I keep an eye out as he drives. All I see are the normal views of Tucson at night, something I rarely see.
Here I am, two nights in a row, I’m out and about in it.
With a guy I barely know.
With avampireI’m already falling in love with.
“You’ve already bought a house, haven’t you?” I ask without looking.
A pleased tone fills his voice. “An apartment building with an appropriate penthouse. It’s a sound business investment. I’ll buy a house eventually, but I want to see them in person before I make a choice. John and Mark know my preferences for accommodations and can have the arrangements made to convert the penthouse. It already has a safe room. It just needs to be expanded to the full bedroom and en suite.”
I should have known. I look over at him. “I know it’s not my building, because it doesn’t have a penthouse, and it’s in Garrett’s territory.”
“Just on the edge of it,” he admits. He can’t hide his pleased smile. “Not far from the property I’m buying for the resort. I’ll be able to directly oversee the construction that way.”
“How long will it take to fix up the penthouse?”
“They can install temporary shades by the end of the week, but I would not be living there during the actual renovation. There’s an apartment just one floor down they will prepare for me to live in, and it will be ready by next Wednesday. We’re in the process of buying out the other residents on that floor so my people can live there.” He glances my way with a playful smirk. “Even has a west-facing balcony.”
“Meaning slightly later mornings, but longer days.”
“Once the sun’s behind the mountains to the west, it’s safe for me.”
It’s…overwhelming. “How can you just uproot yourself like this overme?”
“Not just over you, love. Now that I’ve found a reason to continue living, I realize how much fun it is. And the casino project will go on.”
“Don’t you have to get permitting permissions for that? Gaming license?”
This smile is the hard, cold one of a businessman. I’ve seen Lucius wear a similar smile countless times when discussing negotiations that impact his bottom line. “Those will not be obstacles.”
It smacks me in the head what he means. “Because you’re a vampire and can compel them, or because you’re rich enough to buy them?”
“Yes.”
Ah…I face forward, my mind once again swinging back to totally freaked out.
This is moving way too fast. Isn’t it? Is it me, or my blood, that he’s falling for? He hadn’t evenfuckedme yet before he bought an entire apartmentbuilding?
How does he go from wanting to die to wanting…me?
I’m not just freaked out—I’mterrified. Because this feels like it could go atomic-bomb levels of bad if it explodes.
* * *
Dexter
“It’s a verybeneficial deal for Green’s pack,” I add. “Immediate employment for any who need it. Safe emergency housing. Assistance ferreting out any other Data-X labs and destroying them. Not to mention, providing a lucrative contract for Wolf Ridge Brewery.”
That’s run by Garrett Green’s father, Phoenix pack Alpha Emmett Green. We will prominently feature their products, which will help smooth any ruffled fur Garrett’s father might have regarding my project.
It also means that, yes, Iamchoosing to support the younger Alpha, even though the two cities are separate packs. Garrett Green is the future of wolves and only wants what’s best for them—protection and survival.
I can help him provide that.
It also means I can help prevent challenges to his position as Alpha before they even happen. We’re not so different. Garrett has already proven himself an intelligent and wily businessman. He’s hungry in a smart way, without being greedy.
That he feels concern for Eilidh as a friend and as an Alpha means I wish to keep him as happy as a vampire can keep a reluctant business partner.
