I bit the inside of my lip, irritated she would bring his name up in a bad light, especially after all we’d done for her.
“Keystone had bigger priorities,” Viktor fired back. “That is something for the cleaners to take care of. We are not a body-disposal service.”
“No matter. I’m far happier in my new home. This is a place where I can truly luxuriate and feel safe.”
I stepped forward when a man suddenly entered the room from the central hall, a suit jacket in his hand.
Lenore caught my quick reaction and stood. “Viktor, I’d like to introduce you to Ronald Jefferson Frazier, my partner.”
Partner? Higher authority members didn’t have partners that I knew about. They worked independently, like congressmen or senators.
Viktor stood and bowed. “Viktor Kazan. A pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
It hadn’t escaped my attention that Lenore had only addressed Viktor by his first name but gave Ronald McDonald the full introduction.
“I’m afraid I can’t stay. I’m just now leaving.” Ronald stuck out his hand, and Viktor stared at it before accepting a handshake.
Very strange.
“I’m sorry to interrupt your meeting,” he said unapologetically. “I just came to kiss my sweetie goodbye.”
Lenore placed her hand on his chest. “Must you leave?”
Oh. That kind of partner.
After putting on his jacket, Ronald leaned over and gave Lenore a kiss.
Right in front of Viktor.
I took my place against the wall and looked down like an obedient guard, pretending I wasn’t paying attention. But man, that had to stab Viktor in the heart. How could she be so flagrant about her newfound love only weeks after leaving Viktor in the dust? He deserved better than that.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” Ronald said before striding past me. He smelled like Hugo Boss cologne and looked like a young Robert Redford. Lenore was probably made in her late twenties or early thirties, depending on how women in her time aged. He looked closer to forty-five. Younger than Viktor, more conventionally handsome, and better dressed. Something else caught my attention.
Hmm. Definitely a human.
Human energy was distinctly weaker than all other Breeds, including Relics.
After he closed the door, Lenore entered the central hall, walking out of view. I glanced to my right at the foyer, noticing another living space in the back. The lights were out, and that must have been where her bedrooms were located.
Lenore returned with a glass of white wine. “Isn’t he a doll? Ronald’s the reason I was able to purchase this place. We met, hit it off, and he happened to be looking for a mansion in the historic district closer to some of his clients. He originally paid thirty million for this place. Instead of selling it for a profit, he offered me a price I couldn’t refuse. Can you believe it? A human.” She returned to her seat. “A rare few have done exceedingly well for themselves while staying out of the limelight.”
Viktor sat. “Does he know?”
“That I’m a Vampire?” She chuckled and sipped her wine. “Of course. He’s atrustedhuman.”
Viktor turned his gaze up to the high ceilings. “What is his line of work, if you don’t mind my asking?”
She set her wine on the glass table. “I believe he started as an investment broker. Then he began working with Breed in banking, but he does much more now. Darling, I don’t like boring you with details.”
Viktor and I were on the same page. Brokers and bankers didn’t make mega millions that I knew of, so he must have dipped his toe in Breed investments. As far as I knew, most of us didn’t get involved in human financial institutions since it created a hassle with false identities, taxes, and organizations that might track suspicious activity. We relied on our own debit cards, bankers, and financial advisors to live separately from humans. Perhaps people like Ronald bridged that gap—someone experienced who knew all the traps to avoid. Someone who took care of tax and identity issues, allowing immortals to profit in the human world. Did he also give advice on laundering money or how to will inheritances to yourself after faking your death? I wondered how deep that rabbit hole went.
Then again, maybe he had simply won the lottery.
“I’m thinking about turning one of the rooms into a conservatory. I’m not able to get them to tear away the ceiling and replace it with glass, so I plan to hire professionals to install special lighting for growing plants. I need a retreat with lush greenery.” Lenore stood. “Shall I give you a tour? We can speak privately in my office. I’m afraid I haven’t soundproofed this place—it’s tricky with all the glass. Jack, come clear the table.”
Jack? Who the fuck is Jack?
A man emerged from the large column behind her, and when he stepped into view, my blood ran cold. It was the closest I’d ever come to having an out-of-body experience.
