Chapter Seven

Las Vegas, NV

Saturday, 10:00 PM

Maddie couldn't believe how comfortable the drive had been. She almost regretted arriving at Vegas since they'd soon be leaving the confines of the car. "Now that we've reached the city, how should we find Bella?"

"Bella is fond of luxury."

She laughed. "That's the understatement of the century."

"True. But it will make her slightly more predictable."

"Only slightly? I was hoping you'd be able to pinpoint her choice of hotels."

"I'm sure if you consider her personality and her history, you'd find her just as quickly."

Considering Bella… The woman had eight hundred years of being a rich little princess who was used to getting her way. She loved bright lights and excitement. Loved to be catered to. And cherished her French roots from all those centuries ago. "Ah… Surely it can't be that simple. Would she really stay at the Paris?"

"Not if she was trying to hide from us. But I suspect that isn't her intention. If I'm right, she'll be at the Paris and will be checked in under the same name she used for her flight."

"Yeah, about that name…" The similarity to his name bothered her more than it should. "Why would she choose an alias that is so similar to your name?"

"Ah…"

"You don't have to say if you don't want to."

"It's not that. There isn't anything between us romantically. And it isn't as if we were married at some point. It might have just been chosen on a whim."

She wouldn't have been surprised if Bella had picked the name without giving it any thought, but somehow this felt different. As if choosing the name had been carefully planned in order to… "Oh, I bet it was on purpose, so you'd be able to find her. She would have known you'd be looking for her once you found out she was missing."

"Most likely."

The woman might be frivolous at times, but she was also capable of deep layers of manipulation. Had she really set this all up in order to get her to work with Quinn to find her? Once she caught Bella she was going to have to ask her directly. Even that might not result in the truth.

"Did you just figure out that she was playing with you?"

"Aren't you bothered that she probably set us both up in whatever she has planned?"

"A little, but it's happened enough that it's more expected than not at this point. She's always been one to drag Georgie and I around however she liked."

"And you both let her get away with it?"

"I suppose we did. She was more or less the heart of our group. Letting her guide us when there was nothing else pressing happening seemed like the best way to enjoy the world."

"The way you talk about Bella…" was enough to irritate her unwelcome sense of jealousy. "Are you sure you're not in love with her?"

"I do love Bella. But I've never once been in love with her."

He said it so evenly that there was no reason to doubt the truth or accuracy of the confession. But it also felt incomplete, as if he'd left something important out. "Have you ever been in love?"

"We can discuss my love life later."

The sun was well down, but the city was still bright. And there in front of them was the Paris Hotel.

Quinn was glad for the distraction. Talking about his love-life or lack of one wasn't his idea of fun. Especially since he had an interest in changing that with the girl who was asking. "Knowing Bella, the Paris is the hotel she would choose."

"Now that we're here, how do we find her?"

He had a bit of a connection with Bella, enough that he could sense she was nearby. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to narrow down her location with any sort of precision. "Let's try at the front desk first."

"You really think she will be this obvious?"

"Probably. Although she can be an amazing strategist and loves manipulation, honestly, she's too lazy to put much effort into being sneaky."

"Sometimes I can't tell if you like her or not."

"I love her but after a few centuries together it becomes difficult to turn a blind eye on each other's real personalities. I'm sure she was just as blatant about my flaws as I am about hers."

"I suppose you're right. It makes more sense to just accept reality."

Part of him wondered just what Bella had told Maddie about him. From the sound of it, mostly it had been flattering. "Let's ask at the desk."

They stepped up together and waited for the concierge to turn his attention their way. Maddie spoke up first. "I'm hoping you can help me find my friend."

"I'm sorry, ma'am, but I'm not allowed to give out personal information." His voice was cold, and he started to turn away.

Before Maddie could respond, Quinn took over. "Sir, I'm sure you can help us." He pushed his power into every word and once the man's gaze met his, he was hooked. "My sister ran away from home. We just want to make sure she's safe. She probably registered under the name Bell Fontaine."

The man hung on every word. "I can check for you." He clicked away on his computer and after only a moment said, "She's in the Bordeaux suite."

"Can you give me a copy of the key, please." It might be pushing his powers a bit but if they had a key, entry would be a bit easier.

The man's hands fluttered in excitement. "Of course, sir. Will you need anything else?

"Not at the moment."

"Give me just a second to get that key for you." He rushed around gathering up several informational flyers and the key before returning. "Here you go, sir."

Something about the man's manipulated worship was grating on his nerves but it was working in his favor, so he limited his own response. "Thank you."

"Should I call to let her know you've arrived?"

Why was he so insistent? He hadn't used his power all that much lately. Was he perhaps overdoing it with this man? "No thanks, I want to surprise her."

"Will you be staying with us too then? I can have some amenities sent up to the suite."

He took note of the man's name tag. He didn't bother to do more than casually look into the man's mind and what he found made him glad he'd only taken a glimpse. "I appreciate the offer, William, but I won't need you to do that. I will let you know if I need anything else." Taking the key, he turned around to meet Maddie's furious expression.

She fell into step beside him. "I can't believe that bastard. Me, he doesn't give the time of day, but you he would have given his first born to if he could."

He wasn't exactly sure why she was so upset. "Should I have not used my influence to get the information?"

"Your influence?"

"Yes, he was the stubborn type who wouldn't have taken a bribe. I figured the quickest option would be to enthrall him enough to—"

"I… I'm sorry. I misunderstood." She avoided his gaze, and her footsteps were a little heavier.

She'd been upset, angry and then embarrassed and it all seemed to be caused by the way the concierge treated them differently. He thought about what he'd seen in the man's mind. And then he had a moment of clarity. "Was this because of your skin color?"

"Don't be an ass. Times are usually different now, but it wasn't all that long ago when prejudice was rampant. Sometimes I am reminded of being treated badly. I suppose he was just doing his job and a bit rude about it."

He caught her hand in his and gave it a squeeze.

"Sorry I overreacted."

"Don't be sorry. The dear William was indeed racist. He would have likely snubbed me as well just for being with you if not for my influence." He watched as her eyes turned angry again. He'd wanted to improve her mood but wasn't sure if this was much of an improvement. "Should we go back and prank him?"

"What?"

"Make him foul himself in public or forget how to use a common word? I'll make it happen if it will make you feel better."

She stared at him for a long minute while waiting for the elevator. When it chimed and the doors opened, she burst out in laughter and dragged him inside. "You'd do it, too, wouldn't you?"

He never understood why skin color mattered to some people. To him it was no more important than the color of an eggshell. Regardless of the outside, it was what was inside that mattered. He didn't say any of that out loud. She was well enough adjusted to not need to hear the clichés.

She was still grinning, still holding his hand. "What should we say to Bella when we see her?"

"She might be glad to see us if her plan isn't going as well as she hoped. Will you offer to help her stop her brother or try to talk her out of it?"

"Good question. I don't have an answer yet."

It probably wasn't even fair to ask her that question. Despite getting close to Bella, she wouldn't stand a chance against Georgie if it came down to violence. If she did choose to support Bella, he'd be sure to join them and do whatever it took to protect her.

They reached the door to Bella's suite. Maddie's laughter had faded, and her expression grew serious. "Should we give her a chance to explain or just start lecturing?"

"Makes us sound like parents who caught their runaway daughter."

"Feels a bit like that doesn't it, darling?"

He couldn't hold back his own grin any longer.

Unfortunately, that was when the door opened, and Bella whispered her mental command. "Sleep."

Dammit… The world faded away before he could even get properly pissed.