He’d decided to take Julie to Florida…away from her bad influencers, and then he’d bring his daughter after Julie cleaned up her act. He’d been working for Miami PD, and had just started assisting the DEA with some busts. Never could he have imagined that he’d find Julie during a raid.
“Dammit!” he chastised himself. “It wasn’t your fault!” He knew it wasn’t, but he’d never be able to dispel the image of the last time he’d seen her.
Reece parallel parked his T-Bird outside Victoria’s brownstone. He’d worked for three days straight, close to twenty hours a day, researching, mapping, searching supernatural accounts online.
Tomorrow, he’d set out on foot. Jonas and Meghan were here, and he would find them—all of the rogue creatus, before it was too late. He’d walk a grid, working out from the club, knowing that more than likely they were close by. He shouldn’t have questioned himself the night Rick Williams had been murdered. He knew he’d heard Meghan’s voice. Next time he wouldn’t doubt himself.
Tonight, however, he needed to eat a decent meal and get some sleep, so he’d be able to think clearly, so he figured he should spend the evening with Victoria. He wasn’t going to make the mistake of not solidifying their relationship. Whether they fell or not didn’t matter, tonight he intended to make sure she knew how he felt.
Even though she’d given him a key, he decided to buzz her apartment.
“Hello?” Victoria’s lovely voice answered.
“It’s me.”
“Hey…” the buzzer sounded while she spoke, “come on up!”
Reece took the steps three at a time, rushing to the fourth floor. She opened the door, wearing her thick cotton robe, but her face was made up, unusual, since she rarely wore makeup to work. Dispelling the thought that she was gussying herself up to go out, he pulled her to him. “Oh, good. You’re not completely down for the night. I’m taking you out tonight.”
“Out, out? As in…a fancy public restaurant, out? Where people might see us?”
“Yes,” he said through a laugh. “You make it sound as though I’ve been keeping you as a mistress.”
Victoria shrugged. “It feels that way sometimes.”
“Well, my boss knows. I don’t know how, since we’ve only been in public a couple of times, but I told him that after you’d saved my life, I owed you my soul.”
She laughed this time. “You didn’t say that.”
Reece tugged her closer, burying his head into her neck. “Well, maybe not exactly that, but he knows. So, how ’bout it? Let’s go hit the town tonight, because tomorrow, I intend to find my daughter. I spent today narrowing down places, so tomorrow I plan to start walking every inch of Boston until I find her.”
Victoria straightened up out of his arms. “Actually, I can’t tonight. I already have plans.”
His stomach plunged, realizing he’d been right about the makeup. She already had a date. “Oh…” was all he could get out, hoping it wasn’t Mike.
“You could come with me, though.”
He cocked his head. “Are you sure?”
“Reece, you thought I had a date? Do you have such little faith in me?”
“No, no…” He pulled her to his chest again and pressed his lips to hers for a quick kiss. “I have all the faith in you. It’s me that I have little faith in. And I haven’t been able to promise you anything up to this point, but I intend to change that.” He ran his hands up to her face. “So, what are we doing tonight? Do I need to change clothes?” Although he’d dressed casually in jeans and a t-shirt, at least he’d chosen a nice combination.
She glanced down at his clothes, a smile lifting her lips again, reminding him of her comment about walking around her apartment shirtless. “You’re dressed perfectly. Of course, in the summer, you can wear almost anything in Boston. And I’m not sure exactly what’s going on. Just dinner, far as I know. Some big announcement, but Derrick also said it was a casual get-together, so Kristina and Sabrina will be there too. Although I’m not part of the council, I’m usually included in any major decisions per Dean’s assistance that we get a more balanced vote, since eighty percent of the council members are Ashtons.”
Reece nodded. “So…everyone will be there?”
“Umm…if by everyone you mean, the Ashton family and the council, yes. And usually Rebecca is there, since she’s our computer hack. But probably not the rest of our extended family.”
“How ’bout Eric? Your brother’s home for good now, right?”
