She shook her head. “On the contrary. You went out on a limb for me again and again, and I’m really grateful.” Then she sighed. “Also, thank you for not telling my sister I was going to go to Paris without you.”
I held back a grin. I’d been close to flipping out at the time, but now, I recognized it for what it was: the spontaneity that made this woman so fascinating — and the admirable capacity to admit to her mistakes.
“Thank you for following me around to protect me, too,” she went on, then whispered, “I’m really, truly grateful.”
The shine in her eyes said she knew I’d done it of my own volition, and I searched for plausible excuses. But all I had was,I’ve been following you because I care. Because I hate when we’re apart. Because I lo—
I cut off the thought and ran a hand through my hair. I would come off like a goddamned stalker if I said that. And as for the L-word… That was ridiculous…right?
She blew out a deep breath.
Then she jerked her head up, listening. A moment later, she sighed.
“Mina’s calling a meeting — now, in the drawing room.”
I nodded, having just received the mental message from Bene. Crappy timing in some ways, great timing in others.
When it came to life-and-death situations, I was as courageous as hell. Also when it came to upholding my principles. But when it came to matters of the heart… Denial was a tempting option — or running.
Gen stepped to the candles, hesitated, then blew them out. It took a few puffs, but soon, they were all transformed into fragrant threads of smoke.
Gen transformed, too, from a woman racked by grief to one intent on revenge. Then she strode out with a frighteningly cool, calm demeanor that said,Vampires, watch out.
Chapter Eleven
GENEVIÈVE
That evening, we all gathered in the drawing room. Mina paced restlessly until everyone filed in. I lit another candle for Claudette. Marius served drinks…the hard stuff.
Henrik stood brooding in a corner of the drawing room, gazing out over the night. Bene entered from the kitchen with a platter and crackers, looking uncharacteristically downcast. Roux was the last to join us — freshly showered, I noticed, and wearing a clean shirt.
He shot me a thin smile, which I returned.
I didn’t think such a shitty day could have a silver lining, but it did. I’d learned that touchy tigers had their lovable sides, and I’d gained a true friend.
When he indicated the drinks trolley, I shook my head. After a detour there, he sat beside me on the couch, placing a glass before me.
“Water,” he murmured. “Just in case you change your mind.”
No pressure, just a kind gesture. The man was a gem. I nearly touched his thigh by way of thanks, then whipped my hand away. Oops.
“All right. Let’s get started,” Mina said, looking grim.
Everyone looked up. Clearly, this wasn’t their first crisis meeting.
She opened her mouth to continue, then choked up and looked at her feet.
Marius put a hand on her shoulder, and she forced a smile.
I knew how she felt.Could have, should have, would haveweighed heavily on me too. We’d had the best intentions in hiring Claudette, but had that inadvertently led to her death?
“I know I have to put my emotions aside and think analytically, but it’s hard,” she admitted.
She wasn’t the only one, as a long silence proved.
“We’ll get the bastards who did this,” Marius snarled.
“Hear, hear,” Bene agreed, as did Roux.
