Paul grins, but his lips wobble as he notices Gideon’s expression, which has flipped from friendly to dangerous.
Gideon points to the door, the gesture sharper than any blade. His voice is low and dangerous when he says. “Your help isn’t required, Badica. Go back to your woody woodcuts.”
“But—”
Gideon snaps his fingers. Two hulking security goons appear and drag Badica to the exit. Patrons step out of their way. No one daressay a word in Badica’s defence. That’s the power Gideon Blake has at Sanctus – a power he wears as well as that exquisitely-tailored suit.
“That’s my client!” Winnie plants her hands on her hips and glares at Gideon.
“He was my client, too.” I stroke Cleo VII’s back until she settles. “He used to frequent my theatre in Paris, back when he was a cardinal. I can assure you that whatever you saw in those woodcuts is tame compared to the things he made usgrandes horizontalesdo.” I glare at Gideon. “How could you let him in here?”
“Truthfully, I have no memory of him. When I was at La Petite Mort, I had eyes for only one vampire.”
I fold my arms, refusing to acknowledge the delight fizzing in my stomach at his words. The depth of his feelings for me will only make my revenge that much sweeter. “He is a pervert and a scoundrel. He treated my girls appallingly.”
He has seen too much. He will tell anyone who listens what I used to do. He’s already told people.
I’m not ashamed of La Petite Mort. I’m not ashamed of being a sex worker, but I am ashamed that I ever had to take money from men like him, men who saw me and my girls as things he could possess.
He will ruin the life I’ve made for myself here.
He will ruin my revenge.
As much as the vampire community thinks it is inclusive and accepting, as much as Gideon has promised that Sanctus Estate is a place where our kin can be ourselves, they won’t want their exclusive little enclave sullied by agrandes horizontales, especially not one who ousts their beloved leader.
“Your girls?” Winnie looks confused.
I glare at her until my words sink in and her cheeks redden.
Winnie’s face falls. “Arabella, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know. I was so excited to get my first Sanctus client, but I’m not working for someone like that. I’ll drop him immediately.”
Gideon’s face darkens. “And I’ll revoke his membership.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Why would you do that? In case you’ve forgotten, you need his money.”
“You have to feel safe here,” he says simply.
The ice encasing my heart cracks open.
I don’t know what safe feels like.
I’ve been hiding for so long, lying low, staying in the shadows, keeping myself small because I have to hold on to the thin sliver of freedom I’ve clawed out for myself. No matter how successful I am, no matter how much money I save, it never feels like enough, because I’ve lost it all before…
My heart feels too raw, too exposed. I can’t meet Gideon’s eyes. I can’t bear the openness in his words. He’s not supposed toprotectme.
“Arabella?” Winnie asks. “Are you okay?”
I swallow. I’m finding it hard to breathe.
“I’m fine. It’s the dust down in the vault.” I drag her towards the entrance to the basement, my skin prickling with the awareness of Gideon’s eyes on my back. “Winnie, you get started organising the coins. I’ll create the inventory and make some calls to my buyers. Gideon, you stand out of the way and try not to break anything. Let’s see if we can save Sanctus Estate.”
And while we’re at it, let’s destroy Gideon Blake.
Only then will I truly be safe.
15
Gideon
