’t have any clean clothes.”
“I’ll get you some in the morning. Just put something on.”
She took her time. Finally, she was attired in black lace panties and tank top. “Acceptable to your delicate sensibilities?”
His eyes ran down her curves. “It’ll do. I talked to Lydia like I said I would.”
“And?”
“She refuses until she’s convinced neither of you are a danger to the staff.”
“You believe that?”
“I’ve always known her to be a woman of her word.”
“Marvelous to live in a world where someone’s word still means something. So she sends you to bring the bad news. Wonder