Heartless (Crossbreed Series Book 9)

by Dannika Dark

  That posed a problem. Raven didn’t have a phone, and Viktor sure as shite wouldn’t want anyone knowing her hotel number. Aside from that, she wasn’t allowed to make personal calls. No sense in worrying the old man.

  “Afraid not,” Christian said. “But you have my word that she’s alive and well, eating Chinese food.”

  “And how would you know that?” Viktor interjected.

  Christian shut his eyes, afraid to turn around. He didn’t make it a habit of tuning in to every sound within the mansion. Had he been listening, he would have heard Viktor approaching from behind the stairs.

  Christian pivoted and greeted him with a respectful nod. “I’ll fill you in on the details later as it’s of a… sensitive nature.”

  Viktor went to greet Crush and uncharacteristically offered his hand to shake. “Apologies. I did not know you were here, Mr. Graves. Can I offer you a drink?”

  Crush gave him a firm handshake. “Just came to check on Raven, but it seems like she’s busy.”

  “Da. Very busy. Perhaps we can arrange a dinner when she returns. I can show you some of my vintage wine.”

  Crush brushed his hand over his mouth and hid his smile. “I appreciate that, but I don’t drink.”

  “Of course. Cigars?”

  “Always loved a good stogie,” Crush said with a chuckle. “Don’t tell Raven.”

  “I’d offer you one now, but I’m afraid I have important business matters to attend to.”

  “That’s okay. I need to head back to the shop. If it’s possible to get a message to Raven, can you have her call me? I don’t need to know what she’s doing or where she is, I just want to make sure she’s all right.”

  “Of course. I’ll see what I can do.”

  Crush clapped Christian on the shoulder as he headed to the door. “Put on a shirt. You’re not that good-looking.”

  “Don’t tumble off your bike and crack your skull, Dad.”

  “Don’t call me Dad, peckerhead.”

  The door slammed.

  Viktor shook his head. “You should work on your people skills.”

  “I’ll make a note of it. Were you here all this time? Gem was searching for you.”

  “I had an appointment. Now what is this about Raven?”

  Christian closed the distance between them and lowered his voice. “There was trouble at the club. Someone gave Raven pure sensory magic. Claude had no choice but to call me in. He could have handled it, but it would have raised suspicion. They’re on top of this job.”

  Christian held his breath at the click of high heels in the hall behind the stairwell. When he recognized a light hum, he shook his head at Viktor. “I didn’t know you had company, or I wouldn’t have said anything about the assignment.”

  “It is okay.”

  Lenore appeared from behind the stairs with a light grip on Hunter’s hand.

  “Did you find the washroom?” Viktor asked. “It can be confusing.”

  “Yes. I just had to powder my nose,” she said with a wink. “This little guy wanted to escort me back.” Her slender fingers cupped the back of his head. “I adore children—especially the quiet ones. I could just eat him up.”

  Christian pressed his lips tightly together.

  Lenore let go of Hunter’s hand, and Hunter skipped toward the room where Switch usually held lessons. “I would like to include Christian in our meeting if that’s okay. I trust him.”

  Viktor gave Christian a cursory glance before turning away. “As you wish. Follow me.”

  Christian and Lenore trailed behind Viktor. He passed the office where he often held intimate meetings and headed toward another study at the back of the mansion. The windowless, dark room was suitable for Vampires, but Viktor lit up all the lanterns and candles.

  “Have a seat.” He gestured to the two wingback chairs before an empty fireplace. The chairs were angled so they faced each other more than the hearth.

  Christian sat down on the brown leather and watched Viktor drag over a third chair from a statue of an archer aiming his arrow at Christian’s chest.

  “I love the Old World charm of your home.” Lenore crossed her legs and straightened out one of her wide pant legs. “The courtyard is simply a treasure. I adore greenery, but I can’t seem to keep it alive without professional help.”

  “That sounds about right,” Christian muttered.

