High Stakes and Vampires (Pandora's Pride Book 2)
Page 19
The blood drained from Lothar’s face. He removed a handkerchief from his pocket and dabbed his shiny brow. “I won’t stand for being maligned.” His voice shook with fear.
Natasha stepped forward, forcing him to take a step backward. “You’ve been a bad boy, Lothar. Do you know what we do to naughty supernaturals like you?”
Lothar’s chest rose and fell as he appeared to contemplate his next move. “What’s your intention here? I came to you for help. Why are you treating me like a common criminal?”
“Stand down, Natasha,” Doran said.
She snapped her fangs together before easing off.
Lothar raised his chin indignantly. “I did nothing wrong. I simply gave the amulet back to the original owner. You can’t arrest me for that.”
“And then you turned around and made a fraudulent claim,” Abra said. “You drugged your employees without their consent. Shall I go on?”
“It sounds like you should be thanking me,” Lothar said, his tone haughty. “If I hadn’t informed you of the theft to begin with, you wouldn’t have been in a position to take care of this dangerous Plague demon.”
Evadne cracked her knuckles. “Please leave me alone with him for a few minutes. I’m happy to give you all plausible deniability.”
Lothar twisted the handkerchief in his hands, aggrieved. “What will you have me do? It’s clear I won’t be getting the amulet back.”
Abra folded her hands on the table. “Clear the room, please. We’ll finish with Mr. Friedan.”
I sailed past Lothar with a Cheshire grin. “Good luck filling that empty hole.” In your soul.
I fled the building and made my way back to Salt where Oren intercepted me in the lobby. No rest for the captor of the wicked, it seemed.
“Oren, are you stalking me again? What did I tell you about personal space?”
The vampire fished a room key from his pocket and handed it to me. “Your new room, Miss Wendell. Number 5515. I can have a bellhop move your things, but I thought you might prefer to do it yourself.”
I stuffed the card in my pocket. “Thanks, Oren. I’ll definitely take care of that myself. See? You’re learning.”
He bowed. “I endeavor to please all our guests at Salt. It’s my job.”
“And you do it well, Oren. Don’t let anybody tell you different.” I pressed the elevator button and hoped he didn’t try to accompany me. Considering it didn’t work out for him in the past, I chose to believe he’d learned his lesson.
The doors parted and Oren wished me well before turning away. Bless his bejeweled fangs.
I rode the elevator to room 5515 for a quick peek before I went to retrieve my few belongings. The window provided a sweeping view of the Atlantic Ocean and the kitchenette was fully stocked with everything I could want, including a full box of coffee pods. Oren was doing his best to win me over. Although there was no way I’d ever be interested in him, I appreciated his efforts all the same.
I pulled out my phone and made a call that I dreaded. There was no question that I needed help outside the Pride, but my options were limited.
“Mr. Halpain’s office,” a woman said. “May I help you?”
Ingemar trusted me enough to go behind the Pride’s back and enlist my services, so I intended to do the same.
“This is Calandra Wendell. Is Ingemar available? I’d like to thank him personally for my room upgrade.”
She paused. “He’s right here. Would you like to tell him yourself?”
“I would, actually. That would be great.” I glanced out the window as a pod of dolphins swam. A good omen.
“Do you like the view from 5515?” he asked. “It’s one of my favorites.”
“It’s amazing. Thank you.”
“But I take it you have another reason for this call.”
“Can’t get anything past you, can I?”
He chuckled. “And over the phone under the guise of a thank you as well, so there’s no record of a meeting. I’m intrigued already, Miss Wendell.”
“I don’t want anyone to know what I’m about to ask you.”
“I’m more than willing to keep it between us.”
“I mean it, Ingemar. This is you and me. No one else. Not your buddies at the Pride either. No Oren either.”
“Ah, but he’s taken such a shine to you. He’ll be disappointed to learn you’re playing favorites.”
“If he were sitting in your chair, he’d be my favorite right now.”
“Very well then. You have my word. This stays between us. I’m alone in my office now, not even my secretary is aware.”
I inhaled deeply and closed my eyes. Here goes everything.
“I need you to find out everything you can on Quinn Wendell.”
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