Hear Me When the Sun Goes Down

by Lisa Olsen

  Felix gave a careless shrug. “Rome’s not really a threat right now, they’re too busy with their thumbs up their asses after what you did to Volkov,” he sniggered.

  “You don’t think they’re going to replace Volkov?” Rob snapped. “I can guarantee there’s someone ready to step in and fill that vacuum of power.”

  “Come on, boss, it’s not that serious. Anyone taking over the Order’s got bigger things on their plate with the banishment from Vetis than our tiny problem. That’s the West’s greatest asset, nobody takes us seriously.”

  He made a good point, but I couldn’t gamble on that to keep us out of their notice. “Bishop says martial law is the next step if we can’t get things under control. That sounds pretty serious to me. We need to do something to show we don’t need their intervention. Anybody got any suggestions?”

  “Make an example of that Byrne guy, cut off his balls. That’ll get their attention,” Bridget suggested with a playful waggle of the eyebrows. At least I thought she was being playful. She probably had it in her to be that joyfully bloodthirsty, especially since her association with Felix.

  “That’s not half bad,” Rob agreed. “Shut up the muckraker and the rest of the lot should fall into line.”

  “I’m not cutting off anyone’s balls,” I winced, “but I do think it’s a good idea for Byrne and I to sit down for a small chat.” It would only take a couple of minutes for me to compel him to knock it off and we’d be back on track.

  “You bet, I’ll put the word out. We’ll round him up,” Felix promised.

  “Put the word out to who? We can’t use the Order, those guys are risking life and limb showing their faces right now.”

  “I’ll handle it, trust me.”

  It wasn’t that I didn’t trust Felix, but I couldn’t help but feel he didn’t think it was as big of a threat as he should. I almost got the feeling he got a charge out of it every time someone struck out against the Order. “I’m wondering if we should be thinking about packing up and heading home to take care of this once and for all.”

  “Leave now?” Felix’s brows shot up. “But we’ve got at least another week to go here, and now that Jakob’s back, it could last even longer.”

  “That’s another thing. I’d rather get this settled before Jakob gets back and decides to take things into his own hands. We’ve all seen his brand of justice, and I’d rather not see more people executed.” It was hard enough to watch with people I barely knew, let alone those I considered to be my friends.

  Felix nodded slowly. “It sounds like you’ve already made up your mind.”

  “Not quite, but I’m definitely thinking about it.”

  “It’s your call, of course, just let us know what you want to do. But I think it’d be a shame to waste the opportunities here. We might not get another Gathering for fifty or sixty years.”

  “Noted,” I nodded at him. “Bridge, what do you think?”

  “I’m good either way. But it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world to go home and get my hands on a real burger again. The crap that passes for food here makes me want to cry.”

  Felix rubbed her back soothingly. “I can get you a real burger, babycakes,” he offered.

  “Aww, sweetie, you can ask for one, but they’re liable to deep fry it or bake it into a pie.”

  I covered a smile at the exchange, trying to keep to the topic at hand. “Rob? Stay or go?”

  “I’m for a return to the home front. I’ll breathe easier once I’ve got you under the protection of the house spell again, and I can tell friend from foe.”

  That settled it for me. “Alright, I’ll try and have a word with Jakob tonight and sound him out. This whole discussion might be a moot point if he decides not to let me go. In the meantime, put those feelers out, Felix. Let’s bring Byrne in and hope that cuts down on the more violent outbursts until we can get there and assess the damage for ourselves.”

  “I’m on it, boss. Don’t forget you got that meet with Faust and Erlendur at midnight.”

  There was plenty of time to kill before then and I didn’t protest when Felix and Bridget left to start putting things in motion. That left me alone with Rob, which suited me fine.

  “Do you think I’m doing the right thing in going home? I mean, apart from putting me in a safer position, is it a good idea to leave before the Gathering is over?”

  Rob’s hands rested on my shoulders, his thumbs offering a reassuring stroke. “I think you should go with your gut, trust your instincts to know what’s right. Right for you and right for your people.”

  “What if I make the wrong decision?”

