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"What did he say?"
"As you can imagine, he was less than pleased about moving you into my territory. But it's in the hands of the Region Masters now. However he feels, whatever he wants, he knows he can't remove you until the Council makes its ruling, and then only if it's in his favor."
She rubbed her palm on her thigh. "Did he give you any indication if he plans to head this way?"
"If he does, he's supposed to give me a heads-up first before entering my territory." Butch paused, a silence that made it clear he had dubious expectations at best on that score. "He was extremely angry when I spoke to him, although he did his best to control it on the phone with the three of us. While he knows the Council might frown on him coming here until a decision has been made, it's not prohibited."
"Yes." Every one of her muscles clenched. He'd come. Retribution was part of his personal creed. She tried not to imagine the questions he'd had to answer about her disappearance or the excuses he'd been forced to make. Image was so critical to Laurent, especially in the sophisticated New York environment in which he operated. He'd want to make an example of her.
"Selene?" Butch's voice interrupted her thoughts. "Did I lose you?"
"No." She gave herself a mental shake. "No, I'm here. Sorry."
"Selene, if you wish to come here until the decision is made..."
The offer surprised her, but she steeled her resolve. She knew how this game was played. She couldn't afford to take advantage of this male who she hoped would be her salvation. Hers and Quinn's "That's very kind, my lord. But I knew there would be consequences. I should face Laurent, get it over with."
"I'd have your servant keep his distance if that happens. Even do your best to send him away if he happens to be around. He won't be able to stop it and he might also become a victim."
"I know." The words came out on a sigh. "He's come along very nicely, but--"
"But he still feels the need to defend you," Butch finished. "That was evident when you were here at my place. He controlled himself better than I expected, but I'm not sure he'd get past another bout of vampire-on-vampire discipline."
She bit back a grim snort. Characterizing Laurent's sadism as discipline was like calling a hurricane a spring shower. But she wasn't going to whine. She had to prove to Butch she'd be an asset, not a liability or a "youngling" he had to nursemaid.
"Yes. That's true."
"Vampire discipline can be harsh, but Laurent will likely get in the licks he thinks are fair. If you fight back or object in any way, he might convince the Council not to permit the transfer."
No. Please, no.
She swallowed. "I understand. I'll handle it."
"Yeah, I bet you will." Another pause, as if Butch was trying to give her the opportunity to say something else.
She gripped the phone tighter, holding onto her courage. "I hope the Region Masters will allow me to stay, with your permission. You've been more than fair."
Laurent would definitely come here. Selene was positive of it. He would see her leaving as such an act of betrayal, he'd need to punish her so others wouldn't follow in her footsteps. His pride and ego were both his two strongest characteristics and his greatest failings. He could already be on his way. He probably was.
"Thank you for speaking to me yourself, my lord. You do me great honor. I appreciate it." She paused. "Again, if anything should go wrong--"
"You don't have to get all flowery. It's not my thing. I can tell you're a decent female, Selene. Your servant is safe with me. I gave my word as much based on my assessment of your character as his." He gave a rough laugh. "Dix has asked about him. Wants to know if the two of you are coming back this way any time soon."
She wasn't sure how to answer that. "I guess it depends on what the Region Masters decide."
"Of course. But if the decision is in your favor, you might owe me a visit. I'm sure you can convince your servant of the importance of gratitude."
Oh yeah. But I might have to use the whip to do it. A smile managed to struggle up from among her tension. "I'm sure we'll arrange something."
"I'll call you as soon as I have word on a decision."
Selene let out a breath as she replaced the receiver. So. Things were in motion. She was glad Quinn was far away tonight. Every instinct told her something bad was imminent and she didn't want her servant involved.
All too vividly, she remembered one night at the bar when a vampire had disrespected Laurent in front of others. The overlord had ordered the man stripped naked and tied to a pole, where he whipped him mercilessly before carving his initials on the man's back. At the end he had ordered two of his minions to use a hammer to break every one of the man's toes and fingers. The satisfaction on his face when he reduced the object of his anger to a bleeding, broken lump was frightening. Laurent didn't just mete out retribution, he thrived on it. The sound of his victims crying out in pain or begging for relief always brought a stark wash of pleasure to his features. The poor bastard had then been dumped in his apartment where he hid during the time it took him to heal. Every time Selene saw him after that, his manner toward Laurent was beyond deferential. Groveling, even.
She couldn't live that way. She couldn't. But if she died...Quinn died. What an impetuous idiot she'd been, marking him before this was resolved.
Stop it. She reminded herself of what Butch had said. Fuck it and move on. That was the only way this could work, for her or Quinn. Crying over a decision she'd embraced because of the honest joy it brought to her wasn't going to change anything except steal whatever time she had left to savor it.
Icy fingers skittered over her spine, a foreboding touch signaling that evil was about to invade her life. Maybe she'd be lucky. Maybe the Region Masters would rule for her and maybe Laurent would give up without a major confrontation.
And maybe I'll turn into a human.
If he's coming, let it be tonight while Quinn is gone. I've already put him at risk enough.
Besides, she wanted it over and done with, not hanging over her head. With a sigh she hurried back to the front to take up her chores behind the bar again. The crowd had thinned out a little but it was still busy enough she could tuck her unease in a corner of her mind to pull out later. Still, it was a relief when she finally announced last call and no one gave her a hard time. The last customers made their way to the door, calling good night to everyone. Carol and Maria got busy bussing the tables and sweeping up.
"Good tips tonight." Maria grinned, taking the fold of bills Selene handed her from the tip jar and tucking them into the pocket of her jeans.
"No shit," Carol added, her smile as broad.
"I'll calculate what was added to the credit card receipts," Selene told them, "and have the cash for you this weekend."
"Great," they chorused, then high-fived each other. Selene shook her head at them, but couldn't help smiling at their youthful exuberance. But when she turned to clear the register, Carol drew her attention back to them.
"Um, Selene?"
"Yes?"
"We, uh, just want to thank you." Her lips curved in a shy smile. "For, you know, making this place so great."
The direct compliment warmed her as few other things could. I was meant to be here. I am going to survive Laurent, damn it.
"It's my pleasure," she told them. "Now get going. Artie's legacy is over."
"Thank God for that. Will you need us both tomorrow night?" Maria asked. "You think it will be this busy again?"
"It's not my night to work," Carol added, "but I have no plans, so call if you need me."
"Thanks for being on standby. Let's see what happens tomorrow. Go home and rest."
