“Think you could mock up something we could send back to him?”
“Oh, I’m sure I could.”
I nodded. “When he takes the bait, which he will, we’ll need everyone ready to grab him. And be prepared—he has unique glamour,” I said, and told them about it. “That’s how he got into the loft. So don’t be surprised if he seems to appear from nowhere.”
“Appreciate the warning,” Gwen said. “We’ll tell any uniforms assigned. There’s danger here,” she added, shifting her gaze to my father. “This plan comes to a peaceful resolution—for you, for Cadogan House, for Hyde Park, for Chicago—only if the vampires all act reasonably. And they haven’t shown much reason or logic so far.”
“We’ll be as ready as we can,” he said.
I looked back at the group. “Any questions?”
“Watch your back before then,” my father said. “Levi’s out there somewhere, and will be especially attentive after you drop your bait.”
“Same goes,” I said. “You’re all friends and family, and you could all be targets. So please be careful.”
“I don’t know about everyone else,” Petra said, “but I’m definitely feeling the love.”
* * *
* * *
“Clever girl,” Connor said, when Lulu was tucked into the town house’s guest room and we sat in front of the fire in the master. “But if you get hurt, you will have hell to pay.”
“From you and Dad both,” I said. “Do you think Petra’s note will work?”
It was an impressive bit of design—a faux newsletter designed to look like a gossip sheet for Chicago socialites—that said Connor and I had been seen around Chicago together and were reportedly going to an “important” party at Cadogan House tomorrow night with several dozen other guests.
“I do. And I think he’s most likely to try for you on the way in or out.”
I nodded. “Dad’s going to leave the gate open, set the lights so it looks like there’s a party outside. Levi will like the shadows, I think. Sneaking in and among the people.” I sighed. “Unless he realizes it’s a ruse, and we lose our chance at him.”
One way or the other, we’d see tomorrow night. Because dawn approached, and sleep beckoned.
I toed off boots and jeans, decided sleeping in my T-shirt was good enough, and climbed onto the sumptuous mattress.
Connor undressed and climbed into bed in boxer briefs that—glory to the world—left very little to the imagination.
“Come here,” he said, and I slid into the crook of his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around me, sighed heavily. “I’ve wanted this for hours. Just this. Peace and quiet and you.”
“It’s not bad,” I agreed. “Pretty damn good, actually.”
“Are you worried?”
“Yes,” I said. “Are you?”
He paused thoughtfully. “No. I’m anticipating, and I’m ready for a fight. I’m ready to resolve two issues that are hurting you, hurting us. But I’m not worried about the result. Because one way or the other, they won’t get their hands on you.”
He kissed my temple. “Sleep. The rest is for tomorrow.” His voice dropped to a whisper. “But I’m glad you’re here, with me, in my house, in my bed.”
As light fell across the city, I fell into sleep, safe in his arms.
TWENTY-TWO
Something hit me in the face, and I jumped awake, brushed at the wings of the dragon I was sure had come to gnaw my bones.
And found a sports bra in my hand.
Blinking, I looked up, found Connor in the doorway in shorts, running shoes, and nothing else. “Come on. We’re going for a run.”
I pulled the hair from my face. “Why would we do that?”
He walked to the window, opened the heavy blackout drapes so moonlight shone through. “Because it’s fun?”
“You and I have very different ideas of fun.”
He grinned. “No, Lis. I think we’ve proven that’s not true.”
He had me there. And several other ways.
“This will be good for you. You can run off the nerves, and you’ll be ready for what comes next.”
Right. I checked the clock. Sixish hours to go.
“Have they found Levi?” I asked.
“Nothing yet,” he said. “They’re looking.”
I plucked up my screen, checked my messages. “Nicole has arrived. We’re confirmed for midnight. No messages from Levi.”
“He may not send one.”
“Maybe not,” I said. “But maybe I should poke the bear.” I typed a draft, showed it to Connor. “A response to his last message.”
“‘You can’t be my enemy if I don’t care about you. Life goes on and I’m with a real man.’” He handed the screen back. “Immature and guaranteed to piss him off.”