Betrayed in Blood (Of Blood & Dreams #6)

Chapter 21

Chapter Twenty-One

I watched Devon from the moment he walked into his office. A tic played along his jaw. He was either bothered by his trip to Oasis or by the loud voices coming from his office. He’d given me a glance, testing the waters, and I smiled. I couldn’t help it.

He’d texted the night before to tell me he’d be home in the morning. Then texted again when his motorcade had been held up by a legitimate accident. He was trying to keep me included, and I had to give him points. We still had so much to talk about.

It didn’t surprise me, and it certainly didn’t surprise the cadre, that he would run his own meeting and not play into the heated discussion we’d been in before his arrival. The question was, once we got to the topic, would he be as irritated with me as Sergi had been?

Now, we’d find out. But when he asked the question about the uproar, I wasn’t going to go first. I wasn’t cadre, and it was times like this, I was happy I wasn’t. So, I crossed my arms across my chest—defensive much—and put on a smile, knowing Ginger had my back and, surprisingly, Bella’s and Lucas’s.

Who knew?

It was a control issue, and Sergi was all about control, especially where security was concerned. I couldn’t blame him. At least, I’d considered contacting him before replying to the mysterious text. If I’d considered it rationally at the time, and not after I don’t know how many drinks, I might have realized I’d been searching for my own control. It was my father, my history, my family.

But what done was done, and now I’d face the repercussions.

When silence was Devon’s only answer, I was surprised when Sergi glanced at me. Was he expecting me to explain it?

Devon was an astute vamp, and it didn’t take him long to see the glares between his head of security and me. He turned his chair to look out the window. Great. He was going to wait us out.

Sergi smiled. God, he knew how much that irritated me. Like he’d won or something.

“I received a return text last night, and I responded without asking Sergi,” I blurted out. “So, now he’s pissed at me.”

Devon let a few minutes slip by before asking. “Sergi, do you have the transcript of the text exchange?”

“Yes.”

“Please read it back for everyone.”

Sergi glanced down at his tablet. Apparently, he’d been ready for the request. I hated to admit it, but the vamp was good at his job.

Once the conversation had been shared, Devon, the back of his chair still facing us, said, “So we have a couple of days before they expect another response.”

I didn’t think it was a question, and the cadre didn’t respond. I glanced at Lyra, who had on her serene “I’m just here because it’s expected, but I’d rather be painting” face on. No help there.

Colantha was reading something on a tablet. Was she still reviewing texts? I still couldn’t get used to her working with technology. For some reason, I was still expecting her to roll out sheets of papyrus.

I didn’t and wouldn’t look at Ginger. It was impossible to ignore her silent snickers at the entire situation.

“Remind me again,” Devon said. “When’s the next time Willa goes for her hair or spa appointment? And which one is it that she has lunch with her friends afterward?”

I was surprised by the question since we’d talked about it yesterday, and Sergi had already prepared a surveillance team to monitor both locations. Was his discussion with Simone bothering him, or something else? “Her hair appointment is tomorrow, followed by lunch with her friends. Her spa day is on Thursday.”

“Bella, what do you have regarding the estate?” Devon leaned over and moved a clay sculpture, then relaxed in his chair, putting his feet on the shelf.

“The estate sits too far back to see from the road. There’s limited activity and, as we expected, when someone leaves or arrives, it’s impossible to know who’s inside the vehicle. The driver sometimes has their window down. I’ve only seen it happen twice, and it’s been the same white male. If I had to guess, I’d say vampire, but that’s only speculation.

“We drove down the alley that runs behind the back of the estate. There are two gates. One rolls back, allowing a vehicle or truck to enter, and there’s a single man-sized gate a few feet from that. There are security cameras on both.”

“Sergi, anything on the security system?”

“The aerial view matches Bella’s report with security cameras at all gates. According to the security records, there’s a security system in the house for the windows and doors. Cameras are located outside the house at each door in addition to the ones at the gates. They send a patrol car through the neighborhood four times a day, two of those during the evening.”

“We haven’t been watching long enough to know if the security patrols are consistent in the timing of their drive through the neighborhood or if they change it up,” Bella added.

“Any men stationed outside?” Devon asked.

“Not according to the aerial footage,” Sergi said. “But that doesn’t tell us anything.”

I would have added something, but Sergi and Bella seemed to have it covered. Of course, it had been almost a year since I’d been there, and if someone else was controlling the estate other than my mother, it was anyone’s guess what changes had been made.

“Cressa, you used to meet April when Underwood was out of town. I believe you met her at the pool house.”

