Page 2 of Thunder with a Chance of Lovestruck

Farin laughed at something Gil said under his breath.

As Drest narrowed his gaze on the redhead, he couldn’t help but notice that Farin had the same callous smirk Gil did. They probably sat around practicing them when no one else was there to see it happen.

“The Tarrytown Frankensteins should feel honored,” said Farin. “They landed one of theamazingBright Boys. More’s the pity you both could have been assigned to them. I suggested as much.”

Stratton clenched his teeth. “I’m sure you did.”

The Bright family line was powerful and old. One of the original founding Nightshade Fae families. That meant they were a threat to the power structure. Having too many in positions of power was a fear many had.

Drest didn’t want to be the guy in charge. Who needed that kind of responsibility? Always having to make sure everything was running smoothly. No way. Not to mention, it would get in the way of what he liked to do—kill bad things, drink far too much, and sleep with too many women.

The perfect life.

Stratton leaned across the table and opened the folder to a photo of Nile Frankenstein. He bore a striking resemblance to Victor Frankenstein. As Stratton moved to the next photo, this one labeled “Henry Frankenstein,” it became evident the family had strong genes because Henry looked a lot like Victor too.

Stratton continued flipping through the contents of the folder, but Drest paid it no mind. If he dared to keep looking, he’d give in to his anger. He and Stratton had spent a huge chunk of time and energy chasing Victor and his monsters around the world back in the 1800s. Babysitting the man’s descendants wasn’t something Drest signed up for.

“This information seems a little out of date,” said Stratton, holding up a black-and-white photo of a little girl who looked to be around eight or so in the picture. She had huge dark eyes and a head of long dark hair. She was smiling wide, missing some of her teeth. “The date on this picture is nearly thirteen years ago. I’m guessing the kid isn’t a kid anymore.”

Drest found his interest piqued. “What’s her name?”

Stratton glanced at the file. “Rachael. Says she’s this one’s little sister,” he said, pushing Henry’s photo forward.

Drest reached out and took the photo of the girl from Stratton, studying it more. The strange urge to be sure she was looked after and protected hit him hard. So hard that he dropped the picture and sat back in his seat quickly.

Stratton’s attention went to Gil as he continued to flip through the other files in the folder. “Why is their current Hunter being pulled?”

Drest was curious about that as well.

Farin shifted in his seat nervously as he took an abnormal interest in his click pen with multiple-colored inks in it.

Gil shrugged. “I felt it was time for a change.”

“Because?” asked Stratton.

“I don’t recall needing to answer to you,” said Gil.

Drest tapped the table, pulling everyone’s attention to him. “Since I’m the one being assigned the family, it’s within my rights to ask why their current Hunter has been reassigned. In case you’re wondering about that, check the rule book there, buddy.”

Gil sat up straight in his seat as his nostrils flared. “I’m not your buddy, Bright.”

“I know,” replied Drest, never looking away. If the little shit wanted to take him on, he was welcome to try. Drest would use Gil’s horrid shirt to choke the life out of him.

Stratton offered a sardonic smile. “Drest, we could always put in a request with the people above his pay grade. You know how much they like having to stop and answer questions that should be handled at this level.”

“You have no friends in that crowd,” warned Gil.

“That’s so weird,” said Rhys Carywenys from the other end of the table as he pulled his long black hair back from his face and fastened it at the nape of his neck with a leather cord. He, too, avoided fads and thought Gil and Farin were dumbasses. “I could have sworn I read an interoffice memo just last week that announced Stratton’s father was accepting a seat on the council. You know, as is the right of his family to do.”

Drest fought to keep from laughing but failed. Instead, he chose to cough in hopes of covering it.

Rhys gave a curt nod in his direction.

They’d been friends a long time, having once fought side-by-side on the battlefield.

“Right,” said Gil, clearly uncomfortable with the facts set before him. “Alford got a bit too chummy with Nile. You know how that’s frowned upon. When it was brought to my attention, I decided it was time for a change. There you have it.”

Somehow Drest highly doubted that was the truth. Gil was up to something. Drest wasn’t sure what. For now, he’d play the man’s game.

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