She smiled again. “He is, but no, I doubt he’ll be there. Derrick’s been giving him work, but he’s not privy to everything. Not yet. I’m sure he will be in a few years, when he finishes his schooling here in the States.” She touched his cheek. “And no, Eric’s not mad at you. He’s actually mad at us. He knows what we did to you was wrong.”
Reece pressed his hand to hers. “Victoria, we’ve already been through this. I could have escaped whenever I wanted. I didn’t want to—”
“Yeah, but Mike treated you horribly—”
He pressed his fingers over her lips. “You didn’t, and I know Mike was just worried about you. If I’d heard someone threaten to snap your neck, I probably would have done much worse, so I can’t hold that against him.” He kissed her again, then pulled back. “Go finish getting ready. I want to get there so we can meet and greet, and then have the rest of the night to ourselves.”
Since Reece had been afraid he’d get sidetracked at the house, he’d insisted they leave early. Within seconds of sitting down at the sleek walnut-colored rectangular table set for ten, waiters filled water and wine glasses, and set out plates of appetizers on white ceramic platters. But the most impressive was a starter served atop an eighteen-inch high block of ice, which emitted a green glow from a light frozen inside the outrageous dish, which now served as a centerpiece. Thankfully, the block didn’t sit any higher than his chest. Otherwise, it would hinder conversation, something he was sure the creators had thought about during design.
Although he’d been to plenty of fine-dining establishments, he wasn’t accustomed to being served before ordering.
Victoria picked up her glass. “Sabrina, Derrick’s mom, is the master hostess. She arranges this. Since our diet is so restrictive, she preorders all the food before we arrive, to make it easier for the restaurant. Of course, they’re accustomed to us here too. My family has been coming here since they opened sixteen years ago.”
Reece reached for his glass too. He didn’t drink much, but he could use a sedative, since tonight was the first time he was having an actual sit-down with the people closest to the woman he loved. “Sabrina Ashton’s one hundred percent human, though, right?” he whispered at a level he knew only Victoria could hear.
“Yes, but she pretty much eats our diet of whole, raw foods. I believe that’s why she looks so good at seventy-three. Although humans don’t see an immediate reaction to the carcinogens created by cooking meats and grains at high temperatures, my family is pretty sure it still kills them, just slower.”
He grimaced. “So you’ve reminded me again and again. You’re just jealous because I can eat potatoes and corn, and you can’t.”
“You just think you can…I’m sure it’s eating away at your years,” she retorted. “And I’m not jealous. My dehydrated cauliflower puffs are quite enjoyable.”
“If you say so…” He crinkled his nose. “I’m not giving up my few indulgences.” Glad for the distraction from his eating habits, he stood up as Derrick and Kristina approached. He held out his hand to Derrick, but simply smiled at Kristina. His father had taught him never to extend his hand to a woman unless she extended hers first. And definitely never lean in for a hug first.
Derrick turned to his wife. “You remember Kristina, right?”
Reece smiled again. “Of course…” Kristina leaned in for a hug, so he graciously returned the gesture. He leaned back. “She’s the only other blond around, so I was hoping maybe people would think we were cousins o
r something, so we fit in better.”
Kristina laughed. “Good idea.”
Derrick and Kristina offered Victoria a hug while she remained seated, then Derrick held out a chair for Kristina. Before Reece could sit, several more men trailed in. Reece had seen most of them at the hospital, but the others he’d met at Mike’s loft the night of their match.
He shook hands with Derrick’s father, Lyn Ashton, and his uncle, Matthew Ashton, then received a double-handed shake from Dean Haley, Victoria’s uncle.
“So good to finally meet you, my boy,” Dean said as he held onto his hand longer than the other men had. “Tori has spoken highly of you.”
Reece attempted to keep his face free of any reaction at the formal greeting. Although Dean looked barely a day over sixty, Reece had heard that he was a hundred and twenty, which meant he was born at the turn of the last century. He couldn’t imagine the changes the man had seen.
“I think very highly of your niece too,” Reece said as he finally made his way back to his chair. “Tori…” he repeated in Victoria’s ear. “I like it.”
