Page 39 of Blades and Bone

Fuuucck. It was too late to change his story.

Chapter Nineteen

A Reid vampire was blocking the meeting room door. Brodie’s phone was in the middle of the table because he’d pulled it out to call security. Everyone’s fangs were down.

“We didn’t poison anyone,” Vivian said for the third time.

“And yet my daughter has lesions on her skin, and she has only eaten the food you provided,” Ann hissed. She was no longer sitting, and her hands splayed across the table.

Vivian remained in her seat even though, like him, he was sure she wanted to stand…or even walk out. His role was to back her up, much like Garrick did for Ann. Their third was Vivian’s bodyguard, and he was facing the Reid guarding the door. If anyone blinked the wrong way, blood would be spilled, and that would definitely fuck up the treaty.

“Either it was your family, or secret allies, or you have spies operating in your resort. Neither is a good look for you,” Garrick added as if Brodie didn’t understand the implications of the accusation.

“We have no secret allies,” Vivian snarled, matching Ann’s aggression.

If it came to a fight, they wouldn’t be leaving the meeting room alive. They should never have agreed to having fewer people in the room just because it was home turf.

A knock on the door made everyone freeze.

“Mr. Ashby, the plumber is here,” a woman said.

Brodie tilted his head and looked at Ann. “As promised. Let’s have a drink and work through some options with less hungry hearts.”

Ann nodded and sat, and while her fangs weren’t retracted, she rearranged her lips into something closer to neutral.

“Come in,” Brodie called.

The Reid vampire guarding the door took a couple of steps back and flattened himself against the wall.

The door opened and Hamish, wearing a resort uniform T-shirt, stepped in.

Brodie heard everyone’s blink of surprise and glared at Garrick. What had he put Hamish up to?

Garrick closed his eyes and leaned back with a groan.

“Shut the door and join us,” Vivian ordered.

Hamish obeyed without any backchat, which must be a bloody first.

Vivian scowled. “What is the meaning of this, Brodie?”

Oh, she was blaming him? Well, he was supposed to be keeping Hamish in check and had clearly failed. He cut Hamish a look, and Hamish lowered his gaze.

Ann sighed. “Hamish, sit next to your husband and start talking.”

Hamish walked over as though it was the last thing he wanted to do and pulled out a chair. He sat as if he expected it to bite him. Brodie wanted to bite him hard enough to make him squeal and beg for forgiveness.

“Well?” Brodie demanded even though he was glad for the distraction.

“I was told about the poisoning and came to investigate.” For how long had Hamish worked on that line that carefully revealed very little?

“And what did you discover?” Ann snapped.

“Nothing, as I didn’t get a chance. But if you let me leave, I will question the staff.” Hamish kept his voice carefully level, but his pulse was rapid like a rabbit surrounded by foxes.

“So you stole a shirt, broke in, and did God knows what to your guard and achieved nothing aside from making the situation worse.” Brodie glared at him, but Hamish kept his gaze on the table.

“I didn’t hurt anyone.”