Page 58 of That Mafioso Magic
“Royal Castle.”
“And it was something that Mr. Dyer couldn’t handle?”
“Not when it was a shifter who didn’t want to pay their debt.”
Ahhh. “I see,” I said. Kenneth Dyer was my manager at the casino and was honest and loyal. Damn good at the job. Business was flourishing under his watchful eye. But he was human and in no way equipped to deal with a shifter. Nadia would definitely take care of it. “Okay, then, it’ll just be you and me for today.”
“We’re going to Salino’s?”
I nodded. “Are you wearing that?”
“Of course not. I’ll get changed.”
I nodded, then walked to my bedroom to get dressed. I’d already showered. I put on a black pin-stripped suit, red silk shirt, and vest. I tightened the black and red tie in place, then attached my diamond cufflinks to my jacket sleeves. My Stacy Adams were polished to perfection, and as I gave myself the onceover in one of my four mirrors in my closet, I couldn’t help but feel a little arrogant at the fact I looked so damn hot in a suit. I wondered if Adrian had noticed? I would have to pay more attention to his expressions the next time we were together.
I walked out of my bedroom and into the living room where Shi was waiting. She whistled when she saw me. “Looking good as always.”
I eyed her ensemble from head to toe. “As do you.”
She was wearing a white leather cat suit and the belt hanging loosely on her waist I knew held at least two knives and clips for her handguns. Those, she had in holsters, which she covered with a white leather jacket. It was tailored to conceal the guns, and the other weapons she wore were on her feet. Six-inch steel spiked stilettos. I’d seen her slice plenty of throats with those heels with a well-placed kick. The assholes never saw it coming.
Together, we left the apartment. I made sure to put the grimoire up in my safe. I may be more powerful now, but that didn’t mean I was going to let my guard down. On the contrary, I was more alert. Already, I had a protective barrier set up around me and Shi. It had the range of five feet, so whoever was within five feet of me, they would be safe from any projectiles or magic attacks. At least, that was what the spell had said. It was the same spell I managed to put up when I’d been shot, so I knew that it could at least protect us from magic bullets. That was the hope, unless whoever was trying to kill me should find another way, since their second bullet hadn’t hit the mark.
These assholes never seemed to attack me the same way twice. When one plan failed, they’d come up with another. That was very concerning. I climbed into the backseat; Shi got behind the wheel. It took us about forty minutes to get to Salino’s high-rise on the other side of the city. “Stay here,” I told Shi.
“Sage—”
“I won’t be long and you need to make sure nothing happens to the car.” I didn’t want to return to my car only to find out a magical bomb had been connected to the ignition. I felt safer with Shi keeping her eye out.
She nodded and I appreciated that she didn’t try to argue with me. “Stay safe.”
“I will. Salino doesn’t want me dead, so you don’t have to worry,” I assured her, then climbed out. I didn’t dally before walking into Salino’s stronghold. I didn’t bother to check in with the receptionist. I could sense Salino, knew he was home and exactly where he was, which only proved how strong the bond was that we shared.
“Excuse me, you can’t just walk—”
I stopped only to cast the female with a warning look and a growl. She took a few steps back, then gestured for me to continue on my way. As if I needed her permission. I stepped onto the elevator and hit the penthouse. I was sure I’d be greeted by several vampires once the doors opened. About halfway to the top, the elevator stopped and the doors opened. Four vampires were standing there, three males and one female. All were dressed in black suits and turtlenecks. His security. They stepped on the elevator with me and the female stood before me as the door closed.
“Mr. Laurent is expecting you, Mr. Tamir. But you really should have announced your visit,” she said.
“Oh, like he announced his before coming to my home?”
“Well, he did call first, which is more than I can say for you.”
“I’m not in the mood for pleasantries,” I stated.
She cocked an eyebrow as she looked me up and down.
“And yet, you dressed for the occasion for decorum,” she complimented in her sarcastic way.
“This is just the way I dress. When you have taste and money, you can do that,” I retorted.
She smirked, but remained silent, and when the elevator stopped, she turned just as the doors opened. More vampires were waiting like I had anticipated.
“Follow me, please,” the female vampire stated. She led the way and I was flanked by the other three vampires who’d joined me on the elevator.
I knew she was leading me to Salino. I could feel his aura grow stronger with each step. It was an odd sensation to sense the link that we shared. I truly was his. Now that I was more in my mind than I was last night, I started to noticed the things that had escaped my attention before. We came to a set of double doors and the female opened it and gestured for me to enter. I did and she closed the door behind me.
I turned to see Salino lounging on a red divan wearing a black satin robe with a ruby jewel on his chest and gold lacing through the collar. It was probably one of the fanciest robes I’d ever seen. I had taken a quick look around his home while I was being led to him and noted his extravagant taste in furnishing and decoration. Some might say gaudy, but it was a mixture of gaudy and tasteful in my opinion. Not my style, but someone else probably would love the deep purple velvet rug in the living room along with the white leather sofa, chairs, and loveseat. This room was his office and it was a little different, not what I expected based on the rest of his home. Reminded me of 1920s luxury; high back leather chairs, large cherrywood desk, and the fish tank behind the divan was a very nice touch.
