Part 2 (1/2)
Matthew stretched lazily, his s.h.i.+rt riding up to reveal a tempting expanse of lean belly. ”You snooze you lose, M.”
Maya stuck her tongue out at him, dropped onto the opposite sofa and tucked into her Chinese. She may or may not have been aware that everyone could see her red knickers. ”What's all this I've been hearing about Minnesota? Why's everyone mad at them?”
Alya said, ”Where to begin? A consortium of crazy hicks from the North Woods has overthrown the city families-the decent vamps. These northern families have gone feral. They're drinking beast blood-moose, deer, beaver, heaven knows what. And worse, they're preaching that we should all eat that way.”
Dominick made a face at the thought of it, but Maya, being human, shrugged. ”And that's bad?”
”It's bad, trust me. They're leaving drained carca.s.ses around for the authorities to find. That's causing talk. And you know how much we like talk. And the Faustins especially don't like talk.”
Through a mouthful of food Maya said, ”So he's just going to take over the state because he doesn't like their dietary choices? What a fascist.”
Alya shrugged. The Faustins definitely had fascist tendencies, but in this case she understood. ”I don't blame him. If they've sunk to eating animals, they're obviously not going to care about keeping up appearances. And if the rest of the families could be thrown over by these lunatics, they're incapable of defending their own territory. It's easier just to take over.”
It was convenient for the Faustins to involve themselves so actively in Minnesota. She'd been waiting for years for an opportunity to take New York, and finally her patience had paid off. Her intelligence told her the Faustins were in a particularly weak moment. If she could just get Mikhail out of Manhattan, she could take it. He'd never get it back.
The problem was Mikhail was a homebody. Not only did he never leave New York, he spent all his time on the streets with his ear to the ground. So she'd been skirmis.h.i.+ng with his people in Minnesota, pretending she wanted it. It looked like she'd almost lured him out.
”Dom, I want you to put out a rumor that we're going to hit the North Woods, the whole territory, not just Minnesota. Move some of your men up there, have them make themselves conspicuous. Say we're going to take out their leader...who is he again?”
”Halverson.”
”Yes. Say we're going after him. Say I'm coming kill him myself and make a formal claim. That will get Faustin on a plane right away-along with his lieutenants. Soon as he leaves for Minnesota, we'll stroll into Manhattan.”
That idea made her very happy. New York City was a vampire's paradise, and she hadn't been able to set foot there for thirty years. She wanted it. Bad.
”What about pere Faustin?”
”Way past his prime. And the brothers are no match for me. Mikhail is the only one we have to worry about.”
”Your Majesty?”
Alya slid out from under Matthew and went to crouch by Frank's head. His head resembled an eggplant. Remarkably so. She pulled off the earbuds. ”Yes?”
”I've been thinking.”
”Astonis.h.i.+ng.”
”It's not fair. You drink vamp blood, and no one kills you for it. And then what about those whatchyacall them? Bonded mates?”
”Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize you had feelings for Jason.”
”No! What I'm saying is why am I going to die for tapping that a.s.shole when all this other s.h.i.+t going on and that's okay?”
Dominick strolled over and looked down at Frank with folded arms. ”Sure now, we haven't sunk to citing medieval customs for our defense, have we? Though I must admit I'm impressed you know any medieval history at all.”
”Fair is fair, that's all.”
”I don't think this argument is going to save you, Frank.” She popped the earbuds back in and gave him another twirl.
The intercom buzzed. Alya went to her desk to answer it. ”Ms. Adad, I have a call from security. Mikhail Faustin and his attorney, Joshua Silver, are downstairs.”
”You're joking.”
”No, Ms. Adad. They say they've come to...parlay?”
Alya's skin p.r.i.c.kled. Never speak the Devil's name.
Chapter Three.
She widened her eyes at Dominick, covering her mouth in mock horror. But he, of course, turned dead serious. ”Should I go downstairs?”
”Security will screen them. Stay here.” She waved at Maya, Matthew and dangling Frank-who couldn't hear her. ”All of you can stay and watch history unfold. I don't know if a Faustin has ever set foot in California.”
To the intercom she said, ”Tell security to send them up once they're cleared.”
Alya settled herself behind her large desk. She swept a few pens, paper clips and notes into her top drawer, then took them out again. She wouldn't tidy up for Mikhail Faustin.
Why would Mikhail ever-ever-visit her?
It must have to do with Minnesota. But why a parlay now?
She wasn't worried about him ambus.h.i.+ng her. If his intention were murder, he wouldn't come to her office under a flag of truce. If Mikhail struck, it would be a complete surprise, scrupulously planned, utterly devastating and yet perfectly legal under vamp law. That was how he'd taken out all his enemies thus far. So she had to a.s.sume he had some sort of legitimate business with her.
Security took their sweet time. Wisely. In the meanwhile, she relaxed into the idea of Mikhail being in LA, and even began to like it. It was so d.a.m.ned convenient, almost as though the universe had dropped him in her lap.
It was also a bit sticky, because she'd figured they'd fight over New York, and she'd kill him in battle. That was how she liked to work. It was direct-and fair.
But if he was going to come uninvited into her town and stroll right into her office, she'd be a fool if she didn't grab this opportunity to take him out quickly and quietly. Then, in the confusion following his death, she'd take New York. It would save lives in the long run.
Mikhail Faustin. She hadn't seen him since he was younger than Matthew and Maya. She glanced their way, admiring their supple, slender bodies and their flawless skin, her mouth quirking into a smile. She and Mikhail had been very young indeed.
It seemed like there should be a law against killing your first lover, though considering their history, Mikhail probably wouldn't mind driving a spike through her head. She wondered exactly how much he hated her.
Dominick paced, checking his weapons as he did.
Alya kicked off her heels and put her feet up on the desk, all the while keeping one eye on the front office monitor. ”I hope security remembers to use plenty of lube. Did you get some of that knyaz lube I asked you to stock for distinguished visitors?”
Dominick scowled at her. This would be his first face to face with a genuine Faustin, and it had him all riled up.
Maya spoke through a yawn. ”Is the Iceman as gorgeous as they say?”
Alya shrugged. Iceman, Ice, Frost-these were all street names for Mikhail. He must have changed a lot over the years, because when he was young, he ran as hot as any man she'd ever met. Even his pale blue eyes burned like the heart of a flame.
Mikhail walked into the front office that moment. The security camera caught him from a high angle, showing her a sleek animal in a severe black suit. Her chair hit the ground with a thump as she leaned close to the monitor.
Rapt, she chewed on the side of her thumb while she watched him speak to her secretary, marking all the ways he'd grown up. He was taller, broader through the shoulders, and the sweet lines of his face had turned austere and sharp as a blade. His straight, platinum hair brushed his collar. That hadn't changed. She remembered his hair well, how it slid through her hands, heavy and fine.