“Thanks for coming,” I mumble.
He strides into the room in a tailored and pretentious gray suit, an attaché case in his hand. He’s a partner atthe law firm of Stuck Up, Backed Up, and Fucked Up, aka Goldberg, Weber, and Strunk. Ellison falls in the backed-up category. The guy’s sphincter is constantly clenched. Throw out any idea and Ellison will come up with thirty reasons why you can’t do it. It’s ironic his sign is Cancer because he is literally a cancer on my proactive Aries ass.
We lock eyes and exchange curt nods. Everything I need to happen today revolves around my ability to lead this team, which means a scuffle with Ellison is off the table.
“If everyone could take a seat, I’ll officially call a meeting of the four to discuss retaliation for the murder of civilian Lucy Vale.” I remain standing, my back to the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Upper East Side.
“Have you heard back from Donovan?” Seb asks, dropping into one of my leather side chairs and crossing an ankle over his knee.
“Donovan?” Ellison’s brows shoot skyward and his mouth bends into a scowl. “Are you sure you want to involve him? Why risk his safety when we haven’t even confirmed the Order’s involvement?”
Why do you think, shithead? I can feel my blood heat in my veins. “Their involvement is a given. Lucy Vale was murdered in front of a sculpture of an angel slaying a person with wings we all know represents a dragon. The Order’s motto was written in blood above her head. What other proof do you need? An attack on a dragon civilian on public soil is a breach of the accord. We need to retaliate before it happens again, show them there are consequences. If we can’t get aconfirmation from Donovan, we should pick one of them off and hold them until the Order answers for their crimes.”
Ellison scoffs. “You do that and we’re at war, Connor. We need to contact the Order for an official response first. It’s possible one of their members went rogue. We can’t jeopardize the peace accord unless the Order officially claims responsibility for the attack.”
I take a step toward him, pointing at the ground between us. “Don’t you think the message above Lucy’s head is enough of an admission?”
“Only one way to find out.” Ellison pulls out his cell phone and dials.
“What the fuck are you doing?”
Finger to his lips, he hits Speaker, and we all stare as the device rings once, twice, three times.
“Cifarelli Enterprises, this is Brandy. How may I direct your call?”
“Stefan Cifarelli please.”
“May I ask who’s calling?”
“This is Ellison Weber from Goldberg, Weber, and Strunk, returning his call on a legal matter.”
Like this would ever work.
“One moment please. I’ll transfer you.”
I squint at Ellison.Bastard.
“Stefan Cifarelli’s office. This is Pam. How can I help you?”
“Pam, I’m trying to reach Stefan Cifarelli. I’m returning his call on a legal matter.”
“I’m sorry. He’s not in the office at this time. Can I takea message?”
“Actually, this is a pressing legal matter of urgent importance. Is there a way you could connect us?”
I snort. Have to hand it to the guy, that’s sort of brilliant.
“I’m afraid that’s impossible. Mr. Cifarelli will be out of the office for a personal family event until the middle of next week. Unfortunately, he’s not taking calls, but if I can have your name and number?—”
“Odd. I swear he told me to call him immediately.”
“Sorry, sir.”
“Must be an important event.”
“What message would you like to leave for him?”
“Thank you, Pam. I’ll just call back next week.”