His statement shocked me. I told him that months ago. Who was I kidding? He was a vamp. Solid memory recall when it suited him, which only made me wonder why he didn’t seem to remember which days my mother went to her appointments.

“I went over the wall. There are a couple places where the trees grow close, and they’re easy enough to climb. I’m obviously out of touch with any security updates, but Christopher was lax in his security, always depending on the tech. From what Sergi shared, it doesn’t sound like anything has changed, but I’d need to see the report. If there aren’t guards walking the property, then it’s not any more secure than places I’ve robbed.”

Devon remained quiet, and when the cadre shifted to get more comfortable in their seats, it was a sign that Devon was considering the information he received, and we’d have to wait for him to mull it over. The silence was deafening, and my rebellious nature got the better of me.

I went to the coffee bar and made an espresso, not taking Lucas up on his offer when he’d made the earlier ones. The sound of the machine was jarring. I smiled to myself, knowing without looking that Ginger was having a hard time holding in her laughter. Yeah. There were days when we were still twelve.

I was just picking up my cup of espresso when Devon swiveled back to face the room.

“Cressa, do you mind refilling my cup?”

I took the one I was holding, set it on his desk, and picked up his first cup. His smile was breathtaking, and I think my heart might have stopped for a moment.

“Thank you.”

I went back to the machine and made another one. He waited until I returned to my seat, and I felt his gaze on me the entire way.

Devon wasted no time from that moment on.

“Sergi, I haven’t had a chance to review your surveillance plan, but I want two motorcades for tomorrow. You’ll take Cressa in one, and I want Bella and Jacques in the other in case we need a distraction. Let’s see if Willa shows up for her appointment.” He paused and glanced at me. “Cressa, do you know any of the women your mother has lunch with?”

Again, he surprised me. “I know them all from the time I lived at the house.”

“If Willa shows up for her appointment, I want Cressa to find a way into the salon for a chat. If she doesn’t show up, the teams will move to the restaurant. Again, if Willa shows up, Cressa will determine the best way to approach her. If she doesn’t show up, then Cressa, I want you to meet with the women. See if they know what’s going on. Play the worried daughter, and I apologize, I know you’re worried, but you need to play the part in a way that the women will be willing to divulge what they know.”

Surprised by the plan, I had to admit I liked it. “Understood.” I glared at Sergi, who gave me his predatory smile. Devon wasn’t going to get in the middle of our argument. He wasn’t going to say which of us had been right in our earlier disagreement. He was going to make us work it out in the confines of a vehicle as if we were fighting teenagers.

Damn. It was so adult of him.

“Cressa, I have one last request. Can you contact Harlow and see if he can meet us tomorrow evening, assuming he doesn’t have a job? Actually, if they’re both available, have him bring Trudy for dinner.”

I stared at him, and he gave me a look that said I had no idea what he was planning, but he’d wait to see if I figured it out. I was so turned on at that moment.

I just nodded, since I had no idea what might come out of my mouth. He was right. My head was spinning with possibilities.

“Great. Keep me updated on his response so Cook can plan ahead.” He glanced around the room. “That’s all I have. I’d like to meet again once Cressa and Sergi return from their surveillance tomorrow. Colantha, if you have time this afternoon, I’d like to catch up. How about lunch on the back patio?”

“That will be perfect.” Colantha’s response came with one of her sweet smiles that left you wondering what she was really thinking.

“Excellent, thank you.” He turned to the others. “I trust you all have your work to get back to. Decker, if you could stay for a few minutes. And Lucas, you too.”

The group got up to leave. I wanted to talk to Devon, but I didn’t know how long he’d be with Decker and Lucas. Training wasn’t scheduled until after lunch, so I went up to my room.

Ginger followed me. “That was crazy, right? I didn’t just imagine how strange the meeting was.”

“You mean because he didn’t chastise me or Sergi?”

“Yeah. I was expecting a smackdown.” She snapped her fingers. “He’s playing nice while you work out what to do with your new stash of money and the open door he offered you.”

“Huh?” Then it hit. “You think he’s being nice to me because he’s worried I’ll leave?”

“Sure. Why else?”

It was a good question until I considered everything I knew about Devon—the vamp, the beast, the lover, and the House leader. A laugh burst out of me.

“What’s so funny?”

“One thing I can honestly say I know about Devon Trelane—never underestimate him. He’s learning and adapting.” I couldn’t hold in the grin. “He’s got a plan, and he’s daring me to figure it out.” I shook my head. “God, I love that vamp.”