Page 24 of Brimstone Bound
I made a face and abandoned the computer for now. Perhaps inspiration would strike later. Instead, I glanced again at the electricity bill. Confronting Tony in his own home might not be the smartest of moves, but I was running out of patience. I wanted to know for certain that he had killed me – and why.
I grabbed the puffy jacket which Laura had given me and pulled it on, then picked up the paperweight on Tony’s desk and slipped it into my pocket. It wasn’t a great weapon but, if I did end up having to defend myself, it would be better than nothing.
The solstice might have been two months behind us, but it was still winter. At that time of day in London, the sky was already dark. I’d lived in the city all my adult life and usually it didn’t bother me; the long summer days more than made up for the long winter nights. However, getting myself murdered in a dark graveyard at night had made me very jumpy.
I scanned the road as soon as I left the Supe Squad building. I couldn’t see anyone shady hanging around – but I hadn’t seen anyone last night, either. Not until it was too late.
‘Evening!’
I only just managed to stop myself from screaming.
The smile on the bellman’s face faltered when he saw my expression. ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.’
I gulped in air and tried to get my breathing under control. I forced the corners of my mouth into a smile. I could do this. I could be normal. ‘Hi.’ Relax, Emma, for goodness’ sake. ‘It wasn’t your fault. I was surprised, that’s all.’
Kindness twinkled in his eyes. ‘You don’t have to worry. This street is about as safe as you can get. Nobody comes near Supe Squad. Both this office and you are off limits. You’ll be safer around here than anywhere else in London.’
It was a shame that I knew that was a lie. ‘Thank you,’ I said. ‘It’s Jeeves, right?’
‘You can call me Max. I don’t bother with all that secret name stuff. Tony insists on it, even though he’s perfectly happy to use his own name all the time.’ He grinned. ‘But then again, the man’s a conundrum.’
I couldn’t let that comment lie. ‘In what way?’
‘Dresses like a tramp, acts like a gentleman. He’s a good guy through and through.’ Max blinked at me. ‘But I’m sure you’ve worked that out for yourself.’
‘Yeah.’ I nodded. ‘Sure.’ I wasn’t sure what else to say so I gave him a tiny wave. ‘Well, I’ll be seeing you.’
‘Sure thing.’
I put my hands in my pockets, feeling the heavy paperweight nestling there. I touched it for comfort and lifted my head. The last thing I wanted to do was to look like a victim. I was nobody’s damned victim.
I marched down the street, forcing myself to look straight ahead. I didn’t need to keep looking behind me every five steps, I just had to listen for the sound of footsteps and keep my wits about me. It was only about five o’clock and there were plenty of people around; I’d be fine. I glanced over my shoulder anyway. No-one was there. No-one was there. No-one was—
‘Good evening.’
Goddamnit! I swung round. The paperweight was half out of my pocket when I realised who was standing there. ‘Is sneaking up on people a habit of yours?’ I snapped with more force than I’d intended.
The vampire’s black eyes flicked down, noted the paperweight, and slid upwards again. ‘My apologies,’ he murmured. ‘It wasn’t my intention to scare you any more than it was Max’s.’
He’d been watching my interaction with the bellman? Alright. If I wasn’t nervous before, then I was now.
‘Leave me alone.’ I side-stepped in a bid to get past him. He moved with me.
I felt fear bubble up inside me. Maybe I’d been wrong; maybe it was a vampire who attacked me. Maybe it was this guy.
‘Calm down.’ He raised his hand and cupped my face.
I let out a silent shriek, my stomach clenched, and I tightened my grip on the paperweight. Then I looked into his eyes and instantly my tension eased.
‘You have nothing to worry about with me,’ he murmured.
An odd warmth spread through my body. He was right: I was safe here. He would look after me and ensure that nothing hurt me. Everything was going to be alright.
‘There now,’ he soothed. He leaned further in until our noses were almost touching. A slight smile played on his lips. ‘You have the cutest freckles across your nose.’
I wasn’t sure if it was the compliment that brought me back or if I merely came to my senses. I yanked myself backwards and glared at him. ‘What did you just do to me?’ I demanded.
He held up his hands. ‘I was only trying to keep you calm. You had a hunted look in your eyes and an elevated heart rate that suggested you were moments away from a full-blown panic attack. There’s nothing sinister about my actions, I promise you.’
