Donna dressed in thick leggings, a T-shirt, and a big cardigan. She added a pair of woolly slippers. Comfortable clothes for an uncomfortable day. And not just because of the task at hand. Dawn had just about arrived, and with it, more snow flurries.
She didn’t feel cold, and the penthouse was certainly at a pleasant temperature, but something about the gray, snowy day—and the terrible situation with Rico—made her want to bundle up. She pulled the cardigan around her and went to the kitchen to make some coffee.
Pierce showed up a few minutes later as her cup finished brewing. He’d probably hung up his tux instead of just throwing it on the bed like she had with her gown.
She added cream and sugar, then leaned against the counter to drink some while he made a cup for himself. “We really need Temo and Charlie at the table with us.”
He nodded. “I’m sure they can bring their laptops in here.”
With perfect timing, Charlie strode back in, still in her off-the-shoulder evening gown and borrowed diamond necklace. “Letter’s drafted.”
“That was fast. Thank you.” And of course she’d done it while still in her party clothes. “Why don’t you bring your laptop in here and work with us after you change? I’m sure Van Marten’s will want their jewels back too. Can we get that taken care of? That would be one less thing to worry about.”
“Absolutely. I’ll call them on my way to change and tell them they can send a messenger anytime. Back in a few.”
“Thanks, Charlie. And ask Temo to join us when he can as well. Tell him to change too. I’m sure he’d like to get out of that suit.”
Charlie nodded. “Will do.”
“Oh! Sorry, one more thing. I want to bring Jerabeth in on this. Rixaline said fae magic was involved at the stronghold, so I thought maybe Jerabeth could help with that. You have any objections to including her?”
“Not at all. But…” At the mention of the elemental witch who worked as the governor’s gardener, Charlie hesitated, but only to look at the time. “She won’t be in the greenhouse yet. Still pretty early for her. I could call her and see if she could come in sooner.”
“Do you think she’ll be useful? Because if you don’t, tell me now.”
“She knows about your…special abilities, and she’s definitely skilled. She could absolutely be an asset.”
“Any downside?”
Charlie thought for a second, then shook her head. “At worst, she might not be able to help. But I don’t believe that will be the case.”
“If you trust her, then that’s good enough for me. Bring her in.”
She pulled her phone out. “Sending her a text right now.”
“Thanks. See you when you get back.”
Charlie nodded as she walked out, thumbs flying over the screen.
Donna went back to her coffee. Pierce fixed his cup, then put the creamer back in the fridge. “You’re going to need to feed soon if you don’t sleep.”
She nodded, her mug cradled between her hands. “I know. But that can wait a little longer.”
He gave her a look that said he wasn’t going to let her forget. She smiled, despite everything else. As if there was any other way to respond to the dedication he showed in looking after her.
The door chimes rang.
She straightened and stared at him. “Who could that be? Security didn’t call up that anyone was coming.”
He put his cup down. “Then it has to be someone who’s on the vetted list. I’ll get it.”
“I’m coming with you. If they’re on the list, then they can’t be an enemy, right? At least I’d hope not.”
He glanced at her, frowned, but said nothing.
“You’re thinking about Fitzhugh, I can tell. Hey, maybe he’s come to apologize.”
“In the state he was in, I’m guessing he’s passed out somewhere.”
She didn’t argue as she followed him to the door. Fitzhugh had been pretty drunk. She stayed back a little as Pierce reached for the handle.
He opened the door, revealing two women who looked like they could be Italian or Hispanic. One was probably a decade older than Donna and had a definite chip-on-her-shoulder vibe. The other one was another decade or so beyond the first, more like Francine’s age. They were petite, well dressed, and looked like they could hold their own in a fight. Or start one.
Pierce greeted them with a smile. “Can I help you ladies?”
The younger one looked past him to nod at Donna. “You’re the governor? Belladonna Barrone?”
She took a few steps closer. “I am. How can I help you?”
