“You’ll protect her from here,” Lois growled. “That’s an order.”
The alpha wolf inside her came through her voice so clearly that every supernatural being in the room lowered their eyes, including Marilee.
“Apparently people think we’re running a democracy here,” Lois grumbled in her normal voice. “When I want your opinions I’ll ask. Which will be never. Now let’s get this shindig started.”
Marilee stomped out of the room without saying goodbye, then the rest of us headed for the garage. My parents and I slid into the backseat of a Sapphic Security SUV that had been modified to look like a rideshare vehicle. Boris was driving.
“You are ready?” he asked.
“As ready as we can be,” I answered.
“What was that all about with the vampire?” my mother asked.
I ignored her.
Donny was meeting us at a house near Capitol Hill, which Marilee had explained included a street called “Millionaire’s Row”. He lived in Boston, but the family owned properties all over the country, so I wasn’t surprised that he was able tofly out and meet us somewhere to talk. The mansion was a little ostentatious, but I expected nothing less from the Murphy family.
“Test microphone before you go,” Boris said, tapping his ear.
“Can you hear me?” I asked, lowering my chin towards my chest where a small microphone lay nestled between my breasts.
Several voices responded affirmatively in my ear.
“Do not lower chin when talking,” Boris said. “Makes obvious what you are doing.”
“Okay, yeah, thanks.”
I got out of the car, smoothing down my dress. Today I wore a ‘mafia princess’ outfit, which was nothing like my usual choice of attire. My dress was pink with a floral pattern. The neckline was conservative, the waistline belted, and the hem fell halfway between my knees and ankles, which did nothing for the shape of my legs. My mother had already helpfully pointed out that the dress made me look like I had ‘sausage legs’. I’d paired the dress with ballet flats that had a little strap across the top of the foot so they wouldn’t fall off if I had to run.
My father grabbed my elbow, pulling me to the door, and I wondered for about the hundredth time if he’d really told us everything.
A woman opened the door in an honest-to-God maid outfit, black with a white frilly apron like something out of a movie.
“This way please,” she said politely, carefully avoiding looking at us. “Mr. Murphy is expecting you.”
The years had not been kind to Donny Murphy. Despite the fact that he was only in his late thirties he already had a double chin and a little paunch that his tailored suit did little to hide. He looked soft and weak, but I knew better than to underestimate him.
“Well, if it isn’t the O’Brians and their prodigal daughter Moira,” he boomed.
“Hi Donny,” I said, adopting the meek tone I was taught to use around men like him. “It’s nice to see you again.”
“I’m sure it is,” he said arrogantly.
His attention turned to my father. “Well, I’m here. Tell me what you came to say.”
“Mind if we sit down?”Daasked.
“Of course. In fact, let me get you a drink… Maria!”
The maid came scurrying in. “Yes Mr. Murphy?”
“Whiskey for myself and Mr. O’Brian. The ladies will have water,” he ordered, not bothering to consult any of us.
“Right away, sir.”
We sat down in the sitting room, my parents on the couch and me on the loveseat across from them. Donny settled in an oversized leather wingback chair that looked like a throne. No one spoke until Maria brought the drinks and left again.
“The Rossis double crossed us,”Dastarted. “They’re playing you, son.”