  “Never happen,” he said with a half smile.

  “I’ve got some time to kill before my next meeting.”

  Right on cue there was a knock at the door.

  “Maybe we could go for a walk or something? Try to find a spot of privacy?” I leaned close to whisper.

  “I had an idea about that.” His voice rumbled low, by my ear.

  “I’m listening.”

  “I think you need to go hunting.”

  “Like on horseback?” My brows drew together in confusion.

  “Naw, in the city, you silly chit.”

  “But… I don’t need to eat.” I knew from past experience that Jakob’s blood would tide me over for a couple of weeks at least.

  “Course you do. Wouldn’t raise a single brow for you to go on the prowl after the week you’ve had.”

  I began to see the beauty in his plan. “And where would we actually be going?”

  The knock sounded on the door again.

  Rob smiled. “I know just the place.”

  Chapter Eight

  The knock belonged to Gunnar, announcing I had a visitor. I considered asking him to tell whoever it was to take a flying leap and hear more about Rob’s plan, but when I spotted Bishop standing in the hall with a hangdog expression on his face, I decided to let him in.

  “Thanks for seeing me,” he said with a faint smile, barely glancing at Rob, who hovered by the door. Bishop didn’t look any worse for wear; he probably knew the secret vampire cure for hangovers, a shot of blood. “I’m sorry about last night. I know I got a little out of hand and said some things…” He scratched at the back of his neck, the whole thing not sitting well with him and I cut him some slack.

  “It’s okay, you had a good excuse. No harm done.”

  “Still, I shouldn’t have come up here to bother you like that when I was in that frame of mind, and I’m sorry for disturbing you.”

  “It’s okay to make mistakes sometimes, Bishop. Nobody expects you to take a blow like that without cracking up every now and then.”

  “Right,” he said, thumb scratching at his upper lip. “But I deserved that hit last night, so I just wanted to say, no hard feelings, man.” He offered his hand to Rob who shook it.

  “You hit him last night?”

  “Yeah, a bit,” Rob shrugged. “Wasn’t nothing to bother you with.”

  “It was a good shot,” Bishop acknowledged with a sheepish grin. “Anyway, I did have an actual reason to talk to you though, besides being an ass. I promised to talk to you about some problems going on back in San Francisco. Mason called me last night, he says it’s getting pretty bad.”

  I held up one hand. “I’m one step ahead of you. I already talked to Marcus and we’re working on leaving soon, maybe tomorrow night if I can swing it.”

  “Oh,” he blinked, some of the tension draining from his shoulders. “Well, good. I’m glad to see you taking this seriously. I’d hate to lose any more friends.”

  “Me too. I’ve never been one to advocate violence on any side, you know that. I hope we can fix it before it gets any worse.”

  “I can help you, if you’ll let me.”

  The offer surprised the heck out of me. I couldn’t help but glance at Rob, remembering his thoughts on hiding behind Bishop for protection, but his face gave nothing away. “You’re not needed here or in Rome?�
��

  “Not as much as I am in the West from the sounds of it. Unless you’d rather I stay away.”

  “No, we’d be glad to have you. Everybody knows and respects you, maybe they’ll actually listen to you. Can you be ready to leave soon?”

  “I can be ready in ten minutes if you need me to be.” Bishop smiled, and I was struck by how drop dead sexy he could be when he wasn’t busy brooding. My lips curved in response of their own volition.

  “It won’t be anything as short notice as that. I still have to bring it up to Jakob and make sure he’s okay with it.”

  “Ah, so he hasn’t given it the stamp of approval yet? Good luck getting him to agree to leave early. A Gathering like this is the sort of thing he lives for. Or at least he used to.”

  “I don’t know, maybe he’s changed. He didn’t seem too enthused with the idea of sitting in on meetings for the next week. Besides, he doesn’t need to leave, I do. He can stay here for as long as he wants.”

  “You know he probably won’t do that, right?” Bishop’s skepticism came through loud and clear.

  “Why not?”

  “Because he claimed you. You basically belong to him now.”

