Page 22 of Hunters and Hydrangeas

“We’ll make time.” He says it like it’s a solemn vow.

“Cassian doesn’t seem to think so, but do you think Sophia was working with Alfred’s house?”

“I’m not sure.” He stretches his neck like he’s already dreading dealing with the man. “But even if House Staulington isn’t directly connected, I suspect Alfred knows which line is trying to keep Cassian off the throne. He has a lot of shady friends.”

“Do you think it’s weird Larissa didn’t mention they dated when his name was brought up?”

“I don’t think it’s weird—I think it’s suspicious.”

“Sophia would have known, too.”

Noah nods, wearing that look he gets when he’s thinking about work.

“Not that a trip doesn’t sound great, but why don’t you just call him?”

“I won’t be able to get info out of him over the phone.”

“What exactly are you planning to do to him?” I ask nervously, remembering the unique brand of persuasion Cassian used on Hunter earlier.

“Don’t worry about it. Do you have anything you need to wrap up before we go?”

“Don’t worry about it? You can’t make me stop worrying by telling me not to. Exactly how dangerous is this guy? He doesn’t sound like the most wholesome vampire.”

Noah’s pensive expression slowly morphs into a cocky smirk. “I’m good at my job, Pip.”

I point a finger at him. “No.”

“Pepper?” he says innocently, just to be ornery.

“You’re about to be homeless.”

He crosses the space and wraps his arms loosely around my back. “I promise I won’t rough him up, okay?” Then he grins. “Much.”

“Is Cassian coming with us?”

“I haven’t called him yet, but most likely.”

“Then you probably won’t have to.”

Noah laughs, but then his smile dims. “Will it hurt your business if you take a few days off?”

“Not really—Olivia has been picking up the slack since I entered the final stage. Now that kids are heading back to school, she’s getting fewer hours at the ceramic studio, so I don’t think she minds. Plus, I have a reliable boarder who always pays his rent.”

Noah smiles. “All right. I’m going to see if I can get plane tickets for tomorrow.”

“NIHA isn’t going to care that you’re taking off?”

“This is my job,” he reminds me. “Work trip, remember?”

“You can claim the expenses on your taxes? Handy.” I pause. “Wait. Do vampires even have to file taxes?”

“Yes,” he says with a chuckle.

Bummer.

“And NIHA will pay for my travel expenses,” he continues, “so I imagine they can deduct them.”

“Huh.” I tap my finger to my lips. “I wonder if there’s a legitimate business reason for a flower farmer to go to Miami. How expensive are plane tickets?”

---