  She sharpened her gaze at him but looked more curious than cross.

  Viktor positioned his chair facing them with his back to the fireplace. “Apologies I cannot offer you a drink. I do not have meetings in here often and forgot to replace the wine I finished off last time. If you would like, I can—”

  “Please don’t trouble yourself,” Lenore insisted. “I much prefer tea to wine, and I had a cup earlier.” Lenore’s lips twitched when she looked at Christian again. “I always seem to catch you without your shirt on. Where on earth would you be at this early hour only half-dressed?”

  Christian dramatically crossed his legs but held back from giving her a dirty look. “Getting my chest waxed.”

  Viktor cleared his throat and shifted to face Lenore. “It is not my habit to include my team in business matters with my clients and contacts. I relay the information to them, and they complete the task.”

  “And I respect that,” Lenore said. “Clearly this is making you uncomfortable, but it’s my first time working an assignment like this, and I don’t know all the rules.”

  Christian furrowed his brow. “What do you mean that by that?”

  Viktor gestured to Lenore. “Miss Parrish is my secret contact for this mission.”

  “You don’t say?” Christian’s stomach turned. No wonder she’d popped in the other day, but why would the higher authority give a new person that level of responsibility?

  Lenore swept a blond tress away from her face and then studied her pearl ring. “I wanted to preside over execution hearings, but I suppose the powers that be preferred me to start on the bottom rung.” She reached over and touched Viktor’s hand. “No offense.”

  “None taken.”

  She sat back. “I prefer to be involved with seeing justice done. They initially wanted me working on redeveloping district twenty, but I insisted on something more challenging. I despise paperwork.”

  Viktor clasped his hands together. “I am honored to have you working with us.”

  Lenore’s graceful movements drew attention whenever she did something even as innocuous as admiring her fingernails. “Viktor and I were in a closed meeting unrelated to this case, and he offered to drive me home. I suggested coming here since I enjoyed my last visit.”

  Viktor swung his gaze to Christian. “Miss Parrish and I were talking in the garage when you were searching for me.”

  Lenore nodded at him. “I have insider information about the assignment. It would be wise of me to forget I ever heard it, but it’s incumbent upon me to share this information despite the risk.”

  Viktor leaned forward, his congenial expression now riddled with concern.

  Lenore uncrossed her legs and fiddled with her slacks as if she weren’t used to wearing them. Normally she wore revealing dresses, but trousers somehow made her appear intelligent. “I must warn you that this mission is excessively dangerous, more so than I first thought.”

  “As all missions are,” Viktor replied, assuring her that this wasn’t Keystone’s first time at bat.

  She folded her hands on her lap. “While I know nothing about who might be behind this, a little bird told me that these fights aren’t just for the rich. Some powerful clients attend them. Possibly politicians. Nothing would please me more than finding out who. There’s a lot of corruption in this city that I’d love to flush out.”

  Christian frowned. While the rich were often corrupt, and blatantly so, politicians had to be careful. Surely they’d never attend such a public event at the risk of someone recognizing them. “Why don’t you make your little bird sing? It would go a lot faster if we had
names.”

  Lenore tilted her neck and lightly traced her finger down her throat. “You have to be careful with birds that sing. Once caged, they’ll never fly free again. Where on earth do you think we get half our tips from?”

  Viktor eased back in his chair and frowned. “Can your insider be certain that politicians are involved? Did they say if it was the higher authority, Mageri, or other council?”

  She lifted her shoulders. “That I don’t know, but we have to assume the worst. It’s a dreadful predicament that makes this dangerous for everyone involved, including me. People in power will do whatever is necessary to protect themselves, and they have the connections to make it happen. I haven’t lived here in many years, and I’m vulnerable. This threat is something I can’t express to anyone else on the panel. Without knowing who’s involved in the crime ring, I can’t chance it getting back to the wrong people. If it weren’t for the Regulators who went to the club, I wouldn’t have told a single soul about this case. But as it stands, too many people inside our agency know there’s an open investigation on locating a fighting ring. I wanted to discuss this in a place where no outsiders could hear. Mr. Kazan—Viktor—do you feel it would be in our best interest to abort the mission?”