  “That’s ridiculous. I promised not to give him any lip in public, but that’s about it.”

  “I wouldn’t bet on it if I was you. You have to ask for his permission to leave the mansion, I’m pretty sure he won’t want to let you go back home without him.”

  “You’re kidding me.” I looked to Rob. “He’s messing with me, right?”

  “Afraid not,” he said with an I told you so look. “He has a say in where you go and what you do now.”

  Jeez Louise, how did I get myself into these positions? I turned an accusatory eye back to Bishop. “How come I never had to do any of this when you claimed me?”

  “Because I’m an idiot and I should’ve kept you chained to the bed the entire time,” he grinned. “Seriously though, it doesn’t come up in most modern relationships, but the Ellri…”

  “Can pretty much do whatever they want,” I said sourly. “Alright, thanks for the heads up. I’ll keep you posted on when we’re leaving. I’d better go paste on a smile and greet my Lord and Master.”

  “Bonus points if you call him that,” Bishop grinned, and I was mostly sure he was joking. Mostly.

  I decided not to broach the subject of leaving to Jakob yet, it was hard enough to convince him I didn’t need him to go hunting with me. Only after the promise that I’d take Rob, Gunnar and Tucker with me did he agree to let me leave the protection of the mansion. You’d think I was a helpless human from all the fuss he made.

  Soon we were in a black Mercedes, rocketing along the country road to London, Gunnar and Tucker (in human form for once) in the back. I wasn’t quite sure how this would end up as a romantic tryst with a couple of witnesses in the back seat, but Rob was way ahead of me. As soon as we got to the heart of the city he pulled over and faced the two.

  “No need for the two of you to tag along tonight, we’re just going to the Bird in Hand. Why not go and have a drink or two while I take her in?”

  Gunnar eagerly took the suggestion to heart, but Tucker was harder to convince. “B-but we’re supposed to s-s-s-stay with Anja,” he protested.

  “She’ll be safe as houses in there, and they won’t let your lot in anyway, security’s tight as a drum. Why not spend a few hours of leisure? We’re in no hurry to get back. Didn’t you say something about a spot of shopping afterwards?” Rob looked to me and I nodded.

  “Yes, that’s right. I wanted to hit a few shops before they close up for the night. Actually, Gunnar, I’m looking for something to go on the table in the front hall at home. Would you mind keeping an eye out and send me a picture if you find anything good?”

  “I can do this,” Gunnar nodded readily. “Let’s go, Tucker. I have not been much time in London. You will lead the way.”

  “But…” The young werewolf hesitated, and I considered giving him a push of compulsion to send him on his way before he relented. “A-alright, if that’s what you want.”

  “Off you go then,” Rob said, unlocking the doors and the two climbed out, Gunnar with a happy wave and Tucker less so. “We’ll meet up with you at Pandora’s Cross later.” He started the car with a roar of the engine, smoothly peeling into traffic with a swift check of the mirrors. “There we go. Easy peasey, yeah?” he grinned after we’d gone a few blocks.

  I couldn’t help but grin back when his hand settled over mine, the rough pad of his thumb stroking the back of my hand. “Where are we going?”

  “A safe place.”

  I fully expected him to pull up to the basement apartment that used to be his grandmother’s, but instead we went to a modest apartment building in another part of town I didn’t recognize. “You live here?”

  “On the occasion I’m in town with some time to m’self. Which is not very often. I have to warn you, it’s not very posh.”

  “I don’t care about that,” I answered honestly. “I’m just looking forward to spending some time with you that doesn’t require keeping an ear half cocked for interruptions.” We climbed up three flights of stairs before we came to his door and he started to unlock the many deadbolts.

  He’d barely stuck his key into the first one when a woman’s voice cut through the door. “Oi, whoever’s out there I’ve got a bat with your name on it if you don’t nick off.”

  “Bloody hell,” Rob swore under his breath, eyes closing as he drew in a long breath.

  “Who’s that?” I whispered.

  “An unexpected piece of company,” he said, continuing on with the rest of the locks.

