“It was just her and Jack in the room.” Reed said between his impressive teeth. “You spoke on a secured line.”
“We were yelling at each other,” Carolyn cried. “I’m so sorry, Margery. I think this is all my fault.”
“Maybe in the future you will be more careful,” Reed said.
Remy hated the way Carolyn wilted. She drifted back down to earth and changed back to human. “I’m sorry,” she whispered to Margery and walked inside with her chin up. Remy could see that it was shaking with the effort.
Prick.
Reed glared at him as if he heard the thought.
On second thought, there was no way they were spending any night under Reed’s care. Remy just had to play it cool so the big dragon didn’t suspect anything. They were on Reed’s turf and completely outnumbered.
“I’d like to get Margery inside until the roof is secure,” Reed interrupted his thoughts. “The doctors have assured me that she is strong enough to be away from the sun, as long as she doesn’t strain her powers.”
“What powers?” she grumbled.
Remy nodded, guiding her toward the main building.
“I’d actually like to get the hell out of here.” Margery dug in her feet to stop the forward motion. “Reed has a leak. They know where I am. They have to know I’m still alive. They’re going to try again—or is that what you’re hoping for?”
“I don’t use Queens as bait,” Reed said.
“Then let me go.”
“Where are you going? Back to Vermont? It’s a long drive, and your protector needs to rest.”
Margery bit her lip and looked at Remy.
“I’m fine,” he lied. “Let’s go.”
“You don’t look fine.” She touched his temple and mouth. “I can see the strain in your face.”
“I’m fine,” he repeated. “My truck is out back.”
Reed said, “Your truck is compromised. Assume the enemy knows it. You don’t want to be ambushed in the middle of your journey.”
Damn the bastard, but he has a point.
Margery stepped between them. “Actually, I’d like to talk to the pirates that captured me. That’s what we came here for.”
“They aren’t in any condition to talk to you.”
“Take me to the prisoners.” Margery glared at him.
“One moment.” Reed bowed his head and took off into the sky.
Remy tensed and darted his gaze all over the compound. It was just the two of them. If Reed was going to pull something, he’d do it now.
“Think he’s going to refuse to let me see them?” Margery asked.
Remy shook his head. “You gave him an order. Only Carolyn could stop him from obeying.”
“What if I’m not powerful enough of a Queen to command a freaking black dragon? This is his turf. Reed’s ancient and a predator.”
“Then it’s good we find out now.” Remy had one last fight in him, and he’d make sure it counted. But he had to make sure she had a replacement. “You need to name Casimiro your protector.”
“Cas? I don’t think he wants that job. He wants consort. And he’s not getting it,” she assured him, by patting his arm.
Remy fought down the pleasure and surge of possessiveness her words gave him. Now was not the time to get distracted.
“I think Queen Esmeralda might be behind this,” Remy said in a low voice and told her his theory.
“This just makes my news story even more important,” Margery said.
Remy’s eyes almost crossed in vexation. “Just the opposite. Drop it. Reed will handle it through the proper channels.”
“Screw the proper channels, and screw him. The elder Queens can’t do shit like this anymore.”
“Who’s going to stop her? You and me?”
“And Casimiro.” She leaned forward.
Remy gritted his teeth. “You’re a naive idiot.”
“Don’t you call me an idiot, you jerk. You’re so used to kissing these bitches’ asses you can’t see past your nose.”
“I don’t kiss Queens’ asses,” he snarled. “Certainly not yours.”
“Good,” Margery fired back. “She thinks she can scare me off? That means I’m close. Don’t you get it?”
“Close to being dead. Look, you want to do this? Fine. You need a court of protectors and a base that we can fortify and protect.”
“How many women will have to die before that happens?” She grabbed his arm and shook it.
They stared at each other. Remy controlled his temper by taking deep breaths through his nose. Margery’s eyes were blue lightning, and they were inches from each other. He wasn’t sure if she was going to belt him one or kiss him.
“Less than will die if you get assassinated,” he said when he could speak without shouting at her.
“I’m a New York journalist with my teeth in a story. Esmeralda doesn’t stand a chance.” She smiled at him.
Remy just shook his head at her cluelessness.
The door to the compound opened, and Reed, who had shifted back into his human guise, held the door open for them. “Follow me.”
Margery shuddered as they walked down the stone staircase to the basement levels. Remy put a hand on her shoulder. “Steady,” he whispered.
“I refuse to be claustrophobic. I just hope my brain is listening,” she whispered back.
A fierce tug at his heart was the only warning he got that he not only would he slay dragons for her, he was starting to fall for her stubborn ass.
The camera-laden hallway tracked their progress as Reed activated a retinal scan to open up the first door. Margery jumped as the door slammed behind them.
“Easy, chérie,” Remy murmured, stroking his hand down her arm.
Pressing his palm against the panel at the far end of the hallway opened up another door, and Reed strode through. Remy was feeling a little Mission: Impossible when they finally entered the cell block. Most of the jail cells were empty. Reed walked to the middle of the section and waited for her. The first that was occupied held two unconscious, badly wounded men. He could see the acid corrosion on their lower limbs. If they survived, they would be forever marked.