  He shook his head. “It is too late. As you said, Regulators and Vampires were involved. This is no longer between you and your informant. While I am aware of the confidentiality agreements your employees must abide by, it may not stop this information from leaking to other representatives.”

  “That’s exactly what I’m afraid of,” she said. “If the politicians panic, fearing exposure, they might take extreme measures to protect their identity. I’m certain they’ll do anything to shut this investigation down.”

  Christian rose from his chair and circled behind it. “And this is why we have to finish what we’ve started. If you have a dirty politician, they won’t quit their fetish. And if we close the case, they’ll make sure that no one will reopen it. Better we expose this operation and shine a light on everyone involved. We’re in too deep to turn back now.”

  Lenore’s heart didn’t quicken, but she clicked her teeth. “It was my decision to call in your group. Sometimes we work with HALO, but this particular case required a specific set of skills. I feel bad that I dragged you into this.”

  “Christian is right,” Viktor said. “Let’s not hasten our decision because of fear. Our work comes with great risk, and forgive my bluntness, but so does yours. I believe this is your first time working with the higher authority. The panel makes life-and-death decisions. They put dangerous criminals behind bars and execute people in front of a crowd. It is not a job without controversy. Surely they briefed you on the risks.” Viktor bowed his head. “Forgive me if I speak out of place.”

  “Honesty is what I value more than anything.” She steered her gaze to Christian. “I sincerely hate putting an old friend in danger.”

  “Christian is not working this assignment,” Viktor assured her. “He is not permitted inside the club, so we’ve sent Raven instead.”

  Christian searched her face for a reaction, but he didn’t get an inkling of what might be going through her mind. Lenore wasn’t as transparent as she wanted people to believe, and Christian had a difficult time getting a read on her.

  Always had.

  “You must feel no guilt for doing your job,” Viktor continued, giving her more reassurance than she deserved. “And no responsibility for what might befall us. Keystone does what others will not. I have chosen my people carefully, and they know the sacrifices they must make. They are as committed as you could hope for and eagerly await each new mission. There is nothing too dangerous for us, so do not restrict jobs because you feel responsible for our safety. Safety is an illusion.” He rose from his chair. “Do you have a bodyguard? It is commonplace among people of your status. Christian served as a guard for many years.”

  She took his hand and stood up. “Think I could borrow him until we close this case? If he’s available, that is. I don’t have time to find a guard on short notice, and to be honest, I don’t trust anyone right now. It would give me peace of mind to know that someone as qualified as Christian was protecting me. I can allocate more money for his services. Unless he’s working on another project…”

  Christian gripped the back of the chair so hard that something ripped.

  Viktor squared his shoulders and nodded his head as if mulling the idea over. “I think this is good. Christian needs something to occupy his mind.”

  For feck’s sake, Christian thought. This had to do with him seeing Raven last night. Viktor was probably afraid that Christian wouldn’t be able to stay away, but he also didn’t have all the facts. Not that it mattered. Once he heard the details, he’d probably find a way to point out all the mistakes and how they could have handled it better—without intervention.

  “Splendid.” Lenore kissed Viktor on the cheek. “You’re an honorable man, and the debt will be repaid.”

  A blush touched his cheek, and he averted his eyes. “Nonsense. I am only doing what is right.”

  Christian backed up from the chair. “Viktor, you might need me here.”

  Lenore touched her pearl ring. “I promise I won’t keep Christian all to myself. If there’s an emergency, please don’t hesitate to call. On that note, if you need anything, I’m available. I want this case to go as smoothly as you do. My life and reputation are on the line, and I think it’s in our best interest to work together. I’m sure Christian will agree on that.”

