Don't Hex and Drive (Stay a Spell #2) - Juliette Cross Page 0,112

I’m ready.”

If I wasn’t aware yet, I knew then and there that I was deeply and wholly in love with this woman. Once this operation was over with, I’d make damn sure she understood I wasn’t going anywhere.

Chapter 30

~ISADORA~

“Ready, girl?” Livvy stood next to me in the parking lot of Barrel Proof looking like a 1940s bombshell. She’d come straight from a photo shoot at Belle Chasse Navy Base. She modeled for a friend of hers who did pin-up girl photo shoots for his ultra popular website who cross-promoted the Cauldron and Maybelle’s.

While she was decked out in a tailored red dress, tight in the bust and waist then flared at the knees, I was wearing tight black jeans and a white halter-top that revealed a lot of skin but also could be tucked in. If I was going to be kidnapped and carried away by a vampire, I wanted to be dressed for the occasion.

“Ready,” I said, leading the way into the bar.

We found a two-top in the middle of the bar. The point was to be seen tonight. The place was already starting to fill up.

“I’ll grab us a few drinks. What do you want?”

“Old fashioned.”

“Something that strong?” I whispered.

“We’re supposed to look like we’re partying it up, right?”

“True.”

I made my way to the bar that stretched the length of the place. Most of the stools were already filled, but Darren wasn’t here yet. “Take What You Want” by Post Malone and Ozzy played from the speakers. I glanced at my watch. 10:10.

“What can I get you?” asked the good-looking bartender.

“Two old fashioneds please.”

There were several different gatherings in the bar. Couples and mixed boy-girl groups. So far, there were no other girl-only parties. That made Livvy and I good targets, which again had my heart pounding. I was actually doing this, and I couldn’t pretend it didn’t have me on edge. As it was, it was strange to not feel the sweet hum of magic under my skin. Jules had nulled us both right before we left, informing us she’d be in constant contact with Ruben to monitor the operation.

I was carrying the drinks back to the table right as Darren entered the bar. And another vampire right behind him. A cold sweat flashed across my neck and back. I tried not to stare, catching in a single glimpse the arrogant tilt of the second vampire’s head. Blond hair, pretty face, predatory eyes. Blake Bellingrath.

When I sat across from Livvy, I whispered, “That’s him that just walked in. And the other guy is Bellingrath.”

She leaned forward and took a sip of her drink, her red lipstick leaving a mark on the rim. “I thought they scouted alone.”

“I did, too. This is weird.”

A second later, my phone buzzed on the table. I’d carried in my phone rather than have my big handbag, knowing I wanted to go light. The phone was actually a burner phone that Devraj had given me. I unlocked the phone with my fingerprint.

Devraj: Bellingrath is with him I’m sure you see. Darren said it’s nothing to worry about.

Me: If you say so.

Devraj: We’re still a go. Unless you don’t want to. ???

I paused, glancing at the bar. Darren was ordering drinks. Blake was skimming the bar, looking for his next victim. Burning fury blazed through my belly, thinking of those poor women he had in captivity. And I could help set them free tonight.

Me: I’m a go.

There was a pause then the ellipses looped onscreen until his last message popped up.

Devraj: I’m so proud of you. I’ll show you how much later tonight.

I smiled then locked the phone and slid it into my back pocket. Leave it to Devraj to try and distract me from imminent danger with thoughts of naughty sex.

“That’s a saucy smile.” Livvy had drained her old fashioned by the time I slipped my phone in my back pocket.

“Might want to slow down there.”

She switched our glasses. “Now you go up there, stand right next to Bellingrath, and order another.”

My stomach sank. “You come with me.”

She shook her head. “I want his attention only on you. I’ll be unable to stop my word vomit.”

True. With or without her Influencer magic, Livvy beamed. She was the kind of person you wanted to look at, wanted to listen to. And though Darren had a serious compulsion glamour spell put on him by Devraj, we didn’t need any complications.

“You’ve got this,” she said, pulling out her phone and pretending to be distracted, even though