What I couldn’t understand was why this guy was pushing so hard to talk business with Rossi. Unless that wasn’t what was going on.
For probably the first time in my life I wished Rossi were listening in on my thoughts. But since I didn’t have that skill, and in theory all vamps were instructed not to eavesdrop on mortal brains in town, I wanted to tell this guy to back off before he made himself a nuisance to the pissed off vampire who looked like he’d rather have the guy over for a midnight snack.
“Hey Jake,” Crow said, “I’d like to take you up on your offer to talk over that property I own out by Road’s End.”
Crow owned property in Road’s End? That was some of the most sought-after real estate in town.
“We’ll catch up tomorrow,” Old Rossi said. “Come by any time. My class schedule is on the web page. We’re flexible about start and stop times.”
I watched Jake try to tamp down his anger at being blown off. He clamped his back teeth and offered a stilted smile.
“Sure. That will be fine. I’ll come out tomorrow.”
“Thanks again for your time,” Ryder said. “Rossi, Crow, Chief.” He started toward the door. “Coming, Jake?”
Jake did not look like he wanted to go anywhere. He also looked like he didn’t like Ryder telling him what to do.
“Actually, I’d love it if you sat in on the talk, Ryder.” Crow flicked me aYou’re welcomelook. “How about I buy you gentlemen coffee? There’s a new bakery in town I’ve been wanting to try out.”
Well, that was amazing. Crow offered to cover the bill. Pretty sure it was gonna start raining frogs soon.
I might even buy an umbrella hat if that happened.
“See you later, Delaney.” He also started for the door. Jake had no choice but to walk down the hall too.
I wanted to thank Crow for getting Jake off my hands, and not giving Rossi a chance to agree to a late meeting with the man. I didn’t know what Jake really wanted, but every instinct inside me said he wasn’t just a real estate developer.
Ryder, at the door, glanced back at me and there was a look in his eyes and a rakish smile I couldn’t ignore.
Then all three men were gone, leaving me and the vampire.
“I don’t like him,” I said.
“Crow?” Rossi asked.
“Jake.”
“The Reeds have always had good instincts.”
“Promise you won’t kill him.”
Rossi didn’t say anything for a long moment. Finally: “I’ll make us some tea while we wait for Etta to arrive.”
“That wasn’t a promise.”
“The Reeds have always been perceptive too.”
~~~
Etta showed up halfway through my first cup of tea. Old Rossi’s kitchen was state-of-the- art stone and chrome with navy blue accents.
His tea collection covered an entire wall of the kitchen, loose leaves carefully displayed in small glass containers. There had to be a couple thousand dollars worth of tea on those shelves.
After being informed that some of the leaves were rarer than the town, he brewed me a small pot of something that gave off a surprising peach fragrance. His own cup smelled strongly of wood and a deep green that reminded me of rain in the forest.
Etta arrived silently, in that vampire way. “You needed me?”
She wore a hoodie and jeans and was leaner than the last time I’d seen her. Her wide brown eyes were red rimmed and her dark skin seemed pale, the tumbling curls of her hair pulled back in a tight band.