“Don’t even think about it. No one other than Dean and my father are allowed to call me by that silly girl’s name. You’re lucky I allow you to call me Victoria.”
“What’s wrong with being a silly girl?”
Victoria rolled her eyes, but he knew there was a fun, silly girl in there, behind the doctor and tough-girl façade she put on for others. Thankfully, she shared her feminine side with him when they were alone.
“Where’s Michael?” he asked.
Matthew, who’d taken a seat across from him, answered, “He’ll be here in a minute, said he was going to wait downstairs for Rebecca.”
Reece couldn’t help but feel a little superior at that. Mike didn’t want to show up alone, it seemed. Or, more likely, he just wanted to make a fashionably late appearance. What could Mike have to share that was so important that he’d call a formal meeting among the council? And would Mike be ticked that Victoria had included Reece as if he were one of them?
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Reece couldn’t keep his eyes off the stairs as he listened to the low drone of conversation buzzing around the table, as all the creatus, and Kristina and Sabrina of course, conversed in hushed whispers.
If he concentrated, he could pick out individual conversations around the room too, something he’d fought his entire life to ignore, unless he was on a stakeout, where his ability had come in handy.
Victoria touched his knee, a gesture that asked if he was okay without her having to speak. She was the master of conveying her thoughts without speaking a word. He planned to learn her unspoken language, as he found it more personable and physical than just speaking aloud. He flashed what he hoped looked like a reassuring smile and kissed her cheek, but then, within seconds, his gaze crept back to the stairs.
What was it about Mike that unnerved him? It wasn’t jealousy, he suddenly realized. Even if they hadn’t fallen yet, he knew Victoria was his. Mike could be irritating, but he was also easygoing and jovial. And he had arranged for a private dinner for Victoria and him, even though she’d promised Mike that date.
So why did he get so edgy around the guy?
Mike finally appeared at the top of the steps, lifting his arms as though he were governor of the place. Any minute, Reece suspected that Mike might start signing autographs and kissing babies.
Reece remained seated beside Victoria while Dean and Matthew stood to greet what looked like the prodigal son returning home. Surprisingly, neither Derrick nor his father stood up either. So, maybe Mike got on their nerves too. Victoria had said that Mike needed a good ass kicking every once and a while, so maybe Derrick and Lyn felt the same way.
Mike waved his hello to everyone, then walked up behind Reece and smacked him on the back. “Reece, my man, good to see you!” he crooned, as if he hadn’t known he’d be here.
Reece had insisted that Victoria send out a group text, letting everyone know he was coming, so he’d know of any objections beforehand. Mike placed his hand on Rebecca’s back next, directing her around the table. He took a seat next to Matt, then Rebecca sat down beside him.
He offered Mike a head nod, then shifted his gaze to Rebecca, offering her a smile as a hello. If it were possible, she looked even more pompous than Mike did.
“Hello, Vic,” Rebecca chirped. “How was the hospital today?”
“Fine, Rebecca. How was Boston PD?”
Rebecca’s grin grew wide. “Great, as always, but I’m looking forward to my new position—”
Mike wrapped his arm around Rebecca’s shoulders, effectively halting her words. “Slow down, Becca. Let’s not spoil the surprise.”
Feeling the stiffness in Victoria’s shoulders, Reece squeezed her again. Obviously, there was tension between the two women. He was sure they’d never sparred, though. Rebecca barely looked as old as his daughter, and she was by far the daintiest creatus woman he’d ever seen. Her cropped raven hair and purple eye shadow didn’t help either. She hardly looked as though she were out of high school. He knew she had to be at least thirty-five, though. Victoria had said that all creatus were required not only to attend school until they were twenty-five, but they also had to teach at their universities in their prospective fields until they were thirty-five.
Mike tapped on his water glass and glanced around the table, meeting everyone’s gaze. “I’m sure Matt hasn’t said anything, since he said that he wanted me to share the news. So, without further ado, please allow me to introduce you to our newest candidate for Massachusetts State Attorney General, Matthew Ashton.”
