“All the more reason we need to do this right,” Gabriel said. “I won’t risk him catching wind of this and vanishing on us again. We need alotmore intel and an ironclad plan. Only then do we make our move.”
“And in the meantime?” Jacinda asked. “We can’t just pretend everything’s normal. Viansa could be anywhere, gearing up to drop another bomb.”
“Finding Viansa is our top priority,” he said, squeezing her shoulder again. “You and Isabelle need to keep working the magical and research angles, and I’ll keep working mine. I’ve cast a wide net—I’ve got associates and royal guards out all over the city looking for her. I’ve also increased security at Obsidian as well as at our apartment building, inside and out.”
Jacinda nodded, her shoulders relaxing beneath his touch.
“For now,” Gabriel said to the group, “we play it cool and keep moving forward. From what you’ve said, Cole, it doesn’t sound like Duchanes is ready to make his next move just yet. We may have a little time there.”
“Agreed,” Cole replied, “but I wouldn’t bet on much. Hate for us to get caught with our dicks in the wind on this one.”
“No fucking way,” Gabriel said.
“Someone needs to tell Dorian and Aiden,” Colin said. “They’ll want to know what’s going on.”
“I’m headin’ back upstate tonight.” Cole took another drag, his lungs crackling right along with the cigarette. “I’ll drop by Ravenswood and fill everyone in.”
“Thank you,” Gabriel said. “But I want you to make it clear to Dorian we’re handling it. We’ll keep him in the loop, but he’s got too many other things to focus on right now—he doesn’t need to micromanage this.”
“I’ll do my best,” Cole said, “but I think we both know your brother will be up your ass like a cheap G-string by sunrise.”
“Cheap G-strings are theworst!” Jacinda cracked up.
“Mybrother,” Gabriel said, trying hard not to be jealous at how easily the wolf had made her laugh, “needs to learn the fine art of delegating.”
“Yeah, good luck with that,” Cole said. “In the meantime, what about Duchanes? We probably shouldn’t leave that warehouse unattended for too long.”
“No, you’re right,” Gabriel said. “Think you can do a little more recon without getting yourself into trouble?”
“Not a chance, Little Red.” Cole laughed, blowing out a final plume of gray smoke. “But when has this wolfeversaid no to trouble?”
Chapter Fifteen
“Sapphire and tonic,” the woman at the end of the bar called out, “and a word with the head bartender, if she can spare a minute.”
Her tone was sharp and severe, sending goosebumps across Jaci’s arms.
She made the drink in record time, then turned to face her customer, her stomach twisting. Cole and Colin had just left, Gabriel was checking in with his security guys, and Maritza was busy helping the cocktail servers at the other end of the bar.
If shit went south, Jaci was on her own.
“Charley,” she said cautiously, handing over the drink. “Good to see you again. Love the jacket.”
It wasn’t a lie—the dark-green velvet looked amazing with her auburn hair—but Charley clearly wasn’t in the mood for compliments.
She sat on the barstool, sucked down the entire drink in one fell swoop, then slammed the glass onto the bar, a murderous rage glinting in her eyes. “I warned you not to hurt him, Jaci. I fucking warned you.”
“Great.” Jaci let out a deep sigh. “I take it Dorian gave you the scoop?”
“Scoop?Scoop?” Charley glanced around the bar to make sure no one was listening too closely, then leaned in, dropping her voice to a harsh whisper. “You’re a fucking demon. Your evil, curse-binding sister is out there sexing up the whole city. Dark mages want you dead. You lied to Gabriel aboutallof it, putting him right smack in the middle of your fucked-up family drama—drama that could get him killed. And you call that ascoop?”
Jaci made Charley a fresh drink, then set the glass down hard in front of her, refusing to be cowed. “Halfdemon, vampire queen. If you’re picking this fight, you’d better know who you’re up against.”
Jaci let her eyes turn demon-black, just for a second. She wanted to send a spark of hellfire into Charley’s lungs—just a few embers to put her in her place—but thought better of harming the vampire king’s future bride.
Plus, Charley had a point. Shehadwarned Jaci, and Jaci fucked it all up.
“Don’t you give me those black eyes!” Charley shout-whispered. “I should tear your throat out for that.”
