Shepherd snickered. “That’s not what your last date said.”
“That’s it?” Blue cocked her head. “Or am I also working inside?”
“You will wear a small phone around your neck. Wyatt will design something that will not be a danger to your animal.” Viktor blushed and averted his eyes. “The club has a provocative dress code that I do not think you can adhere to. That is why I chose Claude.”
Blue’s lips thinned, and she stormed out of the room. We felt the weight of her fury as the door slammed.
Viktor clasped his hands behind his back and paced toward the door as if he might go after her, but he didn’t. “Raven and Claude will stay in separate hotels. Only Shepherd and Blue are permitted to return home. Claude will work as Raven’s partner inside the club, and Blue will follow her every move on the outside. These roles are vital to Raven’s safety. I must be updated on any new developments.”
“And what’ll you have me doing? Helping Kira with the dishes?” Christian argued.
Viktor spun on his heel. “I want you to create Raven’s alias. Make it believable and something she can remember. You know what men like this might ask her, and I need her to be prepared and consistent with her answers. I will give you what we know about the victims, and you can search for similarities.”
Christian seemed satisfied with that answer.
“Any questions?” Viktor asked.
I sprang to my feet. “When do we start?”
“Soon. Everyone except you and Niko can join me for breakfast. I need you sharp, and Niko will work with you. Break only as needed—we have no time to waste.” He turned his attention to Niko. “Teach her what she does not know. Without weapons, Raven must learn to control every situation.”
Niko bowed.
Holding a hand over my rumbling stomach, I asked, “Can I at least have a bowl of cereal?”
“Food will make you slow and lazy. You must know how to defend yourself in a club without killing anyone or using your Vampire skills. But I also cannot see into the future. It is not my desire for you to fight in a cage match, but if that happens, I want you prepared.”
Everyone got up and shuffled toward the door.
Claude yawned noisily. “I need to call my salon and rearrange my appointments. Any idea how long this will last?”
Viktor fell into step beside him. “That may not be necessary. You will spend nights at the club. If you have any important clients, you might be able to work them in during the daytime or reassign to someone else on your staff. I do not want you jeopardizing your relationships with important clientele. We rely on them for inside information. But do not drive your Porsche while on assignment. It’s too flashy and will not match your job.”
I pulled off my socks and tossed them aside. “Well, Niko. Guess it’s just you and me.”
“And me.” Christian closed the door behind Viktor and joined us.
I stretched my arms over my head to loosen the muscles. “No Vamps allowed.”
“Don’t be daft. Niko can’t rile you up like I can.”
“And why would I need someone to piss me off while training?”
“Vampires tend to show their fangs when angry, and the only way to suppress natural instinct is to control your emotions. We need to make sure you can keep your wee little fangs where they belong.” He sat down on the weight bench. “Just take a gander at those hideous sweatpants you’re always wearing. You’ll never pull this off dressed like a panhandler. Do you also plan on packing your enormous knickers? I’m surethat’llhave the lads wagging their tongues.”
“You don’t push my buttons, Poe. That’s one thing you’ve never been able to do.”
“Aye.” He splayed the fingers on his left hand and looked at his ring. “Too bad your da can’t say the same. Isn’t that one a pathetic excuse for a human? That morose bastard is wasting his life away in a dingy chair, hobbling around like a lame horse. Someone should put him out of his misery.”
My fangs punched out.
Christian gave me a sardonic smile. “Ah. There they are.” Then he looked over at Niko, who had just removed his shirt. “Looks like we have a lot of work to do.”
Chapter 4
I’d never been in Blue’s bedroom. Even before Kira came along, when we rotated laundry duties, everyone left their hampers or dirty clothes outside the bedroom door. There hadn’t been as many rules in the early days—before my arrival—but now most of us valued our privacy. So showing up uninvited left me with mixed feelings. We didn’t have a close relationship, but I wanted to make sure she was okay about guarding me on this assignment.
When I tapped a glass of lemonade on the door, it sloshed on my arm. “Bad idea,” I muttered, but I was barefoot and my other hand was full.
