“Don’t play innocent. I know this was you.”
Clive rubbed my back. “You’ve been putting in a lot of late nights. No point in wasting food.”
The concern in Clive’s gaze made me pick up the sandwich and take a big bite.
“Darling, we need to go to the nocturne. Visitors have arrived.”
I waved to the last of my customers heading up the stairs.
“The thing is,” Clive continued, “the pooka knows where we live. I don’t feel comfortable leaving you home all alone.”
I swallowed a second big bite. “We’re warded up. I’ll be fine.”
“Yes,” he said, his hand on my back, “but wouldn’t you like to visit Russell, Godfrey, and Audrey? I know they’ve missed you.”
“You should probably bring the dog too,” Vlad put in. “Just to be safe.”
I took another bite while I glared at the interfering busybody. To Clive, I asked, “Would it make you feel more comfortable if I was in a nocturne filled with bloodthirsty vampires?”
Grinning, he gave me a kiss. “It really would.”
“Fine. It’s not like I have any customers left anyway.” They followed me back to the kitchen. I rinsed off the plate and put it in the washer. “Dave, the mustachioed one cleared us out again, so you can head home whenever you want.”
He nodded, crouched in front of the oven, staring through the glass front. “I have some baking to finish. I’ll leave when I’m done.” He paused. “Are the wards closed?”
I set the wards with a thought. They were tied to me. “They are now.” I led the way into my apartment, where Fergus was lying on the couch, his feet up in the air. “Come on, buddy. We’re going to go visit Daddy’s vampy friends.”
“That word.” Clive took my hand and we ran back through the folly to our home, Fergus at our heels.
Once there, I got cleaned up, made up, and stood in the closet, considering. I wanted to make a good impression for Clive but also wanted to fade into the background for me.
“Clive?” I knew he was in the sitting area of our bedroom, waiting for me.
“Yes?”
I ducked my head out and saw him scratching behind Fergus’ ears with one hand while he texted with the other. He put the phone down and looked up at me, waiting.
“What’s the protocol? You’re not the Master anymore, but now you are a Counselor. Which is higher up the chain, right?” I glanced over my shoulder into the closet and then back at him. “I mean, am I even meeting the bigwigs? Do I need to dress like I used to for formal gatherings, or will I just head straight to Russell’s office?”
He lifted an eyebrow. “Do you honestly believe I would shuffle you away somewhere hidden and not show you off?” He stood, tutting as he moved to me. “Wear whatever you want. You don’t need to follow our protocols. You know that.” He gave me a kiss.
His eyes went vampy black. “You know what I’ve missed?” His hands settled on my hips. “How about your leathers?”
Grinning, I pushed him away. “Nuh-uh. We’d never make it out of the house.” I went back into the closet. “Besides, those were destroyed in New Orleans.”
Proving he is an excellent hunter, he walked past me and went straight to the drawer holding a pair of battered leather pants. He gave me a look that had me unbelting my robe.
“We don’t have time for this,” Vlad shouted from downstairs.
I slammed my eyes shut, hoping to hide from the embarrassment.
“Bugger off and wait in the garage,” Clive snarled, wrapping his arms around me and nuzzling my neck.
“No way,” I whispered. “They can hear everything. Go go go. I’ll figure it out.” I pushed until he finally relented.
“I’ll go kill Vlad and then I’ll be back,” he grumbled.
“If you kill him, you’ll just have to find yet another replacement.” I surveyed all the dresses I had—and there were a lot—looking for the right mix of understated and chic. Ugh. I just wanted to be comfortable and look decent. Was that too much to ask?