Margery choked on a gasp. She had a soft heart. Yet they would have done worse to her if she hadn’t been a Queen. In the next cell, the men were dead or appeared so. Their faces had a greenish tinge.
“Are they...?” Margery couldn’t even say the word “dead.” How was she going to compete on a global stage with Queens who killed dragons for serving their breakfast with the wrong plate?
These pirates had shot at her. Kicked and abused her. Starved her and would have sold her into prostitution. Remy didn’t want her to feel sorry for them.
“Too soon to tell. Sergei tried to modify his poisoned jab.” Reed sounded bored. “I don’t give them good odds.”
In the final cell, two men were huddled in the corner.
“That’s the captain and his first mate,” Margery said out of the corner of her mouth to him.
They shrieked when they saw her and Remy. “No, don’t hurt us anymore. We told you everything.”
She tried to get closer to the bar, but Remy held her back. “Who hired you to take the Smooshie dolls down the river?”
“Inspector Javert. He knew that there wasn’t any industrial traffic on the lake so no one would be looking for the shipments. My yacht has been used for smuggling once or twice. It was either carry his shipment or get busted.”
“You were well paid?” Remy sneered. He was nearly blind with rage that this shit happened on his lake.
“Of course. I have my standards.”
“Who paid you?” Margery asked.
“Javert. He wired us ten thousand dollars in cash at the beginning of the trip and another ten when we came back.”
“Where would you off-load the dolls?”
“We were met on the water. We rafted up together, had a barbecue, and switched the cargo in broad daylight.”
“
What was the name of the boat?”
The captain looked down.
“Tell her.” Reed crossed his arms.
“I’ll tell her,” the first mate piped up, speaking for the first time. He pointed a finger at Remy. “It was Champ’s boat. Nessie.”
“I was in Scotland,” Remy said, pushing Margery behind him as he faced off against Reed.
Chapter Twelve
Margery’s head whirled at the quick movement. Normally, she wouldn’t mind staring at Remy’s broad, muscular back, but right now it was a little annoying.
“We’re investigating your alibi,” Reed informed him in a cool voice.
“He’s not responsible for this,” Margery said, trying to get between them but blocked each time she went around.
“Then he has nothing to worry about,” Reed said.
Remy and Reed still glowered at each other, but the testosterone diminished considerably. Margery hoped Reed didn’t believe Remy was capable of smuggling dangerous drugs over his lake.
The first mate continued, “We figured that since Champ’s boat was used, we’d give you to him in order to continue with our transactions.”
“I was not behind any of this,” Remy said.
“I know,” Margery soothed, rubbing his arm. “I believe you.”
“It would have taken a dragon with international connections to make all this come together,” Reed answered.
“Right,” Margery said. “Smythe has that, and, unlike Remy, he has a motive.”
“All studs have the motive,” Reed said bleakly. “That’s why this is going to be very difficult to unravel.”
“Difficult. Not impossible. And someone’s worried. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have dropped a bomb in your backyard,” Margery pointed out.
Reed’s lips tightened at her reminder.
She returned her attention to the men in the cell. “And how long have you been doing this?”
“Almost a year.”
Margery made a note to find out when the Smooshie dolls started to ship and to see if there were any similarities. Not all dolls would have the pills in them, though. So it was possible Smythe didn’t know about the special shipments. She wouldn’t put it past the Queens to set him up as the scapegoat.
Shit. This was going nowhere fast.
“I need to go over all the reports,” Margery said to Reed, sighing in defeat.
“They will be put on your new laptop and brought to you by this evening. Now, please allow me to escort you to your chambers while Remy sees my assistant for some paperwork that needs to be filled out.”
Remy crossed his arms in front of him.
“He can do that later,” Margery said, hooking her arm through one of Remy’s. She wasn’t going anywhere without him.
“He hasn’t been cleared by security to go up to your temporary lair.”
“He is my protector and my consort,” she said, forcing herself to look into Reed’s fathomless black eyes without flinching. “I’ve cleared him.”
His lips twisted again. “As the Queen commands.”
Reed didn’t like that much. But too damned bad.
He led them out of the dungeon and into a nicer part of the building. Then they took an elevator up to the top floor. Margery was surprised to see that the entire roof was made up to look like an apartment suite. Less surprising was that Casimiro had made himself at home behind a well-stocked bar and was mixing drinks in a steel shaker. A martini sounded good about now. When he added some olive juice to the drink, she was touched that he remembered how she liked it.
“A dirty martini for a dirty girl,” he said, handing it to her.
“Careful,” Remy snarled.
“It’s an old joke between old friends. Can I get you one?” Casimiro smirked.
“I prefer to stay alert.”
“One drink and you’re no longer alert?” Casimiro sniffed and moved off.
Farther down the roof, Carolyn was reading a book under a large lamp. And a gorgeous redheaded man was dancing with an equally exquisite blonde to music that sounded like it was from a 1960s cocktail party.
“I hope the Queen finds the accommodations to her liking. The caterers have set up dinner by the pool,” Reed said.
