The reminder delivered the ice water I needed, dousing any complications.
“I’ll leave you to it,” Amelia said. “Contact me when the meeting’s over.” She glanced between Cillian and me. Right. So that she could return me to my cage.
I didn’t bother responding, just settled into the seat with my coffee and then extracted the laptop from the bag. Once I got it started, a bolt of normalcy shuddered through me, something I’d been craving for so long. The idea of just settling behind the keys, losing myself in typing and notes, sounded like total bliss right now.
Silence spread between us because the man was as sociable as a kumquat.
“Any preferences for the notes?” I asked as I opened the software on the laptop.
“Most of what my business partners have to say is drivel. They don’t understand the inner workings of the Spires, and the way they run their casinos repulses me.”
What a gem this guy was. It was a marvel that anyone showed up to these meetings in the first place. I shook my head, continuing to stare at the screen.
“Holding back?” he asked, his voice low with a dangerous edge. “How unlike you.”
“How’s there any room for your business partners when your ego’s taking up all the space?” I commented dryly as I set a header for today’s notes.
His chuckle reverberated through the room. “Careful, Beau, unless you want to find out if the rumors about me are true.”
Even though a frisson of fear trickled through me, I stared him square in those golden eyes. “Well, if you dispose of me, you’ll be out one hell of a personal assistant.”
“That remains to be seen.” He settled at the head of the table, dripping pure arrogance.
And I had to sit beside him for the next three hours.
I swallowed another gulp of coffee to protect my sanity.
***
“The upper areas are a waste of prime real estate,” Frederick, one of the owners of Red’s Casino, spoke up. While I agreed they were a waste, I didn’t think the space needed to become yet another hotel or casino. We could do so much more, something productive for the denizens of Peregrine City.
“What I do with the upper areas of the building I own is none of your damn business,” Cillian growled, as sociable and charming as ever. He’d been surly and disagreeable throughoutthe entire meeting with just about everyone at the table. Why did he even bother entertaining them?
“You know Thorin’s expanding his territory here. It won’t be long before the Spires loses its steady stream of clientele. He’s going to make a grab at installing more of his people in the Pits too,” Chadwick complained.
Cillian’s brows drew together, his gaze stormy. “What do I give a damn about Thorin? Let him try to press in on this space.”
“The rest of us are concerned,” Frederick said. “You might have the reputation of being ‘The Beast,’ but that will only go so far.”
Most of these men were human and older, though a vampire and a naga sat at the table as well. It was refreshing to see the variety, though it made sense that a demon like Cillian would include other monsters in the mix. While Cillian was as stubborn and unyielding as the rest of them, I could admit the whole meeting felt a bit pointless. Still, my notes were detailed yet succinct, and I utilized necessary bullet point lists and summaries for each section.
We’d paused for breakfast when it had been delivered, which had resolved my question about food, and I’d even been able to refresh my coffee. The buffet had contained a variety of pastries and fruit, including the usual danishes and croissants, but the inclusion of saltwater tarts—a New Atlantis delicacy—for the naga, and blood biscuits for the vampire, was surprisingly considerate.
“We need to wind this meeting down,” Cillian said. “Our time’s almost up, and I have other matters to address.”
A few of the guys bristled, annoyed at the way Cillian dismissed them, but the others heaved a sigh, as if they were used to his rudeness and also eager for the meeting to end.
I made some quick readjustments to the notes I’d taken while the guys made a few more attempts at pushing their agendas,which Cillian promptly blocked. I tucked away the name Thorin, though, curious as to why he’d elicited such a strong reaction. In this mode, digesting information, I operated at my greatest function, and I felt the best I had since I’d first agreed to take my father’s place.
“Since you’ve got better help now, can we get a copy of the notes your assistant’s been taking?” Chadwick asked.
I withheld my lip curl, barely. These men treated me like I didn’t exist, which told me everything I needed to know about their merit. “I can provide copies,” I announced, stepping in without invitation.
Cillian arched a brow at me, and I arched one back at him. If he wanted a docile, submissive thing, he’d picked the wrong man.
He turned and stared down at the group still at the table. “You heard him. If you want notes, send an email. This meeting is concluded, so see yourselves out.”
Wow, what a charmer. I saved the notes and shut off the programs before powering down the laptop. Rustling sounded all around me as everyone started to meander out, some leaving and others chatting with each other in quieter tones. Cillian remained seated next to me, as looming and ominous as ever. I slipped my laptop into my bag and rose, and he did as well.
