“Toulouse?” I asked.
“Desi? It’s been too long. What’s up? Oh, you’ve heard about Elvie. I don’t know where she is,” he replied in an almost bored tone. I thrummed my fingers on my desk and leaned back in my chair.
“Hm, yeah. Corrine has me investigating it. I’m staying with Arsenio.”
He let out a dry laugh. “How’sthatgoing? I’ve visited once or twice for his parties. Lotta white in that house for how much—”
“Have you heard from anyone else? Gina, Dante?” I cut him off. Tully loved to talk. I had forgotten. I should have waited to call him.
“Dante? He’s around. He helps me with poker nights. Sure, he came up with the idea to do them, but I’m the one in charge.”
“What about Ginata?” I interrupted.
“Gina? Nah, last time I heard about her, she held court somewhere in New York. She has her own little harem.” He laughed. I blinked but considered his rumor. It wouldn’t surprise me, knowing her.
“We need a reunion. When Elvie resurfaces. Get the gang back together again.”
“You think that’s a good idea?” My hand went to my right pectoral, itching the tattoo underneath the shirt.
“Working as a group? Probably not. With all these new laws, seven vampires taking out marks all in one area isn’t a good idea. A dinner wouldn’t hurt, though. I’d love to see what everyone’s been doing.”
“Sure. Yeah.” I sat forward, my mind already moving on. “Keep an eye out for Ludovica. Call me if you hear anything. I’m going to try the others. Bye, Tully.” I hung up before he could keep me on the phone any longer. They said that Midwesterners liked to talk, but damn, Tully, the one from Jersey, was obnoxious.
I looked at the remaining list. The only ones I hadn’t spoken to were Dante and Ginata. Dante seemed pointless if he was hanging with Toulouse. I needed to contact Gina sooner rather than later.
A knock on the door caused me to put the idea away for now and stand up to unlock it. My mood rose and fell slightly when I saw it wasn’t Scout but the human from the day shift who knocked.
“Yes?” I asked tightly. I didn’t particularly care to talk to humans. Either they were way too friendly or terrified of us.
“Uh, hi. Adam and Dylan said you were in charge if Scout doesn’t show up.”
I blinked. “Where is she?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know, sir. My shift was over an hour ago. She’s never this late without telling someone. Can I go home?”
“I don’t care, leave.” I started to shut the door, but I stopped when he didn’t move. “Is there anything else?”
“The rush is about to start. Three people should really be out there.” He couldn’t look me in the eyes as he said it.
I scowled. “Fine. I’ll be out in a minute.” I closed the door, then turned to snatch my vest from the coat rack I had in the corner and slid it on.
She better have a good fucking reason for not being here.
I went out into the lobby and found the guys taking care of a few patrons. I stepped behind the counter and traded places with Dylan at ticket sales. “Go usher.” He took off just as people began pouring in.
With each ticket sold, the angrier I got about Scout’s absence. She knew tonight was a heavy night. I wasn’t helping her anymore if she was gonna abuse the privilege.
I saw a flash of ruby red hair out of the corner of my eyes. My head shot up, and I watched her creep into the break room, a hood over her head. As soon as the rush passed, I stormed into the back.
“Care to fucking explain?” I threw open the door to her office. The light was off, and when I flicked it on. No one was inside. I spun around and stopped moving.Where was she?Then, I heard the sink running from the women’s bathroom. I paused, trying to calm myself. Did I dare go in there?
The water kept running for almost a full minute before I lost my patience and went down the hall. I slammed my open hand against the door. It opened it with a giant boom!
I blinked then as I took in the scene in front of me. Scout turned. Her eyes, the same shade as her hair, were large. Her body shook as she stood, in her underwear, trying to clean up the blood that was—everywhere.
I blinked and opened and shut my mouth several times. She stared at me for a long moment before she turned back to the black shirt in the sink. “Get in here and shut the door.” She barked swiftly.
I did as I was told, inhaling deeply. The blood was fresh, but was it hers? I couldn’t tell.
