“I don’t suppose I could hire you away from him?”
“Uh, let’s see. Let some rando vampire who just blew into town make me a bunch of big promises? That’s a hard pass, sorry.”
But he smiles again. “See? Risk-averse. Can I at least beg you for a strictly platonic and safe date? I’ll even pay one of Lucius’ men to accompany us, if it’d make you feel better. You’d never have to be alone with me.”
I hate to admit I’m finding myself liking him and getting a good feeling about him in a way I usually don’t about vamps.
When I hear a muffledsee I told you sofrom my mental closet, I kick the door, hard, to shut it up.
I inhale, and his scent reminds me of rich, sweet pipe tobacco and dark chocolate. “I don’t know anything about you, for starters. Let’s cover that ground.”
He tugs on the perfect creases in his trousers as he settles on the edge of the bed. “Dexter Van Sussex. I currently run a hotel and casino in Atlantic City—”
I hold up a hand, feeling simultaneously relieved and disappointed. Ofcoursehe was too good to be true. “Stop right there. I’m out.” I stand. “I don’t get mixed up in organized crime.”
“Neither do I. Ask Lucius, if you wish. I run an honest operation. I’m about to age out of the city and want to open a hotel and casino here in Tucson. I’m visiting here, speaking with Lucius to secure his agreement and arrange a meeting with the Tucson wolf pack Alpha through Lucius. I want to work with their pack, as well.”
“Garrett Green?”
“Yes. You’ve heard of him?”
I snort. “Dude, he’s my frickinglandlord.”
7
Dexter
Now that I’malone with Eilidh, I deeply inhale with every breath I take and realize…
I still cannot trulysmellher.
She has an ephemeral scent—like rain, like a cool, spring breeze.
Like warm sunlight.
Definitelynotlike a human. Damn sure not like any shifter I’ve ever scented before.
Or…any other creature.
I have a feeling it will drive me mad before I figure it out.
Thatshewill drive me to madness. I also belatedly realize it was probably her scent I detected upstairs in the office.
“He’s yourlandlord?” I manage.
“Yeah. Don’t let his biker exterior fool you, either. Guy’s smart and loaded. He and his crew started flipping houses, and it didn’t take them long to own a goodly chunk of real estate in this city. Plus, his mate’s an attorney. She’s someone you don’t fuck with, either.”
“Oh.”
“Exactly. She’s also my friend.”
I’m not exactly sure what I expected from the Tucson wolf pack Alpha, but it wasn’t that. “Do you know him well enough to introduce me?”
“Dude, I don’t knowyouwell enough to introduce you. I might be talked into going with, depending when and where you do it, but as far as vouching? Nah, that’ll have to be up to Lucius. I’m not putting myself or my rep on the line for you.”
“Your…rep?”
“Yeah. Garrett Green’s not only my landlord and my friend’s mate—he also sends work my way.”