Mike had spoken the announcement quietly enough that only their table could hear, and yet, the room had gone still. Probably because the largest table of diners in the restaurant had gone utterly silent.
Derrick set down the glass that he’d evidently lifted to toast, then laced his fingers in front of him as he looked from Matt to Mike. “Excuse me?”
Matt kept his smile plastered to his face, and Mike patted his uncle on the back. “Great idea, don’t you think, Brother?”
Derrick shook his head, then glanced around the table, reading the looks of his father, Dean, Victoria, and even Reece, then returned his fiery gaze to his brother. “I don’t think so at all. Why wasn’t I informed of this?”
Mike started to speak again, but Matt raised his hand. “Derrick, I understand that we rarely seek high political positions, but surely you must see what a benefit this would be for us.”
“No, Matthew, I don’t. Not unless you plan to be an advocate for civil rights…” Derrick dropped his head a notch, “for our kind. Is that your intention, Sir?”
Matt waved his hand. “Don’t be ridiculous, Derrick. Naturally, I can’t suggest laws to protect the rights of something that doesn’t exist.”
Reece noticed that Sabrina and Kristina had to crane their heads to hear. Even he was having a difficult time catching every word. This definitely wasn’t a conversation for a public restaurant. If federal investigators were watching the family, their words would be picked up. Not that anyone at the table had mentioned the word creatus, and the meaning of the conversation was vague at best, but it still would have been better to hold this meeting at one of their soundproofed residences. Then again, the way Derrick’s eyes seared his brother, maybe Mike had thought it would be better to have an audience for his presentation.
As though measuring each word, Derrick steepled his hands in front of his chin. “But if somehow, the government and populace discovered our existence and meant us harm, then your role there would be invaluable, would it not?”
“Yes, I suppose it would,” Matt allowed. “I am an attorney after all, and this is simply the next step in my career.” Matt beamed, assuming he’d won Derrick’s vote, but Reece didn’t see that. Derrick had been calm, cool, and collected every time Reece had seen the man, and though he’d asked each question with respect, Reece could see the fire brewing in his eyes.
Derrick laced his fingers again, only this time, he clenched them together as if he were afraid he might hit something—or someone. “And who exactly suggested—”
“Hu…” Kristina broke through the whispered conversation with a gasp, and all eyes turned to her.
Derrick’s arms immediately wrapped around his wife. “Baby, what happened? Are you okay? Did you feel something?”
Tears poured from Kristina’s eyes as she sunk down in her seat, then peered around Derrick’s shoulder. “It’s…him.”
“Him?” Derrick and the rest of the family turned to look where Kristina indicated, to a man bussing a table, but only his back was visible as he leaned over a booth.
“The man…who killed…my mom.”
Derrick whipped his head back to Kristina. “Are you sure?”
She nodded, and Mike jumped up just as the man finished wiping down the table. The scraggly middle-aged man took one look at Mike and dropped the two plates he was holding and darted to the back of the restaurant.
Clearly enough proof for Derrick, he shot up out of his seat, but Lyn grabbed his son, then Matt and Dean were beside him faster than Reece could blink.
“Let me go!” Derrick seethed.
“No,” Lynn said calmly. “Let Michael handle him.”
Derrick struggled to free himself, but the three men gripped him tightly. No doubt, he’d have to hurt them to escape.
Victoria quickly made her way to assist in detaining him. “Derrick, you’re not in the frame of mind—”
“You think?” he fumed, his tone sounding as though he were in physical pain. “I’ve waited fourteen years—”
“They’re…right,” Kristina said through gasps of air. “Please don’t go. Let Mike handle him.”
“Reece,” Lyn Ashton started speaking in a low whisper, his knuckles white where they latched onto his son’s arm. Derrick wouldn’t hurt his father or uncle by forcing his escape, but it was clear that it was taking every ounce of strength that the three men—and Victoria—had to keep him seated. “Go, Reece. Follow Mike. I need you to bring that man back alive.”
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