Page 16 of Marked
“Miss?”
I glance over. An older man waits near the foot of a resplendent staircase, a crisp black suit covering his frame. Complete with tails. My head spins.
“I am Maximus, my dear.” His aged eyes twinkle as he walks to me. “Would you prefer a garden suite or one closer to the pool?” He slips behind the long counter.
My eyes widen. “This place has a pool?” I squeak.
He offers me a smile. It’s kind, polite. Sympathetic. “And a spa, theater, two gyms, a training facility, an interior restaurant, full wait staff, and laundry services.”
To hell with a night, just breathing the air in this place will drain my account.
“What’s the price difference between rooms,” I ask, hating how meek my voice is, but also knowing it’s a long walk to another hotel.
He blinks. “I beg your pardon, Miss?” I fidget, unsure how to broach the subject of my lack of funds. “Did Master Wade not tell you?”
My bag seems to gain about fifteen pounds. “Tell me what?”
“Your room is taken care of.”
My heart stops beating. “Pardon?”
His expression turns amused. “You are a guest of the colony, Miss, under the Captain’s orders. Anything you need, you have but to ask.” He sweeps a low bow. “Welcome to Eternity Manor, madam. Refuge to wayward supernaturals and humans alike. We hope you will stay as long as you need.”
I sway a bit and grab the counter to steady myself. Relief and incredulity war through my stomach until tears burn my eyes. “A refuge?”
Maximus smiles. “We take in all who seek asylum. Safety. The Lock Lake colony are the guardians of Eternity. And you will be safe here.”
Safe?
For the first time in years, I am left speechless. My gaze darts around, searching for the vampire. To say ...
What?
Thank youseems paltry. I could ask why. No. Demand it, actually. Demand to know why someone as versed in killing would seek to save me. Again.
But it doesn’t matter what I plan to say. Because his dark head is nowhere to be found.
Chapter 9
Ruin
I push through the massive doors to the protected left wing of the keep and head immediately for the tall bar in the corner. With no windows and the lights over the weapons cases dimmed, the fountain LEDs are fucking beacons in the center of the main room. My sensitive eyes water. It makes navigating all the leather sofas, chairs, chaises, and tables a bitch. But it’s quiet. Empty.
Thank-fucking-goddess.
Tanner and Gage are suspiciously missing, and with Caine and Horan on the door, there is no one readily available to snap at.
Why did I fucking bring Lilah here?
I snag a bottle of bourbon from the shelf and pour several knuckles full in a clean glass. The alcohol scorches the whole way down. Burning my insides. I refill the glass and knock the next back too.
She’s safer here than anywhere else. Vic may be in jail, but the blond vamp, Draven, seemed too interested in her with that strange gleam in his eyes. And Lock Lake PD has no idea where he is.
But with no thug left alive on that road, my message will come through loud and clear. She has a protector. Whether she needs one or not. Whether she wants one or not.
And now I have time to get the next lead.
I refill the glass.
