Page 34 of Death is Familiar

All in all, the waiting room was smaller than I remembered. But it was luxurious. Every inch was decadently decorated in lush, dark, jewel tones. Tables and chairs rimmed with gold metalwork, transporting us into an elegant speakeasy. And despite the low ambient lighting, there were mirrors. Everywhere.

From experience, I knew at least one of the reflective surfaces was a one-way mirror so that the vamps could keep an eye on their prey at all times. But I wasn’t going to tell Todd that, not when I knew he was uncomfortable enough as it was. Even if he refused to show it.

“There’s at least thirty people here,” I whispered to Todd, grateful the heels brought me closer to his height. It made communicating easier.

“Thirty-six.” He smirked. Of course, he’d already counted.

Though Huntington was not particularly diverse, vampire culture was inclusive. Beautiful people of all shapes, sizes, and identities, were dressed to the nines in the hopes of impressing a vamp. Hoping they would be picked out of obscurity and brought inside. Chosen to belong.

Despite my discomfort with many aspects of vamp life, I had to admit I understood the allure of belonging. Having somewhere to fit in. I had a semblance of that with the agents, and the relationships I was re-forging with Botan and Salma, but I wasn’t there. Not yet. Not when I had so many secrets, so many dark and hidden parts of me, that I didn’t dare share. That I wasn’t ready to reveal.

“Come with me.” I didn’t give Todd much of a choice as I grabbed his calloused hand and guided him through the cramped space to the far corner of the room. I positioned us directly across from the door to the inner sanctum, which just so happened to be the point furthest from the entrance. Todd’s height would separate us from the crowd. There was no doubt that he would draw vamp attention, and quickly, whether he liked it or not. “If we want in, we can’t look too eager.”

“I wouldn’t worry about that.” Todd lifted a thick brow. “You look like you want to kill everyone in here.”

“I do not.”

“Pick a mirror.” He gestured to the walls.

Oh god. I did look like I was about to murder everyone. Here I was thinking I was the embodiment of calm, cool, and collected, but my face had been telling a different story.

An unfamiliar sound emanated from Todd and I turned to find his shoulders shaking.

Oh, damn him.

I had been so preoccupied with the need to make him comfortable and here he was laughing. An honest to goodness laugh. And then he smiled. The corners of my mouth turned upwards. Warmth flooded my cheeks. A strange happiness bubbled up in my heart.

Fuck, now I was smiling.

“Stop it.” I elbowed him playfully, before signing back, “You. Make. Me. Foolish looking.”

“You are trying to protect me.”

I opened my mouth to correct him. But that was exactly what I had been doing.

“I was undercover for seven years, Delilah.” He was still fighting a smile as he spoke, “I can handle myself.”

I was about to respond when Jack’s voice crackled to life in our earpieces. “Everyone alright?”

Jack was set up in a car a block away from the warehouse. He was collecting evidence, yes, but he was also on standby in case we needed back up or to make a quick getaway. And while Todd and I both had earpieces on, Jack had only been able to pick up on what I was saying. And that alone must have sounded a lot like things were happening against my will.

“Dandy.” I made it look like I was conversing with the agent across from me rather than the one in my ear. “I’m just being reminded of Todd’s resume.”

“Ten-four.” Jack waited a moment before continuing, “But I’m on standby for the safe words.”

“He always overprotective… with you?” I asked Todd so the listening devices wouldn’t pick up on it.

Todd cocked his head. “He is more on edge than usual. The outfit, your outfit … is part of it.” Then his grin deepened. “But yes.”

I chuckled. Audibly.

“I know what you’re doing…” Jack spoke again, his voice sending vibrations deep inside my ear. “And I don’t care what names you call me, as long as I know you are both okay. And I’m always going to make sure you are okay, or I’m not doing my job.” Something in the car beeped. “Going radio-silent, but I’ll be here.”

Todd and I shared a look, acknowledging that we’d been caught red-handed. And Jack wasn’t even in the building.

Settling our sights back onto our mission, Todd and I faced the crowd. The room oozed with need and want. Desperation thick on the air, with people waiting to be chosen. People wearing far less than I was.

Perhaps Jezzy was right in dressing me a couple of tassels away from being a burlesque dancer.