  As much as he despised siding with Lenore, she was right. “I’ll serve as your guard, but no longer than the length of the mission. You’ll need at least one guard you can trust going forward. I’ll check if my contacts have any openings.”

  “If I were human, I would say that I’ll sleep easier tonight because of you.” She turned her attention to Viktor. “I think I’ll take you up on that drink. Christian will need time to prepare his things and make any necessary arrangements. Since I’m without my driver, I’ll have him take me home.” She turned to Christian. “You do have a car, don’t you?”

  “Will a motorbike do?”

  “How absolutely… Neanderthal.” She laughed blithely and shook her head.

  “Christian makes many jokes,” Viktor said, looking between them. “He has a suitable vehicle. If you will excuse me for a moment while I find a vintage wine. Do you prefer red or white?”

  Her tongue briefly touched the tip of her canine. “White actually.”

  Viktor bowed and quickly left the room to dig around in his wine cellar, which was off-limits to everyone.

  “Viktor’s a good man.” Lenore took her seat again. “He’s a Shifter, isn’t he? I can always tell.”

  Christian rounded the chair and sat across from her. “What are you scheming?”

  She sighed. “Someday you’ll realize that I don’t have ulterior motives. I need protection, and I trust you like I trust no one else. These are dangerous games we play. Viktor’s confidence isn’t enough to put me at ease. If people in power are involved in something this nefarious, they’ll do whatever it takes to hide their business.”

  Christian crossed his legs. “Aye. I know all about people who bury their dirty work.”

  “Still the same unflappable man. Aren’t you the least bit concerned about your Mage companion? Why would Viktor choose her over the little one with the purple hair? I find Raven to be a bit of a maverick.”

  “You almost sound like you care.”

  “I care about my life, and if she does something foolish to jeopardize this case, it puts all our lives in danger.”

  “Rest assured, Raven knows what she’s doing.”

  Lenore sighed and crossed her legs. “I heard there was trouble at the club last night. That’s another reason I’m here. I hope for your sake she has it under control.” Her eyes skated down to Christian’s tattoo and lingered. “You seem enthralled by her. I have no say over the Vampire you’ve become, I only hope
you one day realize that love makes you weak. I’m guessing you know that already or you wouldn’t have gone to see her when she’s undercover. Tell me, why did you agree so quickly to guard me?”

  He stroked his beard. “I know you wouldn’t do anything to compromise your safety or reputation. Because of your involvement, I can trust you with this mission. That doesn’t mean I trust you entirely. I never will. You betrayed me.”

  Lenore gazed at a lantern on the wall. “One must do whatever necessary to protect oneself. Look at it this way, it made you less trusting. Maybe that’s what you needed. You were so young. So naive. Everything that happened in your past has led you here. Can you honestly say you regret it?”

  “No one was more loyal to you. No one.”

  She met eyes with him. “Oh, Chrissy. Not a day went by where I didn’t wonder if I’d acted hastily. But digging you up would have been far worse. I knew by then you had turned that devotion into hate, and had I let you out, you would have killed me. I thought about sending someone to put you out of your misery, but it was too risky. Tell me, I’ve heard stories from those who spent years underground. Is there really a point you reach true sleep? Where all the thoughts vanish and you lose sense of consciousness?”

  “Pray you never learn firsthand.”

  Lenore touched her chin and disappeared in her thoughts, her hair just as lovely as ever. Christian remembered how it lit up in the sun as if it were an extension of light.

  “I’m inclined to find Viktor a match,” she said absently. “He’s a powerful man with connections. He needs to work on his grammar, but he is very careful with choosing his words around the right people. Not many are. Handsome, wealthy, polite—all the qualities a woman looks for.” She admonished Christian with a glance. “Don’t scoff at the idea. You know as well as I do that the only immortals who survive long-term are the ones who either remain single or mate strategically.”

  “Don’t be daft. Viktor can’t operate a company like Keystone and have a mate.”

  “You do.”