6. Six

six

Pulling into the airfield’s parking lot, I had the urge to curse when I got a look at the pair of vampires waiting for us.

“Shit,” I swore under my breath.

From the way a subtle tension ran through Connor’s body, I could tell he’d spotted the enforcers as well.

“So much for keeping this a secret,” I sighed.

I must not have been as convincing as I thought I’d been. It was totally like Thomas to send his goons as escorts to make sure I wasn’t up to something.

“Caroline, do you have any cash on you?” I asked as one prowled toward us.

“Not really. Why?”

“I do,” Deborah said, digging into her purse. After a moment she pulled out a crumpled five-dollar bill and handed it to Caroline. “Here you go.”

Caroline took it, looking confused.

I held my hand back. “Give it to me.”

The look of befuddlement on her face as she handed it to me slowly was almost worth everything else.

I grabbed the five-dollar bill and stuffed it into my pocket. “There. Now it’s official. You’re a client.”

Which meant I couldn’t share the details of what she’d hired me for unless she agreed.

“That’s it?” Caroline asked.

“Technically, I also need your signature on a contract, but this’ll work for now.”

At least, to keep her matters hidden and save me the headache that was sure to follow if Thomas found out what I was really up to.

“That’s an interesting way to run a business,” Caroline muttered.

“It works for us.”

Sharing a look with Connor, I shoved open my door just as the enforcer reached the van.

“Look who the cat dragged in,” Anton drawled as I stepped out. “Nice ride, by the way.”

“It’s Connor’s.”

“The salesperson said it was perfect for families,” Connor explained at Anton’s sidelong look.

Anton patted him on the shoulder. “I’m not sure you and he were talking about the same type of family.”

Connor greeted that information with a slight furrowing of his brow as Anton moved his attention to me.

Turned later in life, at a time when laugh lines had already been etched into the fabric of his features, Anton’s face contained a mature allure that would have been difficult to achieve when he was younger. When a woman—or man, for that matter—looked at him, they saw wealth and an urbane charm that made it hard to imagine the warrior he’d once been.

“What’s with the wolves?” Anton asked, jerking his chin at the trio that I hadn’t noticed waiting on the other side of the parking lot.

“They’re with me,” Caroline said, climbing out of the van. Deborah hopped down after her.

Anton sent me a look. “Since when do you keep company with mutts?”

Even from the distance that separated us, I caught the growls that came from Hank and Emmett.

“Considering my best friend since childhood is one of those mutts, I’d watch your words,” I warned.

An enigmatic smile toyed on Anton’s lips as he veiled his eyes. “Whatever you say, Lena.”

“I told you not to call me that.”

I don’t know where he’d heard it, but ever since then he’d been slipping the nickname in whenever he could.

“But it suits you so well.”

I didn’t dignify that with a response, heading to the back to unload the trunk.

“Leave it.” Anton gestured forward a pair of humans. “They’ll take care of your luggage.”

Despite the assurance, I didn’t move.

Anton arched an eyebrow at me. “They won’t steal anything if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“More like rifle through my belongings,” I grumbled as I reluctantly followed him toward the gate and the other enforcer waiting there.

Anton threw his head back, baring the column of his throat as he laughed. “They won’t do that either. Really, Lena, what kind of operation do you think this is?”

He didn’t want the answer to that.

Daniel, a giant of a man who looked like a blond Viking—probably because he’d been one at some point—nodded at us as we approached. Turning to the punch pad next to him, he input a code to open the gate. “Aileen.”

“Daniel.”

“It’s good to see you again.”

My eyebrows rose. That was new. He wasn’t normally one for aimless chit-chat.

At least, not with me.

“I take it you’re tagging along,” I guessed.

A tiny nod was all the answer I got.

“How did you beat out Nathan for this honor?”

An enforcer friend of mine, Nathan was the one usually tasked with Aileen-babysitting duty.

“Liam and Nathan requested leave a few weeks ago. They’ve been gone since then.” Daniel gave me an odd look. “We thought you knew.”

It took effort to keep my surprise off my face. “Of course, I did. I just didn’t realize Nathan went with him.”

“I see,” Daniel murmured as Anton led the way through the gate.

I kept my expression under careful control as I followed the enforcer, Deborah and Connor flanking me. Caroline and her wolves came last.

Strange.

I’d been under the impression Liam was on a top-secret mission for Thomas. Either my lover had lied to his subordinates. Or he’d lied to me.

I didn’t know how I felt about that.

No. Wait. I did. I just didn’t want to examine those feelings too closely for fear of what they’d reveal.

Deborah’s amazed inhale distracted me from my thoughts. “I could get used to this.”

