“Shall we?”
He lumbers his huge form through the doorway—it only just fits—and sits down in one of the large leather chairs in front of my desk. It creaks alarmingly.
I know he’s expecting me to take a seat at the desk. But despite my ability to exit and enter any place I choose, I won’t let him block the doorway. I lean against it and fold my arms.
The meeting of two ancients. There are not so many tricks left in the book.
“So, Viktor?”
“I’m here about the human female.”
“What human female?”
“The one being given brunch in your quarters.”
“What about her?”
“Ferenc isn’t best pleased.”
“Ferenc should mind his own business.”
“She is a friend of his mate.”
“Lucy Cushing is under my protection.”
Viktor nods and gets to his feet. “Should any harm come to her, I will tell Ferenc you do not have control of the rogue vampire.”
I’ve spent a long time concealing my emotions, and the great animated statue won’t detect a flicker of surprise from me.
“Again, my business,” I respond.
“And it becomes my business if he threatens my employer or attempts to open the vault again.” Viktor levels his unblinking gaze at me. “With prejudice.”
“It’s all under control.”
“As I would expect, from you,” Viktor rumbles, the chair creaking alarmingly as he rises and makes his way to the door and passing me as he squeezes his bulk and wings through with only a slight scraping of the wood.
“Have you ever thought about coming to work for me?” I ask, like I ask every time I encounter the ridiculously loyal gargoyle. “I’m sure I can offer better pay and conditions than Ferenc ever could.”
“You know the answer to the question, Dominik. The only reason I’m here in your office rather than pounding your face into the pavement is because you assisted Ferenc in London. Don’t ever try to fool me again,” he growls.
That’ll be a no, I expect. At least for now.
“Well, if you ever need anything, something Ferenc can’t supply, you know I am at your disposal.”
The huge gargoyle looks me up and down. His expression doesn’t change.
“The day I need a favor from a vampire will be the day I crack,” he rumbles. “Get a grip on the situation, Dominik, or I will.”
He opens the door to the outer office, and there is a slight movement outside. My guards are ready as always, although what they think they can do against many tons of stone, I am not sure.
But then, at least Ferenc and I have two things in common. A loyal workforce and a mate we’d do anything for.
Lucy just doesn’t know it yet.
Lucy
Not only doI not want to eat the spread the thrall has brought into Dominik’s opulent quarters, but I’m also attempting to come to terms with why a vampire nest would have real food in it.
