know whom I can trust I wish to keep it that way.”
“I understand.” She scooped up a bite of pie. If she got caught, Caladh wouldn’t step in. He couldn’t help her and still maintain the secrecy that was needed.
He leaned forward and said, “No one else is to know you’re doing this, or that you’re doing it for me. You’re to tell no one,” he repeated.
“All right.” Jesus, Joseph, and Mary, did he think she was daft? She’d been around a hell of a lot longer than he had. He’d only been on Earth two hundred and twenty years. She’d been here over three thousand, starting out her new life with a small Celtic clan from the green hills of present-day County Galway.
As a matter of fact, now that she thought on it, Caladh had come through the rift the same time as Tobias Caine, the newest vampire member of the council. She wondered if they’d known each other before.
“No one is to learn about this,” Caladh stressed, his dark gaze fixed on her. “And you are to update me in as much detail as possible.”
“I’ve got it.” She scowled and shoved the last piece of pie into her mouth. “I’m not stupid,” she said after she swallowed.
“No, you’re not. You’re very clever. Possibly one of the most shrewd and cunning people I have ever met.” His liquid black eyes glittered. “Sometimes, though, a person can be too slick for her own good.”
She let her fork clatter onto her plate. “What is that supposed to mean?”
He swiped his napkin across his lips and leaned back in his seat. One wide hand crumpled the napkin and dropped it onto the table. “Do not think for a moment that you can use this information to manipulate me.”
“What information? And manipulate you for what purpose?” Keira shook her head. She wasn’t sure where he was headed with this, but she knew she didn’t like it one bit. Her aggravation showed in her next words. “Just what the feck are ya on about, Mr. MacLoch?”
He pulled out his wallet and dropped a ten-dollar bill on the table. As he slid out of the booth, he picked up his water bottle and murmured, “Do not think you can blackmail me into anything by threatening to go to the rest of the council with what you know.”
She frowned. “I don’t—”
“That’s what grifters do,” he said. “They use situations to their own advantage.” He leaned so close she could smell coffee on his warm breath. “I know you’re trying to mend your ways, and I do appreciate the effort it takes for a person to change. I also know how easy it is to slide back into old habits.”
As he walked away she drew in a deep breath and held it a moment, then blew it out slowly from between pursed lips. Caladh was the damned reason she was “sliding” back into old habits, the old bugger. He always presented himself with an air of affability, but she’d seen the ruthless side of him that had gotten him where he was on the council. She was under no illusions that she was working with a friend on this. He was her handler, pure and simple.
If he thought he had to threaten her to keep her on task, he was wrong. Her conscience dictated her actions. She didn’t need any additional pressure from him.
“Want me to top off your coffee?”
Keira glanced up at the waitress and nodded, watching her pour the hot brew into the cup.
“We’re not busy, hon, so no need to rush.” The waitress put the bill facedown on the table. For the first time Keira noticed the lines of exhaustion tugging at the woman’s eyes. “And let me know if you want anything else.”
Keira took a sip of coffee and watched the woman go back to the front counter. The waitress put her hand on an older customer’s shoulder, saying something that made him laugh. She seemed like a kind woman, taking time to cheer up a customer even while tired. For a moment Keira felt wistful that she couldn’t be more like her. Oh, she could be as nice as the next person, but it was usually an act. No, more like a persona she slipped on. Random kindness to strangers wasn’t her first inclination. Her true nature was to look out for herself. As Caladh said, to twist situations to her own advantage.