Her eyes practically sparkled as she took in the profile of a small jet.

“This is a one-time thing,” I informed her.

“How can you be so sure? A lot of sires allow their fledglings access to luxuries like this,” Deborah protested.

“Because the cost outweighs the benefit.”

“It must not be too bad since you accepted his terms.” There was a knowing look in Anton’s eyes as he paused beside the jet’s stairs. “Or were you just that desperate?”

Caroline barged between us. “She lost a bet. This was the price she had to pay.”

Anton’s eyes followed me as I started up the stairs. “That must have been some bet.”

“It was,” Caroline shot over her shoulder as she shadowed me. “Epic, you could say.”

“In that case, let me play next time. I love games of chance.”

“We’ll think about it,” Caroline called in an airy voice as I entered the craft to find Thomas waiting for me.

He looked up from the file he’d been studying. “Oh, good. You’ve arrived. We’ll take off as soon as you’re settled.”

I stared at my sire in horror. “What are you doing here?”

Like Ahrun, Thomas possessed a charisma that made him stand out. In a room full of supernaturals, he’d always be the first person you noticed, and it had nothing to do with the way he looked.

He was handsome, but not in that supernatural way of some spooks. He was more approachable. His hair dark and short. His eyes a silvery gray. He was on the stockier side with a broad chest and a strong jaw that more often than not was covered in stubble. As if he was perpetually between shaves.

Today, though, his jaw was smooth. Not a whisker marring its hard lines.

At my question, Thomas tossed the file he was holding onto the table in front of him, crossing his legs and leaning back to regard me with amusement. “I own this plane. I don’t see why it’s surprising to find me on it.”

Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because he hadn’t mentioned it when I’d spoken to him on the phone earlier in the day.

Caroline prodded me in the back. “Do you mind? You’re in the way.”

Feeling like I’d been sucker punched once again by my sire, but not knowing what else to do, I shuffled sideways to allow her fully into the cabin.

Caroline was all smiles as she dropped her carry-on at her feet and greeted Thomas with a friendly expression. “How lovely. I was hoping for a chance to thank you for loaning us your plane on such short notice.”

“Anything for my youngest,” Thomas drawled. “She so rarely makes requests of me. It would be churlish to deny her on the rare times she does.”

Caroline remained polite. “Does this mean you’re heading in the same direction as us?”

“You could say that.” At her questioning look, Thomas added, “It just so happens that I have business in Vegas.”

“That’s quite the coincidence,” Caroline managed, her gaze finding mine, a faint pleading there.

Thomas laced his hands around his knee, his smile broadening. “It is. One might even call it fate.”

Caroline’s look told me to do something.

Internally, I rolled my eyes. Fine—but only because there wasn’t any other choice

“You neglected to mention you were heading to Vegas. It’s almost as if this ‘business’ of yours is something you made up last minute,” I challenged.

An enigmatic smile played at the corners of Thomas’s lips. “My dear, I failed to mention my schedule simply because I thought it would be a fun surprise.”

Try an unwelcome one.

“And I don’t need to lie. All I would have needed to do was make my presence a condition of my assistance. You would not have been able to arrange entrance into the territory on your own.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. Fine. He’d won.

“It occurs to me this can’t exactly be considered a favor since you were heading in this direction anyway.”

In that case, Friday night dinners were off the table.

“Nice try,” Thomas drawled. “But your presence means I had to leave part of my retinue behind.”

Damn. I thought I’d found a loophole.

Thomas looked past me as Sondra and the other two wolves filed into the plane. He quirked an eyebrow at Caroline. “I was under the impression your relationship with your maker was as fractious as Aileen’s is with me. I’m surprised to see you taking a trip together.”

My mind went blank. Caroline was no better.

Neither one of us had thought to come up with an excuse beforehand. Why would we? No one had realized Thomas would be here.

Sondra was quick to cover for us. “Your information is woefully out of date. It seems your information broker has fallen down on the job. You should find someone else before their ineptitude causes issues. Caroline and I reconciled months ago.”

Thomas propped his head on his hand. “I’ll take your recommendation under advisement. Though I do wonder about the presence of those two wolves behind you. As far as I know, Aileen has no connection with either of them and I doubt my paranoid yearling would invite wolves she didn’t know on her ‘Girl’s Trip’.”

Sondra flashed a toothy smile. “Brax’s rules. Whenever one of us travels out of our territory, we take an entourage.”

“Strange that he’d pick wolves considerably weaker than those they’re supposed to protect,” Thomas mused, trailing his gaze over the pair.

They froze under my sire’s regard. Their gazes locked on the air above Thomas’s head to avoid looking him in the eye.

