Page 79 of The Mermaid's Bubble Lounge
“Rafaela,” Clive murmured.
“We don’t know yet,” Cadmael said. “One of our people is investigating. We don’t want to set this in motion if we don’t have their daughter.”
Bracken looked annoyed. “I see.” He’d been very forthcoming with information for us, and we were stonewalling him. “But you do have someone’s abducted loved one. I’d like to help her find her home.”
“Understood. We’ll tell you what we can, when we can. For now, though, we need to meet with our colleagues. Perhaps we will have an update on the situation,” Cadmael continued. “I would suggest you and Sam come up with a plan for the pooka while my people meet.”
I leaned forward to catch my great-uncle’s eye. “Bracken, would you like to stay with Clive and me? Then you wouldn’t have to drive home so late and we could talk.”
He nodded. “Thank you. I’d like that very much.”
I kissed Clive on the cheek. “I’ll drive home with Uncle Bracken, so don’t worry about looking for me later.”
“I enjoy worrying about you,” he said.
I’ll be fine, I assured him.
See that you are.
Bracken replaced his journal in his pocket and stood. “Thank you for your hospitality. I’d love to speak with anyone who’d be willing to sit for an interview. I’m able to provide information, like I have for you in this case, because others have spoken with me.” He took a card out of his pocket and placed it on the table. “My contact information.”
He walked around the table and held out his arm for me. “Come, my dear. We’ll get out of their way.”
Russell rose as well. “I’ll walk you out.”
Once we were in the hall, I told Bracken, “You know, Russell has had a very interesting life.”
Russell raised an eyebrow at me. “My lady, why would you throw me under the bus?”
Grinning, I tipped my head onto his shoulder. “Because there’s a lot more to the human experience and the vampire one than some pasty white guy with a strange accent crooning, ‘I vant to drink your blood.’ Your story is America’s story.”
“For some,” he allowed.
“For many who passed before their stories could be told to someone like my great-uncle. who would honor and preserve it.”
Russell nodded, walking us out to Bracken’s SUV. “I’ll think on it.”
“I can’t ask for more than that,” Bracken said, offering another card with his contact information. “If you choose to, I can come to you.”
Russell slid the card into his pocket and escorted me to the passenger side of the vehicle. He opened the door and waited until both Bracken and I were in. He bent down and speared Bracken with a look that felt very much like a threat.
“You will make sure nothing happens to her,” he warned.
Bracken nodded. “I will see to it that no harm comes to her in my care.”
I tapped Russell’s arm.
His expression softened. “Yes, my lady?”
“I’m a big, scary werewolf, you know?”
“Of course you are,” he said, though I didn’t miss the twinkle in his eye.
“You’re asking for it, buster.” I made a fist with my right hand.
He patted it. “Remember, thumb on the outside.” Laughing, he closed my door.
Chuckling, Bracken backed out and drove through the opening gates.