The older woman answered, an icy-blue, othernatural light flashing in her eyes as she lifted her chin. “I am Louisa Valentina Medina.” That was a mouthful. And she shared a last name with Rico. Coincidence? Donna didn’t think so. “I am the alpha of the New Jersey pack. In case you don’t know, that means I’m the leader, vampire.”
Donna canted her head slightly. “I know what alpha means.”
“Good. One more thing. I am also Rico Medina’s grandmother.”
Chapter Two
Louisa Valentina gestured to the younger woman beside her. “This is the pack’s alpha-elect, Maria Antonella.”
Maria Antonella’s eyes narrowed, and the same othernatural light sparked in them. “I’m Rico’s mother. LV and I would like to have a word with you.”
Donna nodded, a little stunned that the women at her door weren’t just werewolves, but also Rico’s grandmother and mother. And they were the leaders of the New Jersey pack. She’d been right about it not being coincidental, but it also seemed like a thing Rico might have mentioned.
But if being married to the mob had taught her anything, it was how to deal with the unexpected. “Please, come in. It’s good you came, actually. I would have called you in a little while anyway.”
Maria Antonella made a face. “You would have called us?”
“Absolutely. We’re just getting ourselves organized here. I didn’t know you knew already.”
Donna’s answer did nothing to erase the look on Maria Antonella’s face.
Pierce stepped back, opening the door wider. They came in, studying the penthouse as if it had secrets to share. Their nostrils flared, and they seemed to be sniffing the air.
No, they were definitely sniffing the air.
“He’s not here,” Maria Antonella said to LV.
“I don’t think he has been either.” LV finally made eye contact with Donna again, scanning her like something on her person might be of interest.
Donna felt like she’d missed something. Did they think Rico was here? Unless there was someone else they were talking about, but that seemed highly unlikely. “You’re talking about Rico, right?”
Maria Antonella glared. “Who else would we be talking about?”
Pierce shut the door, then rejoined them. “Can I get you something to drink? Coffee? Water? Juice?”
“Black coffee, two sugars,” LV answered.
“How about my son?” Maria Antonella shot back.
“Toni,” LV chided as Pierce went off to the kitchen.
Donna did her best not to react too strongly. “I understand you’re upset. I am too.”
LV’s dark, penciled brows lifted. “What do you have to be upset about? That he isn’t here? That you can’t get to whatever love nest you have him stashed in?”
Donna slowly closed her mouth but continued staring at the woman. “Um…you think I have him stashed in a love nest? We need to back this conversation up. There’s been some misinformation somewhere.”
“Listen, vampire, I know what I know. He’s sweet on you and now this,” Maria Antonella snarled.
Rico liked her? That was news. Donna blinked as she tried to process the rest of the situation. “And by ‘this,’ you mean—”
“He didn’t show up for the pack run last night,” Maria Antonella said. “He isn’t answering his phone or his texts either. We figured he’s shacked up with you. We know you two have be
en working closely together. We know he has feelings for you. And we know the allure of a strong, virile male wolf to the female vampire. So where is he?”
Donna took a breath. This was worse than she’d thought. “There is nothing going on between us except a working relationship. I promise you he’s not here or in a love nest. But I know where he is.”
“Where?” LV asked.
“Yeah, where?” Maria Antonella relaxed a tiny bit.
Donna gestured toward the kitchen. “Why don’t you come in and sit down so I can explain?”
Thankfully, they seemed amenable to that. Donna led them in, then let them pick their seats before choosing one herself. Pierce brought LV’s coffee over with another for Donna, which she was definitely about to need. He returned a second later with sugar, creamer, and spoons.
Donna let LV fix her coffee first, then helped herself to the cream and sugar as she selected her words carefully. “I wish we were meeting under different circumstances. I also wish I had something different to tell you than what I’m about to.”
