Page 13 of The Devil and the Dancer
“Three,” Arthur said. “And tonight I think we’re all going.”
Gavin eyedthe group of dancers Chloe waved at as they came in. He recognized a few of them, and he definitely recognized Arthur even though the small man’s hair was a completely new shade of violet.
Which suited his eyes, actually. Gavin would have to compliment him when they had a chance to speak.
Arthur was a good enough friend to Chloe that he put up with the rather raucous crowd he attracted every time he visited the pub. Gavin couldn’t complain that they monopolized her, especially when they bought so many drinks.
Besides, he was meeting with Cormac that night.
“As far as I know, Vivian Lebeau has never visited my city before,” Cormac said. “Can I expect this… pleasure to be more frequent now that you’re a resident?”
Gavin grimaced. “Vivian is impossible to predict, and I haven’t seen her in over twenty years. So I wish I could tell you, Cormac. I honestly do. But I can’t.”
Cormac cast his eyes toward Chloe. “Does she know about…?”
“No, and if possible, I’d like to avoid the two of them ever meeting. It wouldn’t go well for either.”
“You’ve made your attachment clear,” Cormac said. “It’s none of my business, and I won’t say anything, but I don’t think she’s going to avoid the rumors about your relationship.”
“What rumors?” Gavin’s spine stiffened.
Cormac cocked his head. “The rumors that Gavin Wallace has found a human paramour. The rumors that he intends to steal her from Giovanni Vecchio’s aegis. The rumors that he’s so attached he might even ask Vecchio to turn her.”
Gavin could say nothing, because those were all thoughts he’d entertained at some point over the previous year. Oh, notVecchioturning Chloe. He had someone else in mind for that. But keeping her for himself? Yes. Stealing her from Giovanni’s aegis and putting her under his own? Absolutely.
“I’d appreciate your discretion,” Gavin said. “If I can keep Vivian from knowing the extent of our relationship, I know you’d agree that it would be best for everyone.”
“I’ve never met Vivian, but I know her reputation.” Cormac took a long breath and let it out slowly. “I like Chloe. She’s also impressed people who are important to me. She’s a gifted human and a valuable member of Giovanni’s aegis. So you can be assured that as long as she’s inmycity, she’s undermyprotection. Is that clear enough?”
“Will you make that clear to others, should it become necessary?”
“If you think that will help.”
“Thank you, Cormac.” Gavin glanced at Chloe from the secluded table. It must be her break time, because she was taking a tray of drinks to Arthur’s table while Rafael watched the bar. “Protection offered to Chloe Reardon will garner you a favor from me.”
Cormac’s eyebrows rose. “I didn’t ask for one.”
“I offered anyway.”
The corner of Cormac’s mouth turned up in a crooked smile. “Well, well, well. If you ask me, it sounds like the rumors are true.”
“Is he looking over here?”Chloe murmured to Arthur.
“He can’t keep his eyes off you. Who’s the character with him?”
“Oh, that’s Cormac. Whiskey distributor.” The lie tripped easily off her tongue. Of course, it helped that Cormac did distribute whiskey. He also had a bourbon distillery in Kentucky. And he was the head vampire in charge of New York City, but Arthur didn’t need to know that.
“Ah, he’s got that hipster look, doesn’t he? Is that…” Arthur squinted. “Is he actually wearing a pocket watch? Unironically?”
“Yes, he’s wearing it, but I can’t judge the irony,” Chloe said. “The irony is more your department than mine.”
“You know…” Arthur cocked his head. “I dig it. The tweed, the combat boots. He makes it work. Not many could, and I think the facial hair helps.”
Chloe nearly spit out the cider she was drinking. “I’ll let him know.”
“You should. My taste is impeccable.”
“I love the new hair, by the way.”