“There aren’t many in the pack stronger than Caroline and me. Those who are were otherwise occupied.”

Color me surprised. I never realized Sondra possessed such a glib tongue.

Thomas idly brushed a finger across his lower lip in thought. After a second, where I thought for sure he was going to call us on our bullshit, he waved a hand to the rear of the plane in dismissal.

Sondra jerked her head at the two wolves behind her, sidestepping Caroline and I with a meaningful look.

“Aileen, a moment,” Thomas said when I would have followed.

Caroline paused to give me a questioning look, asking without words if I wanted her to remain.

I shook my head. If Thomas decided to press the point, there was little she could do to stop him.

As Caroline trailed reluctantly behind the other wolves, Thomas focused on Deborah and Connor as they stepped onto the plane.

“I’m so glad you were able to come,” Thomas said, speaking to my companion. “I hope my yearling has been taking good care of you.”

Caught off guard by Thomas’s warm reception, Deborah glanced uncertainly at me. “I have no complaints. Aileen has been a most gracious master.”

“That’s good to hear. I was worried she’d have trouble adjusting since she’s new to caring for a companion.”

Sensing my growing irritation, Deborah changed the subject. “Thank you for allowing my presence on this trip.”

“Aileen’s companion is always welcome. It makes me so happy to see you two getting along,” Thomas said warmly.

I stared at Thomas like he was an alien.

Who was this man and what had he done with my sire? He was never this effusive and genial when he was dealing with me.

Though there was probably a good reason for that.

“Will this be your first time in Las Vegas?” Thomas asked.

“Uh, no. I’ve been once before.”

“Wonderful. You know what to expect and can act as a guide for Aileen and her lovely friend.”

“I’ve been to Vegas before,” I snapped, mildly insulted that he thought I needed anyone to show me around.

Thomas sent me a chiding look. “I doubt you were exposed to the same side of the city as your companion.”

I hadn’t considered that possibility. If Columbus had two sides—the mundane and the supernatural, each with their own set of customs and dangers—it stood to reason Vegas would too. Having someone who knew the status quo would definitely come in handy. Though I hadn’t planned to drag my companion into this.

Thomas gave Deborah a warm smile. “Let me know the next time you two want to travel. I’ll lend you the jet.”

Deborah raised her hand in protest. “Oh no. We couldn’t.”

Good job, Debs. Don’t fall for this man’s charm.

Thomas waved away her objections. “Nonsense, you’ll be part of the family eventually.”

I almost sprained my neck from how fast I turned toward my sire. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

He did not just casually allude to my changing Deborah into a vampire.

Thomas was way too dignified to roll his eyes, but somehow, he managed to convey how ridiculous he thought I was with simply a look. “Come, Aileen. No need to be bashful. You know those who become companions do so for the opportunity to one day join our ranks. It’s a natural progression of your relationship.” He sent Deborah a fond smile. “One I’m most looking forward to. But, of course, not for a few decades at least.”

I was at a loss for words. Truly, I didn’t know how to respond to that.

Deborah had a slightly dumbstruck look on her face that said she wasn’t faring much better. She seemed both appalled and fascinated by our conversation.

My voice got very tight. “That may be difficult considering I’d need permission from the council to bring her over.”

I doubted any of them would give it. Our line was already considered too powerful. They wouldn’t want us adding to our ranks. Even if, as the youngest, I was the least threatening.

Thomas waved my objection away. “You forget. Ahrun is back. Permission is only a formality.”

From the sounds of it, he already had my future planned. Right down to who I would change over first. I was pretty sure I didn’t like that. And I had no compunction about letting him know my feelings on the matter.

Sensing the situation deteriorating, Deborah gave a nervous twitter, latching onto my arm to guide me away. “Once again, thank you for the offer of the jet. We’ll be sure to consider it.”

“We will not,” I hissed.

This was the last favor I was ever asking of Thomas.

Deborah shoulder checked me. “Hush. Don’t you see I’m trying to save your ass. You’re acting like a twenty-five-year-old whose parents just asked when they can expect grandkids.”

Funny—that’s exactly what it felt like.

I turned to glare at Connor over my shoulder. “I want to know why he never ambushes you with these types of things.”

Connor looked around the aircraft with curiosity. “Because I would try to remove his organs.”

I faced forward, grumbling, “It’s not fair that always gives you an out.”

I wish I had something to threaten people with.

“Give it a few centuries,” Connor advised as Deborah found us a pair of unoccupied seats.

She shoved me into the row first, taking the aisle seat for herself.

The seating arrangements lived up to what you’d expect in a private jet. Each bucket seat came with its own mini table where you could set drinks or a laptop on. Best of all they allowed you to swivel and recline. A couch ran parallel to the cabin wall which was where Connor chose to settle.