She looked up at the women, making careful eye contact. “Rico has been kidnapped by the fae. He’s being held at their stronghold. I highly suspect King Dredward is behind this.”
The color drained from both women’s faces. Maria Antonella let out a little gasp and crossed herself. “How did this happen? How do you know this?”
“It happened because I took in a young girl who’s half fae, half vampire and—”
“Dhamfir,” LV whispered.
Donna nodded. “Yes. I gave her sanctuary. The fae were treating her terribly. But King Dredward wants her back, so he had Rico kidnapped to use as leverage. I know this because the fae sent us a video. The girl, Rixaline, recognized the holding cell as the dungeons in the stronghold. We have forty-eight hours to rescue him.”
Charlie walked into the kitchen, now in a gray knit tracksuit. She stopped when she saw the two women.
Maria Antonella’s lips were firmly pressed together, maybe to stop them from quivering. “Show us the video.”
Donna glanced at her admin. “Charlie, this is Louisa Valentina Medina, the alpha of the New Jersey pack, and the alpha-elect, Maria Antonella Medina. They are Rico’s grandmother and mother. Ladies, Charlie is my very capable admin.”
“Call me Toni,” Maria Antonella muttered. “And you can call my mother LV.” She shook her head as she looked at Donna. “I’m sorry for what I accused you of.”
“Don’t give it another thought. I’m a mother. I would probably act the same way if my son went missing. We’re all stressed right now,” Donna answered. She looked at Charlie again. “Can you play the video on the television like you did before? Our guests need to see it.”
“Of course.”
She went into the living room. Donna stood. “Ladies, if you’d like to follow Charlie, she’ll set it to play in there.”
A few minutes later, a stone-faced LV stared at the frozen image of her grandson on the screen. Toni had tears streaming down her face even as her hands were clenched in fists at her sides.
LV finally turned away from the television to look at Donna. “Have you already made a plan to get him back?”
“We’re in the early stages of doing that now. We only just got this video within the hour. But we’re working on a strategy. I hope you’ll join us.”
She nodded. “Your financial abilities exceed anything the wolves can offer, but we are greater in number. And the sunlight doesn’t affect us.”
“I welcome whatever help you’re willing to give. For a long time, your grandson was the only hope I had of escaping my terrible life. I owe him.” Donna held her hand out. “Thank you.”
LV shook her hand, then inhaled deeply. “We have a lot to do and a short time to do it.”
The sound of rapid footsteps was followed by Temo returning. He glanced at the two women, then Donna. “Boss.”
Donna introduced him. “Ladies, please meet Temo Danielson, my very skilled head of security. Temo, this is LV Medina, alpha of the New Jersey werewolves, and Toni Medina, alpha-elect. They’re Rico’s grandmother and mother, and they’re joining with us to rescue him.”
“A pleasure to meet you both.” Temo smiled and nodded, rubbing his hands together. “This is very good.”
Donna clapped her hands. “Let’s get to work.”
They all settled in at the dining room table, Temo at one end, Charlie and Donna at the other, LV and Toni in the middle. Pierce got more coffees and a few glasses of water. When that was done, he took a seat across from the alphas.
Donna put her hand on his arm as she looked at LV and Toni. “I’m sorry, I failed to introduce my assistant and my attorney, Pierce Harrison.”
Toni nodded, and the hint of a sly smile bent her mouth. “I heard about you. You’re the one who saved her from the council. Rico told us about that.”
Pierce tipped his head in acknowledgment. “That was me. But his testimony was pivotal. I like Rico very much. I wish there was more I could do personally to help with this situation.”
A knock at the door interrupted them. Charlie got to her feet. “That’s probably Jerabeth. I’ll get it.”
A moment later, the two women returned to the dining room, introductions were made, and another seat at the table was filled.
As the conversation turned toward the best time to launch the rescue, movement caught Donna’s eye. She turned to see Rixaline hovering at the end of the hall, a sheet of paper in her hands. She motioned to the girl. “Come in.”
