“Raquel—the girl to have gone missing in 1924—was Robert’s mate at the time.”
Mate? “Robert dated a decoy?”
“They were quite close, actually. In love.”
How ridiculous was it that I was jealous of a woman who’d been with Robert almost a hundred years ago? “What happened to her?” I asked, immediately realizing how stupid the question was. She’d disappeared.
“Nobody knows, of course, but Robert was the last one to see her alive. She vanished from a beach. While he was swimming, I believe. There one minute, gone without a trace the next. He was a wealthy businessman even back then, and Raquel was a budding actress. Beautiful, beautiful couple. Naturally, they had a lot of eyeballs on them—envious eyeballs,” he said, clucking his tongue. “The papers were all over the disappearance, which they already had pegged as a murder. All suspicion fell on Robert. Ugly stuff. Robert had to go into hiding while the whole thing blew over, but he eventually managed to distance himself from the story.”
It was a lot to process. “You don’t think . . . I mean, Robert didn’t do it, obviously, right?”
Michael chuckled. “No, no, no! I would never let you decoy for him if I thought he did.”
I sensed there was something more. “But there are still others who think he hurt Raquel?”
“A few, yes.” Another sigh. “If there’s one thing you’re going to learn about vampires, Olivia, it’s that we love to hold grudges.”
“You all must have great memories,” I said, just to say something.
“Like you wouldn’t believe! I know a vamp who is still angry at the contractor who did shoddy brickwork on his castle in the Middle Ages,” he said. “Raquel was so lovely, and she’d made many vampire friends while she was a decoy. I believe you met one of them, Patrick?”
I thought for a moment. “Right, my fellow Dewhurst alum.” I wondered how Michael knew that we’d met, but vampires probably conversed the same way humans did. Either that or, which I thought more likely, Michael had his friends keep an eye on the decoys to ensure we were doing our jobs. Good thing I’d been polite.
“Patrick doesn’t genuinely believe that Robert hurt Raquel, I don’t think, but he does hold Robert responsible for not protecting her properly. A lot of vampires did and still do, which I find ridiculous,” Michael said sharply. “And Marlena . . .”
I felt my eyebrows raise. He didn’t follow up, so I finished for him. “She blames Robert, too?”
“Marlena doesn’t concern herself too much with blame. Consequences, on the other hand,” he paused. “She has a flair for vengeance. It was because of the Raquel tragedy that Marlena instilled the strict no romance policy at Dignitary. She says scandal is bad for business, and I’m afraid I agree.”
I braced myself to be fired. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted.
He surprised me by saying, “Still, as you are aware, Marlena and I do not agree on everything. Which brings me to why I asked you to call me.”
“Oh?”
“I see no rationale in turning away clients if they are not causing any harm to our decoys or Dignitary.”
I held my breath, not daring to feel hopeful.
“Robert has called and requested more time with you.”
“Really?” I squealed, my entire body tingling. Smooth. I cleared my throat and said evenly, “He did?”
“Yes, he’s booked you for three more outings. Don’t worry, I’ve penned Robert in under a different name in our books. This goes without saying: if Marlenadoeshappen to ask, it would be best if you tell her you’ve been decoying for a vampire named Bradley Linn.”
I did a fist pump as I let out a silent cheer. With casualness I hoped didn’t seem exaggerated, I said, “Got it. When’s the next event?”
“Tomorrow night at midnight, if you’re available? Robert said it’s a casual affair, so there’s no need for a gown this time.”
I wanted to laugh.IfI was available. I would have cancelled a vacation in the Bahamas, if it meant seeing the gorgeous immortal for a few hours. “That will work, Michael, thank you.” Already, I was worried about what a “casual affair” was to vampires like Robert and Michael, given their natural elegance.
“Fantastic. I’ll let him know.” As if sensing my apprehension, he added, “I’ve couriered over an outfit for you to wear for the event. It should arrive any minute now.”
I grinned. “What if I hadn’t been available?”
“Something told me you would be,” he said sassily. Michael wasn’t stupid. Did he knowhow muchI liked Robert was the question. “I wanted to spare you a trip here, with Marlena being so opposed to you decoying for Mr. Bramson. There’s no need to have you lie to her, if such a situation could be avoided.”
“I appreciate that, Michael. Thank you—for sparing me a trip and, um, the other thing.” I doubted I would have been able to lie to Marlena, had I run into her at Dignitary. Her icy glare probably would have had me confessing the moment I laid eyes on her.
