Page 13 of Night's Reckoning
Ben asked, “How are things there?”
“Quiet.” Gavin shrugged. “It’s nice. Cormac has control of the city in hand. Officially, he and his brothers still share power, but in practice, he’s the one in charge. Novia has corralled the younger immortals in the city. She’s become something of an enforcer for him, but she’s not reckless or impulsive.”
“Good to know.”
“You come up in passing, but no one seems too eager to have you back at the moment.”
“So great to be missed.” He drummed his fingers on his thigh. “Any rumors about Tenzin and me… on a break?”
“Is that what you’re doing?” Gavin frowned.
“I have no idea.” Ben stood and took the tablet with him as he headed out the door. “I need coffee.”
“That daylight is quite brilliant, isn’t it?” Gavin narrowed his eyes. “Have you redecorated the place?”
“Fabi made some changes when Angela retired. She’s updated a few things. That’s pretty much house rules. Whoever runs the house makes the rules. Unless it’s vampire quarters, of course.”
“Of course.” Gavin spread his arms across the back of the sofa. “No gossip about you and Tenzin right now. The small angry one hasn’t called you?”
“Nope.”
“I’ve never understood your relationship.”
“Join the club.” He set his tablet on the kitchen island and grabbed the silver moka pot on the counter. He filled the bottom with water and added dark brown espresso grounds. “I don’t want to talk about her, Gav.”
“So you don’t want to hear the rumors?”
He froze for a second in front of the lit range. “What rumors? You said no one was talking about us.”
“No one is talking about the two of you, but they are talking about her. I do have clubs in East Asia, you know.”
He felt his chest tighten up. “Is she in Shanghai?”
“She’s in Shanghai. She’s in Singapore. She’s in Hong Kong. She’s in Beijing. She’s all over.”
“So much for spending some time in the mountains,” he muttered.
“Is that where she said she was going?” Gavin shook his head. “She’s on the water, my friend. Someone reported she was inquiring about a boat.”
He frowned. “A boat?”
Gavin shrugged. “Your guess is better than mine.”
A boat? He had nothing. Ben had thought she’d gone to her former lover—or current lover, fuck if he knew—in Shanghai. But Cheng had boats. If she needed one, he’d give it to her. So why was she asking about boats?
Why do you care?
“Hey, Gav, I don’t want to keep you. You probably have to get to work.” He leaned on the counter while he waited for his coffee. “Thanks for the update. I appreciate it.”
“I’m keeping my ears and eyes open.” Gavin leaned forward. “I don’t have many friends, but I count you as one of them. Plus Chloe loves you, and I love her. So try not to get yourself killed or maimed, will you?” The corner of his mouth lifted. “It pisses me off to see her cry.”
“You’re such a romantic.” He waved. “I’ll be fine. If I leave Rome, I’ll let you guys know.”
“Do.” Without another word, Gavin turned off the screen.
* * *
She was lyingin his arms, her body lax against his as they lay in a hammock under the stars. The wind was warm, soughing through the palm trees overhead. He heard music in the distance, but he couldn’t identify it.