Then she held her hand out in Rixaline’s direction and spoke to the werewolves. “This is Rixaline, the dhamfir I told you about. She’s the key to our plan because she knows how to get to the fae stronghold.”
LV shook her head. “King Dredward is supposed to be impossible to find.”
“Nothing is impossible for Rixaline to find. That’s why the fae want her back so badly. Plus, she was held at that stronghold, so she knows it better than anyone.” Donna looked up at the girl, who now stood timidly beside her. “You drew the map?”
She nodded and held the paper out. She swallowed as she stuck near Donna.
“Thank you so much.” Was it the presence of the wolves that frightened Rix? Donna wasn’t sure, but something had the teenager on edge. She took the map and laid it flat on the table. “You did a good job.”
“Charlie gave me the colored pencils,” Rixaline said quietly.
“Smart choice.” It was actually a pretty decent rendering with trees in green, paths in gray, water in blue. The fortress was a dark purple square with a small rectangle just in front of it. That rectangle was labeled as a gate. “The stronghold is in a forest?”
Rixaline nodded. “Yes.” She tapped a small brown square near the top of the map. “There’s a castle here, but the fae call it the folly because it’s just for show. That’s not where the fae are. They’re in the big purple square. Although the stronghold isn’t really a square. I don’t know the real shape.”
Donna looked closer as everyone else did the same.
“A castle that’s just for show?” Pierce leaned over her shoulder to see the map. “Wait a minute. Those paths look familiar. In fact, this all looks very much like the Ramble in Central Park.” He straightened to see Rixaline better. “Are you telling me the fae stronghold is in the middle of Manhattan?”
“That sounds…right,” Rixaline said as she tipped her head in thought. “The woods is surrounded by city. I know because that’s part of what helped me escape. I disappeared into the crowds, and they didn’t dare take me with all those people around.”
Toni shook her head. “How is that possible? I’ve never heard of any kind of fortress in the park besides Belvedere Castle, which is what I’m guessing the folly is.”
Pierce nodded. “Has to be.”
“Y-you can’t see the stronghold.” Rixaline twisted her fingers together. “Unless you have fae blood or are under fae control.”
“Fae magic is a remark
able thing,” Donna said.
Rixaline nodded.
LV frowned but spoke softly. Like a grandmother. “What does that mean, child? Under fae control?”
Everyone looked at Rixaline.
She seemed to shrink in on herself. “I’m not sure. I think if a fae has ahold of you. Like actually touching you. Or you are under their power in some way. Rico is under their control, so I’m sure he can see the stronghold around him. That’s just how fae magic works. I don’t know more than that.”
“Thank you,” Donna said. “That was helpful.”
Jerabeth raised a finger, the first time she’d interjected since arriving. “I think I have a solution for that. But…I’m going to need some pretty difficult-to-get ingredients. At least one toughie anyway.”
Donna turned toward the witch. “And that would be?”
Jerabeth grimaced. “A live fairy. Because I need their blood.”
Chapter Three
Donna groaned softly. “You said difficult, but a live fae sounds impossible.”
Toni shook her head as she sat up straighter. “There has to be another way.”
“I’m sure there is,” Jerabeth said. “But I don’t know what it would be.”
Rixaline stuck her arm out. “You can have my blood.”
Jerabeth’s smile was sympathetic. “That’s a kind offer, but you’re only half fae. I’m not sure it would work. And this doesn’t seem like a situation where we’re going to get a second chance.”
“I agree,” LV said. “We have to do this right the first time, or they’ll kill him. I have no doubt. And that would lead to war, because I assure you I would not let the murder of my grandson go unavenged.”
Donna leaned her head into her hand, her fingers over her left temple. “I hate to say this, but we need to tell the vampire governor of New York what’s about to happen in his state.”
Toni curled her lip. “A better governor wouldn’t let those fae run rampant.”
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