A growl rumbles low in my throat. A warning.
“And here I thought this was an open invitation.” He clucks his tongue as I grab the door handle and close off Monty from view. We walk over to the living room area and I sit in an armchair, while Santiago takes a spot on the couch.
I give him a smile that’s full of teeth and dark anger. “I’ve asked you this already once, but I’m going to ask you again. And I expect the truth. Why are you here?”
“There’s an opening, with de Santis’s enterprise gone,” Santiago says. “One that’s gaping wide. And I’m looking to expand Sanguine.”
“Two media powerhouses in one city isn’t a wise business move.”
He smiles. “Maybe it’s time for—what’s that human saying? Out with the old and in with the new.”
“I’m not giving up my hold on Tenebris,” I say. “Or any of the east coast for that matter.”
“And here I thought you weren’t afraid of a little competition.”
“I’m not.” But something tells me he’s not just talking about business. “You mentioned the Rogues?”
He picks imaginary threads off the sofa’s armrest. “Ah, yes. Raleigh has asked for my help. An alliance. Against you.”
Raleigh…and Santiago? Their motives might start at the same place, with humans knowing of our existence, but they quickly diverge into opposite directions. Raleigh wants peace. Santiago wants to rule.
I don’t see how what he’s saying is true.
“I’ve never had an issue with Rogues,” I tell him. “Their numbers are still small.”
He smiles. “That’s what you think.”
Annoyance pricks up my spine.
“So, did you take his offer?” I ask. “Should I be ready for a war?”
“I guess,” he says, dropping his voice, “that’s something you’re just going to have to find out yourself.”
I stand. “I suppose it is. I have a meeting with Raleigh later. I’m sure he’ll tell me.”
“You don’t trust me?” His green eyes flash. “Unless…you would rather us band together, merge companies, change the status quo.” He rises to his feet, too. “Things get stale and die when they don’t move, Lucian. You of all people should know that.”
“Right,” I say and gesture to the elevator. I see him off, and as the elevator doors shut, I lean against the wall and call Vittoria.
She doesn’t pick up. So I wait.
I deliberately move Santiago’s eyeing my Monty from my head along with his stupid warning, because it coils and twists and stirs things that muddy inner waters.
What am I missing? Anything? Santiago’s got an agenda, but I think he just wants to build power, and by starting a fight with the Rogues he’ll… Shit. It’ll be war. A different kind of crusade.
The man’s an opportunist, someone who’s known to show up when there might be a swing in power or an upset.
Vittoria calls back. “I’m dealing with an issue. Can this wait?”
“An issue you need me for?”
“An issue about stealing from Vale Hart.” I can almost hear her smile. “Nothing I can’t handle. Problems?”
“Not sure. Just saw Santiago,” I say. “I think he wants to stir up trouble with the Rogues.”
“That’s idiotic. Even I know they’re not a threat. Raleigh is a pussy. Wants us all to hold hands and sing ‘Kumbaya’.” She sounds disgusted, even though she fucks him when she wants to.
“Unless he’s playing a long game,” I say.