“There’s a pool up here?”
Reed pointed farther down, and sure enough, there were buffet tables set up around a kidney-shaped pool. If her life weren’t in danger, this would be really swank. She breathed in the sweet night air, and some of the tightness in her chest eased. It was going to be okay—she just had to keep telling herself that until she believed it. No more passing out after almost having the best sex of her life. No bombs. No one trying to kill her. Margery took a bracing swallow of her drink.
Ice-chilled olivey perfection.
“There’s everything up here,” Remy mumbled under his breath.
“Who are those guys?” she asked out of the corner of her mouth.
“No clue,” he muttered back.
“That is my sister, Arianna,” Reed said, bringing her a plate of shrimp cocktail and crab cakes. Her favorite. He didn’t miss a trick. “She is the Queen of New York and has graciously allowed you and Carolyn sanctuary here.”
“I’m her consort, Jack,” the redhead said, finishing their dance by dipping Arianna gracefully.
Reed frowned. “Jack, what’s the situation in Poland?”
After bringing Arianna back to her feet, Jack kissed her on the cheek. He strode over, power and violence with every step. Remy tensed beside her, but Jack only bowed low to Margery. “You must be Queen Margery.”
“Hi.” Margery waved a shrimp tail at him awkwardly. “Your Queen kicked me out of my apartment. Are we expected to rumble?”
Jack winced. “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t.”
Margery chewed and swallowed. She shrugged. “Up to her.”
Arianna looked unfazed, but Margery wasn’t playing. This might be Arianna’s territory, but she’d lived in New York all her life. If she was going to make a career as a writer, she needed access to all fifty states.
Reed frowned over at Carolyn, who still hadn’t come over to join them. She appeared engrossed in what she was reading. “Carolyn, please come here.”
“Go to hell,” she said without looking up from her book.
Reed moved as if he was going to drag her over to them, but Jack interrupted. “No, I wouldn’t. Come on. Let’s talk about Poland. And then I’ll tell you how many books you need to give her to make up for being such a dick.”
“A whole lotta books,” Carolyn grumbled, still not looking up.
Jack led Reed into the elevator as Arianna and Margery sized each other up.
“I need to make a phone call,” Remy said in her ear. “I’ll just be over there if you need me. And Casimiro has eyes on you. Remember what I said. Ask him.”
Margery nodded, holding in her sigh. It would be easier if she never saw Casimiro again, but she had to admit he’d never harm her. If they were really going to bring down an elder Queen, she was going to need help. But first, she had to iron things out with the pretty dragon princess.
“I liked my place,” Margery challenged. “I could have lived there and gone on with my normal life if you hadn’t evicted me from my little apartment.”
“Until studs broke in and kidnapped you from it.” Arianna shrugged. “I’m being practical. You need a castle in Vermont and a handsome protector at your side.” She nodded at Remy.
Back off, bitch.
Margery was surprised at the possessive snarl that almost came out of her mouth when Arianna eye fucked Remy as he was running his hands through his hair and having a very serious conversation with someone. What was that all about?
“And I needed to rent out your place for triple what you were paying. Don’t worry. I cut you in. You have thirty thousand dollars in your bank account for your trouble. Plus, I’m paying for all your moving expenses.”
Margery stuck to her guns. “I’m going to need safe passa
ge for bagels, Chinese food, and Broadway plays.”
Arianna tilted her head. “That shouldn’t be a problem—if proper tribute is paid.”
“Tribute?”
“There are some stunning artisan jewelers in Burlington. I’m sure we can come to terms.”
That was easier than Margery thought it would be. “I’ll even throw in some cheese and maple syrup.”
“It’s settled.” Arianna clapped her hands.
“This is all highly unusual,” Casimiro said. “Queens helping each other without their studs ripping each other apart.” He handed her a plate of crudités and cheese and crackers.
“It’s a new world order,” Carolyn said. “Get used to it. We’re the modern Queens. Bitches take care of themselves.” She fist pumped the air.
Margery hadn’t realized how hungry she was and devoured the tasty treats while Arianna wandered over to Carolyn. While the Queens had their heads together looking at the book Carolyn was reading, and Remy was pacing during his phone call, there was nothing else to do but talk to Casimiro.
Big-girl panties.
“Cas,” she said, dusting her hands off. “I don’t want you to read anything more into this”—she slugged back more of her drink, the chilled vodka soothing over her rattled nerves—“but would you consider being my—”
“Consort? Of course.” He swept her into his arms, but as he went for the kiss she put her palm over his face.
“No. Remy’s my consort.”
“You can have two,” he said as she smooshed his face.
“I need a protector. If you want the job, keep your tongue in your mouth.”
Casimiro swept her back to her feet. “I would be honored.”
“Good.” She tugged his head to her, turning his face to the side so she could whisper in his ear. She met Remy’s eyes over Casimiro’s shoulder and nodded at him. He glared at Casimiro’s back and nodded. “We need to get out of here. I think Esmeralda might be sponsoring Smythe with the Smooshie dolls.”
The Queen's Dance: Book 3 of The Emerging Queens Series Page 11
