Page 104 of The Monster and the Last Blood Match

It took all of five minutes from the time they busted into the safe house to when they were back on the streets, but everything had changed.

…

A short cab ride later, Reyna and Beckham were standing in front of the enormous skyscraper for the Visage Incorporated headquarters.

They hurried past the polished floors, people clad in pressed suits, and the body scanners at a fast clip. This place was terrifying in and of itself, but add in the fact that she was about to meet with the most powerful vampire in the company, and it was all the scarier. But she kept her chin up and stuck close to Beckham.

“What exactly are we walking into?” Reyna asked once they were safely out of earshot.

“Well, I have to find out why I wasn’t informed of everything going on. In particular, I want to set Roland straight about goading me. He knew what this was about, and he knew what the crowd would look like.”

“I don’t understand what his motives are. Aren’t you working toward the same goal for the company?”

She despised Roland, but he was cunning. He had planned for Penelope to show up that night of the fire in the hopes of getting Reyna alone. And he had planned for Beckham to get caught up in the crowd today. There was more to the big picture than what they were glimpsing.

“Obviously, this is personal. He’s upset because I got the better of him in the club…probably because you turned him down.”

They stepped into the elevators, and the doors closed behind them.

“Well, he was out of line and deserved everything that happened to him.”

Beckham turned toward Reyna and cupped her cheeks in his hands. “You know I agree with you, but you’re going to have to stay very tightly coiled through all of this. You can’t react to anything. He’s made it personal, but you have to stay professional even when you don’t want to. He will be expecting you to act out.”

“Becks, we need to get out in the open so we can move forward.”

“That isn’t the way this works. It’s politics. You’ll have to trust me. Do you trust me?” he asked. His eyes pleaded with her, but she wasn’t sure if he wanted her to agree or disagree. It showed how much he was still warring with himself.

“Of course I trust you.”

He nodded, kissed her once on the lips, and then released her just before the doors opened. She took a deep breath, allowing the feel of his lips to give her strength to move forward. She could do this.

They walked through glass double doors, and a receptionist awaited them. “Hello, Mr. Anderson.”

“I need to speak with Harrington,” Beckham said. “Is he in?”

“Yes. He arrived back in his office. I’ll let him know you’re here.” The woman picked up the phone and pressed a button. “Yes. Mr. Harrington, Mr. Anderson is here to see you.” She waited a second with a demure smile on her face. “Of course.” She hung up the phone. “He will see you now.”

“Thank you,” Beckham said courteously.

Reyna followed Beckham into Harrington’s massive corner office, straight into the lion’s den. Seated behind a hulking desk was the frail, waxy leader of the vampire world and CEO of Visage. Harrington greeted Beckham with a smile, which would have been more reassuring if Roland and Cassandra weren’t likewise seated to either side of him.

She drew up short, not wanting to get any closer to the intimidating trio. Beckham stood two steps ahead of her, and she tried to remember to heed his advice.

“Hello, Beckham,” Harrington said.

“Harrington,” Beckham acknowledged.

Harrington steepled his fingers in front of him and leaned forward slightly in his chair. “I’m glad you’re here. How fares your dear Penelope?”

“She’s stable, but she will never be the same. She will begin reconstructive surgery on her face as soon as she is able. The mayor has already said he will take every measure.”

“How unfortunate,” Harrington said.

“Yes,” Cassandra agreed. “We always love a pretty face.”

Beckham bristled at the trite tone and the implied meaning that they liked their food to be pretty. “Yes, it is very unfortunate, but we’re all glad that she is alive.”

“Undoubtedly.”

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