  “That’s it, I’m calling the coppers,” she yelled when it was apparent we hadn’t gone away.

  Rob got the last lock undone and swung the door in. “That’s a fine how d’ya do considering I pay for the place,” he grumbled.

  “Rob!” the woman squeaked in delight, throwing her arms around his neck in an enthusiastic hug. Rob looked uncomfortable, but patted her back awkwardly, shooting me an embarrassed grimace.

  She was young, maybe twenty or twenty-one, about my height, her hair falling past her shoulders in a riot of strawberry blonde curls – the color every woman wants but can’t get from a box. Her eyes were the color of whiskey, and they smoldered with happiness to see Rob, that much was evident. Whoever she was, she was glad to see him alright.

  Dressed in tight dark pants with black, calf length boots and a pearlescent v-neck top, deep enough to reveal a swell of cleavage, she was positively bursting with life, a sharp change from the undead crowd I usually hung out with. I could almost smell the sun on her skin; she glowed under the lights, beckoning the eye to the spray of freckles liberally dashed across her nose and on the tips of her shoulders. I’d spent plenty of time in human company, but there was something about her… something undeniably appealing I couldn’t quite put my finger on.

  “You should’ve rung to tell me you were in town,” she scolded him with a playful punch to the shoulder.

  “I might’ve if you’d let on you were still here,” he replied sternly, ignoring the punch. And me, for that matter. Rob hadn’t bothered to introduce me and I was left standing in the hallway while they chatted just inside.

  She disregarded his harsh tone, her lips curved in an appreciative smile. “You’re looking good enough to eat.”

  “I could say the same to you. What you doing here? I thought I told you to find another place to crash after I left.”

  “It’s brilliant to see you again too, luv,” she said with a sarcastic smirk.

  “I’m serious, Laveda. I ain’t your benefactor no more.”

  Sweet zombie Jesus… Was she his former mistress? I could understand the appeal, but I suppose I’d never seriously pictured Rob living with anyone. I could only stand there, utterly mortified as they continued to ignore me.

  “Well, what you getting so cheesed off about?” she demanded, throwing up her ha
nds. “To hear you say it I’ve gone and caused this grand imposition. You weren’t using the place, why shouldn’t I stay here?”

  “You know why,” he glowered and I cleared my throat, trying to catch Rob’s attention, but it was the girl who noticed me.

  “Blimey, we’re being completely rude. Who’s your friend?”

  Rob seemed to see me for the first time since she’d roped him into a hug, shaking his head as if to clear it. “Oh, sorry. This here’s my boss, Anja.”

  “Lovely to meet you, miss.” Laveda dimpled into a charming smile, her eyes bright as she looked me up and down. Why couldn’t I be wearing one of those fantastic ballgowns instead of dressed for London drizzle in my frumpy jeans and cableknit sweater?

  “Likewise,” I nodded, unable to offer my hand since I couldn’t cross the threshold without an invite. “So, um… how do the two of you know each other?”

  Rob caught my tone of voice, his brows twitching together. “Not like that.”

  “Not like what?” Laveda teased, grabbing for his bum only to have Rob swat her hand away like an offending insect. “Rob’s been a pain in my arse since I was in pigtails.”

  “Oh, childhood friends?” The knot in my stomach eased a smidge.

  “I’m his cousin, Laveda.”

  “His cousin?” Even better.

  “In a roundabout way,” Rob allowed, his hand tilting back and forth.

  Laveda’s amber eyes suddenly lit with recognition. “Oh wait… you’re the one, the dolly from America that’s got him dancing at attention, yeah?”

  “She’s my boss,” Rob repeated.

  “Yeah, yeah, that’s the one. I was hoping we’d meet after Leila came back from her trip.”

  Rob craned his neck, looking deeper into the apartment. “Is she here?”

  “She popped round to the chemist to pick up some paracetamol.”

  “Leila lives here?” I smiled in surprise. “I wouldn’t mind seeing her again.”

  “You weren’t expecting to find her here then?” Laveda’s eyes narrowed shrewdly. “You weren’t expecting to find me neither.”