While we were getting situated, I was aware of Thomas still watching us, an inscrutable expression on his face. There was a minuscule lift at the corners of his lips that was almost mocking. As if he knew something I didn’t.

It made me wonder if his insinuation regarding Deborah’s transition was an attempt to get under my skin. A punishment of sorts for lying to him about Caroline and our reasons for visiting Vegas.

If so, it had worked. Also, it meant he was aware that something was up. Maybe not everything but definitely more than was good for us.

A commotion came from the front of the plane as Drake and another human boarded.

“What are you doing here?” I blurted, surprise making me slip.

Thomas looked over at me in interest. “Is there a problem?”

Connor shifted, drawing my attention. He gave a minute shake of his head, warning me against saying anything.

As if I would. As paranoid as Drake made me, he was still family. I may not have accepted him yet or known what to do with him, but I wasn’t going to throw him to the wolves. It was why I’d kept silent on his status as a hunter even to my nearest and dearest. Once certain information was out, it was a lot harder to put back in the bag.

He was safe. For now.

Only the slightest elevation in Drake’s pulse showed he wasn’t as sanguine about the situation as he was pretending. A fine tension had invaded his limbs as he lingered in the hatchway.

I didn’t know what it said about me that I enjoyed his discomfort as I shook my head. “Nope. Not a thing.”

Drake regained his bravado. “Aileen is just a touch salty that Connor was contemplating taking on a companion without informing her.”

Sure, Drakey. Whatever you have to tell yourself to get by.

Thomas looked over at his son. “Is this true?”

Connor’s expression was as placid as it could be. “It’s something I’ve been considering. No decision has been made yet.”

“That would be a big step for you,” Thomas said carefully.

“I’m aware of the implications.”

My gaze darted between them, a suspicion dawning. “Have you never had a companion before?”

“In the past, I didn’t wish to be tied down. That has changed.”

I stared at my brother, mute.

The audacity. Of both of them.

Thomas had practically tricked me into accepting Deborah as my companion. Connor had been all too quick to support the move. All this time, I’d thought it was natural.

“Talk about a double standard,” I hissed when I could finally speak through the anger choking me.

“Unlike you, I never had a problem hunting for my next meal,” Connor informed me.

My foot tingled with the urge to kick him. The only thing that stopped me was knowing how useless such an action would be. Might as well save myself the embarrassment.

Deborah fought a smile. “It’s not so bad having me around, is it?”

“That’s not the point,” I grumbled.

Deborah lost her battle with her smile, looking out the window on the other side of the plane instead.

I glared at my brother. I wasn’t going to forget this.

Drake stopped in front of Connor’s couch. “Care for some company? We could maybe get that drink we were planning before Aileen crashed the party.”

The other human skirted past the pair, heading for the back of the plane.

He was quickly forgotten as Drake toyed with the lapels of Connor’s jacket, practically sitting in my brother’s lap.

“That’s it.”

I’d watched enough of this.

Lurching out of my seat, I clambered over the arm of the couch to shove Drake away from Connor.

“Go find your own seat. Connor and I have business to discuss.”

I no longer cared that I was acting like a jealous girlfriend. If I had to watch any more of this flirting, I might gag.

“Such a buzzkill, Lena,” Drake pouted.

“What are you doing?” I asked Connor under my breath as Drake moved toward the back of the plane.

He knew who Drake was.

More importantly, he knew what Drake was capable of.

“I like how bold he is,” Connor said, his gaze lingering on Drake’s back.

Oh lord.

My brother had a thing for the bad boys. This was going to be like dealing with high school era Jenna all over again.

“No.”

I shook my head for good measure. Connor was free to choose any companion he wanted. Except Drake.

A hunter was not getting the address of our house. Much less moving in with us.

And that’s what would happen if I let this progress.

“We’ll see,” Connor said, leaning his head back and closing his eyes, effectively ending the conversation.

“Coward,” I muttered.

And we would not see.

I flopped back on the couch to find Anton staring at me from the seat in front of us. “What?”

“Just wondering if Liam knows how possessive you are of his nephew.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

Though I could see how it would seem that way to an outsider.

“What?” I barked when Anton continued to stare at me.

“There’s something about the human you’re not telling us, isn’t there?”

Connor opened his eyes, hostility in them as he stared at the enforcer.

Anton smirked, stretching one leg out as he made himself comfortable. “Alright. I’ll quit prying.”

Connor regarded him for a beat longer before closing his eyes again.

“Enjoy the reprieve, Lena,” Anton whispered before I could relax. “I’m sure the truth will come out sooner or later.”